Playing with Metal - Tattered Flowers

Today was a good day to just play in my craftroom and try something new. I had been wanting to try making flowers from old soda pop cans.  Tim Holtz recent post is about using the Tattered flowers die and creating all kinds of flowers using different materials.  He used burlap and tissue paper glued on grunge paper for some great creations and is launching a contest.  It is worth checking out here! 

Here's my finished flower

I started off by cutting the top and bottom off of the soda can.  I used a combination of can opener and the Tim Holtz scissors.  Once done, I simply washed the metal, dried it off and began the project.  I used the Tattered Flowers die with my Big Shot and it cut so easily - only need to pass it through once.

I had LuminArte Silks Acrylic Glaze paints on hand but I wasn't sure if they would adhere to the metal.  I decided to apply a thin coat of gesso and then add my glaze paints.  I used a combination of teal, ginger peach and nutmeg.  Once the paint dried, I used the Tim Holtz textured fade embossing folder on the three flower petals.  Curled the flowers using a small wooden stick and hot glued them together.  A simple, off-white button for the centre.

Having been inspired by Tim Holtz and his spring flowers, i decided to make a Spring-themed card. 

Papers:  K&Company, DCWV

Doily - Tim Holtz die

Cricut - Frames and Birdcage

Pearl embellishment, brad, Stickles in silver and gold

 

The doily was also cut from the soda pop can and painted with Solar Gold and Nutmeg Luminarte glaze.  The frames were cut with my Cricut Expression using Elegant Edges cart and the the birdcage from Straight From the Nest cart.  I simply added a few pearl embellishments, stamped Spring using Ranger archival ink.  Added a bit of Stickles to the birdcage and "Spring"

 

I will be trying some new techniques soon!

 

 

Winter Woodland

We have been experiencing a deep freeze for the past few days with the temperature below -25 degrees Celsius and then add the windchill and it is just unbearable to be walking any distance outdoors. 

Given the cold temperatures, I was certainly inspired to make a Christmas card.  I am still playing along on the Cricut forum in RAQ's Challenges.  The particular sketch for my card was a Viva sketch.  I have also decided to submit this card in the Merry Monday Challenge.  A great challenge but unfortunately I have not played along in a while.  The theme this week is "For the Birds".

Card recipe

Papers Graphic 45 and Bazzil

Cricut Winter Woodland

Snowflake embossing folder

Miscellaneous stamp and brads

Ink - Distressed Black Soot, Vintage Photo, Sepia archival, Versa white chalk

 

Over the holidays, I watched a few videos and was reminded how inking edges can add depth and layering also helps to give dimension.  For the cardinal, I used the Winter Woodland Cricut cartridge but altered it as the bird did not have a wing nor feathery tail.  I inked the bird's chest and tail in distressed Black Soot ink.  The blue, cream and green frames are also from the Winter Woodland cart. The pine branches were made with the Martha Stewart punch and inked lightly with white chalk ink.  The sentiment is a stamp that I purchased at Michaels a few years ago and it is just hand cut.  I embossed the bottom layer using the Snowflake folder and inked with distress Vintage Photo ink. 

I am really happy with this creation!

I plan on being back soon and thanks for dropping by!

 

Just A Note...

It's Monday and I get to ease into the work week.  I worked on this card last night and finished it this morning.  For the sketch, I'm playing along with the I Spy Sketches Challenge #18 and the elements are part of the Repeat Impressions Designer Choice Challenge 523 where we need to have a Stamped Image, Embossing, and Diecut or Punch.

Card recipe

Papers - My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Market Street, K&Company Que Sera Sera

Stamped Flowers - Inkadinkado Flashy Floral, Just A Note

Tim Holtz butterfly embossing folder and distressed folder for watering can

Tim Holtz distressed ink Victorian Violet and Black Soot

Spellbinders Petite Scallop circle and Circle punch

Cricut Stretch Your Imagination for watering can

Versafine black ink and acid free markers

Gems and pearl embellishments, buttons from stash and embroidery floss

This is the first time that I coloured an image.  I wanted to give it a try before I look into purchasing some Copics.    I can see how much fun it would be so it's time for me to look into tutorials on Copics.  If you have any suggestions, please leave me a comment!

Here is the sketch from I Spy Sketches, I made my design on the landscape.

Thanks for dropping by and I would love to hear your feedback on this card!



Challenges:
I Spy Sketches -  ISSC18
Repeat Impressions DCC523

Adestes Fideles - Classic Christmas song

I'm joining in again on the Jingle Belles challenge and this week we need to incorporate Christmas music.  I've also decided to play along with CardPatterns and use their sketch for my card.

There are so many wonderful songs that it was hard to choose the right one.  I picked Adestes Fideles, one of my all-time favourites, and printed off the music sheet on cream cardstock.  I then cut it with the Tim Holtz doily die.  I used my Cricut and cut the angel from the Christmas cartridge.  This was after doing a Nativity scene that I just didn't like.  Sometimes we have an idea and we visualize it but it doesn't always turn out on paper.  Luckily, like most of you, my papers were all on sale so I'm only wasting pennies.

I then tried to create the rectangle piece from the sketch and as I was looking through my paper stacks, I found the "Peace, Love, Joy" from Simple Stories.  So with the card almost complete, I stumbled upon the perfect background from the DCWV Christmas stack.  I added a few pearls, gem stones and ribbon and voilà my card was complete.  It did take a few hours from start to finish but it was a nice way to spend a few hours on a rainy Sunday.

Here is the sketch that I followed from CardPatterns

Thanks so much for dropping by and I always appreciate your comments!

Spring in Bloom - Garden Party #115

The weather has been amazing for the past week!  It is hotter than usual yet we have had some rain and as such the garden is coming into full bloom.  I enjoyed an extra long weekend and have finally enjoyed a bit of time in my craftroom. 

This card is part of the Shabby Tea Room Garden Party challenge.  The sketch design was an older MojoMonday sketch.

Card recipe:

Green strips - K&Company Que Sera Sera

Centre frame with lily - gcd Studios Antiquities

Butterfly - K&Company TC Blossomwood

Plaid tag - Lost & Found Portobello Road

Doily - Tim Holtz with Black Soot distress ink

Flower - ribbon hand-stitched

"just a note" stamped with Ranger permanent ink on silk ribbon

Grommet, gem flower and gem stones - unknown

For this challenge, we were asked to use these colours for inspiration and add a dimensional flower.

I hope the weather is nice your way and thanks for dropping by!

Challenge Shabby Tea Room

Merry Monday Challenge

I'm still making Christmas cards despite the warmer weather!  I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep this up weekly but every little bit counts.

This week's Merry Monday Challenge

And here's my interpretation:

Card Recipe

Rosette - made with Cricut Ribbons & Rosettes

Merry Christmas ticket and hanger - Tim Holtz

Papers are all leftovers so uncertain of origin

2 buttons layered and from my stash

Have a great day!