June 2014

June 2014

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Colorful Creations Jingle All The Way Holiday Hop: Day Two!!!




Welcome to Day two of the Colorful Creations Design Team Jingle All The Way Holiday Hop!!! 
(If you missed Day One, just scroll below this post!!!)


We hope that you are enjoying the fun, challenges, recipes and other holiday inspiration!!!

You should have arrived here from Libby's blog... If not, please 
start from the beginning here!!!  If you get lost along the way, you can find all the information and blog line-up here!!!


For the second day of the hop, I decided to share an altered 
Christmas tag.  I've always loved making tags and playing with different techniques with them.  

"Handmade Altered Christmas Tag"
I started by using Ranger Glossy cardstock for the base of my tag.  I've never done a tag with the glossy paper (although I've had it for forever!!!) and thought I'd give it a go!!!
One of my favorite things to do is inking.  EVERYTHING!!!!! Literally... There's not a page, card, or any other project that passes my way without some form of ink on it!  So I inked the glossy cardstock with various Distress Inks (Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Faded Jeans), leaving the bottom portion white to look like snow!  I cut a piece a paper with curves and set it at the bottom so that I wouldn't ink over it and it came out quite nicely!!!  I went back and added just a tiny bit of Tumbled Glass Distress Ink to the snow for a more blended look :-)

Here's a look at the finished tag:




I stamped the sentiment and small snowflakes with Versamark, then clear embossed them so the ink would not color them (leaving them white!!!).  Then I began to embellish!!!  The lamp post is by Recollections.  I added a small silver bow from ribbon to the post with bells hanging from it.  I threaded very thin blue ribbon through the top of the bells to have them hang at different lengths.  The other embellies are made by K&Company (Snowflakes, deer, transparent silver snowflake at top of tag) and a metal snowflake by Momenta.  I finished the tag by inking the edges with the Faded Jeans distress ink, then coating it with a thin layer of glitter puffy paint.  Voila!!!! Another holiday project down.... 432 more to go!!!! Hahahaha!!!!!!

 Here is a close-up of the bells:



And the glittered edge:



Now for the "good stuff"!!!!!
I have a FAB-U-LOUS prize to give away to one lucky 
participant!!! That's right... I have a challenge for you!!!
All you have to do is submit a holiday project that is ANYTHING 
BUT a card or a layout!!!! This can be an altered tag, a gift 
you've made (or are making) for someone, altered jars or gift bags, etc....  GET CREATIVE!!!!!!!!

To be eligible for the prize, complete the above challenge by 
December 5th and upload it to the Colorful Creations Gallery using the tag JBHBRANDI!!!! ALSO
you must become a follower of my blog and leave a comment 
letting me know you're hopping along each day!!! 

Be sure to check each blog every day for more holiday
inspiration. Become a member of all of our
blogs and leave a comment daily for a chance to win a fabulous
Grand Prize of Scrappy Goodies!

Winner of the Grand Prize will be selected from members
that comment daily and complete all of
the challenges by 11:45 pm Thursday December 5, 2013.
Individual prizes will be announced on each member’s 
blog. The Grand Prize winner will be
announced on the Colorful Creations site on Friday December 6, 
2013.

To make sure you don't get lost along the way:
Our Hopping order for today is:
 
Brandi – Lucky Flutterby Creations (You are here!)

I hope you are enjoying our holiday inspiration and will join us in 
creating some magic for your
holidays with our projects and recipes.


Well, gang.... Thanks so much for stopping in and have a LUCKY 


day :-)

Friday, November 29, 2013

Jingle All The Way Holiday Hop at Colorful Creations: Day One!!!

Hello everyone!!!! I hope all my fellow Americans had a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!!!!


Welcome to the Colorful Creations Design Team Jingle All The Way Holiday Hop!!! 


We hope that you are ready for three days of fun, challenges, recipes and other holiday inspiration to get you on your way to a state of holiday bliss (or at least on the right path!)!!!

You should have arrived here from Libby's blog... If not, please 
start from the beginning here!!!  If you get lost along the way, you can find all the information and blog line-up here!!!


For the first day of the hop, I decided to share a set of altered 
drawers I put together for Christmas using the "Christmas Made
holiday stack by DCWV. 

"Christmas Drawers": Altered Drawers Using DCWV "Christmas Made" Holiday Stack
I started by painting the unfinished wood with "Moss Green" 
Luminarte Silks Acrylic Glaze. LOVE these paints because they 
are loaded with micah that makes them oh sooooo shiny!!!!
Then, I just used a a ton of Mod Podge (matte chosen here) and 
papers and got to work!!!

Here's a look at the finished piece:
Isn't it amazing?!? And you would be surprised at how little time and effort this takes and would make such a FAB-U-LOUS gift!!!!! Here are some other pics:
The "drawer pulls" are actually buttons by "The Girl's Paperie" 
that I coated with Gold Leafing.... LOVE the way they turned 
out!!!! I also used various embellies by Tim Holtz (metal corners 
on top of box), Jolees (bow on top), Webster's Pages "Merry 
Christmas" Sticker, and metal charm piece by Recollections.


Now for the "good stuff"!!!!!
I have a FAB-U-LOUS prize to give away to one lucky 
participant!!! That's right... I have a challenge for you!!!
All you have to do is submit a holiday project that is ANYTHING 
BUT a card or a layout!!!! This can be an altered tag, a gift 
you've made (or are making) for someone, altered jars or gift bags, etc....  GET CREATIVE!!!!!!!!

To be eligible for the prize, complete the above challenge by 
December 5th and upload it to the Colorful Creations Gallery using the tag JBHBRANDI!!!! ALSO
you must become a follower of my blog and leave a comment 
letting me know you're hopping along!!! 

Be sure to check each blog every day for more holiday
inspiration. Become a member of all of our
blogs and leave a comment daily for a chance to win a fabulous
Grand Prize of Scrappy Goodies!

Winner of the Grand Prize will be selected from members
that comment daily and complete all of
the challenges by 11:45 pm Thursday December 5, 2013.
Individual prizes will be announced on each member’s 
blog. The Grand Prize winner will be
announced on the Colorful Creations site on Friday December 6, 
2013.

To make sure you don't get lost along the way -
Our Hopping order for today is:



Andrea - Scraperie






I hope you are enjoying our holiday inspiration and will join us in 
creating some magic for your
holidays with our projects and recipes.


Well, gang.... Thanks so much for stopping in and have a LUCKY 
day :-)

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Handmade Monster High Invitation!!!

Hello my crafty neighbors!!!! I have a few things I've been working on lately and just thought I'd stop by to share my latest creations with you :-)

Handmade Monster High Invitation: "Clawdeen"
My daughter's birthday is coming up VERY fast and she just had to have Monster High Invitations (picture... goth Barbie!).  I don't know much about Monster High other than it's a bunch of teenage "zombie"/"dead"/"goth" barbie doll girls on a tv show!!!  
Any who... After looking online at various ideas, and my daughter telling me that she wanted "Clawdeen" (a "wolf" girl on the show) on the invite, I got started on the hunt for coordinating papers.  Here's what Claudine looks like:

So, I went with deep purples, black, and hot pink!!! They didn't have a "zebra print" in hot pink, so I made my own with a zebra print stamp I just happened to have in my stash.  
Here's a look at the final invite:


I copied the colors pretty well, I think!!!  I even added a "belt" with gold circles around the invite just like her belt.  And yes... I printed out and colored in all 30 Clawdeen pictures using my Spectrum Noir Markers and various Glitter Gel pens.  And then I wonder why I have carpal tunnel?!?  Hahaha!!!!
I added an insert with all the party details, using left over hot pink paper!!!!  
Here's a peek:


I have to admit... After making my first Criss Cross card, I absolutely FELL IN LOVE with them!!!! Especially for my invitation orders!!!!  They are fast and easy, and always look fabulous!!!!  I actually have put together a tutorial for the Criss Cross card that I will be posting later this month!!!

Handmade Simba Baby Shower Invitations
 One of my good friends is due to have a baby soon, which means a baby shower is in order!!!!  She asked if I cut come up with something for a "Simba" (from the Lion King) themed party, using animal type prints in blue and tans.  So, I got to work... And here's what I came up with:


Like I said... LOVE these Criss Cross card for invitations!!!  I printed the Simba on my computer and colored all 40 of them in with my Spectrum Noir Markers!!!  Cute, huh?!?


Handmade "Spa Party" Invitations
Last, but certainly not least are some "Spa Party" invites I was asked to make for a friend.  The order called for purples and pinks and sparkle!!! Here's what I was able to come up with for these:




Again, I went with the Criss Cross card and various pattern papers.  I added glittered ribbon and colored in the nail polish with a glitter gel pen! Another one bites the dust!!!!

Well gang... Thanks soooo much for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)

Friday, November 22, 2013

Sketch N Scrap New Card Sketch!!!!

Happy Friday everyone!!!!  It's that time of the month for another wonderful card sketch over at Sketch N Scrap!!!

"Follow Your Bliss" Handmade Birthday Card using Heidi Swapp "Sugar Chic" paper line!

And here is my card:


I decided to use this sketch to make a birthday card for my sister!!!!  I also decided to use all the bright ,colorful papers from the Heidi Swapp "Sugar Chic" line!!! 
I started with a standard 5x7 card base, then began to layer my papers!  I used a decorative Martha Stewart border/corner punch combo for the black paper in the background.  I inked the various papers using Distress Inks and then went over the edges with a Black Sharpie marker.  I added sentiment and star rub-ons, and added the main sentiment piece to the center.  I finished the card with flowers by Recollections, trim, and homemade bling!  

DON'T FORGET:  

Sketches4All is having their 4th Anniversary Party on their site so stop in and check it out in the form!!! There are tons of inspirational projects, challenges, and (of course!) lots of prizes!!!!

Also.... 

Stay tuned for the "Jingle All The Way Holiday Hop" over at Colorful Creations starting on November 29th!!!!  We'll be bringing you lots of holiday inspiration, recipes, cards, and more!!!!  Not to mention... PRIZES!!!!!!!  


Well, gang... Thanks soooo much for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)



Friday, November 15, 2013

Joy and Cheer Handmade Criss Cross Card!!!

Happy Friday everyone!!!!  I've had such a busy week working on a couple orders of invites and trying to get some Christmas Cards ready for those who are already asking to buy them!!!! But... I did have time to squeeze in this fabulous criss-cross card that I just had to share!!!

"Joy and Cheer" Handmade Criss Cross Christmas Card
One of the orders of invites were criss-cross cards so I decided to keep it going and make a Christmas Card one too!!!  I also wanted a card that would "hold" something inside (like a gift card) to join in the Friday Challenge over at Frosted Designs!  Boy am I glad I did!!! I LOVE the way this turned out :-)  
Here's a look at what I came up with:


Isn't this just so adorable?!?  This is a standard A2 size card (4.25x5.5) and will just fine in a handmade A2 envelope :-)  Perfect for mailing out this holiday season!!!

I started with a Kraft base and papers by Paperhouse Studios, which were all inked with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink.  I put a sticker on the top of the inside (that I also inked!) from Webster's Pages.  Then the fun began!!! Embellishing is my FAVORITE part and I had tons of fun with this one!!!!

I used trim by Recollections for the border of the criss-cross layers.  I also used trim by Petaloo which I inked and spritzed until I got the desired color of green I wanted.  The sentiment is a sticker by K&Company which I placed inside the metal frame.  I also added coordinating metal pieces on each side of the frame, as well as the "Noel" one in the center of the frame.  I topped it off with two chipboard pieces by K&Company and a little "Christmas" twine for my ornament.  Voila!!! Quick and easy and super fabulous :-) 

For the inside insert, I used my computer and created a blank "wish list" with a Santa on top so that he would be all you see when it's inside.  I used coordinating paper to mat it, rounded the corners, and then inked the edges.  Here's a look:


Here is a close-up of the ornament:


I am also using this card for my Creative Card Challenge over at Colorful Creations!!!! Be sure to stop in and check it out for your chance to win some fabulous goodies!!!!

Well gang... Thanks sooo much for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)



Wednesday, November 13, 2013

SNS Blog Hop Winner Announced!!!!!

Well hello again my crafty friends!!!! Guess what day it is?!?  Guess what day it is?!?  Like I said before... Sometimes, I just can't help myself!!! Hahaha!!!!

I wanted to say THANK YOU to all who participated in this wonderful hop and we hope we gave you a little creative inspiration to start on those holiday projects!!!! 

Any who.. I'm sure you're all ready to see the winner of the Sketch N Scrap Holiday Hop for the fabulous Christmas Prize Pack that includes everything you need to get started on those Christmas Cards!!!  

And the winner is:


RACHEL LYMAN!!!!!!!!!  Rachel, please send your mailing address to Brandimatos@gmail.com to claim your prize!!!!  



BY THE WAY:
Colorful Creations has their Jingle All The Way Holiday Hop starting on the 29th!!!

And Sketches4All has Holiday Inspiration (and prizes!!!!) coming to you later this month!!!!! 

Stay tuned for more details!!!!

Well gang.... Thanks sooooo much for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)


Sunday, November 10, 2013

I Will Catch You... If You Fall!

Happy Monday all!!! Hope you had a wonderful weekend and a fabulous week ahead!!!

"I Will Catch You" Handmade Altered Mixed Media Tag
Just a quick stop in today to share with you a mixed media tag I made for the DT November Color Challenge over at Sketches4All.  Here is the color palette you get to work with  (AMAZING colors!!!!):

And here is an Altered Tag I made:


I had TONS of fun making this!!!!  
I started with a "clean" manilla tag, and added gesso with various stencils for texture.  Then I used my Luminarte Paints (soooo vibrant and shimmery!!!) and began my coloring.  Then I started to embellish.  
I printed my quote on my computer on creme colored cardstock, then cut out the words, distressed them, and inked them to match the color "theme".  I inked various wood pieces by Studio Calico and added them between the flowers.  I inked, misted, and added a coat of perfect pearls atop some grungeboard pieces by Tim Holtz.  I topped it off with homemade bling, flowers by Recollections and Heidi Swapp, and various metal knick knacks from Tim Holtz, and Momenta.  

Here are some close-ups:


This is some chipboard from Blue Fern Studios that I stamped an image on, clear embossed, then inked and misted for desired effect:


Well gang.... Thanks soooo much for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)




Thursday, November 7, 2013

C'est Magnifique's November Bits and Pieces Giveaway!!!!!

Just wanted to let you all know that it's a new month, which means another wonderful opportunity to win a FAB-U-LOUS "Bits and Pieces" prize package from C'est Magnifique!!!!  Here's a look at what's up for grabs:

Stop by their blog for more details and your chance to enter into the drawing :-)

Thanks for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)


Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Getting in the Spirit with Deconstructing Jen!!!

Hello all!!!  I just wanted to pop in quickly and share a quick Holiday card I made using this week's sketch over at Deconstructing Jen!!!

(If you're here for the SNS Holiday Hop, please click HERE!!!!)

"Happy Holidays" Handmade Christmas Card
Here's a look at the sketch:


And here is my Holiday Card:


The lighting was poor here today so it's not the best photo but you get the idea :-)
I used Kraft as my base, then layered various Recollections Christmas papers outlining each with a gold leafing pen.  I used my 2" Circle Punch to make the "ornament", then stamped with random snowflakes in various inks.  The sentiment is from Hero Arts and was stamped with Blazing Red Staz On ink.  I added gold Perfect Pearls to the ornament for a little bit of shine!!!  I finished it off with a little gold trim and a pearl colored with my Spectrum Noir markers!!!

Well, gang.... Thanks soooo much for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)


Card Sketch #13 at Sketch N Scrap!!!

Guess what day it is?!?  Guess what day it is?!?  Hahahaha!!!! Sometimes I just can't help myself!!!!  Yes, today is "hump" day... and yes, the camel has won me over :-)

(If you're here for the Sketch N Scrap Blog Hop please click HERE!!!!!)

Any who... I'm here today because Sketch N Scrap has a BRAND NEW Card Sketch!!!! Sketch #13 is up and ready!!!!  
Here's a look at the sketch:


And here is my card:


This is a "baby boy" card I made for a friend using the coordinating paper pad to the baby album I made for her as well.  It TOTALLY ROCKS!!!!!
The paper pad is called "Awesome Boy" and I absolutely LOVE IT!!!! It's not your "traditional" "baby boy" type paper... It has a more grunge look.  And that is why I LOVE it!!!!

Any way... I started by following the sketch quite well this time :-)  Of course, then I inked all the edges of all the paper with various distress inks.  I decided to make the banner with baby "things" instead of a standard banner, adding clothespins and hemp cord to make it look like it it hanging!!!!
I finished it with a little paper punching and a few metal gears and tid-bits by Tim Holtz!!!  

Well my friends... Thanks sooo much for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)



Monday, November 4, 2013

Hop Into The New Year With Sketch N Scrap!!!

Happy Monday everyone!!! I really hope you have been enjoying the Sketch N Scrap Holiday Hop so far!!!  




Today, I bring you a wonderfully inspiring card for the New Year!  Not just any card... But a card that was PUBLISHED in the first issue of Let's Get Sketchy's Sketch Inspired Magazine!!!!  Here's a look at the magazine page:


And here is my actual card:


I decided to go with "non-traditional" New Year colors (Black, Gold, Silver, etc) and create something fabulous!!!!  This is what I came up with :-)
I used papers by Coordinations and K&Company.  The die-cut was cut using the Spellbinders "Scalloped Circles" die and my Grand Calibur, and the digi stamp is by "Cuttlebug Cuties".  I used my Spectrum Noir markers to color her in, then topped off the card with clear glitter glue, a ribbon bow and trim, sparkly flowers, and a die-cut clock that was inked and topped with a thin coat of clear glitter glue as well :-)


Now... For the "Good Stuff"!!!!!  
To be entered into a drawing for a FAB-U-LOUS prize pack, make sure you are a follower of the Sketch N Scrap Blog and MY Blog as well.... Then leave me a comment letting me know a New Year's Resolution you actually "stuck" with!!! 
(If you're anything like me, this may be a bit difficult!!! Hahahaha!!!!)  
That's it!!!! Easy peasy, right?!?  One winner will be randomly selected and announced on November 12th!!!! Here's a "peek" at what's up for grabs:


~ MME "Merry and Bright" Double Sided 6x6 Papers
~ K&Company Double Sided "Visions of Christmas" Mat Stacks
~ SEVERAL Holiday Trims
~ Various "Christmas Style" Twine
~ K&Company Glitter and Bling Rosettes
~ Christmas Die-cuts
~ Glitter Snowflakes
~ And MORE!!!!


If you haven't had a chance to check out the AMAZING Halloween ATC Frame that Jennifer made, you can still see it here!!!



If you have missed any of the wonderful inspiration from the previous designers you can just pop on over to the SNS blog to find all the links.



The Hop is scheduled to take a small break after today for our regular blog schedules, but Stephanie will be bringing you some wonderful inspiration for Remembrance Day on November 7th!!!

The hop runs until the 8th November so make sure you check out the SNS blog each day.


On another note, I also wanted to share with you another of my creations that was featured in the magazine!!!!  Here is the magazine page:


And here is the actual page:





You can read more about this page from a previous post here!!!!


Well gang... Wishing you Happy Holidays and as usual.... Thanks for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)



Sunday, November 3, 2013

Let's Get Sketchy with Simple Stories 24/Seven!!!!

Happy Sunday everyone!!!!  Hope you have all had a fabulous weekend thus far!!!!

"Fun Memories" with Simple Stories "24/Seven" Paper Collection and Embellies
I'm here today to share with you a layout I created for the week 4 sketch over at Let's Get Sketchy!!!!  Here is the sketch:

And here is my layout:


I had some scraps and embellies lying around from the Simple Stories 24/Seven paper collection and decided to put them to use!!!  These pictures were taken at my oldest daughter's sixth birthday last year :-)
I followed the sketch quite literally, even adding some pearl mist in copper on the yellow chevron paper to mimic the "shadow" appearance on the top of the sketch.  The black chevron "arrows" were cut from washi tape!!!! I distressed the edges of the paper then went around them with a mixture of distress inks and glimmer mist with a make-up sponge (really cool technique!!!!).  I finished the page with various rub-ons by K&Company and voila!!!! A simple, but cute page to remember such a wonderful day :-)

P.S.  Stay tuned tomorrow for another fabulous challenge and another chance to win some wonderful prizes!!!!  I will also be revealing a secret.... You'll have to stop in tomorrow to see what it is!!!!!

Well my friends... Thanks soooo much for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)



Saturday, November 2, 2013

Enabler Giveaway WINNERS ANNOUNCED!!!!!!

Happy Saturday everyone!!!  Hope you're all set to have a fabulous weekend!!!  

Well, the winners are in for the giveaway!!!! I'm sure all of you are soooo excited to see who won?!?  
Well, I have a surprise too.... Since I had over 90 entries, I decided to send out 3 prizes!!!  That's right!!!!  3 wonderful packs of goodies to 3 LUCKY winners!!!!!

Here's how I choose the winners:
First, I wrote down all the entires on paper; if you had two or three entries, I wrote your name two or three times!!!  
Here's a look:

The rest was left up to Random.Org.  The first winner for the Grand Prize shown here is:


PAULA!!!!!!!!
Paula said" Probably my favorite thing to create is layouts although this year I probably have been doing more cards. I love mixed media and art journaling too! Guess I am just a paper crafting addict..."


Next up?!?  

The Graphic 45 "Steampunk Spells" paper collection goes to:


LAINIE!!!!!!!!! 
Lainie said "Anyway, I love your site and I think I like doing all of the paper crafting things equally - I just have to mix them up so I don't get bored doing one specific thing over and over. But maybe I love layouts just a smidge more. However, I made my first card for one of your challenges and fell in love with that, too."

And last, but certainly not least....  I have put together one more prize package for another LUCKY winner!!!!  And the winner is:


KAREN RUIZ!!!!!!!
Karen said "My favorite is minis...... Lil fat minis!"

CONGRATS to all of you!!!!!!

WINNERS: Please email me at Brandimatos@gmail.com with your mailing address to claim your prize within 10 days!!!!

I want to give a BIG THANKS to all of you who entered!!!! Stay tuned for more exciting news on the 4th!!!!   

As usual.... Thanks soooo much for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)