Do you hoard flowers?

Wow - where has the summer gone?  I cannot believe I spent all my time playing outside, and not participating in a single challenge!  The new challenge over at Craft Hoarders Anonymous caught my eye, and since I love a good 'collection' as well as anyone.... Flowers certainly caught my eye.  I have been obsessed with flowers of any kind - stamps, paper, dies, pre-made, you name it forever.

Challenge #15 All the Pretty Flowers

This challenge is for all of you flower hoarders! Maybe you hoard pre-made flowers. Maybe you hoard flower punches or dies. Maybe you hoard flower stamps. "Dig" out those flowers and use them on your project!

We have two prizes this time! Therefore we will have TWO winners! One talented participant will receive this prize donated by Crafty Secrets.

A second winner will receive this prize, donated by Heartfelt Creations.

All you need to do to participate is head on over to Craft Hoarders Anonymous, read the details, and get on your way to creating an entry.  

I was a little short on mojo after being away so long...so 'borrowed' a design from our hostess Gloria.  

I love, love halloween colors, so dug into my inks and pulled out everything purple, green, and orange.  I started with a beautiful fall leaves embossing folder that I inked up with mini-distress inks (Seedless Preserves, Ripe Persimmon, and Peeled Paint) and used to emboss a sturdy piece of white cardstock.  This imbedded the color into the leaves in the design.  That didn't quite work like I'd hoped, so I sprayed the cardstock with some of my new and neglected Dylusions ink sprays:  Fresh Lime, Dirty martini, Crushed Grape, Squeezed Orange.  Added in some Tattered Angels: Monster Mash and Pumpkin Spice.  Once I liked the color concentration - I spritzed it all over with my all time fave:  Perfect Pearls Mist: Heirloom Gold.  Just the right amount of shimmer!  You really need a sturdy cardstock for this one, so it doesn't get all warped.  

I created the flowers using Tim Holtz Pinecone Die.  If you haven't tried this yet - it's one of the most easy to use dies ever, and creates gorgeous flowers.  Once the flowers were rolled and curled to my liking, I dipped them in some glossy accents and added distress glitter for a little bling.  I tucked in a flower from my Wild Orchid stash as well.  I added a few leaves, sentiment, and bow to top it all off.

Thanks for looking, and I'd love to hear what you think.

Supplies:

Tim Holtz:  

Distress Ink: Seedless Preserves, Peeled Paint, Ripe Persimmon, Walnut Stain

Distress Glitter:  Seedless Preserves, Spiced Marmalade, Black Soot

Tattered Pinecone Die

Tattered Banner Die

Simple Sayings Stamp Set

Wild Orchid Flowers

Spellbinders:  Frame and leaves

Really Reasonable Ribbon - September Ribbon Club

Tags of 2014 - June

Wow - it's only June 2nd...and I'm DONE with my tag (feels much better than the last day of the month :-).  I played and played with this technique today.  Very fun results.  Check out Tim's Blog to get all the specifics on the technique and see all the other gorgeous tags folks have linked up.

Here is the end result:

I followed Tim's technique using the harlequin stencil.  I used the mini ink blending tool since I haven't acquired the mini distress inks.  It did not deliver the same intensity of color I had hoped, but I like the subtle background.  I agree that the watercolor paper definitely works the best.  I stamped an image from Urban Chic, added 'dream' using an alphabet stamp set.  I colored the mirrored stars with some alcohol inks to match the tag.  The background of the tag is colored with Distress Inks (Mowed Lawn and Walnut Stain), then used the flick and spritz technique to make the cool watercolor spots.  (love love love that technique).

Supplies:
#8 Manila Tag
Ranger Watercolor Paper
Tim Holtz Mirrored Stars
Tim Holtz ribbon
Distress Inks:  Picked Raspberry, Mowed Lawn, Peacock Feathers, Walnut Stain
Hero Arts Alphabet Stamps
Urban Chic Stamp Set

CCC3 - Faux Tea Roses

It was a fun day in the old craft room.  Linda Ledbetter over at Studio L3 has challenged us to create flowers using a very unsuspecting die from Tim Holtz.  Ingenious!!  This die has so many possibilities.  Check out the creativity and challenge details HERE.  We are not allowed to give you the details - but if you want to learn more, you can get Tim's Compendium of Curiosities III and be in the know.

Here is my entry:

This was SO fun to make.  I loved the colors, and the process.  I made the flowers using Coredinations Kraft Core cardstock, sanded, and also sprayed with some Dylusions sprays.  I used Tim's mini dress form for the center piece.  Adding wings from paperbag studios.  You might notice the small little detail - the wings are upside down....thus the wordband saying 'Embrace imperfections' :-)

I used my completely neglected diffusers with the checkerboard embossing folder.  How fun!  If you haven't used these, it lets you emboss only a part of the tag.  I chose to leave the center of the tag open, and only emboss the outside.  I colored with Mowed Lawn, Squeezed Lemonade, and Peacock Feathers Distress Ink.

Here are a couple close up pictures.  You can see that I used Distress Glitter as centers for my flowers.

All the odd-numbered challenges are sponsored by INSPIRATION EMPORIUM, one of my favorite online shops of ANY kind, run by some of my favorite people anywhere! Joy and the gang will award an incredibly generous FIFTY DOLLAR gift certificate to one lucky, randomly selected participant. All you need to do to be eligible is link your project here, and mention Inspiration Emporium in your blog post. You can also get 10% off any order with the code STUDIOL3.

12 tags of 2014 - May

I really thought that once I retired, getting my tags done early in the month would be so easy....i guess not :-)  If you don't know what I'm talking about...check out Tim's blog to get the details.

Here is my tag for May -

I used the Collage Paper Stash and made a 3-d Butterfly up top.  The butterfly is colored with rust and gold alcohol inks, then layered onto the butterfly paper.  I used ideology wings colored with stream and denim AI to make wings for the mini dress form.  Late or not, it's always fun to play along.

OMG It's Here....CCC3 1st Challenge

I cannot tell you how excited I am that the amazing, fabulously talented, Linda Ledbetter has once again volunteered to host a challenge featuring Tim Holtz's Compendium of Curiosities 3rd book.  She has all the details on her blog- check it out!

This weeks challenge is to use the Marbled Paint technique - you can find all the information on the technique on page 43 of Tim's Book.  If you click HERE,  you can get your own autographed copy!  This very first challenge is sponsored by Inspiration Emporium - they are also offering a gracious discount on your supplies...  Check them out!

Now onto my entry for the challenge:

I loved this technique.  I used 4 different colors of Distress Paint:  Peeled Paint, Wild Honey, Ripe Persimmon, and Peacock Feathers.  This was a 2nd generation attempt through the colors, so the result was a little muted.  Here is picture of the 1st attempt at the technique:

I embellished the tag with all things Tim Holtz:  TH paper, tissue tape, a ticket, chit chat stickers, some TH stamps, twine, crinkle ribbon, and ideology.  I also added one of my new favorite finds, flowers from Wild Orchid Flowers.

Thank you for checking out my tag....

A little something new, a little something old

Good Afternoon everyone,

Today was a fun crafting day.  I got caught up on a couple challenges, and started one more.  I love all the inspiration out there.  If you haven't checked out the new Craft Hoarder's Anonymous Challenge blog started by the fabulous Gloria Stengel - get on over there.  Such a talented design team - it will blow your socks off.  The latest challenge provided us a fun sketch as well as a 'twist' to use something old, and something new.

Here is my entry for this challenge:

So...the 'old' was Graphic 45 Botanicabella paper.  I had totally forgotten about this pad, and found it in my hoard.  This would be one of those items that I have kept around for a very long time and haven't used it, because.....I can't bear to.  Oh come on -  you have done that too.  Something you cannot get anymore, so you hold onto it, pull it out once in a while to look at it, but can't bear to use it.  I know, it's an illness.

More old:  A Stampin up stamp that is one of my all time faves.  The banners were stamped with another stamp from the 'stash', by Hampton.  It is a fun word collage stamp.   The Spellbinder Circle and Scallop Circle dies were my very first thin die purchase.  I use them all the time.

The flowers were a wonderful find at Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago.  Not only did they come in many colors and sizes, they were on sale!  I bought every package of the white ones they had!  I love making my own flowers, and heaven only knows how many dies I have, but it's always fun to have some you can pull out and easily dye to match your project.  I spritzed these with Dylusions Squeezed Orange and Lemon Zest.  I also added a bit of Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist Pumpkin Spice.  I love the way the flowers soaked up the color.

I hope you enjoy my entry - I can't wait to get on over to the site and check out everyones creations!

Supply List:
Spellbinder Dies:  Small Circles and Scallop Circles
Pattern Paper:  Graphic 45 Botanicabella
Ribbon:  Really Reasonable Ribbon
Spritz Dyes:  Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist - Pumpkin Spice, Dylusions - Squeezed Orange and Lemon Zest
Stamps:  Thank you (stampin up), Text on banners - Hampton Arts
Flowers:  Spare Parts, Paperstudio Hobby Lobby
Paper:  Worldwin - Dark Spring, Deep Coffee, Spice
Markers:  Tim Holtz Distress Markers

April Tag - Spring flowers

I love, love, love making flowers.  Tim has given us a great tutorial and example on his 12 Tags of 2014 blog this month.    I played along again this month, and stayed very close to his design.

Here is my entry:

I just picked up the new Wallflowers paper, and couldn't wait to use it on a new project.  I started with that as my background.  It had beautiful yellow and red roses on it - but they got covered up with the fun tape and wild straw and peeled paint distress paint washed over the top.  I used the honeycomb die to cut both the frame and individual pieces to fit into the honeycomb.  This is my first time using the mirrored specialty paper, and wow, it is amazing!    Tim's tutorial on how to use his fabulous tattered pinecone die to make flowers is perfect and very detailed.  I used some leftover wallflower paper that I died using fired brick and spiced marmalade distress inks.  I used the same inks to color the beautiful crinkle ribbon that I wrapped around the card.  I finished the card off with a happy birthday stamp from one of Tim's collections.

Enjoy.

Supply list:
Tim Holtz:  Honeycomb Die, Stamps, Distress Paint:  Wild Honey, Peeled Paint, Distress Ink: Spiced Marmalade, Fired Brick, Ribbon, Wallflower Paper

It's Easter season

I have several nieces and nephews, friends and family - so I have been in a card making frenzy.

Here are a couple cards that I have created for special people in our lives:

 Both of the cards are very simple, but easy to mass produce. The first used a couple well used stamps in my collection from Printworks and Whipper Snapper.  The 2nd card was first embossed using a cuttlebug flower embossing folder, before layering with some basicgrey pattern paper and really reasonable ribbon from my February assortment.

Use a stamp....any stamp

I had a few cards to make this week, and one used my all time favorite Art Impressions Stamp - I call it the 'old birthday party people', not sure what AI calls it :-)  A good friend is turning 50 next week, and we have been encouraged to flood his mailbox.  Here is my card:

 I created a simple envelope style card.  The embellishments are some very old and neglected pieces from my hoard.  I colored them with alcohol inks to match the card accent colors.  I stamped and colored the images with my trusty Stampin' Up markers.  I love the way the 'guy' peeks up over the envelope.

 Supplies Used:
Wordwin Papers:  heritage black, smooth light green
Stamps:  Art Impressions
Ink:  Black Archival, Stampin' up Markers
Pattern Paper:  BasicGrey Little Black Dress
Embellishments:  Making Memories
Inspiration:  Pinterest

I am entering my card into the fabulous Gloria's Craft Hoarders Anonymous challenge.  If you don't know what I'm talking about...  do yourself a favor and get on over there to check it out.  Every 2 weeks they provide a challenge to get us to dig into that hoard of stuff (we all know we have it!).  The talent on both the design team and those who enter is so inspirational.  What are you waiting for?

Where do I create?

This week, over at Craft Hoarder's Anonymous - we are asked to share the space that we use to 'create'.  I am very fortunate that I have my own little room.  I don't have to share it with anyone but our upright freezer (which I am lobbying to get rid of...).

I have a few cabinets and lots of drawers to store my hoard.  Here are a few photos that give you an idea of how I keep things organized.

This is my basic space.  Messy I know - I try to clean up after each project, but sometimes, not so much - like today :-)  My husband built this room for me when we moved in.  He and my son spent an entire week putting in the cabinets, building the desk, etc all as a Mother's Day surprise for me.    The drawers to the left of my desk store the majority of my ink pads and Tim Holtz ink, paints, stains, markers, some ideology, etc.  That is what I seem to be drawn to the most these days (however Wendy Vecchi is starting to come in a close 2nd).  Can you see my very first attempt with crackle embossing paste on the paper cutter in front?  It's trying my patience waiting for it to dry!

The top left cabinet houses my loose pattern paper and Graphic 45 'stuff' (all the stickers and chip board).  I love the IRIS boxes for this.  They are each labeled so I have a clue what's in them.  I also use the jewelry boxes from Michaels to store all my ideology, trinkets, charms, etc.  The Top Right has cloth bins from Target where I store my art parts, flowers, and bling.  Also, all my paper pads and 8 1/2 x 11 paper.  The cabinet to the left houses all my unmounted stamps.  They are sorted into binders by category (ie.  Collage,  People, Birthday, Tim Holtz, Wendy Vecchi, etc).  I also store all my Tim Holtz Dies and embossing folders here - all easy to get to from my desk.

 These 2 drawers hold the bulk of my Tim Holtz 'Stash'.  I keep all the mediums together so I can pick out what I want quickly.  I love the organization downloads from the Ranger site that you can use to label all your stains, paints, etc.  Makes the colors easy to spot.

A dear friend of mine's husband made these stamp shelves.  She sent them my way when she did not need them anymore.  As nice as it is to have your stamps unmounted to save space...I still love the look of my wood mounted stamps.  It is fun to have them out where you can see them for inspiration when your mind goes blank. I have enjoyed seeing everyone else's storage solutions this week - gave me some new ideas as well.  

Use that Stash... #3 Show some Bling

I have been participating in the Craft Hoarder's Anonymous challenges.  Gotta use what you have - no purchases necessary.  I decided to submit a clean and simple design this week.  A little different for me, but I like the way it turned out.

I made a birthday card for a dear friend.  I used some new cardstock, and an embossing folder that definitely needed some love.  The ribbon came from Really Reasonable Ribbon - March club offering.  (Yes - Gloria has cost me some $$$, due to the products she has used :-)

Supplies:
WordWin Paper:  Dark Pretty Pink, Medium Pretty Pink, Light Totally Tan
Ribbon - Really Reasonable Ribbon, March Ribbon Club
Stamps:  Stampin' up
Bling:  Recollections
Embossing Folder:  Cuttlebug

OMG - It's April next week

Why is it that I cannot seem to get my tag done until the very last minute.... I thought being retired this would be a piece of cake.  I guess I'm spending too much time outdoors :-)

Tim Holtz March Tag of 2014 challenged us to use a 'smudge' technique.  It really makes a nice soft look to the stamped image.  Check out his blog here:  Tim's Blog.  He gives you all the instructions.

Here are my tag entries for March:

The first tag is the primary stamping/smudging, the 2nd tag was the 2nd stamping with the same stamp, not re-inked, but 'huffed' on to get the most out of the ink.  I used an old spritzer I had from many years ago - but looks amazingly similar to the one Ranger just released.  I spritzed over Tim's Ruler Stencil.  I followed Tim's process for the tag very closely - inking and splashing some water droplets on the tag.   All in all - it was a fun process.  

Supplies:  

Tim Holtz Ruler Stencil

Tim Holtz Ideology - Word Bands

Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher (Stapler)

Tim Holtz Jute String

Tim Holtz Distress Inks:  Peacock Feathers, Peeled Paint, Pumice Stone, Walnut Stain, Frayed Burlap, Wild Honey, Dried Marigold

Tim Holtz Distress Stains: Peacock Feathers, Peeled Paint (used on seam binding ribbon)

Stamps:  Tim Holtz Fairytale Frenzy, Urban Chic, Spring Sprung

Show us that Hoard....

Gloria Stengel and her design team over at Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge Blog has given us their 2nd challenge.  This time it was to 'Show them our hoard'.  The challenge was to use items from your hoard that were blue, and here is the inspiration they gave us:

Here is the card I created with that in mind:

First of all - we are to confess our 'hoarded' items.  Paper, Paper, and more paper.  I have paper pads that all I've done is browse through them.  I love the pretty patterns SO much, that I simply don't use them.  (Oh come on - you've all done this!).  This time I broke out a very neglected pad by My Minds Eye - Moments.  Oh the beautiful blues it contained.  Another item I hoard - ribbon.  I don't know why, but it really is beautiful to look at.  I have recently gotten ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon, and absolutely LOVE their quality.  They have a monthly ribbon club that is a bit addicting.  Check it out:  Here

I had originally planned a winter card with those beautiful blues and grays...but I just couldn't.  Here in Arizona, the flowers are blooming, and we have enjoyed one of the most beautiful warm winters I can ever remember.  So, I created a spring card.  The flowers were created with a new technique I learned last week from Claudine Hellmuth.  It's called Dry Emboss Texture.  We embossed sticky back canvas, and used our daubers with ink or paint to very lightly rub over the embossed image to highlight.

I know I'm barely squeaking this one in...   It's always a fun challenge - Join us!

Supplies:
Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Chipped Sapphire, Peeled Paint
Tim Holtz Ideology - Life Quotes Remnant Rubs and a word band
Ribbon:  Really Reasonable Ribbon
Paper:  My Minds Eye Moments

Love is in the Air...February Tag

Whew,  just under the wire!  Check out here, if you don't know what I'm talking about....12 Tags of 2014.    Each month we are challenged with a theme and new techniques.  Oh so fun!

I basically followed Tim's directions this month.  I loved the style, techniques, all of it.  I had to improvise a bit not having the same stencil or stamp....but I think it turned out nice, and the process was fun to work with.    

I started with a blank manila tag.  I put pumice stone, victorian velvet, and frayed burlap distress stains onto my craft sheet, and dragged the tag through them to cover completely.  Then I misted the tag with water, let it run and drip - and dried the tag.  I stenciled the stars onto my tag using 3 different colors of red distress ink (fired brick, worn lipstick, and barn door).  Once I liked the layering of the colors, I embossed them to make them stand out a bit more.  The center stamp was embossed with frosted crystal embossing powder and then rubbed with plain old white school chalk to create a nice chalkboard effect.  I really enjoy this technique.  

The star and heart are covered with the new gorgeous festive berried distress glitter.  If you haven't tried this glitter yet - run and get some now...it is so beautiful!  The great thing about it is that it doesn't fly everywhere like other glitters.  And, it sparkles from all angles.  I colored the lace ribbon with Perfect Pearls Heritage Gold mist.

Tim should post the March tag tomorrow...find it HERE

Time to use the 'Stash' - we all know we have one!

The time has arrived...  My long time 'cyber' friend, Gloria Stengel, has started a new Challenge Blog.  She is encouraging us all to stop hoarding, and start creating.  You can read all about it here:  Craft Hoarder's Anonymous Challenge.

Valentine's Day, and my wonderful husband were my inspiration.  The challenge this week is to create something that shows our 'style'.  My style is such a variety, it's hard to pick just one - so I blended a few styles.  I love to layer, I love flowers, and I love Tim Holtz everything!  Oh,  and dies...I'm somewhat addicted.


I hope you enjoy my entry this week.  I'd love to hear your comments.

Supplies used:
Paper:  Recollections Valentine's Day Love, Heritage Black (Worldwin Papers), Blush Blossom (Stampin' up)
Ribbon:  Really Reasonable Ribbon, January monthly collection
Stamps:  Penny Black, Stampin' up
Diecuts:  Tim Holtz Sizzix Framelits Framed Silhouettes, Cottage Cutz Tea Time Doily, Spellbinder Nestabilities Classic Squares, and Lacy Squares, Tim Holtz Sizzix Tattered Florals
Ink:  Tim Holtz Distress Vintage Photo, Stazon Black
Etc:  Tim Holtz Chit Chat Seasonal Stickers, Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher

Challenges entered this week:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge
Gloria Stengel's Craft Hoarder's Challenge
Hels Sheridan Sunday Challenge

Back in the Saddle again....Tim Holtz January Tag

Wow - such a long time since I have been 'creative'!  It is tough getting back in the groove.  I love that Tim is still doing his Tag of the Month to get me motivated.    We were to use embossing folders, stencils, inks, stains, to create our project.

I had Tim Holtz Framed Silhouettes gathering dust on my desk and decided it was time to dust it off.

I started with the base of Weathered Wood Stain, and stenciled the hexagon shapes on top with more weathered wood Distress ink.  I absolutely LOVE the new stencils.  I know,  stencils have been around a long time, but somehow those folks at Ranger know how to make them seem new and fun again!  I cut out the frame and silhouette from grunge paper using my Vagabond.  I embossed the frame, and inked up to grunge it up a bit.  I used a Remnant Rub word for Journey, and stamped and attached a tag/saying.  The new linen ribbon and word band adorn the top.  If you haven't played with the linen ribbon - give it a try.  It has a very loose weave, so you can stretch it open to make it wider and a gorgeous look (didn't do that here tho :-)

I procrastinated doing this all month...but glad I worked through it this week to get it uploaded just before the deadline.  I hope you enjoy my project...

Happy New Year all!

Supply List:
Sizzix Tim Holtz Framed Silhouettes stamp and framelit set
Sizzix Tim Holtz Gears Texture Fade
Tim Holtz Ideology: Words Remnant Rubs, Word Bands, Tickets, Gears
Weathered Wood Distress Ink
Weathered Wood Distress Stain
Black Soot Distress Ink
Black Soot Distress Glitter

To anyone who loves a good challenge!

My long time 'cyber' friend, Gloria Stengel, one of the most amazing paper arts, card designer, and all things altered extraordinaire.....  Is starting a new challenge site - Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge Blog.  She is currently accepting entries for design team members - check it out!

The challenge fun starts February 3rd - be sure to follow her blog so you don't miss anything.

If you want to see some of her amazing work - check it out HERE.

You have one short month to get your supplies in order, and be ready to be challenged!!