Friday, December 29, 2017

Delft Blue Windmill Card {Avery Elle}

Hello friends,

Just popping in to share with you today a card featuring Avery Elle's adorable Windmill stamp set.  The Windmill stamp set reminds me of the Netherlands, and the Netherlands remind me of Delft Blue China and Ceramics.  Check out this sweet music box- classic Delft.


Using Delft Blue ceramics as an inspiration, I stamped and colored my Windmill with lots of moody blue Copic Markers (B21, B23, B24, B26 and B28). 


I used the Large Pierced Scallops Elle-ments die to create the frame for the Dutch Delft scene.  I die cut the frame several times from blue card stock and adhered the layers together.

Supplies:

I hope you enjoyed this little Dutch journey.  
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Katie

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Love You A Latte {Avery Elle}

Hello friends,

Just popping in today with a card featuring Avery Elle's new Cool Beans stamp set.  Although the winter holidays are upon us, I am switching gears a bit and made a card suitable for Valentine's Day or really anytime you want to send some warm (caffeinated) hugs.


I stamped and die cut the cup from the Cool Beans stamp set.  I love that the cup can be made into a shaker element!

The "hugs" die is included with the Wonky Squares Elle-ments. I die cut the word several times from white card stock, stacked them together, and adhered the word die cut from black card stock on top.

It would be so fun to include a gift card inside to the recipient's favorite coffee shop to treat him or her to a latte or favorite coffee beverage!

That's all for me today! Thanks (a latte) for stopping by!
Katie

Supplies: 

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Waffle Flower V-Day 2018 Blog Hop!


Hello friends and welcome to Waffle Flower Craft's Valentine's Day Release Blog Hop!  

I am so excited to be participating today!!  You should have arrived from Yainea's blog.  Stop by the Waffle Flower blog for the full list. 

I have three cards to share with you today.  First up is a card featuring the Little Baker's stamp set and die.  I stamped, colored and die cut a bunch of the yummy-looking chocolate chip cookies and arranged them on a platter that I created using the Lacy Squares die


For even more texture and detail in the background, I paired the Lacy Layers 2 die with the Patched Layers die on a panel of white card stock before adhering everything to a kraft note card.


Next is a card using the Stitched Love stamp set and coordinating die.  I loved building these sweet pear images.  For a little more interest, I added a bit of orange ink to the bottom and side of the pears.

I arranged the happy couple inside card stock cut with the Embroidery Hoop die.  I stamped the sentiment with black ink and added a twine bow at the top of the hoop for a finishing touch.


The last card is a punny Valentine shaker card using the Make a Fish stamp set and Make a Fish die. I cut the shaker window using the Flower Circles Inverted Die


I have had so much fun building and embellishing schools of these beautiful fishes.  I added to the sentiment with the Bowtiful stamp set.  I added the hearts to the pink card stock using the small heart stamp from the new Forever stamp set.


Giveaway!

To celebrate the blog hop, Waffle Flower is giving away $25 gift certificates to FIVE lucky winners. Leave comments on my blog and along the hop by 11:59pm ET on 12/10/17 for your chances to win. Winners will be chosen at random from the comments left on any of the posts on this blog hop and will be announced on the Waffle Flower blog on 12/12/17.

To celebrate the new release, all orders over $25 placed by 11:59pm ET on 12/10/17 with code VDAY2018 will receive a free Forever Stamp Set. The stamp set needs to be in your cart for the promo code to work. Limited 1 per customer; While Supplies last.



Your next stop on the hop is Therese

Thanks for stopping by and good luck!

Katie

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Creating Shaped Cards with Dies {Avery Elle}

Hello friends, 

I am up on the Avery Elle blog today with a sweet card to share with you featuring the new Windmill stamp set along with the Large Pierced Scallops Dies.  A linked list of all the Avery Elle products used in my card is at the end of the post. 


The Large Pierced Scalloped dies are wonderful as a layer on a rectangle A-2 card, but I used the largest rectangle die to create a shaped card base.  To create the shaped card base, I started with a top fold A-2 card.  Next I positioned the largest die on over the card base so that the top fold would not be cut by the die.  I ran the card and die through the die cut machine and created the shaped card base.

Next, I create the front of the card by cutting a panel of white card stock and a panel of green card stock with the largest scalloped die.  With  an ink brush, I created the soft yellow background and I used the Dotted Borders Elle-ments die to create the slopes in the hills.


Finally, I stamped the images from the Windmill stamp set onto white card stock and colored them in using Copic Markers. I die cut the images and adhered them to the card front before adhering the card front to the scalloped card base. 

I love this little scene- with all the flowers and bugs, it's like a breath of spring as the weather is turning colder!

Thanks for stopping by!
Katie

Supplies

Saturday, November 18, 2017

25 Days of Christmas Tags

Hello friends, 

We are getting closer to the holidays and things are definitely taking a festive turn around here.  The kids have written their Christmas wish lists and my favorite radio station made the switch to all holiday music!    


Tracey McNealy's 25 Days of Christmas Tags is a fabulous way to jump start my holiday crafting and I have a pair of fun shaker tags to share today featuring products from Avery Elle.


I stamped the sentiment and a few snowflakes onto the back panel of the shaker tags before filling with clear sequins and assembling them.  I stamped and colored the Snowmen images with Copic Markers and tied a bit of Midnight Hemp Twine at the top of each tag to finish them off. 



I think these tags turned out pretty cute and I can't wait to attach them to some special gifts this holiday season. 

Supplies: 

For more information about the 25 Days of Christmas Tags, check out Tracey's blog!

Thanks for stopping by!
Katie


Friday, November 17, 2017

Modern Calligraphy Place Cards {Avery Elle}

Hello crafty friends!  

I am up on the Avery Elle blog this week with a simple project to share with you today featuring the Modern Calligraphy stamp set.  I love to add a little handmade touch to my celebrations- whatever the occasion! Last weekend was the semi-annual creative retreat with my crafty friends, so I crafted some place cards to decorate our tables. 


First, I used the Large Pierced Scallop Rectangles to die cut the paper. Next, I stamped each letter of my friends' names with black ink.  It may look tricky, but the letters flow together wonderfully.  I was really pleased with the look- just like hand-lettered calligraphy! If your placement is off just a bit, you can use a black pigment ink pen to connect the letters. 


I stamped and die cut the flower, coloring it in with Copic markers before adhering it to the place card with foam tape. I punched a small hole in each place card and tied it to the burlap leaf with some twine.  I found the burlap leaves at my local Hobby Lobby.


I've included a list of the Avery Elle supplies that I used to create these place cards below.  

Supplies:


I hope you'll consider adding a little handmade touch to your next celebration or event!

Thanks for stopping by!
Katie

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Avery Elle Winter 2017 Blog Hop!

Hello friends!

I am so excited to be sharing my first project of Avery Elle's Winter 2017 Release with you today! Balloons and Banners is a fantastic set by itself and it's versatile enough to bring the party to any stamp set.


I combined the large balloon image and sentiment from Balloons and Banners with the adorable otter from the Otterly Fantastic stamp set and BAM! Instant birthday party!


The clouds stamped in the background are from the new Love is in the Air stamp set.

Supplies:

To celebrate our Winter 2017 Release Blog Hop, Avery Elle is giving away a $25 Gift Certificate to one random winner.  To enter to win just comment on this post.  There is no purchase necessary and you must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  This giveaway is void where prohibited.  You have until midnight Sunday, November 12th to enter.  The winner will be announced on the Avery Elle Blog on Monday, November 13th .  All products are available for purchase in the Avery Elle store right now.


Below is a list of the design team member's participating in today's hop:






Good luck and thanks for stopping by!

Katie

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

VIDEO- Distress Oxide Background featuring Flamingo Bells {Avery Elle}

Hello friends,

I am up on the Avery Elle blog and You Tube Channel this week with a video sharing how I used Distress Oxide Inks and Avery Elle's Flamingo Bells stamp set to create a tropical evening holiday scene. A list of Avery Elle products with links can be found at the end of my post.


Flamingo Bells is such a great stamp set.  It's so different from the images that you usually associate with the holidays like snowmen, snowflakes, and sledding, but for many parts of the world, Christmas has a decidedly more festive and tropical feel.

I was also so excited about the sentiments in this set. I have been wanting a "Mele Kalikimaka" sentiment for a really long time, so I was thrilled that it was included in Flamingo Bells.  If you've seen National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, I am sure you've heard the song too, but just in case, you can listen to the Bing Crosby version here. It's one of my favorites!

I hope you'll take a peek at the video to see how it all came together!  
Thanks so much for stopping by!

Katie

Supplies: 

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Festive Wreath No Line Watercoloring {Avery Elle}

Hello friends,

I am over on the Avery Elle blog today sharing one of my favorite techniques- No Line Watercoloring- featuring the Festive Wreath stamp set and the coordinating Festive Wreath Elle-ments die.


The "no line" technique name is a bit misleading because there are lines, but the trick to any "no line" technique is using the right color of ink to stamp your lines.  You want to use a very light color ink so that when additional colors are added, the lines disappear or take on the pigment that you are adding to the image.  For this technique, I like to use Antique Linen Distress Ink, but other light inks can work too such as light pinks or light grays. 


I stamped the images from the stamp set in Antique Linen Distress Ink and then I began to watercolor using other shades of Distress Ink.  I smooshed the ink cubes onto an acrylic block and spritzed the ink with water to create an ink wash.  Using a fine point paintbrush, I began adding color to the stamped images.


The most important pieces of advice I can share with this technique is to allow layers of watercolor ink to dry completely before going back over the same area with more ink to deepen the color or to color in an adjacent area.  If two wet areas touch, the ink colors will bleed and blend together and that may not me the look you want. 


A paper towel to blot us extra water and a heat gun can help speed things along if you are impatiently waiting for your images to dry.  Once everything is colored in, you can add detail back to you images using a fine tip pen.  On the finished card, I used a gray pen to add some detail to the bow and the eye to the cardinal. I used a white gel pen to add some highlights to the ornaments and the bird's wing.


I adhered the wreath to a card base I made using the A Tag for All Elle-ments die.   I stamped the sentiment with black ink and popped up the stars, candy canes, bow, and bird with foam tape.  I adhered some clear sequins to the wreath and added a sweet scalloped border using the Dotted Borders Elle-ments die to the bottom of the card.  I finished off the card with some Midnight Hemp Twine tied into a bow.

I hope this inspires you to try a little "no line" coloring on your next paper crafting adventure!  Thanks for stopping by!

Katie

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Peace Love and Joy (Right at Home)

Hello friends, 

I am so excited to be guest designing this month with Right at Home stamps to celebrate their latest holiday release!

I have two projects to share with you in the coming weeks and my first card is below. 


I created a wintery landscape by blending a watercolor panel with Distress Inks.  I sprayed water onto the panel to lift the link and give it the look of millions of stars in the sky.


I stamped and heat embossed the sentiment from the Peace Love and Joy stamp set with silver embossing powder.  The trees are actually the leaf veins from the Cozy Cardinal stamp set.

Well that's all for me today, but be sure to stop by the Right at Home blog for more inspiration using these and the rest of their newest release!

Thanks for stopping by!
Katie 

Friday, October 13, 2017

Welcome Home Halloween House {Avery Elle}

Hello friends,

It's Welcome Home Seasons Week on the Avery Elle blog!  I am sharing this Halloween House created with the Welcome Home Seasons stamp set.  I adore the original Welcome Home stamp set.  It's so fun to play architect and home designers with stamps and paper.  Now that October is here, I thought I ought to decorate the house for the upcoming Halloween holiday!


I used a combination of images from the Welcome Home and the Welcome Home Seasons stamp sets to create the house.  I love how the yellow door and windows pop against the gray house.   The ghost and cobwebs are adorably spooky- not scary- which is how I like my Halloween!


Adding some detail to the roof line with a white gel pen really brought out the decorative accents on the roof. I colored the potted plants with violet Copic markers and hung a wreath on the front door as a finishing touch.

Supplies:

Now I am definitely in the spirit to decorate my own house for Halloween.  Don't forget to check out the Avery Elle blog this week for even more inspiration featuring the Welcome Home Seasons stamp set!

Thanks for popping in!
Katie 

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Waffle Flower New Release Blog Hop!


Hello friends,
I am so excited to be celebrating Waffle Flower's new release today!  You should have arrived here today from Kari Van Noy's blog.  If you just stumbled upon this post and would like to get the full list, head over to the Waffle Flower blog.  


I have two cards to share with you.  The first card features the Warm Hands and Layering Woodgrain stamp sets.  A list of my Waffle Flower supplies used on my cards can be found at the end of this post. 



I stamped the accent layer of the Layering Woodgrain stamp set onto white card stock with gray ink. Next I stamped the mittens from the Warm Hands stamp set.  I loved adding the details with each of the stamped layers and I did a little "rock and roll" effect on the main mitten image with a deeper color of blue to add even more depth.  I attached twine to the mittens and adhered it to the card.  The "Stay Warm" sentiment is included in the Warm Hands coordinating die set. 

Next, I couldn't resist playing with some of the new interactive dies.  I pulled out the A2 Arch Window die and die cut it from a piece of white card stock.  I added some gray and white polka dot paper as curtains to hide the action that's happening outside. 


I punched a hole in the window shutters and tied them closed with some silver cord.  When the recipient unties the cord, this little scene awaits. 


Oh my goodness, this Cold Hands stamp set is the absolute cutest! I just adore these little mice and created a little snow-mouse scene.  I created the background by blending distress ink onto a panel of watercolor card stock. I die cut the watercolor card stock with the largest Nested Dome die- it's the same size as the Arch Window!  


I also used the Nested Domes die to create the card base.  Shaped cards are just so fun to make and receive!  Inside my card, I finished the sentiment by stamping the mittens and the "Warm Heart" sentiment.


One last look at both my cards using the Warm Hands and Cold Hands stamp sets.  This release is a fun one! 


GIVEAWAY!!!

To celebrate the blog hop, Waffle Flower is giving away $25 gift certificates to FIVE lucky winners. Leave comments on my blog and along the hop by 11:59pm ET on 10/09/17 for your chances to win. Winners will be chosen at random from the comments left on any of the posts on this blog hop and will be announced on the Waffle Flower blog on 10/11/17.



To celebrate the new release, all orders over $25 placed by 11:59pm ET on 10/09/17 with code SUNSHINE will receive a free Little Sunshine Stamp Set. The stamp set needs to be in your cart for the promo code to work. Limit 1 per customer; while supplies last. 



Your next stop is Amanda Korotkova!

Thanks for stopping by!
Katie

Supplies:

Warm Hands Card

Cold Hands Window Card

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Super Cute Sledding Critters {Avery Elle}

Hello friends,

It's Sledding Critters week on the Avery Elle blog! Today, I am sharing a card I created featuring the Sledding Critters stamp set and the Winter Borders Elle-ments die.  This collection of critters in a winter sleigh is so adorable!  If you loved the Birthday Bus stamp set, you will certainly want to add its wintery counterpart to your collection!!



Be sure to check out the Avery Elle design blog every day this week for even more ideas using the Sledding Critters stamp set!

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Katie

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Merry Christmas Flowers {Avery Elle}

Hello friends, 

It's Merry Flowers week on the Avery Elle blog and I am up today sharing this high-contrast floral Christmas card featuring the beautiful Merry Flowers stamp set and coordinating Elle-ments die.


I colored the flowers with Copic Markers and for a little hint of holiday sophistication, I added gold glitter to the center of the flowers and matted the sentiment strip with gold card stock.

I hope you hop over the the Avery Elle blog for even more inspiration using these beautiful Christmas florals.

Thanks for stopping by!
Katie

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Brring on the Joy {Avery Elle}



Hello friends,

It's  Brrring On The Joy week on the Avery Elle blog and today, it's my turn to offer up some inspiration using this cutie, cute stamp set!  Below you can find a list of all the Avery Elle supplies that I used on my card. 


I stamped the penguins, wreath, lights, gift and ice drift onto white card stock with Avery Elle's New Moon dye ink and colored in the images with Copic markers.  I die cut all the images using the coordinating Brrring on the Joy Elle-ments dies. 


I adhered the images to a panel cut with the Wonky Stitches Elle-ments die and stamped the snowflakes from the stamp set with a light aqua ink.  Below the images, I stamped the sentiment in black ink.  I love a good pun and this one just makes me laugh!


As a finishing touch, I added a drop of Glossy Accents to each of the bulbs in the holiday light strand. The bulbs look so shiny and bright! 

Supplies: 

Be sure to check out the Avery Elle blog this week for even more inspiration and ideas featuring Brring on the Joy! 

Thanks for stopping by!
Katie

Sunday, August 27, 2017

Design Team Reunion {Neat and Tangled}

Hello friends! 

I hope you are having a lovely weekend!  I am popping in today because I am participating in Neat and Tangled's Design Team Reunion to celebrate their 5th Birthday!  
I absolutely loved working with Danielle and the other gals on the Neat and Tangled team, so I am delighted to be invited back!  Neat and Tangled was one of my first teams, so I am forever grateful to Danielle for giving me a shot!  To celebrate this occasion, I have a couple cards to share featuring the new Wild Ones stamp set and balloon stencil.  



For more details about these cards, please visit me on the Neat and Tangled blog

Thanks for stopping by!
Katie