Three Cards I Made This Weekend

My challenge this weekend was to be creative with a product I had previously purchased and not used.   I did have a few items to choose from (smiling).   I came across these pencils the other day that I had purchased from FSJ ages ago.   I actually thought they were embellishments and was surprised to realize they were post-it notes.

Each pencil had its own stack of post-its, but after removing the top one of each color I discovered the glue/adhesive had also gotten on the ones beneath.   May have been because of the heat here, don't really know.   At least I got one cute card out of the set.    The sentiment was from a grab bag set of stickers I had purchased.   Thought it was perfect to go with the pencils.

FSJ Little House Stamp Set  AT-0298

Faber Castell Polychromos Pencils

Always fun to send a card to a friend who just moved into a new home.   This stamp was just what I needed for this card.

FSJ Cottage Bouquet SS-0606

FSJ Silk Flower (don't know the item number)

I took one of the flower stamps and randomly stamped it 3 times on the page.   Then colored in with my Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens.   The center of each flower has a bit of Journey Glaze on it to make it shine.   I accented it with the silk flower.   

Whew ... I was busy this weekend.   Fun to try different mediums and ideas for cards.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today.

Mary

Unicorn Watercolor Picture

OK,I admit it ... I think I am obsessed with the unicorn digital image from my Kit And Clowder class.   Today I decided I had to try it with the Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens.   I am beyond pleased with the results.  

The horn was done with a gold gel pen.   Then I took Silver Sparkle Silk and put it over the mane and the horn to add some sparkle and shine.  

This one I believe I will frame and keep along with the color pencil one I did using the Faber Castell Polychromos Pencils.

Each one has its own unique look.

Hope you find time to do some creating today. 
Thank you for stopping by my blog.

Mary

A Bouquet of Flowers Perfect for Any Occasion

I am keeping busy doing watercoloring with the Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens.   I found a Daisies Stamp from Deep Red that worked perfect to create a card front.   This card would be perfect for any occasion:   Birthday, Mother's Day, Thinking of You, and so much more.

The images in the corners was stamped directly onto the card base.   The center grouping was stamped then fussy cut out.   I put FSJ Rainbow Drops in the center of each flower.   The center grouping is raised up using foam squares with thread positioned underneath.

Deep Red Brand Stamp Set

Daisies

(this is a red rubber stamp)

Purchased from Scrapbook.com  

Thank you for stopping by my blog today.

Mary

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?

The last time we were at the post office, we picked up some sheets of Scooby-Doo forever postage stamps.   They are so cute with Scooby-Doo holding the watering can.   I realize too that there is a large image on the side of the sheet that I could recycle into a greeting card.  

If you want to see the full sheet of stamps, click here (USPS link).

I hand drew in some areas of grass using my Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens.   Set the fence over the top of Scooby-Doo and the grass, then added in the die cut sentiments.

FSJ Fence Die Set DI-0485

Crafter's Companion Die-sire  Simple Sentiments

Thank you for stopping by my blog today.

Mary

Spring Floral Cards Using Penny Black Stamp Set: Full of Glee

Spring is just around the corner, and it was time to make some floral cards.   I used my Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens and a brand new stamp set from Penny Black called Full of Glee.   I purchased the stamp from Scrapbook.com ... Click Here if you want more information on it.

The first is a photo of all the cards I made.   Do you have a favorite?   It was so much fun deciding on which colors to use for the flowers themselves, then deciding on the card base.   These card are perfect for any occasion or to be used as a note card.

Here are photos of the individual cards and also the stamp set.  

The Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens are so easy to use.   This stamp is perfect for any type of coloring that you would like to do.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Mary

Unicorn Card

I've taken a few coloring classes on-line the last few months.   One of the classes (Kit And Clowder) was to to color in a unicorn or horse using their digital stamped image.   The mane was done in rainbow colors.   I actually finished the mane a few weeks ago and then set it aside.   Not sure why.

On Sunday morning, I just couldn't sleep so got up and started working on finishing my unicorn using my Faber Castell Polychromos Pencils.   I am pleased with the results.   The horn of the unicorn is actually gold/bronze with FSJ Sparkle Silk over the top.  It doesn't show up in the photo though.

Not sure if I will make this into a card or frame it as is.   Undecided at this point.   Almost all of my creations are given to others.   Not very often do I kept something I have made.   

Finishing this image sparked additional motivation to create more so I spent many hours on Sunday creating other images/cards.   It was a fun and creative day.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today.
Mary

Glue Sponge Review

I recently purchased a new product called the Glue Sponge.   Finally had the time to try it out and thought I would share some of my thoughts with you.   NOTE:  I have not received any compensation for this review.   It is my personal opinion.

I used the Glue Sponge for the first time this weekend. There is one corner that has a serrated/cut edge -- break that downward to release the lid. The lid open upwards from inside the molded edge. I thought the molded edge snapped into place. LOL. It was an adventure, but after some on-line help got it all figured out.

Tips: I took an old toothbrush and used the handle to get the sponge juicy by applying pressure over the sponge area in numerous spots. The pieces I laid on the sponge I tapped with curved tweezers to get better coverage. I checked the back of each piece BEFORE I laid it on my card front to be sure it had good coverage. After laying the piece on my card, I took a clean paper towel, placed it over the card front and applied pressure to all the glued items.

I was working with intricate dies. The glue sponge worked well for those. The items I made last night are on tight. I don't know that I would use it for glitter but should work for sequins/buttons if you get a good coverage on the back of the item.

NOTE: When finished, be sure the lid is on tight by running your finger around the edges. The corner you broke down to open it, can actually be burped to get air out. If you haven't used the glue sponge for a while, it says to put it upside down for about an hour.

Easily clean up with a baby wipe.

There is a slight odor to the glue when open, but nothing overpowering. I was able to use it without any issues. I like it for my intricate dies. Not sure I would use it as my main adhesive.

Be careful if you get any glue on the top of the die cut.  It leaves a mark (like any glue would), although it does dry clear.  Just be sure to check after placing the die cut and wipe off with a paper towel. 

Here's one of the cards I made using the Glue Sponge as the adhesive (details about the card are on yesterday's blog post).  It was the only adhesive I used, and I was pleased with the results. 

If you are interested in purchasing the Glue Sponge, I got mine from Chelsea:
http://www.inkystamperstore.com/item/glue-sponge
It was shipped quickly and packed well.  

Thank you for stopping by my blog today.
Mary

Disney Themed Cards For All Occasions

A few weeks back I purchased some Disney themed dies at Tuesday Morning.   Finally had a chance to use them this weekend, so wanted to share my cards with you.  I am a big fan of the silhouette look (all solid color, usually black) so decided to use that technique for some of my cards. 

 Disney Waltzing Belle Metal Die

The Belle card was made to fit into a legal size envelope.  I used textured 8 x 8 card stock and folded it in half, then accented with lavender ribbon and rainbow drops.   The card base is a light lavender too.

 Disney Poised Cinderella Metal Die

Disney Cinderella Embellishments Metal Die Set

This card is an A2 size (4 1/4 x 5 1/2).   Inside it has a clock striking midnight and her missing shoe for Prince Charming to find.   Card base is a pastel pink.

 Disney Daisy Duck Metal Die

Disney Donald Duck Metal Die

This card is also an A2 size.   Card base is bright yellow.   The metal words are from a grab bag I purchased of retired products.

 Disney Mickey Mouse & Friends Joyful Mickey Metal Die

Disney Mickey Mouse & Friends Blissful Minnie

This card is a legal size (8 x 8 folded in half).   Card base is textured light silver card stock.   I added in the metal words.

Disney Fairies (unsure of official name for this one)

This was a set of 3D stickers.  I couldn't resist Tinkerbelle and her home.   Inside there are flowers that were part of the set.  Lots of sparkle and shine to her wings.   This was also found at Tuesday Morning.

I did use the Glue Sponge for the intricate dies.   It worked well.   I will have some tips and more information about it on my next blog post.

Thanks for stopping by.

Mary

More Marble Swirl Creations/Cards

I worked some more with the Marble Swirl Stamp set from Catherine Pooler.   There is still a lingering odor to it (it's photopolymer), but not as bad as when it was brand new.

If you are interested in the stamp set:   Marble Swirl
https://shop.catherinepooler.com/products/marble-stamp-set

Here's my two latest creations:

 Flowers are from FSJ.
Colored in with Faber Castell Polychromos Pencils

 Horse is a digital image from Kit And Clowder Class.

Colored in with Faber Castell Polychromos Pencils.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today.

Mary

Marble Swirl Stamp Set Card

When I saw this Marble Swirl design, I knew I had to have this stamp set.  I love the way it is actually 3 stamps to create the swirl effect, that each stamp can also be used individually (on its own).  I ordered directly from Catherine Pooler's website.   They shipped quickly.

PROS:  Unique Design, 3 swirled images, 3 sentiments, 1 sentiment block,
CONS:  Photopolymer stamp set (smells)

First, I want to say that I LOVE red rubber stamps and that they are my stamp type of choice.   I rarely buy acrylic or photopolymer.   One of the reasons I try to stay away from photopolymer is that there is an odor to it, and sometimes it is pretty intense.    When I opened this stamp set, the odor was awful.  I ended up setting it outside overnight to air it out.   That really helped, but even now 3 days later, the stamp set still smells.   I have left it open/completely exposed in my craft room to air it out even more.   If you or someone in your family is scent sensitive, this might be a stamp set to avoid.

Here is the card I made with this stamp set.   I used FSJ Turbo Teal, Watermelon Fusion, and Lavender Fusion for the swirls and overlapped the colors in some areas.

If you are interested in the stamp set:   Marble Swirl
https://shop.catherinepooler.com/products/marble-stamp-set

I'm looking forward to trying other colors, designs, and layouts with this stamp set.   The sky is the limit.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today.
Mary

St Patrick's Day and Easter Cards

Oh my gosh, where has the time gone.   I can't believe I haven't posted for over a month!   No excuses, just "life got in the way".    As a result I'm not crafting every day like I use to.   I need to get back on track and craft more often.   I love making cards.

Here are some cards I made for St Patrick's Day and Easter this year:

The St Patick's Day cards were made from "window clings".   They had sticky backs and adhered to the card stock extremely well.   I loved the shine on the designs and the blending of the colors.  Once I saw them, I had to give them a try.

Next I worked on Easter cards.    These were made from retired stickers/die cuts I had.  It was fun trying to mix and match them.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today.
Mary