Sketch N Scrap Card Sketch #52 with Tim Holtz!!!

Hello again!!!  Just popping in with two more cards I made for Father's Day using Sketch N Scrap Card Sketch #52.  Here's a look:

And here are my cards:

I used a variety of Tim Holtz papers and a kraft base for a masculine card for my husband.  I inked all the edges with Walnut Stain ink and added some metal piecesand a Heidi Swapp distress sticker.  

There is also subtle stamping (postcard) and the Distress Burlap Stamp from Creative Embellishments in the corners.  

I finished the card with a border cut from numbered paper and folded over the edge!

Here's a look at my second card using the same sketch:

I kept this one simple with the black and silver, using a variety of embossing folders to make the papers stand out against each other.  I used a "family" stamp as my sentiment on white cardstock which was pop-dotted to stand out against the background :-)

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

Sketch N Scrap Card Sketch #51 with Heidi Swapp Travel Collection!!!

Hello folks!!  WOW... it has been some time since I have had time to actually "free scrap".  As most of you know, my mother passed away earlier this year which pretty much put a hold on everything.  Shortly after, I also took custody of my nephew so, as you can imagine, my time is extremely limited these days :-)

Any who, I am here with one of two posts to share some cards I mad for the AMAZING men in my life for Father's day!

Here's a look at Sketch N Scrap Card Sketch #51:

And here is my card:

I used the Heidi Swapp Travel Collection and a kraft base.  I inked all the edges using Walnut Stain distress ink and fussy cut bits and pieces from the collection to add for flair!

I used pop-dots to make the top piece "stand out" against the backgrounds and finished with some fussy cut stars! 

I decided to use the same sketch to make another card for my Father-in-law.  I kept this one classy with simple black and silver papers, using an embossing folder to accent the silver paper against the black background.  

I finished this one with black enamel accents from Tim Holtz and more stars!!

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

Handmade Masculine Birthday Card for Creative Embellishments!

Hello there crafters! Just popping in today with a masculine birthday card I made for my dad this month using lots of Creative Embellishment goodies :-)

Here's a look:

I started my card base with my usual Tim Holtz papers as I do for almost any masculine card! I used some distress ink and the Distressed Checkered Stamp to add some accents to my background :-)

I am absolutely LOVING these Basic Alphas so I can spell out anything I like!!! I misted the chipboard black first, then used a white chalk marker to make a "grey-ish" effect.

I used one of the gears from the Steampunk Antique Bike Set to add as an accent behind my "clock"! It was misted with Lindy's and inked with distress ink for my desired effect :-)

I finished by adding some layers in the inside as well... I always go all out for my daddy ;-)

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

Tutorial Tuesday at Frosted Designs: Masculine Card!!!!

Hey there crafters!  I've been absent for a bit, I know.  My mother recently passed, unexpectedly, which has caused my entire life to turn upside down at the moment.  I am doing everything I can take it a day at a time, and sometimes, even a moment at a time.  But there's no doubt, this has been by far, the hardest thing I have ever gone through.  

I'm up on the Frosted Designs blog today with a masculine card tutorial.  I used this month's beautiful kit and some stamps from Creative Embellishments to make this wonderful card perfect for any occasion!

Here's a look at my card:

Here's the link to my Snap Guide Tutorial:

Check out How to Create a Masculine Card by Brandi Matos on Snapguide.

And some close-ups:

Here I used the Binary Stamp and Distressed Burlap Stamp from Creative Embellishments for my background, then used some molding paste over the Crocodile Stencil included in this month's kit from Frosted Designs :-)

I used some Lindy's Tornado black mist to color my Harlequin Lattice chipboard panel from CE and added some of the crackle accents included in this months kit :-)

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

Things I Love with for Creative Embellishments with Romance Novel, Chapter 2!!!

Hello all and welcome to a new month!  February is here which means a month full of all the things I love!!!

Today is the 1st which means a new challenge over at Creative Embellishments!

Here's a look at the inspiration photo: (The twist this month is to use an ombre effect on your chipboard/ create a background!)

My two girls are on the top of my list for things I love so it's no surprise I would use a photo of one of them!  

Here's my page:

I used the "Forever Yours" kit from Frosted Designs to create the page and a variety of CE goodies!

I created my background with various stencils, molding paste, gelatos, and Lindy's magicals until I achieved my desired effect!

I added some stamping with the Distressed Checkered Stamp with black distress ink!

I love flourishes and added one from the Flourish 22 set, adding my ombre effect with a number of different gelatos!

I layered on tons of papers, distressing them along the way, and added some liquid pearls for accents!  I finished with a flower cluster and a wooden heart from the Hearts set, adding another ombre effect to that one as well!

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

Joyeux Noel for Creative Embellishments!!!

Hello again crafters!!! I don't know about you but the weather here has certainly taken a dip... Cold air is moving in which means winter (and one of my FAV holidays!!!) is right around the corner!!

Today I am sharing a Christmas card I made using some wonderful Creative Embellishment goodies and sketch #111 over at Cardabilities:

Here's a look:

I used this month's Rustic Beauty kit from Frosted Designs (designed by yours truly!!) to create the card.

I first created the background by adding some molding paste through a layering stencil, then doing some "second generation" stamping with the "Distressed Burlap" stamp.

As you can see, the Steampunk Clock is the "main attraction" here on the card. I colored it using some mixed media ink and shimmer mist, then layered up various flowers and die-cuts.

I was also able to sneak in one of the butterfly flair pieces (these make GREAT fillers for ANY cluster!!!) to finish off the card!

Well gang.. Thanks so much for stopping in! Have a LUCKY day :-)

Handmade Sympathy Card for Creative Embellishments!

Hello there fellow crafters!!! It appears the "Fall Season" is well underway in most of the U.S. with beautiful hues shining through on almost everyone's favorite social media pics. I, however, reside in the Sunshine State where Fall is simply a made up term as we only have two seasons: Spring and Summer! Hahahahaha!!! So, I used this month's inspiration photo over at Creative Embellishments as a starting point to create a sympathy card for a friend in need, grabbing the beautiful hues in the picture to make up my card!

Here's another look at this month's inspiration pic:

I truly love the colors in this pic which is very apparent with my project.  I completed the card using this month's Garden of Abundance kit from Frosted Designs!

I also distressed the edges of my card with a distress tool and some ink as part of this month's challenge! 

Here are some close-ups of the yummy chipboard pieces I used on this project:

First I created a background with the Binary background stamp and black distress ink.  I also used my Tim Holtz layering stencil with molding paste for some background texture.

I painted the Flourish 18 with some Luminarte Paint from my stash, then added a coat of crackle paint for texture (yes, this is my FAV technique right now!!!).

I grabbed flowers and embellishments from this month's and previous month's FD kits to dress it up a bit!

Finally, I added various sized hexagons which were painted with brown distress paint and inked over with black distress ink.

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

Handmade Masculine Card with New "Inspired By" Sketch at Sketch N Scrap!

Hello again crafty friends!!!  We have a fabulous new sketch up over at Sketch N Scrap!  This is our mid-month "Inspired By" sketch which is inspired by an original page, then given to us (And you!) to scrap!

I decided to do a get well card for a close family friend!  He's been under the weather and I am hoping to bring a smile to his face upon receiving this in the mail :-)

Any who... Here's a look at the sketch:

I tend to always fall back on Tim Holtz products for ALL my masculine cards and pages (it helps that I am completely obsessed with all his products anyway!!!).  So I started with a Kraft base and went to work!  

I inked all my paper and ephemera edges with Walnut Stain distress ink.  I grabbed some Creative Embellishments chipboard from my stash and inked it up as well, then added a heavy coat of rock candy crackle paint.

I used Vintage Photo distress stain to color my grungeboard hinges, then added several brads for detail.  

Finally, I printed the sentiment from my computer using a font I downloaded called "bad grunge" (one of my favs!).  

And there you have it!!!  Another creation made fabulous by the amazing Tim Holtz (and a little bit of myself!!!!).  

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

Tim Holtz Double Time at Sketch N Scrap!!!

Hello everyone!!  I hope you're having a fabulous July so far!!!!  

Just popping in to share some cards I made for the new card sketch over at Sketch N Scrap!

Here's a look at the fabulous new sketch:

I LOVED this sketch sooo much that I used it to make TWO cards!!!!  That's right...  And of course I had to use products from one of my all time favorite people ;-)

 

Aren't they so wonderful?!?  Seriously?!?  LOVE them :-)

I started with Neenah Kraft as my base, then added my layers of inked up paper, using pop-dots for dimension along the way!

 

I created the windows using my Cricut Explore machine, then added liquid pearls for added dimension!

 

I then finished each card with a different sentiment, all by the wonderful man known as Tim Holtz!

There you have it crafters!!!  Two simple cards with one fantastic sketch!!!  

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