SDC 281 Amazing Backgrounds

Now THIS is my challenge! I love creating backgrounds. It is almost an addiction, so this was a fun challenge to work on. I have had this rainbow background paper for quite sometime waiting for just the right project, and this was it! I used it to create a rainbow pocket letter and I can't wait to surprise its recipient!

In addition to a new challenge, this month we had another AMAZING release and I fell in love with Whookie, so he took center stage for this pocket letter.  I used more rainbow background papers to create his different looks. I also used one of our newest sentiments. I thought it was fitting.

I also played with our television stamp and some older sentiments. Check it out! Whookie is under cover with his mustashio! (a brad I was gifted)Isn't he handsome? And how adorable are his toes? Did you spot the tiny whookie? He is stamped all over the background of a few of the cards. 

And, of course, no pocket letter is complete without some goodies. Brads, Washi and Twine! Those letters are from our Alphabet backround stamp.  Block stamped and each letter cut out to create the words of my choice. Oh, and of course, a sparkly sentiment for the bling!

I hope this inspires you to create an amazing background for our challenge this week! Backgrounds are so fun to create using just about anything in your stash! Be sure to check out the rest of the design team creations and enter for your chance to win stamps! Happy creating!

Ingredients:

Whookie: (Stampotique)

Phrase Cube #3 (Stampotique)

Alpha Background (Stampotique)

Barcode Text #2 (Stampotique)

Quotes #1 (Stampotique)

TV (Stampotique)
Hanging Hearts (Stampotique)
Circles Cube (Stampotique)
Dylusions Ink Spray
Color Box Ink
Bristol Strathmore Paper
Tim Holtz Twine

SDC 279 Animals Only!

So, I am always haunting the clearance aisle, as a thrifty crafter, and this last week I found this amazing Heidi Swapp Instalove photo holder and it was so cheap that I just had to have it. I knew it was destined for Stampotique. My thought behind it was that it could be used to hold ATCs and display them.

So, on to the challenge at hand. Use ANIMALS. Well.....I feel like unicorns are for sure animals.

Yes, ...my geek is showing. Ask me if I care....10 points if you can name this book. (yes, movie too)

ANYhow. So I colored up our adorable unicorn with copic markers. I must get back into the habit of using copic markers. It is so fun to color and watch an image come to life.  I also used one of our new hashtag sentiments. I stamped #artwork onto a gesso treated veneer. Some fun papers,  washi tape and, of course, BLING...

I even had some amazing GOLD glitter flaked paper that was perfect for the edging. My Tombow adhesive is amazing for stuff like this! Take note! It...is....AWESOME! Oh, and a sweet paper flower.

See how perfect this is for holding ATCs?? It would be a great project for those of you that love ATC swapping as much as I do! Someday I will post a video if my amazing year of swapping!

Alright! I hope this inspires you to get creating with all of your amazing animal stamps and papers and things! Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team has created and be sure to link up when you get your projects done!

INGREDIENTS:

Unicorn: Stampotique
#artwork: Stampotique
Heidi Swapp Instalove Tall Photo Display
Some Odd Girl Designer Paper
Heidi Swapp Washi Tape
Glitter Paper
Copic Markers
Tombow Glue
Color Box Black Ink
Various Bling

Fantastic Fabric ATCs

This month for the ATC swap over at Stampotique we tried to come up with something a little bit different. So, I asked my husband to give me ideas. He said, "What about fabric?" Still high off my banner for the blog hop I said, "Yes! That is perfect!" So back to my scrap fabric stash I went.

I recently ordered a few new stamps from Stampotique and this puppy was needing to be on this ATC....and...given his position....I thought the, "pull my finger" stamp was just about perfect.

The only paper used on this ATC was for the back (stampted ATC back) and the dog and sentiment. The rest is fabric, interfacing, thread and twine. Oh, and a bit of acrylic paint and watercolor. I really hope that my partners enjoy these.

Additionally, it is Word Up Weekend once again over at Stampotique so..."Pull My Finger"....::snicker:: These ATCs were a blast to make so maybe in the future I will create more. Fabric is just as fun as paper, and we ALL know how I feel about paper!

Happy weekend, happy sentiments and...you know...if you gotta....pull my finger!

INGREDIENTS:
Floating Dog: Stampotique
"Pull My Finger": Stampotique
Various Joann Fabric Fabrics
Tim Holtz Twine
Color Box Ink
Faber Castell Gelatos

Word Up Weekend!

Hello!! Its that fun time again where you learn how many amazing Stampotique sentiments there are! This project also happens to double as a texture ATC project. I love that Stampotique has ATC swaps every month.  Click the link and join! SO many talented artist participate each month! <3

So for my texture I used texture paste with a stencil (colored the paste with Lindy's) and then I used green flocking on the feathers.

I used Kassa's feather stamps in conjunction with Dina Wakely's flying bird stencil. I water-colored the feathers and then added a touch of flocking to them. Looking at them now, they also could double as ferns. I liked the words from the "barcode" stamp set (stampotique). Not sure why, but the popped out at me.

I tried to get a side view so you can see the texture. I tried to make the paste extra thick too. After not being overly inspired when I started, I really like the end result. I hope whomever I am partnered with likes them a well.

Happy weekend!!!

Ingredients:

Feather (Stampotique)
Barcode Text
Dina Wakely Birds Stencil
Color Box Black Ink
Lindy's Stamp Gang Magical Saker
Studio G Flocking
Dylusions Ink Sprays
Ranger Texture Paste
Faber Castell Gelatos

Word Up Weekend!

Its the weekend....and I need coffee...I imagine most of you do as well.  This time around for Word Up Weekend I created a ATC using one of our new release sentiments. It is so perfect and I believe I will find myself using it a lot.

For the ATC itself, I used Yupo paper and alcohol inks. This side of the paper was originally my mess up but the more I looked at the design the more it grew on me. I also liked that they were colors outside of my normal theme. And guys, can you believe that I pulled out my VELLUM?!?! WOW!! I colored this lil guy with gelatos as well.

Really enjoyed creating this card and can't wait to make more projects with this fun and quirky sentiment! Have a great weekend guys!!

Ingredients Used:

Smile, Stampotique
Phrase Cube #2, Stampotique
Yupo Paper
Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink
Faber Castell Gelatos
Color Box Black Ink
Ranger Archival Black Ink
Vellum

Word Up Weekend

Here we are again! Another great day to show off our awesome sentiments over at Stampotique!

This week I am showcasing 2 new stamps from our latest release. A sentiment and an image. I used them to make 2 new ATCs.

For the background I used Magic Shaker in Black Forest Black from Lindy's Stamp gang, who, Stampotique has partnered with recently. I LOVE all of the colors in that shaker! I can't wait to buy more!

I colored Isabelle with Crayola colored pencils. The image reminded me of a little girl and how she may draw herself so I used simple coloring to add to that whimsy. I also left the background simple to let the image and sentiment be front and center.

And, of course, the sentiment NEEDED sequins.Just sayin....Don't let anyone dull your sparkle.. ;) I hope these make you smile and, who knows?? One of these may find their way to you someday!

Ingredients:

Phrase Cube #2: Stampotique
Isabelle: Stampotique
Magical Shaker, Black Forest Black, Lindy's Stamp Gang
Strathmore Paper, Bristol Smooth
Crayola Colored Pencils
Sequins
Ranger Black Ink

Word Up Weekend Ya'LL!

So, even though I may be from the south, when I speak most people think I am from the North. Always makes me giggle. So, there. Some South for Ya'LL Haha.

So this weekend I am back for Word Up Weekend with another fun and interactive ATC. This time, a slide pop up card. When I first started making cards I had an entire notebook filled with card instructions for things like this. It is fun to go back to my roots to create some fun ATCs.

The trouble I had with this one as well as a few others was that the instructions are for gigantic cards! So what's a card maker to do? Scale it down, of course!

Here is what you will need to create this card in ATC size:

2.5 x 3.5 in pieces of card-stock (you will need 2) Base pieces
1 7/8 x 3 in piece of card-stock Pull Slide
1 5/8 x 2 1/8 piece of card-stock Pop Up Front Base
1/2 x 2.0 in piece of card-stock Pop Up Front Image Piece

Take one of your 2 pieces of ATC sized card-stock and mark 3/8 in from all 4 edges. Cut 3 of the 4 sides (2 long and one short) leaving the 4th to be scored. The 4th will be the top of your card.

You will also score 1/4 inch from the bottom cut and 1 1/8 inches from the top score. Your 1/4 inch score will be valley, center will be peak and top will be valley. I have shown all of this in the above photo.

This next piece is the pull tab piece. You will attach the bottom portion of this piece to the bottom score portion of the piece you just cut and scored from the back. Once attached you can pull this tab and the front piece slides and pops up! (see top photo)

This image below is flipped because of how I wrote the numbers so, think upside-down, but the top will be even with the front and the bottom of the pull tab will be attached as shown here. 

These last two pieces will be the portion you attach to the front of the card that, when slid up, will pop up. I have created these to be nesting so that you have a frame.

The piece with this adorable kitty and polka dots is what is created just above. And, of course, lastly attach the two base pieces, only adhering the long sides. Leave the short sides open. Esp the top so that you can pull the tab, creating the pop up slide. Also be sure not to overlap your adhesive with the pull tab.

 I decided to use two sentiments: One on the top portion of the pull tab and one sentiment inside the bottom frame inside when revealed. I loved these two sentiments with the look on this kitten's face. Thought it matched up pretty well and it made me smile.

This is such a fun little card and once I figured out how to downsize it it went fairly quickly.. I have several more ideas so, be sure to check back for new and exciting ATCs!

Ingredients:

Line Up: Stampotique
Phrase Cube: Stampotique (2 of the 4 used)
Dylusions Sprays
Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist
Color Box Black Ink
Strathmore Bristol Smooth Surface

Under The Sea

No, no....this is not a story about a mermaid and a singing crab...this is the story of 2 really fun ATC cards for the latest ATC swap over on the Stampotique FaceBook page.

So, I was talking with another of the design team members about interactive cards so I decided to get started on creating some!!

This month our theme for the ATC swap is, "under the sea".  My first thought was to use our latest mer-creature again but both mer creatures were a bit large for what I was doing, though, now that I think about it....hmmm....I love it when ideas pop into your head at the most random moments.

ANYway....I decided to use a couple of sentiments coupled with our sea creatures. We have so many, but these are the two are the ones I own so these are the guys ready to pee their pants with happiness.

I am really happy with the outcome. I can't wait to create some more and maybe try some other interactive cards.

So the center/outside ATC is one of my favorite Stampotique quotes. Not sure why but it makes me want to giggle. Love the way the squiggle arms and the  bling play with the words of the sentiment.

The second part of the project continues the theme of under the sea as well as peeing your pants. .lol Apparently, we at Stampotique like potty humor...and I approve. If happiness is like peeing then, couldn't YOU just pee your pants? I sure could. Love this seahorse. There are actually more than just this guy. You should check out our shop. 

 And, of course, adorable Octopet fits right in. Also, the squggle arms remind me of sea weed so I keep using it with my sea creatures. Really excited to share these with whomever my partners end up being in the swap. Might even be YOU if you join the swap so head over to FaceBook and join!!

Ingredients:

Octopet: Stampotique
Rudy: Stampotique
Couldn't You Just...: Stampotique
Happiness: Stampotique
Circles Cube: Stampotique
Dylusions Sprays
Colorbox Black Ink
Faber Castell Gelatos
Marvy Watercolor Pen
Tim Holtz Twine

Monochromatic Monday

Good Monday evening to you all! It is time for another swap over at Stampotique! Everyone voted and decided that Monochromatic would be an awesome theme. I love monochromatic projects, it is just very difficult for me to create something without a third color to pop.

I decided to go with teal and green. Greens are varied, so I thought this would be my best bet to follow the challenge without cheating. ;) Once the colors were chosen I knew I wanted to use Feathery Monster. He looks so handsome in teals and greens.

I used my watercolor background technique to create a dynamic background. I used Dylusions Ink Sprays and water on my Ken Oliver mat and this was the result. This is my favorite one to date. I wish so hard my scanner was working because I would have scanned this one and saved it for sure! It turned out amazing with all of the little dots hovering perfectly on the paper. 

For the ATC, I decided to go with shakers this time. In order for them to fit into an ATC sleeve I went ahead and cut my foam squares in half (height) in order for the top layer to be smaller but still allow the sequins to shake around. It was tedious. I will be buying a roll of thinner foam tape in the future. I covered the foam outside with some fun green twine, which, this idea I borrowed from someone else. 

 I really like how these guys turned out. Oh! The sentiment is also from Stampotique!! I thought it was just about perfect for his expression.

So, I hope you will hop over and join us at Stampotique for our FaceBook swap! We would love to have you!!

Ingregients:

Feathery Monster (Stampotique)
The Crew (Stampotique, just the sentiment)
Dylusions Ink Sprays
Dollar Tree Twine
Dollar Tree Sequins
Le Pen Black
Ranger Archival Black Ink
Transparency Paper
Adhesive Foam Squares

Its ATC Time Again!

This month over at Stampotique our ATC swap theme is Stamped Background. The idea is to stamp a background and hi-light that stamp or another in the foreground. Of course I had to use my cute little monsters. Plushy and the Goat Monster. I went a little bit more simple in an effort to have the stamped background and monsters pop. I love how they turned out.

This first one is on a background that I created for my video on watercolor backgrounds.  It was exactly what I needed for this goat monster and his silly plushies.

 This card I used an extra panel I had from the party banner  that was created awhile back for my first DT slot. I cut it down to the appropriate size and stamped Plusy all over the back. I used watercolor pencils for Goat Monster and then used the "caution" part of the Approach With Caution stamp. I love how the expression on Goat Monster's face almost seems like he is in a daze, or in the twilight zone with Plushy behind him.

 I flipped the colors for the second card, using the blues and greens on the back with the warmer yellows and oranges for the goat. Finished up both cards with a gel pen to create a funky boarder.

Pretty much love the way these guys turned out. I am really enjoying learning to use different color schemes and not just my go-to colors.

So, be sure to hop over and join our ATC swap! There are so many amazing artist waiting to swap with you!

Ingredients:

Goat Monster (Stampotique)
Plushy (Stampotique)
Approach With Caution (Stampotique)
Ken Oliver Color Liquid Metals
Dylusions Sprays
Watercolor Pencils
Black Archival Ranger Ink

Time For Another Stampotique ATC swap!

Its that time again! New month, new ATC swap for Stampotique! Lets get this party started! Hop on over to our event here if you are interested!

This month the theme of the swap is, "Sentimental". Choose a sentiment, be it sarcastic, sweet, kind...it doesn't matter. I think we all know what kind of sentiments I prefer....Which is one of the many reasons I love being on this design team!

The stamped sentiment I used is from Stampotique. It is called, "Sarcasm". Told you I loved this company. I think I shall put this on my next job resume. It might win points...you know, for honesty! The background was stamped using the "Circles Cube". It was stamped using glacier white pigment ink from ranger, and then I used Zing embossing powder to make it pop and give it the texture you all know I love. A bit of washi and some bling...all on a background created using Dylusions sprays (I might need to just get a job at Ranger since I use their stuff ALL of the TIME....) The sentiment was colored using Faber Castell Gelatos and a watercolor brush pen. 

I sure hope the recipient of this card enjoys it and gets  a smile from it. Be sure to head over and join us in our ATC swap on FB. All you have to do is make sure you use one of Stampotique's fantastic stamps for your card. Hope to see you there!

Ingredients:

Stamp: Circle Cube

Stamp: Sarcastic

Ranger Pigment Ink, Glacier White

Ranger Archival Black Ink

Dylusions Sprays

Faber Castell Gelatos

Zing Embossing Powder, White

Sequins

Adhesive Pearls

Stampotique ATC

I am participating in the ATC swap over at Stampotique this month.

This month, the theme is, "Frame It". I thought this would be a fun challenge. With ATCs your space is limited and it actually was a bit more challenging then I had at first anticipated. In the end, I decided that an "instax" type frame, or "Polaroid", if you prefer, would be the perfect solution.

I love this girl, "Moth Fab". She is so funky and just screams for like, "fab" colors and style. Of course, she is a little large for a 2.5 x 3.5 inch sized canvas so, the frame was the perfect fit. It kind of reminds me of a middle school picture for a yearbook when it is placed this way. I used watercolor pencils and water brush pens to color her.

Not sure what it is, but I can't just leave things simple anymore and I really do try. However, I just imagined that if "Moth Fab" was to give this photo away she was going to doodle on it and write all over it. Least, that's what I always did in school. This, after I used Dylusions Sprays and Faber Castel Gelatos to create a distressed, colored frame. 

To acheive this I used the "Just Keep On" sentiment as well as "Hanging Hearts" on the frame. A little washi tape and just a bit more doodling with my Poscca paint pen and it was, I think, complete. 

Ingedients:

Stamp: Moth Fab

Stamp: Hanging Hearts

Stamp: Just Keep On

Dylusions Spray

Heidi Swapp Color Shine

Faber Castell Gelato

Washi Tape

Poscca Pen

Watercolor Pencils