Faux Patina Technique

So... are you in the mood to get messy?  I had ink and little bits of blue-glittery stuff all over me by the time I was done.  But, you can great a great rust effect on cardstock without the need for time and weather.

Rusty Hello

I'm sure there is an official technique (maybe by Ranger) with a slightly different result.  The patina effect on my cardstock is truly an experiment... and one I plan to try again.  I think it might be interesting to see what other tones I might achieve with a custom Distress ink spray.

To see all the details on how to recreate this project, check out the technique on Cornish Heritage Farms Technique Talk forum.

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Supplies:
Stamps:


Freesia flower stamp by Cornish Heritage Farms
Cursive Expressions (Mona Lisa Moments) by Cornish Heritage Farms


Ink:


Rich Cocoa Memento ink by Tsukineko
Broken China Distress reinker by Ranger
Cosmic Copper Brilliance ink by Tsukineko


Paper:


Simply Smooth vanilla cardstock by Cornish Heritage Farms
Kraft and Island Mist (Med and Dark) cardstocks by Prism papers


Other:

Blue Patina Perfect Pearls by Ranger
Mini Mister spray bottle by Ranger
Water
Precision Scissors
non-stick mat by Ranger
craft stick (to scoop Perfect Pearls)
Prismacolor pencils (aqua, copper, yellow, green and cream)

Missing You...

Thank you to all the service men and women that support and keep us safe.  I can't thank you enough for all you do.

I created this card from the We Remember set from Cornish Heritage Farms.  I'm really proud of this set because of it's sentimental value to my family.

Missing You

The card is so simple.  I left it unadorned, paired with Basic Grey Boxer patterned paper for the perfect masculine card.

The envelope image in this set is one of my favorite.  The actual envelope was one my dad had saved from when he was in the service - a letter from my mom about home.  I like the open lines on the envelope to add a handwritten message to cards.  My handwriting isn't the best, but it's so wonderful to be able to add something heartfelt, right on the front of the card.

Thank you for visiting,
lise
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Supplies:
Stamps:
-We Remember (Rummage Bin) by Cornish Heritage Farms

Ink:
-Tuxedo Black Memento ink (full size ink pad) by Tsukineko
-Tuxedo Black, Paris Dusk and Rhubarb Stalk Memento markers by Tsukineko
-Old Paper Distress ink by Ranger

Paper:
-Vanilla Simply Smooth by Cornish Heritage Farms

Patterned Paper:
-Boxer by Basic Grey

Sweet Friends

I have to say... I'm not sure when the holidays started creeping up on me, but I'm floored that we're just a couple weeks from Thanksgiving.  Where does the time go?

I HAVE to start on my holiday cards.  I didn't send them out last year and really want to get to them this holiday season.  Honestly, isn't that why we stamp?  Haha... OK... some days I think it's to collect really amazing patterned paper and embellishments.  But, I'm bound and determined to get holiday cards mailed this year!

Sweet Friends

I fell in love with this Stampavie Bear and Robin image, which I bought at 7 Kids College Fund (doesn't that make you break out in a cold sweat... the thought of putting 7 kids through college?).  OK, I'm back...

The sweet pair of friends are just darling and the image was begging for me to color.  As a treat for myself, I sat down and enjoyed a few minutes with my paper, ink and copic markers.  I colored the image with Copics, added highlights with Atyou Spica glitter pens and then added a light blue sky with my airbrush.  To add a bit of texture to the soft, furry bear, I dampened a piece of muslin with the Copic blending solution and blotted over the colored bear.

The fuzzy bits to the hat and the snow bank were embellished with Polar White Flower Soft and a bit of shiny glitter.  Overall, it's a simple card that let's the image take center stage.

Thanks for visiting!
lise
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Supplies:
Stamps:
-Bear and Robin image by Stampavie (designed by Gillian Roberts)

Ink:
-Tuxedo Black Memento ink by Tsukineko

Paper:
-Classic Crest Solar White by Neenah

Patterned Paper:
-Eskimo Kiss by Basic Grey

Other:
-Nestabilities and Frameabilities by Spellbinder
-Copic markers, blending solution, Atyou Spica glitter pens and airbrush system
-paper flowers and leaves by Prima Marketing
-Polar White Flower Soft
-Glitter by EK Success / Martha Stewart
-Glue

Every Thing Creative Ornament Template

Oh how I love this template!!!  You can find it for purchase as a digital file from Every Thing Creative on Etsy.  The Hanging Ornament Template prints quickly on patterned paper.

Winter Doe Ornament

It looks amazingly complex, but the template is quick to print and the directions are right there on your cardstock.  Super fast!  I printed the template on the back of some Mistletoe & Pear Basic Grey patterned paper and embellished with a portion of the Winter Doe image from Serendipity.  It's just so easy to create.

The template creates two separate halves - a box of sorts.

I plan on making a couple and keeping them on hand for little gifts.  I think I'll tuck a few on the tree for the kids and a few for my coworkers on our tree in our department.  They'd make a great Secret Santa gifts... unless you're the only crafty one in the office.  If might be a give-away that the ornament is from you.  Hah!

If you purchase a template of your own, be sure to stop by and let me know what you think.  I'd love to see your creations!
Thanks for visiting!
lise
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Ornament: Winter Doe Ornament
Supplies:
Stamps: Winter Doe stamp set by Serendipity
Ink: Smokey Gray VersaFine and Dazzle Frost VersaMark inks by Tsukineko
Paper: Simply Smooth White and Gray Prismatic by Prism Papers
Patterned Paper: Mistletoe & Pear by Basic Grey
Other: sheer and grosgrain ribbon by May Arts, buttons by Paper Studios, matte and stylus (for scoring), jump ring and beads, Ornament template from Everything Creative (Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/everythingcreative)

Some Domestic Love!

I love the new All Things Considered set by CHF.  It's called Domestic Love and the images are fantastic!

What do you think?

Wrinkles:
I created this fast card with my favorite sentiment from the set...

Isn't that sentiment great?!  I need to follow that advice.  I tend to stress about things sometimes and I need to just go with the flow.  This was simple in design and execution.  The fun and retro papers really do all the heavy lifting.

For more fantastic inspiration, stop by the Domestic Love gallery at CHF.

Thanks for visiting!
lise

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Supplies:
Stamps:
-Domestic Love (All Things Considered) by CHF


Ink:
-Old Paper and Walnut Stain Distress inks by Ranger


Paper:
-Simply smooth vanilla cardstock by CHF
-Kraft and Teal dark cardstock by Prism
-Dark Red-orange by C'oredinations


Patterned paper:
-Early Bird by Cosmo Cricket


Other:
-Clear embossing powder by Ranger
-Copic marker (W1)
-Crushed velvet ribbon by May Arts

Happy Halloween!

I don't send Halloween cards, but I fell in love with the Ghosties stamp set by Seredipity Stamps.  That's right... I shopped!

Boo!!!!

I stamped the ghosties and colored with Copic markers. Because white is never just white, I highlighted the ghosts with two shades of violet. While I'm not a purple-lover, I really like the tone of purple in the Basic Grey Eerie paper. I carefully trimmed and popped this up on the Eerie paper background. I also went over the bats on the fence with a Black Glaze pen for extra dimension and shine.

Have a safe and fun Halloween!  Save a Snickers for me!
Thanks for visiting,
lise

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Supplies
Stamps: Ghosties and Trick or Treat Bag ($1) from Serendipity Stamps



Paper: Classic Crest Solar White by Neenah, Wizard Light, Black Prismatic, Suede Brown Light by Prism Papers, Eerie Patterned Paper by Basic Grey


Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento ink by Tsukineko, Vintage Photo Distress ink by Ranger


Accessories: Copic markers (R20, o, E53, E55, E57, V09, V93, V95), Black Glaze pen by Sakura, precision scissors, sewing machine and thread


Techniques: sewing, precision trimming

Upcoming Saturday Evening Post Release

I love the vintage art from the Saturday Evening Post line at Cornish Heritage Farms. The Horse & Rider image releasing on Tuesday is one of my favorites!

Graphic Girl:

This sweet little girl, giving her friend some attention, is so classic.  I stamped the image on glossy paper and sanded for a Faux Linen finish.  It's such a great technique and so fast.  The card is finished with some graphic paper from the Antique Collection by Creative Imaginations (which I found at Hobby Lobby) and a bit of velvet ribbon.  I added the hardware to my ribbon with my Crop-o-dile.

Be sure to stop by the CHF gallery on Tuesday for more inspiration!

Thanks for visiting!
lise
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Supplies:
Stamps:
-Horse and Rider (Saturday Evening Post) by CHF

Ink:
-Jet Black Stazon ink by Tsukineko
-Old Paper Distress ink by Ranger

Paper:
-Black by Prism
-Glossy White cardstock by Ranger

Patterned Paper:
-Antique Cream by Creative Imaginations

Other:
-Black velvet ribbon by May Arts
-Pewter Press hardware and Crop-o-dile by We R Memory Keepers
-Sanding block
-Nestabilities by Spellbinder

Technique:
-Faux Linen

Mirror, Mirror On the Wall...

Birthdays are just another day for me. But, I love to make them a big deal for friends and family.  A new release for Cornish Heritage Farms this Tuesday is an amazing set in the Rummage Bin line called A Royal Birthday.  Here's one of the projects I created with the set...

Lying Mirrors:

The image itself is the vintage, delicate frame with the sentiment "do not Believe the Mirror it is Lying" inside of it.  To create the frame, I stamped the image with Black Soot Distress ink and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I carefully trimmed out the image and used a scalpel to remove the center.  I cut a small piece of metal sheet and adhered behind the frame to make my own mirror of sorts.  Then, to make the sentiment tag, I used cellophane tape to cover the frame portion of the image and inked the image.  I removed the tape and stamped on the tag shape.  Super simple!

The set will release on Tuesday, October 20th - so be sure to check out the CHF gallery for more inspiration.

Thanks for visiting!
lise
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Supplies:
Stamps:
-A Royal Birthday (Rummage Bin) by CHF
 Ink:
-Black Soot Distress ink by Ranger
Paper:
-Simply Smooth White by CHF
 Patterned Paper:
-Rhubarb Tart by Memory Box
Other:
-Clear Embossing powder by Ranger
-metal sheeting by Making Memories
-gems by Mark Richards
-flowers and Lace by Prima Marketing
-gem brad by Making Memories
-dimensional tape
-scalpel
-nestabilities by Spellbinder

Blossom Box Template from Every Thing Creative

I love the ease of templates!  Every Thing Creative has made this one SO easy for me!

Blossom Boxes aren't the easiest thing to create from scratch.  Trust me - it's not something I woud ever think to do, for sure!  That's what makes this template magical to me... I printed this template twice to create the following treasures... and I can guarantee that I'll be printing again and again in the future for the perfect packaging.

Snowy Gift Box:

I printed the Blossom Box template on a sheet of kraft cardstock.  I used white pigment ink to stamp my snowflakes and ink the edges of the box for a frosty look.  Super simple!

Tip: It was simplist to get the box together by using a stylus, a ruler and a mousepad (for a soft, impressionable surface) to create even scores along all the marks.  I also used a very strong adhesive to put this together - ATG worked great, but you could also use sticky strip.

Bloom Box:

This one was so easy, I had it complete in about 5 minutes from print to finish.  I printed this one on patterned paper.  It's double-sided and heavy card, so it holds up well to the scoring... and is gorgeous on the inside from it's coordinating side!

Add a coordinating tag to make this a gift someone will be ready to dive into... The Happy Birthday tag was created uing the larger Open Poppy stamp.  I colored both sides of the cardstock and trimmed out carefully.  To give the open petals an upward turn, I cut the petals from the edge to the center (about where the dark poppy "seeds" are).  I colored and trimmed out a small peony and completely covered in glue.  I added Diamond Dust to the center and allowed to dry completely.  It looks like a gem!  I used this to cover the poppy center and folded the petals upwards to make a realistic paper flower.  I really loved how this came together... I can see me making this again in other colors to suit any project.

Thanks for visiting!  If you create with the template, I'd love to know what you think too.  Stop by and leave me a comment.

lise

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Supplies for Snowy Gift Box:
Stamps:
-Wings of Joy by Taylored Expressions

Ink:
-Snow Cap and Pitch Black Pigment Adirondack ink by Ranger

Paper:
-Kraft cardstock

Patterned Paper:
-Webster's Pages

Other:
-everything creative Blossom Top Box Printables template
-Clear embossing powder by Ranger
-printer
-ribbon by May Arts

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Supplies for Bloom Box:
Stamps:
-Open Poppy and Peony stamps by Memory Box
-Cursive Expressions by CHF

Ink:
-Tuxedo Black Memento ink by Tsukineko

Paper:
-Solar White and Kraft

Patterned Paper:
-Bloom and Grow by My Mind's Eye

Other:
-everything creative Blossom Top Box Printables template
-Glitter glue by Martha Stewart / EK Success
-Diamond Dus by Flora Craft
-Copic markers (R22, R24, R27, and R29)
-Precision scissors

Gingersnap Creations Challenges

The weather is starting to turn frosty in St. Louis... the holidays are just around the corner!

I couldn't resist creating for a Gingersnap Creations challenge this month.  Not only are the challenges No Stress (and they promise it), Cornish Heritage Farms is also sponsoring their design team this month.

GC25: Chestnut Theme Challenge - Harvest

Fall Harvest:

This card came together quickly.  I stamped the Fall Harvest image on glossy cardstock with Timber Brown StazOn ink.  I colored the image using pen nibs and my Distress ink pads (and it seemed like I used every single one of them).  :-)  To help you with the step by step process, there is a wonderful tutorial on CHF's forums to give you a hand called Vintage Photo Tinting.

After I finished coloring the image, I used a sanding block to rough up the image.  I know... it seems odd to mess with a pretty colored image.  But the truth is that Glossy cardstock won't absorb all the ink.  By roughing up the image, it hides any imperfections and gives a great vintage look.  To see a tutorial for this detail, check out the Faux Fabric / Faux Linen Technique at CHF.  I used Old Paper and Vintage Photo Distress ink to age the photo... such a great technique.  It's probably one of my favorites!

I deliberately created lighter and darker areas of the sky (Broken China).  When I sanded the image, it really gives the illusion of fluffy white clouds.

To see all the great projects, be sure to check out Gingersnap Creations for more Harvest inspiration!

Thanks for stopping by!
lise

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Supplies:
Stamps:
-Fall Harvest (Saturday Evening Post) by Cornish Heritage Farms

Ink:
-Timber Brown StazOn ink by Tsukineko
-Vintage Photo, Old Paper, Broken China, Peeled Paint, Scattered Straw, Spice Marmalade, Mustard Seed and Fired Brick Distress inks by Ranger

Paper:
-Kraft and Dark Suede Brown by Prism Papers
-Dark orange by C’oredinations
-Glossy cardstock by Ranger

Other:
-Ornamental Iron Cuttlebug folder by Provo Craft
-felt by Prima Marketing
-flower by Fancy Pants
-brad by Karen Foster
-ribbon by May Arts
-Pen Nibs and ink blending tool by Ranger
-Sanding block

Techniques:
-Faux Linen / Faux Fabric
-Vintage Photo Tinting