Snowy Thatched Cottages

I love it when we get "Anything Goes" weeks on the Crafter's Companion design team.  I decided to go to one of my favorite stamp lines, Art-Kure's Timeless Britain collection.  The image I picked was Buckland in the Moor. These were launched this past winter, but they are much too beautiful not to showcase with you again.

I decided to do an altered box.  (I hope you aren't tired of seeing my boxes, but yes, I really do have that many old jewelry and other cardboard boxes saved for just the perfect project!)  I started by deciding that my design would be black and ivory, a timeless and classic color combination to match the lovely Timeless Britain collection.  Oh, and that meant I didn't need to color the main image.  Are you ever intimidated by very detailed stamps?  Well, I'll admit that I am.  So instead of coloring, I built the black and ivory into the design and made it a glittery and snowy winter scene.

First, I started by choosing three coordinating designer papers.  I 'wrapped' the bottom of the box in the paisley, and the sides of the top in the stripes. Neatness counts for these steps, ladies, and liquid glue gives you extra fiddle time to position things straight. I took the third paper design, a toile, and layered it onto a black rectangular mat and glued that to the top of the lid.

I stamped the image into ivory and used my oval diecuts.  I liberally used ultra-fine glitter for the snowy accents.This was layered onto a scalloped black mat, and then onto the toile box lid. This also hides any raw edges from the striped paper.  Here's a close-up of the top of the box.

The next step was to wrap some wide ivory grosgrain ribbon around the box top sides.  The final touch was to glue some punched leaves and silk roses. 

Can I say I love it?  It is going to live on my desk and hold desk supplies.  Till next week!

Tea and Polka Dots

Isn't this French 50's Cafe set from Sheena Douglass fun?  Today I decided to use only a small stamp from the set, the little polka dotted tea cup, and design my card around it.

This card uses the basic design principle of repetition. I find that repetition is a great way to get more use out of my smaller images. The circle theme is repeated throughout, and of course was inspired by the dots on the teacup. Let's see how many times circles were repeated:

• The teacups have polka dots
• The three images were punched with a 1 inch circle punch
• The images were then layered on 1 1/.4 inch black circles
• The background paper has polka dots
• The rose-red strip has punched circles (3/4, 1/2 and 1/4 inches) layered in tone-on-tone fashion.  Tip:  this is a very cheap and quick way to add subtle dimension to your cards.
• I used red 'rain dots' scattered across the front and on the 'j' in the greeting. These add a glistening look in real life.

I think its a fun, cheerful card that is sure to brighten someone's day! Try using repetition on one of your card creations soon!

Sunset Harbor

I am just loving these new stamps by Art-Kure.  Today I'm using the 'Blackwater, Essex' harbor scene.

I colored the image with my Spectrum Noir markers.  I experimented by adding pinks and purples to the blue in the sky and water.  I was really happy with how my sunset sky and water it turned out. Don't be afraid to add the color reflections to the water, it gives it a lot of life. After coloring the image, I layered it on to black.

This was then layered on to a sheet with white, purple and blue watercolor-y splotches...the technique is called smackin' acetate.  Here's a great tutorial.

The background was layered onto black and then on to a mauve folded card base. I thought about adding some embellishments, but I restrained myself.  The image is just too breathtaking to need anything else.

If you like scenic stamping, be sure to check out this Art-Kure collection.  There are some stunning trees as well that are very versatile.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Fun Stamp Camp cards

I had a lot of fun at stamp camp last night - my SU! demonstrator Jo Bengtsen is great, and with the good company and chatter of other crazy stamping ladies and four great cards to make, how can you go wrong?

Just want to share what we made.

The cake card also had a great pop-up middle. 

I liked the butterfly card so much - I see it as being very versatile and cheerful for many occasions - that of course I had to order the new Papillon Potpouri set and matching punch.  Can't wait till it gets here!

Enjoy!

Another Purple Bear

Here's another card using the new Meadow Cottage Bears by Christine Haworth. Last week I shared a card in purples with this adorable little guy.  I liked him so much that I did a variation in purple and sage green with this Happy Birthday bear set for today's post.

Once again, this is a simple and classic symmetrical layout, using a large central image and a greeting underneath.

First I stamped the image in black, and colored with my Spectrum Noir markers.  I did pick out my designer background paper first, so that I could be sure to color the bows to match.  The main image was matted on to a scalloped purple card stock.  I layered two coordinating purple print papers, a stripe and a paisley,  onto a folded white card base. Don't you love the way a stripe adds structure to a coordinating paisley or floral? Lastly, I added the greeting, a pearl and a little ribbon on the right of the greeting.

Hope you're inspired to do a little creating of your own this week,  Have a wonderful summer Sunday!

Happy Birthday Bear

OMG, aren't these brand new Meadow Cottage Bears by Christine Haworth so much fun? Today I'm using the Happy Birthday bear set.

This is a simple and classic symmetrical layout, using a large central image and a greeting underneath. I wanted the focus to be on that adorable bear!

First I stamped the image in black, and colored with my Spectrum Noir markers.  For a change, I picked out my designer background paper first, so that I could be sure to color his bow to match. I used a Cuttlebug dry embossing folder and embossed a white quarter sheet.  From the center, I die cut the white scalloped layer, and I used what was left as a frame layer behind the designer paper. No waste! In person this adds just a touch of subtle texture. I added the greeting, two pearls that as serendipity would have it, matched perfectly, and a tiny pearl in the center of the little card that he is holding.  This was all matted onto a magenta card base.

I've noticed that when I use white as a layer, the card seems lighter and has a softer feel overall.  Using black as a layer, which I often do, makes for higher contrast and pops colors more. When I want something more dramatic or am using brighter colors, I use black.

Week 4 Giveaway Winner

The winner of the 3-in-1 mini cutter from Crafter's Companion is:

Tonya H!

Tonya, congratulations.  Please email me with your mailing address.