Valentine, Steampunk Style

My card today celebrates Valentines Day in the steampunk style. I used my Sizzix diamond flip-it die to cut the card base. The designer paper is from Graphic 45. The gorgeous steampunk lady is stamped using a Hampton Arts stamp. The hearts and chain border are cut using Cheery Lynn dies. These dies are the newest in my collection. They just arrived in the mail. I guess they qualify as new stash! The sentiment is cut using a Tim Holtz die.

Card front (closed)

Card inside (open)

My card will be entered into these challenges:  SanDee and Amelie's Steampunk challenge -- new stash; Inspiration Journal -- die cuts; and City Crafter's challenge -- Valentine love story.

Share a Smile

Here is something I haven't done for a long time -- make an ATC. However, when the Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge theme was the letter A, I knew it was time to make another ATC. A is for ATC...get it! [smile] I used the sketch from the Mojo Monday challenge as a basis for my layout. I just had to use the flying pig stamp (Hampton Arts); it does make me smile. That goes along with the Wednesday challenge at Simon Says Stamp which is let's have a laugh.

To make the ATC I used sticky back canvas for the background panel. I used Tim Holtz's distress paint marbling technique for the coloring. I hope you're smiling too!

Love Letter

Today I had some extra time to spend in my studio, so there will be several posts. I decided to try a new TJ technique, washi shapes which just happens to be this week's Try This Technique challenge. Since I just bought some roles of washi tape a short while ago (which I  have never used) today seemed like the perfect time to try them out. To make my card I started with a red base card. I die cut the background panel using a stamp frame and then I die cut the sentiment "love". I also used an embossing folder to add the Valentine word background. The Cupid, heart and flower were all die cut using washi tape covered cardstock.

These are the blog challenges I am entering: Technique Junkies Try This Technique -- washi shapes; Mark's Finest Papers Color Thursday challenge -- bright colors; Flourishes Timeless Tuesday -- in with the new; Fashionable Stamping -- hearts and flowers

Only One

This week the challenge at Bloggers Challenge is backgrounds. I love a backgrounds challenge; however, it's always difficult to decide which way to go.  My background today is the result of my trying to catch up with the lessons in Creative Chemistry 102. In one of the lessons Tim showed how to use a stencil to dry emboss. In this card I used my chevron stencil to emboss a piece of Core'dinations cardstock. Once I embossed it, I sanded the embossing. I have a background with lots of texture. The stamp I used is from SweetStamps. I stamped it several times. First I stamped it on white cardstock and heat embossed the frame with silver. I stamped it on kraft and then again on designer paper so I could paper piece her clothes. The flowers are flower soft with Viva Decor painted leaves. The sentiment comes from a Heartfelt Creations paper pad.

I am also entering this card in these challenges: Ink on My Fingers Sunday Challenge -- use violet; Take a Word -- Hats & Things; Sweet Stamps -- anything goes.

Creative Chemistry 102 - Day 2

Mixed-Media Layering and Embossing with Stencils

Embossing through Stencils and Stencil Stamping

Stencil Sketching and Ink Monoprint

Paint Monoprint

Today I spent my studio time working on the tags for day 2 of Creative Chemistry 102 (Tim Holtz). Even though the techniques have often been introduced by Tim, I've learned a lot. I especially love that Tim provided labels for each technique, so each tag is a reminder of how to do the technique and what the technique looks like.

Je t'aime

I had so much fun creating this card. First, I used one of my favorite stamps (from Rogue Redhead Designs) for the focal image. Their fashionable clothing is paper pieced. (The current RRD rebel challenge is paper piecing.) This adorable couple is framed by a Cheery Lynn die cut heart and is featured against a Cheery Lynn die cut doily. The sentiment is also from Rogue Redhead Designs. The background is a piece of glittery design paper from my stash. Everything is adhered to a white base card. Wouldn't this make a great Valentine or a great anniversary card?

I am entering my card into the Cheery Lynn Designs challenge -- sweetheart and the Artistic Stamper monthly challenge -- Love is in the air.

Snowflake and Mittens

When will they make a scanner that will let ME scan white items clearly. My center snowflake is a SweetStamps stamp that I heat embossed with white detail embossing powder. I even highlighted it with a light touch of tumbled glass distress ink. If you look real hard on the image you can see some detail. The real image is very clear and effective. I used last week's Mojo Monday challenge as a layout base. However, a new challenge has been posted, so I won't post the sketch here. The under panel is designer paper stamped with mittens from Rogue Redhead's Candy Kisses stamp set. The background is designer paper from my stash. I am trying to use more designer paper in my work. Sometimes I even remember to do so.

My card will be entered into these challenges: SweetStamps -- winter blues; Tuesday Throwdown -- stripes; Frilly and Funkie -- warmth of winter; and Mark's finest Papers Thursday color challenge -- shades of blue.