Word Up Mail Art

Howdy! Back again with some more wise words and some fun mail art for Word Up Weekend over at Stampotique! I used this new stamp from our release yesterday, "Dog and Kittens". I think the recipient is going to like this image a lot. I used the sentiment from Quotes #1 because I found it amusing with the dog's expression with having the cats hanging all over him.

I used Tim Holtz Distress Inks to watercolor the envelope and the image both. A few splatters for some character. I love using messy splatters. 

I really hope the recipient is happy to receive this envelope and the ATCs that will go in it. Be sure to hop over to our Facebook page to see more Word Up Weekend goodies!

Ingredients:

Dog and Kitties: Stampotique
Quotes #1:Stampotique
Circled Lines: Stapotique
Tim Holtz Distress Ink: Abandoned Coral, Cracked Pistachio, Peacock Feathers
Le Pen Black Pen
Color Box Ink
Acrylic Gesso

Word Up Weekend....Need Coffee!

Hello, hello! It is that time of week again....Word Up Weekend! 

I bought some new inks...shocking, I know...but I really didn't have any distress inks and when I saw that ALL of Tim Holtz Distress Inks were 2 dollars off retail at Hobby Lobby, I had to have them. I will probably go get more. Hopefully this means that here in TN we will finally be getting the new Oxide Inks. 

So, I used these 3 colors to create a fun splattered background and also stamped my sentiment AND my bird image onto what was left. Oh, and layered strips on top of vellum that I burned....with fire...

 That's right...fire...and vellum....it makes a really cool texture and scorch look. I doodled on the strips of paper with my paint pen, which....you know...was fun. I chose this sentiment and bird because, well, they go amazingly well together, but additionally, my son knows and says often, "No coffee, no works!" and, I thought it applied here. HAHA

Be sure to head over to our Stampotique FB page and check out all of the other wonderful word up weekend projects! Who knows what may strike your fancy?

INGREDIENTS:

Cocoa Bird: Stampotique
Coffee Quote (Phrase Cube #2) Stampotique
Tim Holtz Distress Inks: Peacock, Cracked Pistachio, Abandoned Coral
Vellum
American Crafts Eyelets
Color Box Ink

SDC 274 Oldie But A Goodie

So, awhile back I realized I had lost one of my most favorite Stampotique quotes and I was so bummed! When this challenge came up the first thing I lamented to myself that this sentiment would have been perfect. Thankfully, I was able to find it and I was so excited! It was the perfect sentiment for this beautiful tea cup from our latest release.

I used a blank wooden piece and created this plaque hanger. It was such a joy to work with this sentiment and this new tea cup. I tried to use subtle colors and make it feel like a tea party. And of course, flowers and twine.

I used gelatos to water color the tea cup and inks and a nail file to distress the edges of the papers and make it feel shabby chic.I really loved how it turned out and this may find its way to my mother for Mother's Day. ;)

Be sure to check out our entire new release and stay tuned for next month's release as well! We hope you enjoy this challenge and, as always, you can see the rest of the design team's work on our Designer Challenge Blog, or on my sidebar here :)

Ingredients:

Tea Cup: Stampotique
Enjoy Today: Stampotique
Faber Castell Gelatos
Prima Flowers
Decorative Papers
Memento Ink
Tim Holtz Distress Ink
Tim Holtz Twine
Adhesive Gems and Pearls

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 Weeked

So, here I am again, time for Word Up Weekend and I find myself using an oldie but a goodie, once again. I really love this sentiment.

This week I decided to create and art journal style page. This week my son was so enamored with outdoor things that I was inspired to create a whimsical page for him and no sentiment but this one would do.

 I created baby wipe flowers and made a huge mess with the multi media and it was a blast!

I really tried to capture the essence of my boy blowing his dandelion puff but my printer wasn't having it so I used a marker to kind of draw your attention to what is going on in the photo. See the word "wish"? It was created using the background alpha stamp that came out this month. I stamped it out and cut out the letters from card-stock to create my own word. LOVE multi-use stamps!

I plan to find a frame and hang this one. (Maybe after getting the photo printed somewhere else...) I love how it all came together! Have a wonderful weekend and be sure to check out our facebook page for more fun word up weekend projects!

Ingredients Used:

Enjoy Today, Stampotique
Alpha Background, Stampotique
Dina Wakely Acrylic Paint
Lindy's Stamp Gang Ink Spray
Lindy's Stamp Gang Magical Shaker
Tim Holtz Rays Stencil
Dina Wakely Bird Stencil
Diane Revealy Large Triangle Stencil
Flow Magazine Paper
Ranger Texture Paste
Paper Studio Gesso
Tim Holtz Twine
Sequins
Baby Wipe Flowers
Veneers
Corrugated Cardboard

Lindy's Color Challenge For April

Good morning, all! I am so excited to finally get to share this secret! Stampotiqu and Lindy's Stamp Gang have collaborated to bring you something extra special this month! The Stampotique ladies were sent some of the most amazing mixed media products that I have gotten to play with in a very long time!!  Will you just look at this deliciousness??

Of course, the color palate we were sent was perfect for the April color challenge that Lindy's has running. I love this color combination. I would never have thought to put that green in there. Perfection!

For my project I really wanted to showcase the versatility of not just Stampotique stamps, but the versatility of Lindy's products. I started with a blank chipboard frame slathered with acrylic gesso. (when in doubt, gesso!!!) I used my Flat Fabio Raspberry Lemonade. Such a gorgeous pink! Yumm-O!! I then watered it down and let it run all over, using the heat gun to move the color around. I created about 3 layers this way. 

So, my favorite product that I have tried from Lindy's has to be the magic shakers. LOOK at how many colors are magically in the Black Forest Magic Shaker, guys!!! 

 Seriously, will you just LOOK at this MAGIC up in here?? My mind almost literally exploded when I tried the Magic Shaker the first time. I already have 2 more picked out to buy you guys. Seriously...

In the end, this was my base for my frame. I love how reactive the sprays are. Just a bit of water changes everything!! SO much fun!!

Now, for the details. We were sent a little jar of Magical in Sidewalk Chalk and admittedly, at first I was unsure why we would need white....MAN was I narrow-minded. After thinking on it I experimented. A bit of Starburst Spray in Hawaiian Blue with a pinch of Magical and poof, a goreous pastel blue that I could mix into my Ranger texture paste. It....was....gorgeous!!! I used my Dina Wakely arrow stencil and that blue really popped off of the frame.

Next I decided to use the Embossing Powder we were sent (Dandelion Yellow Green).  I grabbed one of our latest release stamps from Stampotique, a scrawling script background stamp and together these are really beautiful. The only trouble is, the subtle color doesn't pick up on photo the way it does in real life so, you will just have to trust me when I tell you how beautiful it is. Subtle is good.Not to mention, I have used quite a few embossing powders in my day but this one, because of  how fine it is, has the best coverage before and after heating that I have ever used.

I used all 3 sprays, the Flat Fabio, and both Starburst sprays to water color these sweet flowers from Stampotique. I have been wanting to use this stamp for what feels like forever and this project was just the right thing. I ended up coloring 2 of them and really like how easily these sprays worked as watercolors. Additionally, I used some extra Hawaiian Blue texture paste on this vintage key. Gave it a more shabby look instead of a vintage look. The small flower here was created using a white paper flower and spraying it thoroughly with Starburst Spray in Rusty Lantern Lime. It is hard to tell, but that flower is so shimmery in the light!!

While researching Lindy's Stamp Gang I came across this really wonderful video showing how to create flowers from used baby wipes (used as in....painted and splattered, not used by babies). I knew I had to create a couple of these for this project. Using the sprays, of course. I used Rusty Lantern Lime and the Black Forest Magic Shaker on the paper frame.  

The end result is so wonderful! I will have to either gift this frame (this will be almost impossible) or, I will have to find the most wonderful photo. This frame is a statement piece all of it's own. It is difficult to see but the embossed script is on both top and bottom of the frame.

I really hope this inspires you to get messy and create something beautiful. Until this project I had no idea just how versatile all of the sprays and products really could be and I challenged myself to ONLY use the Lindy's products provided and was not at all disappointed. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised. So, thank you Lindy's Stamp Gang for teaming up with Stampotique. I see a new obsession in my future!

Ingredients:

Kassa's Blossom: Stampotique
Script Background: Stampotique
Flat Fabio Raspberry Lemonade: Lindy's Stamp Gang
Stardust Spray Hawaiian Blue: Lindy's Stamp Gang
Stardust Spray Rusty Lantern Lime: Lindy's Stamp Gang
Magical Sidewalk Chalk Lindy's Stamp Gang
Magical Shaker Black Forest Black Lindy's Stamp Gang
Embossing Powder: Dandelion Yellow Green: Lindy's Stamp Gang
Jolee's Boutique/EK Success White Paper Flowers
Arrows Stencil: Dina Wakely
White Paper Frame: Jilli Bean Soup
Bakers Twine: Tim Holtz
Adhesive Pearls
Adhesive Gems
Star Sequins
Texture Paste: Ranger

Messy Evening

My friend Kristy and I haven't gotten together in WAY too long to craft so we did last night. We got SO messy...and it was wonderful. 

We played with spray inks as well as alcohol inks and Yupo paper. 

I actually pulled out some stamps that have been gathering dust for quite some time My Dina Wakely stamps were calling to me!!

I used Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist and created gorgeous paper and then stamped and water-colored Dina's stamp. I also used one of her sentiments. I got this set at Hobby Lobby on clearance. The font and the sentiments are wonderful.

As for the Yupo paper, I really love it and it is so neat how you can continue layering the colors. Kind of mesmerizing. I probably won't buy any more tho. I feel like I can't control the outcome as well as I would like. It IS pretty, though! Can't wait to find a good use for them! 

This post is short and sweet. Hope you enjoy the colors and all! Have a wonderful day!

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

I Wanna Hippopotamus For Christmas

So recently, my husband met a fellow maker and hit it off and he was so excited to show me some of her artwork.  I was instantly in love, of course with her "Doodles of a Fluffy Nature". In particular, this hippo. Seriously. How flipping sweet is this face?

After coloring her with my copics for the first time in...well, it is embarrassing to say how long, I decided I needed to create a sweet card with her. I love how it all came together. Love the subtle colors and the sprinkling of bling....even brought out the spellbinders and the cuddle bug! WHAAAT?! IKR...its been ages since I have created a card like this....and it was so much fun!

(It is difficult to get a good photo today because of the dreary weather)

So, basically, you need to go and check out Erin Fezell and her amazing artwork...including 3-D printed jewelry! Srsly! DO IT! DO IT NOW!!!

Ingredients:

Hippo (Erin Fezell)

Sentiment by Tim Holtz Ideology

Authentique Paper

Crate Paper

Copic Markers

Spellbinders Circle Die

Spellbinders Scallop Die

ATC! Approach With Caution!

OKay, I am back! With more ATCs! Seriously, I never realized how therapeutic creating an ATC could be. When you don't have a lot of time but really have the itch to create, these little cards are just about perfect. 

I love this cactus stamp from Stampotique and had a lot of fun envisioning a sunset, desert sky for the background.

The background orange and pinks were created with dylusions sprays. Love how the colors gradated. The sunburst is a Tim Holtz stencil (rays) that I just love and use quite a bit, with Dina Wakely heavy body acrylic paint and I love how the paint just sticks in place and shows all of the details of the stencil.

 I colored the cactus with my copic markers. I am having fun getting reacquainted with them. I have been using watercolor pencils quite a bit and have really started missing my copics. I mixed the copics with a Prima marker, which, surprisingly I love almost as much as my copic markers. They blend very well!

Annnnd, of course, when around cacti in the desert PLEASE approach with caution. ;) 

Ingredients:

Prickly Pear Cactus (Stampotique)
Approach With Caution (Stampotique)
Tim Holtz Rays Stencil
Dina Wakely Acrylic Paint
Copic Markers
Ranger Black Archival Ink

Krafty Halloween

Get it? KRAFT-y? Cause I used kraft cardstock? ::eyeroll::

Seriously, tho. As hot and humid as it is I can't even imagine that October is ANYWHERE around the corner, but it surely is!

Recently, my family and I took a trip to the wizarding world of harry potter and it was, in every way, magical. It, however, took up about a month of my time finalizing plans and being sure that everything was ready and packed, and then, of course, the aftermath of a large trip, the likes of which, we have never taken.

All of this, wonderful tho it was, took away from any crafty mind-space I may have had. So, a week after coming home, here I finally am with something fun! (did I mention we are now planning a MASSIVE Harry Potter party for our soon-to-be 10 year old son?)

So, I got it in my head that I really wanted to make one of these cone wreaths. I had NO idea how difficult it was to keep these things semetrical! HA! Not to mention my seams. Huh. Still, I like how the colors peak out of the kraft paper and I like how the stamped image turned out on kraft stock. I used Core'dinations cardstock. Its like, one of my favorites of all time.  Also a new thing for me to play with!

Here is the center up-close. I used Marsha from Stampotique Originals, as well as "Happy Halloween", also from Stampotique Originals. So many of their images are perfect for the quirky time of year that is Halloween. I used Watercolor pencils, but no water. Just used them for coloring. Love how easily they glide onto the kraft stock.

Now, all I have to do is wait until October to hang this on my door! Its gonna be epic!

Next on my list of new things to try, Yupo paper and alcohol inks! I am so excited! Can't wait to share my results back here in a couple of days, so be on the lookout!