Graphic 45 "Birdsong" with Sketch N Scrap #21!!!

Hello again everyone and Happy Friday!!!!!  It was a bit cold and gloomy here today but it's looking like great weather for the weekend!!!  

"Joy Luck" Handmade Thank You Card

Today I'm here because Sketch N Scrap has another FABULOUS card sketch up and running!!!!  Here's a look at Card Sketch #21:

And here's a Thank You card I made for my mother-in-law:

Yes, I am in LOVE with this collection!!!  I purchased it recently for my husband's Valentine's gift and just can't stop using it!!!  

I used black cardstock as my base and also matted the papers with black or outlined them with a black sharpie marker.  I fussy cut the lanterns from the pattern paper then went over the lines with a Black Sakura Gelly Roll pen.  I topped them off with Enamel accents for shine and dimension.  

I LOVE how this collection can be used for masculine type projects or feminine cards...  It's very versatile!!!  I added a doily to the background to really make it girlie :-)

I finished the card with coordinating chipboard pieces from the collection and some gold ribbon!!!  

"Asian Screen" Altered Tag~ Asian Style

Another project I created using the Birdsong collection is a tag for my husband.  I saw an altered project on Pinterest with a "faux screen" and knew I wanted to replicate the style!  

I cut out a bunch of squares from some pattern paper and added vellum behind it.  I set it aside and created my tag.  There are tons of fussy cut items in the background and several layers underneath as well!  

I finished the tag by adding the "screen" piece on and a metal dragon trinket that was colored using liquid gold and black distress stain.  

Altered Jewelry Box

Okay... I FINALLY had time to upload pictures of the jewelry box I made for my husband on Valentine's day!!!  This was the sole purpose for getting this AMAZING collection in the first place!!!!  And without further ado...  Here it is!!!!! 

Isn't it AWESOME?!?!?  I truly love how this project came out!!!  And I had soooo much fun making it :-)

I picked up the actual box at Joanns.  I knew what kind of finish I wanted on it, but I had to figure out how to create it!!!  I started by coating the box with Liquid Gold and allowing it to dry.  Then I applied a thin layer of black acrylic paint, making sure to show the brush strokes.  This allowed the gold underneath to show through as I wanted!  After it was dry, I applied two coats of Glossy Mod Podge spray to give it a shiny finish!!!!  Some of the black came off before drying, and I decided to keep it that way to give the box personality :-)

I used mat mod podge to adhere the paper to the box in the desired sections.  There are so many amazing papers in this set that it made it very hard to choose!!!

I used the coordinating chipboard pieces to make a very simple,  but decorative lid!  As this will be used everyday, I didn't want too much on the top that would get messed up in the future!

 I added a small "door knocker" plastic piece by Jolees to the center of the box.  It fit perfectly bewteen the top and the drawers!!!  I used a standard black and gold dragon paper to wrap around the backside of the box.  I finished the box with an additional coat of glossy mod-podge for durability!!!  

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

Brand New "Kit" Challenge at Frosted Designs!!!

Well hello there my fellow crafters!!! I hope you are ready for some fabulous news!!!!  Here at Frosted Designs, we want to say "Thank You" to all of our wonderful kit members... And what better way than to have a challenge just for you?!?  That's right... Frosted Designs is now hosting a brand new "Kit Challenge" every month!!!! 

What does that mean you ask?!?  Well, each month, you will be given a "challenge" that requires you to use products from your kit.  It might be a "recipe" challenge, sketch challenge, color combo, etc..  All you have to do is pull out those wonderful goodies from Barb and get crafting!!!

For the first month, I would like to do a "Recipe" challenge.  I will give you a list of "ingredients", and you must use at least THREE of them on your project.  Feel free to use ANY OTHER products, as long as you have at least three of the items listed, you're in it to win it!!! Easy peasy, right?!?  You have all month to complete the challenge so this won't affect you entering the other fabulous challenges here at FD!!!  It's just another opportunity for you to enter in for some wonderful prizes (and boy, do I have some amazing sponsors lined up!!!). 

So, enough of the talk...  Here is your list of ingredients:

(Remember, you only have to use THREE or more... not all of them!!!!)

White Gel Pen (GREAT for faux stitching!)

At least ONE of the Distress Inks (Lemon and Raspberry included!)

At least ONE of the wood veneer pieces

The color PINK

At least ONE sticker (Full sheet included!)

This month's kit challenge sponsor is "My Creative Classroom".   One lucky winner will receive a free seat to a Workshop class of their choice.....Good Luck!

My Creative Classroom is an online arts and crafts learning center. Our interactive and in-depth courses are instructor led and filled with wonderful projects and techniques to help you get the most out of your supplies.

Out Spring 2014 Semester is just beginning and will offer well over 100 courses. Along with our Traditional Instructor-led Workshop Classes we have also added Self-Paced Workshops. We've recently added more classes to our Library, which offers retired classes at 40%-50% off regular price.

We have opened our brand new challenge blog, My Creative Life 2014 , which will issue challenges to help us use all of our supplies this year. Along with that is the companion course with the same title, which is FREE to our newsletter subscribers. Come join in on the fun and test drive MCC.

We are excited to be sponsoring Frosted Designs Challenge Blog. You can view our entire class list on our website at My Creative Classroom. You can also view classes on our Facebook Page too!

I decided to make a couple of things, using different items from the list on each.  Here's a look:

Altered Tag using Basic Grey "Fresh Cut" Collection

First, an altered tag:

From the Kit:

Basic Grey "Fresh Cut" paper for the background, stickers, white flowers (misted with Lindy's and coated with gesso!), two wood veneers (bird and cage), resin lockbox and key, both distress inks (combined they make a beautiful color that I applied to the edges of the tag!), faded dots stencil, and pink tulle!

I used molding paste atop the faded dots stencil on my background.  What a wonderful effect!!!

For the birdcage, I first used Versamark ink to stamp an image, then heat embossed it.  Once dry, I misted with various inks and topped with gesso!

"Love This Life" layout with Basic Grey "Fresh Cut"

Next, a layout:

(I used Let's Get Sketchy Week #1 Sketch!)

From the Kit:

Basic Grey "Fresh Cut papers, stickers, heart and ticket wood veneers (I added the "sunshine" sticker atop the ticket piece, then trimmed it!), both distress inks, faded dots stencil, and the white gel pen (faux stitching in several areas)!

I used the stencil again to add some texture to the background and both distress inks together to add color to my doilies.  I just LOVED the ticket wood veneer so I added the "sunshine" sticker on top and cut around the edges.  It came out so cute!!!

 I created a banner with stickers and heart wood veneers from the kit.  I used both inks to add color to the hearts, then outlined them in white, gently wiping it before it dried for a faint line.

"My Sweet Honey" Card with Basic Grey "Fresh Cut"

And lastly, a card:

From the Kit:

Basic Grey "Fresh Cut" papers, paint dauber, white gel pen, white flowers (also misted with Lindy's!), sticker, and Raspberry distress ink! 

This was super fast and easy to make!!! The kit just makes it so simple!!!!  I simply cut down papers to size for my card and distressed the edges with the raspberry ink.  I painted the doily with the dauber, added a sticker and some flowers, and voila!!!! A ready to use card in a flash!!!!

Well gang....  I can't wait to see what YOU CREATE with your fabulous bag of goodies... You have until Midnight on February 27th to upload your entries!!!!  Have a LUCKY day :-)

Products from the Frosted Designs Store:

Shades of Spring Frosted Designs Kits	Color Wash Alpha Chip Stickers	Vintage Metal Trinkets - Love Speech Bubble	Lindy's Stamp Gang Try Me Set - Sweet Treats
Lindy's Stamp Gang - Autumn Leaves Sidekick Set	Lindy's Stamp Gang - Nantucket Pearls Starburst Sprays	Dylusions - White Linen	VersaMark Watermark Stamp Pad
Kaisercraft Stamp 36	Molding Paste	Gesso

InLinkz.com

Love is in the Air at Sketches4All!!!

Hello again all!!!  It's the beginning of a new month and new week, and that means lots of new challenges and inspiration projects!!!

For the month of February, Sketches4All is having a "Love is in the air" mini-crop in their forum!!!  Stop by and check it out... There are tons of different challenges, prizes, and inspiration to be seen!!!

My challenge is "anything but a card or a layout" for Valentine's day!!!  This can be ANY TYPE of project, so long as it's not a page or card.  Easy enough, right?!?  

I made an altered tag using various techniques.  

Here's a look:

I started with a standard #8 tag and applied a thick coat of gesso on top.  After drying, I misted several Lindy's Stamp Gand "Starburst" mists to add some color and shimmer!  I used black StazOn ink and a cursive print stamp to create the effect on the left side of the tag.  Then, I cut a stencil on my Cricut Expression 2 using the "Edge to Edge" cartridge and applied a thin layer of molding paste over it.  I went over the design with various Luminarte Silks Acrylic Glazes for a bit more color.

I also added a chipboard birdcage by Blue Fern Studios that was stamped with Versamark, then clear embossed.  I sprayed it with white "Dylusions" mist and let it dry.

I finished the tag with a couple of rub-ons and various flowers by Kaisercraft, Heidi Swapp, and Petaloo.  I topped several of the flowers with mist, then a thin coat of gesso for a more distressed look!  I added liquid pearls around the edges and a double bow with a black pearl to to the top!

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

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:

 

Lainie – Paper and Passementerie

Brandi – Lucky Flutterby Creations (You are here!)

Anne – Anne’s Scrap Corner

Janet - My Beautiful Life in Pages

Paula – Precious Pages by Paula

Libby -Northern Maine Scrappy Girl

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 :-)

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 :-)