Think Summer!

On this cold, snowy Minnesota day, it's great to think of a warm summer day!  Here's a layout that I did of my grandsons on a fishing outing one June day a few years ago!  Can't you just imagine the warm sun and fresh air!  It's a fun diversion from the wintery view out my window!

My inspiration for the page colors was the bright colors in the life jacket.  The stripe, small dot and tan grid (journaling and titles) papers are from Fancy Pants Rusted Sun collection.  I added some bright red and yellow mats.  I was a bit frustrated that I didn't have enough of the green dot paper for the 12 x 12 background page.  I couldn't find any other paper that looked right so I improvised.  I stamped dots (Penny Black Pointelle stamp) on green paper to imitate the Fancy Pants paper. 

The journaling shape is cut with Spellbinders S4-161 Labels One #5.  I cut the larger matching green dotted shape with red border using Spellbinders Grand Labels One #5 and #6.  It's so fun to have these big Spellbinders die templates for scrapbook pages!  I also used LF-110 Grand Ovals, LF-114 Grand Circles and LF-126 Grand Squares to cut the photos and red frames, as well as the circles around the journaling. 

I had fun putting this page together!  And I'm starting to enjoy creating scrapbook pages.

Hope you enjoyed this reminder of warm summer days!

-judy

A Stamped Gift Box

Here's a stamped gift box that's quite quick to make!
This is one of my Artistic Outpost projects for the Jane's Countryside stamps.  I chose a scene stamp hoping for a toille look.  I'm happy with how it turned out!
I started with a 4 x 4 x 4" white gift box that I ordered from Oriental Trading.  You could do this on any solid color gift box!
I offset the stamped images to fit together as best as I could masking with scrap paper as needed to keep from overlapping.  For this box, I used Ranger Bottle ink.  I knew I had this beautiful green ribbon.  So I chose it to match!  Any color will work!

I made a very simple matching tag.  I used a portion of the stamped image matted with green.  I cut the scalloped white base with Spellbinders Eyelet Squares #2.  There's room to write "to" and "from" or a greeting on the back.

This box is almost a gift in itself.  The receiver can easily fold it flat and save it to use again! 

Try this idea with Christmas stamps!  Wouldn't one of the stamps from Artistic Outpost's Sleigh Ride make a great Christmas box?

Thinking of Christmas.........I have oodles to do. Back to my long list of "to dos"!

Have a creative day!

-judy

For Someone so Special

Here's another Spellbinders project to share! 

Wish I had time to make something just for the blog..........too many other commitments right now! 

-judy

Snowman Welcome

Santa Ornament

This is an ornament I put together with a wonderful vintage Santa image from Artistic Outpost's Snowy Woods. He's one of my favorite Santa stamps!

It's really quite easy to make! I used a frame from Ranger, a 2"x2" Memory Frame and Memory Glass, as the base. No soldering needed, the frame simply closes with a tiny metal tab. Easy!

I stamped the Santa with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white cs. I used the 2"x2" glass as a guide to cut it to size. I colored him with Copic markers E00, R20, R59, R89, B21, B23, B18, B69, E31, E35.  I used R46,B14,Y35 for the toys in his bag.  I added a little distressing around the edges with Vintage Photo and Black Soot inks and a touch of Antique Linen over all.

I stamped another Santa, also from Snowy Woods, for the back. He's colored with Copic markers, too, and distressed a bit.

I placed the images back to back with glass on each side, slipped them into the frame and closed the tab. So easy! Actually, there was another step before that. This frame was silver.....the only color I had.  I wanted a more antique color so I applied Copic E39 over it.  Instant color change!

I made the hanger with striped ribbon slipped through the ring on top of the frame. I added a tiny safety pin with a jingle bell over the ring for the front side and tied the plaid bow around the ring. On the back side, I added another jingle bell tied on with a cord. It adds interest to the back side of the bow.

This ornament could easily be made as a tag to add to a package as part of the gift.  Just add a place for "to" and "from" on the back side or maybe just the date. Be sure to do that before assembling it!  Or use the ornament as the main image on front of a card.  The recipient can  keep the ornament for years to come. 

Have a creative day!
-judy

Ave Maria Card

Today, I have a card to share created with stamps from Artistic Outpost's Ave Maria and Sleigh Ride.

I started by stamping the Ave Maria collage image using Ranger Denim ink on white cs.  I shaded the background with Distress Scattered Straw and Tumbled Glass.  To accent the snowflakes, I traced over them with a Versamark marker and embossed them with Gold EP. Then I used a glue pen to trace areas and added Gold glitter.  I filled in more bits of gold sparkle with a Spica marker.
I cut the frame out of gold pearlescent paper with Spellbinders S4-190 Labels Four #6 and LF-190 Grand Labels Four #2.  It was embossed over Fleur de Lis 12-1014 Impressabilities.  I inked the raised areas with StazOn Midnight ink.  I ran my Versamark marker along the inner edge and heat embossed it with Gold EP. The frame is raised with foam squares.
I created the paper on my card front with the star and snowflake stamps from Ave Maria.  The base is medium blue CS.  First, I stamped the star with Tumbled Glass.  Then I stamped the star again with Stormy Sky.  The snowflakes were stamped with Denim.   I rubbed Vintage Photo and Faded Jeans Distress inks around the edges.  It's matted on a navy CS with a very narrow edge showing.
Merry Christmas is from Sleigh Ride.  It was stamped and embossed with Gold EP on a scrap of med. blue CS. I cut the tag with Spellbinders Double Ended Tags.  I added color with Tumbled Glass and Faded Jeans. 

To color the seam binding, I dropped it in a pile on my craft mat.  I tapped the Denim ink pad on it, leaving random bits of ink.  Then I misted it with water and scrunched it around on my craft mat to evenly distribute the color. It didn't take much ink to get that much color!  I used my heat gun to dry it....no patience to wait for it to air dry!  It's fastened to the tag with 2 brads and wrapped to the back of my DP.

My final touch was to add gold glitter to the card front.  I used a glue pen to make dots randomly over the DP.
I fastened it all to a 4.5" x 6.5" cream card.

Supplies:
Artistic Outpost Ave Maria
Artistic Outpost Sleigh Ride
Spellbinders Labels Four, Grand Labels Four
Spellbinders Fleur de Lis Impressabilities
Ranger Denim ink
Ranger Distress Tumbled Glass, Scattered Straw,
     Vintage Photo, Faded Jeans, Stormy Sky
Gold EP
White, Blue, Cream CS
Glue Pen
Sparkle N Sprinkle Gold glitter

New Release - Jane's Countryside by Artistic Outpost

A new Artistic Outpost release!!!

Jane's Countryside is Artistic Outpost's homage to Jane Austen, and the tortured romantic tales that she told in her timeless novels, such as Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma. This collection features Edwardian ladies dressed in their finery, original quotes from Jane herself, and a regal manor that could have served as the Austen family home. Coordinating elements include a cameo, key, and a lacy ATC sized background.

Be sure to visit all the Artistic Outpost Design Team to see more beautiful creations!

Gerrie Johnnic

Lisa Somervile

Judy Hayes - you're here!

Lynn Stevens

Barbara Washington

Stephanie Severin

Suzanne Czosek

I really enjoyed coloring these ladies of Jane Austen's era!

Here's a card featuring one of the ladies....

I started by coloring this lady in pink with Copic markers. Then I trimmed close to her so I could pop her up in front of the frame. The frame is cut from pearlescent gold paper using Spellbinders S5-012 Classic Frame. It seemed perfect for this mini scene! Once it was embossed, I rubbed StazOn Gold ink over it to highlight the embossed areas. To reduce the inside opening of the frame, I cut the smaller of the two Classic Frames out of brown Bazzill paper. I used the negative space to glue behind the gold frame creating a brown inner edge. I added pearls across the top.

The patterned paper in the background was stamped multiple times with the Lacy ATC background using Distress Pumice Stone and Spun Sugar. With StazOn Gold, I stamped a swirly branch and leaves (Serenity stamp set) over it. I also rubbed in more color over the stamping.

I stamped the cameo in black and added color with Distress inks and Gold StazOn. I used Spellbinders Labels Four to cut it out.

The magenta card front is stamped with the same leaves swirl using gold StazOn and Pumice Stone. Unfortunately, my photo didn't pick up much of pattern.

To assemble the card, I wrapped a piece of lace that I threaded with gold metallic cord across the background. I colored seam binding to coordinate with the card and wrapped it over the lace. The frame is popped up with Foam Squares by Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L. The lady is also mounted with Foam Squares. I added a stamped and colored fan, button tied with gold cord and a bow.

I had fun creating this card or mini scene! It was a project that went together well.

Look for more inspiration from my fellow DT members on their blogs!

You'll want to check out the Artistic Outpost Pre-Black Friday sale, too! You can see all the details here. Now is the time to shop! The sale ends Tuesday, November 30th!

Enjoy your Thanksgiving Day! I'm looking forward to all the good food!

-judy

Nestabilities Book

Annie's Attic just announced the availability of this new book,

Spellbinders Nestabilities' Basic & Beyond!

Right now it's available as a digital download.  You can find more info here!

The exciting part for me....I have a 3 part project in the book!  I can't tell you anymore........so sorry.  And, it's not shown in the preview that you can see at Annie's Attic.  As soon as I can tell you more, I sure will!   I think it will be available as hard copy at a later date but I have no definite details.

Thanks for visiting. 

Stop back tomorrow for a new Artistic Outpost release!!!  Always fun to see new stamps, right?

Have a creative day!

-judy

Day 2 of Spellbinders Holiday Hoppin' Blog Hop!

It's day 2 of the Spellbinders Holiday Hoppin' Blog Hop!

Did you get a chance to blog hop yesterday? Did you leave comments for a chance to win the prize? If not, there's still time......
Click here to see my creations from Day One using Spellbinders Eyelet Squares! There's still time to leave a comment to be elligible for the Day One prize. You have 48 hours from 8:00 am on November 18th to leave a comment on the Day One blogs. This being Day Two means you have less than 24 hours left to leave a comment on any of the blogs from Day One. Be sure to leave comments on today's designer's blogs for a chance to win the prize for Day Two! You can find more information about the prizes on the Spellbinders blog here. Winners will be announced on the November 22 on the Spellbinders Blog.
(Leaving a comment on this post will NOT enter you in the contest. You need to comment on my post for November 18th.)

Here's the blogs for Day Two:
Mona Pendleton
Gina Hanson
Deborah Young
Becca Feeken
Julie Overby
Kimberly Crawford
AJ Otto
Margie Higuchi
Beth Pingry
Jennifer Holmes
Kerry Urbatch
Shona Erlenborn
Tammy Inman
Jessica Turner
Brenda Hurd
Julie Koerber
Rae Barthel
Rachel O’Crowley
Kellie Fortin
Kristen Cohen
Joy Dickson
Candy Rosenberg
Laura Craigie
Stephanie Hester
Leesa Crutcher
Nina Brackett

Yesterday I promised another project with Spellbinders Eyelet Squares.
While I was in the middle of working on the holiday card, tags and gift bag that I showed yesterday, I needed to make a sympathy card. Another idea for Eyelet Squares! I had them out already. Why not?

Here's the card I created......

It's a little harder to pick out the Eyelet Square on this card. I've weaved seam binding through the holes. Do you see it now? I love how this turned out!
I started with the verse and a plan to cut an oval out of the largest Eyelet Squares die template. The one die template I didn't use yesterday! I stamped the verse with Espresso ink and clear embossed it. I added a touch of Copic G20 to the leaves. I chose a piece of Graphic 45 Daydreams paper from Le' Romatique Collection and matched a green Bazzill to it. I cut the Eyelet Squares #4 and Classic Ovals LG #3 centered at the same time. I then embossed it over Flourish Impressabilities with both die templates in place. I cut a tiny oval frame by first cutting Classic Ovals LG #4. Then I centered Classic Ovals SM #4 on that oval to cut out the center. I glued it in place around my oval opening. I rubbed Bundled Sage Distress ink over the embossed areas and oval frame. Then I glued the verse in place behind the oval opening. Next I cut out Labels Sixteen #6 from Bazzill dark brown paper. I used Labels Fifteen # 5 to cut out the center creating a frame. I glue it in place on the Eyelet Square. I weaved seam binding in and out of the holes and fastened the ends in back.

For the card front, I cut Grand Labels One #3 out of Graphic 45 Daydreams paper. This I fastened to the front of a square 5 3/8" ivory card. I adhered the Eyelet Square piece to the center with Foam Squares from Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L. I added a touch of antique color to pearls from Hero Arts with Copic E51. Then I placed one in each corner and half way between. I added tiny pearls (AMuse) on swirls above and below the verse.

This card design would work just as well with another JustRite oval verse. Make it a birthday card or thinking of you! I love how the seam binding looks weaved into the Eyelet Square holes and the dark brown frame really sets it off.

Thanks for stopping!
Thank you to everyone who commented yesterday! I've read each and every one! Over 700! Wow! You inspire me!

Happy Blog Hoppin'!
-judy

Spellbinders™ Paper Arts Holiday Hoppin’ Blog Hop - Day One!

Welcome to the first day of the Spellbinders™ Paper Arts Holiday Hoppin’ Blog Hop!  Spellbinders, along with Spellbinders cross promotional companies are showcasing their newest products just in time for your Holiday crafting and gift giving.  Lots of creative ideas are in store, as well as prizes galore!  Each participating company has generously donated towards the prize package listed on the Spellbinders Blog.  A total of two identical prize packages, one for each day, November 18 and 19 will be given away!  To enter, just leave a comment on a participating blog!  Comments in the first 48 hours of the post are eligible.  One commenter each day will be randomly selected as the winner.  Winners will be announced on November 22, on the Spellbinders Blog!

Here are today’s Holiday Hoppin’ blogs:

Latisha Yoast
Judy Hayes - you are here!
Kazan Clark
Ashley Cannon Newell
Holly Simoni
Debbie Olson
Heidi Blankenship
Sherry Cheever
Linda Duke
Laurie Schmidlin
Cheryl Marie Walker
Jill Jacobsen
Jennifer Priest
Christina Klauer
Jodi Sanford
Leslie Miller
Mimi Leinbach
Robyn O'Crowley
Sharon Harnist
Liz Hicks
Sarah Hamer
Christie Bryant
Wendy Sue Anderson
Anary Baumgarth
Jenifer Dove
Gina Krupsky

Today,  I am using Spellbinders S4-305 Eyelet Squares die template plus several other Spellbinders die templates along with products from JustRite, Graphic 45, Worldwin, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L, Creative Impressions and Copic.    Eyelet Squares is a set of 4 squares with an eyelet edge, all for $24.99.  That's only $6.25/die template!  Think of all the possibilities with 4 sizes!

Now let's see how fun these Eyelet Squares can be for creating some Holiday magic!

Can you find the Eyelet Square on this card? 
It makes a great edge around my poinsettia center from JustRite Hearts Come Home set. The poinsettia is stamped with Memento Black Tuxedo and colored with Copic markers (see photo below for colors).  I stamped a 2nd poinsettia and cut out some of the petals to add to the base poinsettia for dimension.  I added a touch of glitter with Spica markers.  I cut out the poinsettia image with  S4-128 Classic Squares SM #3.  The red mat is cut with S4-126 Classic Squares LG #3.  I layered them over a white Eyelet Squares #2.   I've tucked the corners under the circle verse, JustRite Christmas Treasures.  I stamped the verse with Ranger Bottle ink and clear embossed it.  I cut it out with S4-114 Standard Circles LG #4 and #6. The red circle was cut with S4-116 Standard Circles SM # 4 and #7.  I added 2 shiny red brads between the verse sections.  The stamp had a star there that I masked so not to stamp it.
I cut LF-190 Grand Labels Four #5 out of Graphic 45 Steampunk Debutante and Worldwin Red Cardinal papers for the background.  I staggered the paper layers to show the red border. 
The white card is 4 1/8 x 5 3/8" with a red mat tucked inside to show on 3 edges.  The card is a touch smaller than A2 so the verse circle can extend beyond the top of the card and still fit in an A2 envelope. 

Before I even finished the card, I had an idea for a gift bag!  Using the same papers and die templates, I made this bag topper.

It's the same on both sides except for the bow.  There's a slot at the top to just slip over the handles and hang on the top of the bag.  Easily reuseable!  I used the biggest Grand Labels Four for the base.  The verse and circles are the same as the card.  I left the center open and tucked an Eyelet Squares #3 under the Labels Four point.  It fits so well!  I love how it looks!  I added a shiny red brad from Creative Impressions and tied on a jingle bell with baker's cord.  I added some baker's cord and a jingle bell to the big red bow which is permanently attached.  I found the bag at a Dollar Tree store, 2/$1.00!  

Well, I didn't stop there.....I was on a roll with these Eyelet Squares!

I made some tags!  I stamped several images from JustRite Merry Little Christmas plus the poinsettia again.  I cut them out with Eyelet Squares #1 and colored them with Copic markers.  The markers shown were used on the card  and tags except for YR24, Y26 and Y28 which were only used on the jingle bells tag.  I added touches of Spica glitter, too.  To assemble add a red mat to frame the image (cut with Classic Squares SM #3) and a white "tag" cut with Eyelet Squares #2, "to" and "from" on the back and bakers cord ties.  Voila!  Cute tags ready for Christmas gifts!

Spellbinders:

Grand Calibur and mats

S4-305 Eyelet Squares

LF-190 Grand Labels Four
S4-126 Standard Squares LG

S4-128 Standard Squares SM

S4-114 Standard Circles LG

S4-116 Standard Circles SM

JustRite Hearts Come Home

JustRite Christmas Treasures

JustRite A Merry Little Christmas

Copic – G94,G99, R24, R27, R29, Y38, Y26, Y28, YR 24

Spica pens – clear, orange, gold, lipstick red

Creative Impressions brads

Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L

Ranger Bottle Ink

Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black

Graphic 45 Steampunk Debutante

Worldwin Red Cardinal paper

Cougar Smooth White paper

To be eligible to win the Spellbinders Holiday Hoppin’ Prize Package, just leave a comment.  Remember just one comment per blog!

Be sure to see all of tomorrow’s Holiday Hoppin’ blogs for inspiring projects and another chance to win!  Lots of eye candy!!!  .

If you have a chance, stop by again tomorrow.  I have another Eyelet Squares card to share! I told you I was on a roll!  When the mojo flows, you gotta use it!

Thanks so much for visiting!

-judy