{ Blooming Spring projects }

I was asked to create several Spring/Easter projects for a Swedish magazine Scrapbooking m.m. I made this Spring card using Impression Obsession Stamps: Lg. Solid Bird stamp (E6993), Solid Cherry Blossom Branch (G6968), Blooming Spring sentiment (B5423), and Cover-a-Card Wood Grain stamp (CC034) for the background.

I used this fun flower ribbon I found for a dollar by American Crafts, The Country Fair journaling tag by Elle's Studio and Basic Grey paper.

The background is stamped with Cover-a-card Wood Grain stamp (CC034) that was first sprayed with Licorice Shimmerz Spritz and Sunset Strip Vibez.

I made a matching gift bag with The Cutting Café 6 by 3 inch bag set template. It comes with five different cut-outs for the front.

Here is a close up. I used a Sm. Bird stamp (B6964) for this and the Solid Cherry Blossom stamp (G6968).

One last card for Easter/Spring.  I used Easter Bunny clear stamp set (CL212), Easter Seals clear stamp set (CL164), Cover-a-card Medallion stamp (CC032) for the background. Basic Grey paper and The Country Fair journaling tag from Elle's Studio.

{ The Cutting Cafe' giveaway winner take 2 }

I did not hear from Marciastz from this post and this giveaway!

My new winner is

Kathy please contact me so I can get those images to you.

{ Elle's Studio mini album and designer spotlight }

I made this little album for my Designer Spotlight project for Elle's Studio. Check out the BLOG to read more about me and see photos of my scrapbook space.

I used Prompts, Patterns and Journaling tags for the outside of my album. The album started with the library pocket template and Vintage Spring and Picnic Flash Cards.

I made five library pockets out of Basic Grey patterned paper. Each pocket holds a Vintage Flash Card with a photo. I stamped each flash card with Chic Note & Date stamp for my journaling. I added fabric covered brads, ribbon and buttons.

My library pockets are joined by Elle's Studio package inserts...they are just the perfect size. I cut the Granny's Doily Circles in half and adhered them to the outside of my pockets.

I sprayed my white crepe paper with Shimmerz Vibez and made a flower. I used Basic Grey paper, Sassafras Lass banner and Date and Place strip.

 

 

Let me know if you have any questions.

Enjoy your Sunday.

{ Watercolor stamping tutorial }

I created this layout for Elle's Studio March Inspiration gallery. I used a flower stamp that I colored with watercolor pencils. Elle asked me if I could do a tutorial for the Elle's Studio blog...here it is.

WATERCOLOR TUTORIAL

You will need watercolor paper, waterproof ink (like StazOn or Ranger Archival Ink), watercolor pencils, paintbrush or Aqua painter and stamps – Whale of a Time stamp set. I buy a large watercolor pad at a craft store and cut it down to size. In addition, they have these ATC size watercolor sheets that are perfect for tags and cards.

Stamp your images on watercolor paper and outline with watercolor pencil of your choice. You do not need a lot of color, plus you can always add more if needed.

Make sure your brush/aqua painter is damp, not too much water. Start working from the edges in circular motion to blend the color. Keep wiping the brush on scratch paper or a paper towel to remove excess color/water and keep blending.

This is what it looks like all completed.

I stamped and colored the whale and made a tag out of the ATC size paper. I added a punched edge to the bottom.

For this journaling tag I stamped the whale in the middle. I added the lines by masking the whale.

Masking – I stamped the whale on art masking tape, but you can use scrap paper or a post it note. Cut the image out. Lay it over the original image to cover/mask it and then stamp the lines. Save it, because you can use it again.

I stamped and painted the circle tag. I cut the boat and adhered it with foam adhesive. For the whale tag, I stamped the circle tag on some left over stamped cardstock and punched it out. I cut the whale out and used foam adhesive to adhere the whale over a stamped whale base.

I used the boat tag for the card. I addition, I used a stamp from Let It Snow stamp set and a tag from Prompts, Patterns and Journaling Tags.

You can use a blender pen with watercolor pencils. The blender pen is perfect for blending watercolor pencil colors, eliminating the need for water and a paintbrush. The colors intensify and blend smoothly, and you don’t need the watercolor paper.

Stamp images and outline with watercolor pencil. Use the blender pen to blend the colors in circular motion starting from the edges.

****For the entire month of April we have our Whale of a Time Stamp Set 40% off!

{ Happy Easter }

I hope everyone is enjoying their Easter weekend. We are enjoying this beautiful, warm weather that is here to stay, I hope.

I wanted to share these little bags I made for Alex's friends using my new Cricut Expression. Plantin SchoolBook cartridge came with the Cricut and I love it. They came together so quickly. My friend Danni made cute treat bags with little tags that I loved and I told her I was going to make some.

The bags, grass and "eggs" are cut with the cricut. The bunny stamp is from Michaels dollar bin.  I am still playing with sizes and "testing" things out on scrap paper. I am taking notes so I can remember next time. The sentiment is from Easter Bunny (CL212) Impression Obsession stamp set that I curved to fit along the edge of the egg.

We made little bunny puppets and filled the bags with little goodies. I hope they like it.

I made a little basket for me, too. This basket can be used for so many different occasions, and I will make it again. I used Easter Basket template from The Cutting Café.  The template comes with two different sizes.

I used the one that holds 4 eggs. Love it. After I printed the template, I cut it out. The basket is covered with crepe paper that I sprayed with Glimmer Mist. I made the flower out of the same crepe paper and painted the edges with Shimmerz paint. The leaves are cut out of Core'dinations cardstock and embossed.

Before I cut out the handle I added about 1/2" inch to the width so I can punch a decorative border and still have a nice size handle.

One last photo of Alex from the Easter egg hunt on Friday. He had so much fun playing outside and collecting eggs with his friends.