Monday, September 30, 2013

Get Inky! Stamps Challenge 14: Fall Colors


Today a new challenge is posted to the Get Inky! Challenge Blog!
Pull out those fall colors and create a project to wow us! 


My project is a square card with vellum punched layers featuring a sentiment stamp from Get Inky! Stamps' Love Bugs available on Etsy. I punched all three layers of vellum at once and an oily substance was left behind. Next time I would incorporate some paper to see if the oil would still leak through.


Here's a closeup of the sentiment and some of the leaves and acorns that were left over once I punched the vellum. I love that the punch leaves behind usable confetti. I also love the jute and the rustic flatback buttons. 


One last view with the changing leaves. Makes me wanna pull out my jean jacket and leggings. Enjoy the season! Can't wait to see your fall-inspired projects!

Supplies:

  • Get Inky! Stamps - Love Bugs available on Etsy
  • Lara's Crafts - Jute Twine
  • Favorite Findings - wooden flatback leaf and acorn buttons
  • Stamp on It - A2 Vellum Bright color pk 1 (text weight)
  • Tombow Vellum mono adhesive
  • EK Success - falling leaves punch
  • Zots glue dots - bling and petite
  • Memento - Tuxedo black ink
  • DCWV 5x5 card in green
La-Vie

p.s. I love your comments!! Load 'em on me!!

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Winnie the Pooh Challenge - Kraftie Kre8ations DT



Guess what? September is National Honey month and this week is Kids Creative Week! To celebrate these occasions, the Krafie Kre8ations design team created projects featuring Winnie the Pooh and kids. Why? Because we ALL know Pooh loooooooves his honey!! And what kid can resist that lovable, huggable bear, Winnie the Pooh? 

Join in on the fun!! If you except this challenge, create a project featuring Winnie the Pooh and kids. Link your blog post or gallery photo to the Kraftie Kre8ations blog between September 29th and October 5th and one winner will be chosen to receive a special prize. The winner will be announced on October 6th.  




Our family took our first trip to Disney in 2011. My children were 2 and 6. It was such a magical time! This Mosaic Moments layout shows all the fun we had waiting in line for the many adventures of Pooh ride in Magic Kingdom.


I am very experienced at creating Mosaic Moments layouts using 1" and 3" square punches. Actually my entire Disney trip is in Mosaic Moments (links to the other layouts I have created are at the bottom of this post.) However, this was my very first time using Kiwi Lane Designs templates. The title on this page sits on cardstock cut using the Aspen Court mini 2A. A full supply list is included below.



On this page I used both sides 2A and 2B of the Aspen Court mini Kiwi Lane Designs templates to adorn the journaling block. I like to leave lots of room for handwritten reflections. I hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane with me.

Supplies:
  • Mosaic Moments grid paper
  • Kiwi Lane Designs - Aspen Court mini 2A, 2B
  • Cricut cart Disney Pooh and Friends - Pooh's head on pg. 18 and Pooh title on p. 16 cut at 2"
  • Martha Stewart Drippy goo punch
  • Pressed Petals, Inc. Black Mini metal letters
  • DCWV - blue leaf cardstock: Animal Crackers Stack, Adhesive cardstock - green, yellow glitter cardstock
  • Bazzill - beige cardstock
  • Recollections - orange, red cardstock, red and yellow washi tape, black cardstock
  • Core'dinations - Autumn (yellow) cardstock punched with the drippy goo punch
  • Queen and Co. - Disney inspired brads
  • Fiskars Zings - red circle epoxy stickers
  • Marvy square punches
  • EK Success Pooh stickers
  • Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Faded Jeans
  • Xyron, Scotch ATG

Thanks for stopping by! If you'd to get your Disney fix check out my other layouts. Here are the links...

La-Vie

p.s. I love comments and new followers!!

To view more of my Disney pages check out these links:

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Get Inky! Stamps: Terrific Tuesday's Tips and Tricks - The Kiss Method

It's my day to post to the Get Inky! Stamps blog. Please go check out my tip.

Get Inky! Stamps: Terrific Tuesday's Tips and Tricks - The Kiss Meth...: Welcome Get Inky! fans! It's La-Vie and I'm here to share a stamping tip called the kiss method.

La-Vie

Friday, September 20, 2013

Designer's Challenge: Paddington Bear Baby Shower Invite




This was one of my fav projects this year! A client ordered 38 paddington bear baby shower invites and I created this lookalike just for the special occasion using several Cricut carts, my E2 and Imagine. This invite has 20 layers. SERIOUSLY! When I am designing I cannot help going over the top. Making multiples of this kind of invite is labor intensive. Little disclaimer.... LOL.

Ok, here's the skinny...

  1. white A2 cards - JoAnn's essentials
  2. frame print/cut at 6" from Cricut Imagine Best Friends cart (Bazzill basics white)
  3. blue sky - cut a rectangle (2:3) from the stock images in the Cricut Imagine at 3"(Bazzill)
  4. teddy bear and all layers cut at 3.75" from Cricut lite cart Teddy Bear Parade - black DCWV cardstock, Bazzill brown and Recollections Kraft cardstock
  5. from Cricut lite cart Teddy Bear Parade - red hat, yellow boots and blue coat Recollections cardstock
  6. Suitcase - Cricut Cart Pack Your Bags cut at 1"- brown bazzill cardstock, layer cut from light brown DCWV adhesive cardstock. The P.B. is my handwriting with a black Zig writer.
  7. Inked the edges of the raincoat with black sweetheart inker by We R Memory Keepers
  8. I printed the inside of the invite (not shown) on a text liner from The Paper Cut and to accent the page I added a second pair of the red boots at the bottom.
  9. You're Invited! stamp - stampabilities
  10. Adhesives - zots, Xyron, ATG
I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did! Before I got to complete the job, the theme changed to Aviator Bear. Please check out the diaper cake and embellished wooden letters that I created. They are too cute as well!


La-Vie


Thursday, September 19, 2013

Get Inky! Song Challenge 13: The Birds and the Bees


On September 16th, a new challenge started at the Get Inky! Challenge blog. The challenge is to create a craft based on the classic Jewel Akens song (Let me tell you 'bout) The Birds and the Bees. It's my day to post inspiration at the Get Inky! Stamps blog to get those creative juices flowing.

My card is a square one measuring 4.25" x 4.25" from The Paper Studio. I created the love scene to match the elements of the song by printing and cutting a pre-made scrapbook page from the Cricut Imagine Nursery Tails cart. I then embellished with Stickles, Distress Ink and Get Inky! Stamps - the bees, flower, heart, love to be exact - from the Buzzing Bees and the Love Bugs stamp sets available on Etsy.

Supplies:

  • Get Inky! Stamps - Buzzing Bees, Love Bugs
  • The Paper Studio - card base 
  • Stickles - midnight blue, green
  • Bazzill basics white card stock
  • Nursery Tails Cricut Imagine Cart
  • Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Faded Jeans

I hope you create a masterpiece to enter into Challenge 13!

La-Vie



Saturday, September 14, 2013

Kraftie Kre8ations Celebrations and Thankfulness Blog Hop (DAY 3)



Welcome to Day 3 of the Kraftie Kre8ations 


Celebrations and Thankfulness Blog Hop!




To view the lineup for all four days of the hop, visit the Kraftie Kre8ations blogOne random winner will receive a gift from Kraftie Kre8ations! To be eligible you must:

1become a follower of the Kraftie Kre8ations blog
2leave a comment on each participants blog, all 4 days of the hop
3. Join the FB Group (http://facebook.com/groups/kraftiekre8ations)
4. Have FUN!


***EXTRA blog candy from me!!! Follow my blog (let me know you did in the comments) to win some American Crafts baker's twine! So you can make a wreath of your own!***  

As you hop along with the Kraftie Kre8ations Design Team and Facebook group members, we hope you will be inspired to create your own fall project and link up using the inLinkz on the Kraftie Kre8ations blog sidebar.  Our color palette (see below) is an amazing representation of the changing colors of fall leaves.  Create ANY fall project (including Thanksgiving).  It can be a layout, card, mixed media project or an altered item. The sky is the limit!

For the occasion I created a fall wreath adorned with Cricut cuts and wrapped in twine, burlap ribbon (from The Paper Studio) and baker's twine for my craft room door. It was truly a labor of love!

I've always wanted to create a wreath like this but knew it would be time consuming. Although it's only 7 1/5" across it took FOREVER to cover in twine. It took more than 15 small spools of American Crafts twine to cover the form. To boot, I used a floral ring from the dollar tree and it was very difficult to work with. Next time I will get the styrofoam wreath (and stop playing LOL). 




The title is cut at 3.25" from the Celebrate with Flourish Cricut Cartridge using American Crafts foil cardstock, red linen cardstock (stash) and blue and brown cardstock from Bazzill.

Using the Cricut Imagine, I printed and cut the leaves and their layers from the Nursery Tails cartridge at 5.5" and added red glittered accents and yellow bling from Recollections. Instead of layering the leaves, I used the layer as a separate fern adornment for the wreath. Blue wired ribbon completed the look.

Thanks for hoppin' by! I hope to see your entry in the challenge! Your next stop is Carolyn's blog for more fall fun! 


La-Vie

Friday, September 13, 2013

REPOST - TUTORIAL Embossing Powder vs. Detailed Embossing Powder

REPOST - This post debuted on The Get Inky! Stamps blog



Hi. It's La-Vie and today I'm sharing tips about heat embossing and choosing the right kind of embossing powder for your projects. If you haven't heard, there's several kinds of embossing powder on the market. Today I am going to explain the difference between detailed and regular embossing powder.

I'll share tips on embossing the smallest script sentiments and the most detailed stamps. I wish someone had told me about these tips when I first started heat embossing. I went out and bought a large pack of 15 colors thinking I was "doing something." Since then, I haven't used the technique much because my results would often ruin my finished projects. I loved the thought and look of heat embossing but something was just a bit off. Well, never fear!! I've got your back. This tutorial should help make your heat embossed projects come out perfectly.

1. Supplies needed to make your heat embossing work best include:



  • Darice stamp mat (mine is cut in half) - don't stamp anything without this!!


  • Embossing buddy (or drier sheet)


  • VersaMark (or any watermark stamp pad) and VersaMarker (to correct an oops moments)


  • Get Inky! Stamps (of course) and a clear block


  • Embossing Powder


  • Heat Gun


  • Cardstock


  • NOT SHOWN - Embossing/glitter tray (shoe box top or a folded piece of copier paper to catch and return the embossing powder to its container)








  • 2.   Before doing anything, run the embossing buddy over the cardstock several times. That will coat it with powder disallowing the embossing powder to stick anywhere but where you want it to.






    3.   Ink the stamp and stamp the impression with the cardstock on top of the stamp mat. You will not be able to see the impression much since it's a watermark ink. Place the cardstock in the embossing tray and dump embossing powder on the stamped area. Some embossing powder will stick to the stamped area. Return the embossing powder that falls off back to its container and close the container.

    Here you can see an example of the Happy Kwanzaa stamp from the Get Inky! Stamps - 2013 Holiday Set (available at Etsy by clicking the link). It is a small skinny font. On the left is the detailed embossing powder. As you can see, you can barely see that it has embossing powder on it. it almost looks stamped because the grains are so fine. The normal embossing powder is a little more chunky and fuzzy. Furthermore, you can see areas where the powder has not stuck to stamped image.






    4.  Next step is to use a heat gun to heat the embossing powder until it melts. If it looks grainy then you need to heat it more. If the paper gets brown and burnt, you've heated too long. The color will change before your eyes. It will turn from a powder to a liquid and takes a matter of seconds. You may want to use tweezers to keep my cardstock from moving around on the table. But make sure your cardstock is flat on the table during the heating process.

    Here's the results! The detailed embossing powder created an even, shiny, beautifully embossed sentiment even though the font is small and skinny. The regular embossing powder created more of a spotty, messy embossing of the font. It's more shiny and more puddled.

    Detailed embossing powder is made to pick up details in the stamps without puddling. Regular embossing powder is made to puddle and melt together to fill in the spaces. That's why it doesn't stick to every part of the stamped image. While detailed embossing powder works well on BOTH detailed stamps and non-detailed stamps, regular embossing powder is ONLY for larger non-detailed stamps.






    Here's some more examples from the 2013 Holiday Set. The top impression is made with regular embossing powder. Notice the lines are thicker and more puddled. The bottom impression is done with detailed embossing powder. The lines are thinner - exactly as the stamp was created - and the embossing stays in place and does not puddle at all.






    Here's two other views that exemplify the difference between the two embossing powders. Looks like I need to heat the middle "Ho" on the bottom some more. It's not fully melted! I love the fine lines in this stamp. It will really make wonderful Christmas crafts!














    Finally, I have 2 other examples to point out using stamps from the massive Buzzing Bees set. The beautiful script comes out best with detailed embossing powder. When you compare all the loops and holes in the font they are open with the detailed embossing powder and closed with the regular. While it still can be read, it's not as neat, clean and true to form as with the detailed embossing powder.







    There are may bees in this set so I chose a very hairy one to show you the difference. This one is harder to see but the hairs are thinner and more individual with the detailed embossing powder than with the regular. The eyes look clearer with the white dot being more visible as well. On the wing of the detailed embossing powdered bee, I didn't apply enough pressure so I used the VersaMarker to go in and add more watermark ink in the spot I missed. I was then able to reapply the embossing powder and heat everything together.





    I suggest using detailed embossing powder for all your embossing needs. I use Ranger super fine detail and Stampendous detail embossing powders. Also check out Ranger Embossing Powder Sticky to adhere glitter, foil, flocking. I hope this helps skyrocket your creativity!!

    If you have any questions, please leave it in the comments and I will do my best to answer them. If you'd like a new tutorial on the Ranger Embossing Powder Sticky, leave that in the comments as well!

    Until next time... now go Get Inky!!

    La-Vie

    Wednesday, September 11, 2013

    Disney Magical Friends Layout


    We had the best time at Animal Kingdom and at Tusker House! I've included the links to the other Disney layouts (two are from Animal Kingdom) I created using Mosaic Moments at the end of this post.



    I used a kit from Mosaic Moments to create this layout of stock photos, professional photos and ones we took ourselves. I love the goofy border by EK Success! And look! I made a rare appearance in this layout with my pal Goofy and my son Aidan.


    This layout has plenty of white space that can be used for journaling or left blank. I think it makes the layout more pleasing to the eye.


    Thanks for stopping by!


    Links to other Disney Mosaic Moments layouts I've created:


    La-Vie


    Tuesday, September 10, 2013

    Disney Princess Mosaic Moments Layout


    I just realized I never shared the layouts I created at the CKC Lancaster crop. Here and there I am working on our Disney album. Guess, what? I am doing the entire album in Mosaic Moments. A Huge feat, I know but it's so fun. I'll include links to the other layouts I've done at the end of the post. I hope you check 'em out and leave me a comment.




    On our first trip to Disney, we had a Princess dinner at Epcot at the Akershus restaurant. My daughter was amazed! She got to meet all her fav princesses in one spot and the highlight was belle in her yellow gown. She was so excited to get her autograph book signed. We made the autograph book with the YourStory, Cricut cuts and stickers.



    I left plenty of space for journaling. It was a really cool to see her experience all the magic of the evening. My son is asleep in the stroller (which is why he is not in any of the pictures).


     Supplies:

    • Mosaic Moment grid paper
    • Magic Kingdom Dazzles by Hot off the Press
    • Leeza Gibbons - bling
    • EK Success - Disney embellishments and scrapbook paper
    • adhesive ribbon trim - stash
    • Marvy square punches 


    Links to other Disney Mosaic Moments layouts I've created:
    To view more of my Disney pages check out these links:

    La-Vie


    Save the Date! Sept 12th-15th Kraftie Kre8ations Blog Hop


    Sunday, September 8, 2013

    Denami Designs Krazy for Kraft Blog Hop


    When: The blog hop starts on September 8th at 6 AM, PST. However, you have until September 9th, 2013, 11:59 pm PST, to leave comments on all the blogs (to be eligible for a prize).

    Why: To be inspired by fun DeNami Design creations and also the chance to win mini shopping sprees on the DeNami Design website!

    Prizes: We are giving away THREE $20 gift certificates to our website! We'll be giving away one gift certificate to a random participant (DT members not eligible) and then we'll also be giving away TWO gift certificates to TWO people who comment along the hop!
     
    You should have arrived from Pattie Goldman's blog, or you can start the hop from the beginning at the Denami blog by clicking here.


    I created a card using kraft cardstock featuring Denami's Elegant Hibiscus stamp. There's three techniques I have been wanting to try that I employed on this card. First, I've always wanted to try making a card that fits in a #10 envelope. Second, I had a plan to try out the sew ribbon products I've had for quite a while. And third, I wanted to try "painting" with embossing powder.


    I love this Denami stamp! It was so easy to emboss using VersaMark, white detail embossing powder and the excess kraft cardstock. I continued to emboss the inside portion of the stamped image using a VeraMarker and Recollections burgundy pearl embossing powder. The VersaMarker is VersaMark ink in a pen with a brush tip and a fine tip.You can use it to fix mistakes in your embossing and to add different colors of embossing powder to small areas at a time.

    Once the flowers were colored, I fussy cut them out and used foam tape to attach them to the card front. I love how it came out and I think the mix of bling, pearls and brass just sets it off!

    Supplies:
    • Recollections - kraft cardstock 8 1/2" x 11", bling, burgundy pearl embosssing powder, foam dots
    • We R Memory Keepers - Sew Ribbon leaf tool and grosgrain ribbon: Buttercream
    • Stampendous - white detail embossing powder
    • Memento Tuxedo black ink
    • Sentiment from my stash, bought from HSN
    • Elizabeth crafts fussy cut scissors, Scotch titanium non-stick scissors
    • heat gun, Darice stamp pad, Inkadinkado tray


    I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to use the Sew Ribbon Leaf pattern and buttercream grosgrain ribbon both by We R Memory Keepers. I will be sure to use it again soon.

    Thanks for hopping!! I love new comments and followers!! Your next stop is Stacy M.


    La-Vie

    Friday, September 6, 2013

    Nicole Petersen Designs class project - CKC Lancaster


    I'm back with another background made in the Backgrounds by You class taught by Nicole Petersen Designs at CKC Lancaster this past July. If you'd like to see the first project I posted check it out here.

    This time we took white cardstock (12x12) and created a wave pattern using a template. I was so happy to get the template I didn't know what to do! I actually lost it and took the time to go back to the booth and then back to the classroom to get another. I was NOT leaving without my wave template. Nope. LOL!

    This was an amazing technique I think anyone can apply! We were given a craft mat as a part of the class materials. We added some Broken China Distress Stain and mixed it with water to make a color wash to apply to the whole sheet of cardstock.  After it dried a bit, we used the template and the Tim Holtz ink applicator to apply Broken China Distress Ink in a circle motion in order to transfer the wave pattern to the cardstock.

    Here's the wave template. Simple but very effective. I am going to try to make my own templates with my Cricut and some acetate. Have you ever made your own templates and created backgrounds in this way? Do share your experiences! Thanks!



    La-Vie

    Thursday, September 5, 2013

    CKC Lancaster 2013 - Nicole Petersen Class


    At CKC Lancaster this year, I took a class called Backgrounds by You from Nicole Petersen Designs. This was an uncharacteristic class for me since I am not usually a messy scrapper. It was twice as expensive as other classes (because of all the products you receive), but very informative. I'd definitely recommend it! So, I thought I'd share the projects I made in class.

    This butterfly paper was one of my favorites! Starting with a white piece of 12x12 cardstock, we learned how to color it and create the polka dotted butterflies using the kiss method. 


    We started out by rubbing a Tea Dye Distress Ink pad directly on the cardstock to coat it. Then, we inked a foam butterfly stamp using Broken China Distress Stain. Before stamping, we coated a polka dot foam stamp with Picket Fence Distress Stain. Now the magic happens, we pressed the polka dot stamp onto the butterfly stamp and then stamped randomly across the page. I decided to go along one edge. Last, we spritzed with shimmer spray.  I love how it came out! Don't you?

    It was my first time working with Distressed Stains. It will not be my last! Ha ha!! Here are the stamps we used. They come permanently attached to a hard acrylic square which makes them much easier to use (in my humble opinion).


    Have you used the "kiss" method with your stamps before? If so, fill me in! Thanks for stopping by!

    La-Vie


    Monday, September 2, 2013

    Get Inky! Challenge 12: Cupcakes


    Guess what? There's a new challenge posted to the Get Inky! Challenge blog and it's a fun one! This time we are challenging you to make projects using cupcakes. As a part of the team that exemplifies the challenge, I decided to think out of the box a little to get your creative juices flowing.

    Using the Sew Sweet Cupcakes and Joyful Jar Drinks stamp sets available on Etsy, I created a happy birthday Artist Trading Card (ATC). ATCs measure 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" - and are the smallest craft I've made to date. I wouldn't consider myself a small crafter but I am learning to work small and loving it!

    Here's my ATC!


    This ATC is super special because I used Get Inky! Stamps with honeycomb paper to create a 3D effect. It was my first time creating with the dynamic duo and I enjoyed it so much I'm making it a normal part of my crafty toolbox.

    Here's another view to show you how tall the cupcake wrapper becomes with the honeycomb paper. To create this look, I stamped half of the bottom of the Get Inky! cupcake stamp onto the honeycomb paper in tuxedo black memento ink. I cut it out and set it aside. Then I took a second ATC and stamped the entire cupcake image in Bahama Blue and fussy cut it out and colored it with Copics.


    Using a Tombo glue stick I added glue to the bottom of the honeycomb paper and lined it up with the bottom of the cupcake. Once it was stuck down I applied glue stick the top portion of the honeycomb paper and opened it like a fan and stuck it down on the other side of the stamped cupcake wrapper. Adding crystal ultrafine transparent glitter was a snap with my Quickie glue pen.

    Supplies:

    • Inkessentials manila ATC (2)
    • Cuttlebug cupcake embossing folder from the Once Upon a Princess set
    • Memento Dew Drop Ink - Lilac Posies, Rich Cocoa, Bahama Blue
    • Recollections - bling brad
    • McGill 1/16" hole punch
    • Copics - B0000, B00, B02, BG05
    • Elizabeth Crafts fussy cut scissors
    • Tim Holtz tonic scissors
    • Quickie glue pen
    • Tombo glue stick
    • Zots glue dots
    • Inky Antics brown honeycomb paper

    I learned a valuable lesson while making this ATC. When choosing a stamp to use honeycomb paper with, make sure the shape is symmetrical. I wanted to do the icing as well but since it wasn't. When I opened the honeycomb paper the shaped looked like a cone. I saved it to use on another craft at some point. But thought I'd pass on the tip to save you time and frustration.

    So c'mon! Join in on this fun challenge! I can't WAIT to see what you come up with!


    Challenges TBD

    La-Vie