Find out how to qualify for a free gift ...

Good Morning.  Today I am sharing a card created for Speedy TV's weekly challenge.  The challenge was to create an anniversary card.  You can check out this challenge HERE.  To find the challenges in the future ...  hold your mouse over the "Friends of Speedy TV" button along the top of the page.  You will see a drop down menu with all the challenges.

Stamps : Mark's Finest Papers "Black Eyed Susan's for Encouragement"

Spellbinders : Classic Ovals LG and Classic Scalloped Ovals LG

Grand Calibur

Patterned Paper : Lost and Found "Union Square" (music) and "Rosey II

Copic Markers : R20, R22, R05, YG61, YG17

Here are a couple of recent Tutorial video's you may want to check out!  Both are perfect for fall projects.

Burned Paper Bag Leaves by MariLynn

Chrysanthemum Paper Flowers

 

And don't forget ....  I'm looking for friends over at Speedy TV

I will be drawing 3 names from my friends list (excluding DT members) from my friends list over at Speedy TV on Oct 25th.  All you have to do is sign up for the site and then send me a friend request.  You can check out my page HERE.

Have a great day!

NR #4 Glad Tindings

Good Morning Paper Crafters.  I hope you have had a great weekend so far.  I had a wondeful Saturday.  I cleaned house, climbed up in the attic to get down all my fall decor and got most of it up, then spent the afternoon, night with my friend Deb.  We had so much fun playing around with mixed media techniques / images and created ATC's.   I will have to post all of your mixed media creations soon. 

Today I'm sharing another Christmas card using Layers of Color "Glad Tidings" art stamp set.  There is a little mini Copic tutorial at the end.  Don't laugh, teehee, there may be a beginner out there who may find it helpful.  I used glitter on the dove's as well as Stickles on the wreath.  Hard to see, but definitely a dramatic effect.

Have you started your Christmas cards yet??

 

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Project Details 

Stamps : Glad Tidings art stamp set

Copics : YG61, YG17

Spellbinders : Classic Circles,   Classic Scalloped Circles,  Fluer de Lis

Grand Calibur

Deckled Scissors - Fiskars

Glitter Glue : Stickles Lime

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Tutorial

YG61

YG17

Blend with YG61

NEW Challenges over at SpeedyTV

Hello Paper Crafters. Today I'm sharing a card that is a gift card holder as well. Hopefully you can see the pocket I created.  I used a credit card as a guide to create the area that is cut in.  This one was created for the very first SpeedyTV challenge!  There will be weekly challenges (monday) and we would love to have you join us.  The theme this week is masculine, and you can check it out HERE.

And if you haven't done so, don't forget to friend me HERE.

I'm drawing 3 names for all my new friends to receive gifts on Oct. 25th!

You can check out my page HERE.

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Project Details

Stamps : Mark's Finest Papers "Here Comes the Grad"

Patterned Paper : My Mind's Eye "Lush"

Ribbon : Offray

Copic Markers : E23, E35, E37, E99, Y06, B97, B99, N1

Layers of Color Vintage Moth

Happy Monday!  I'm back today with a Silk Moth card I created a while back.  This one was really easy to put together because I stamped the image on patterned paper.

I hope you have a fabulous day!

hugs,

Melisa

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Project Details

Stamps : Layers of Color "Silk Moth" cling art stamp and "Sent With Love" art stamp set. 

Patterned Paper : unknown

Copic Markers

Buttons : unknown

Flowers : Bazzill

Ribbon : Hobby Lobby

Trim patterned paper and adhere to front of A2 card.  Adhere ribbon, flowers and buttons.  Stamp sentiment.  Stamp image on patterned paper, trim, and adhere to front of card.  Highlight image with Copic markers.

Watercolor Tutorial #1

Good morning Paper Crafters!  I'm here today with a watercolor tutorial.  This is the first in a series of 3.  For this tutorial I using the image from  Nature's Postage by Mark's Finest Papers you seen on the card I created yesterday.  I used Lyra Watercolor Crayons (12 set), Ranger Distress Ink - Tumbled Glass, and Derwent Watercolor Pencil #51 Olive Green.  I got my watercolor crayons a few years back at a local craft store with a 40% off at a Joann's.  I'm don't know who carries them these days, but what I have noticed online is that they have  24 set now.  I had so much fun doing these that I'm considering finding a good deal on the larger set. 

In general I brush on water to the area I'm going to be adding color, before adding the color, except for the pencil.  Wetting the paper first helps the color flow.  So I want continue to mention that, but make sure you do it.  The crayon color are very concentrated, so a little goes a long way.  You can always add more.  I leave the crayons sitting in the tray they come in, wet my brush and then pick up a little color by brushing over the crayon.  Keep a paper towel or napkin handy so you can remove unwanted color..  Just re-wet the area if needed, and blot if off with a paper towel.  A couple of times I ventured outside the lines and was able to clean it up a little blotting the color off.  Each crayon has a ID # on it.  I used green (67), yellow (07), orange (13), and brown (99).  Let's get started.

Dragonfly wings : Scribble on a little color using Derwent watercolor pencil #51.  Add the color near the body outward so that it will be darker at the body.  The color will spread, so no need to cover the entire wing.  You can always add more.  Wet brush and begin brushing from the body to the wing tip.  Brush on a little water if dry.  Then add a little brown near the body lightly brushing out to add some shadow.  The color is very concentrated on the crayons.  I am using a very small brush, wetting it and just lightly brushing over the area near the body outward.  If you add too much, wet it a little with a clean brush and blot it off.  As with anything, you will have to practice to you get the feel for how much water to add and color to pick up.  Go back and add a little move green over the wing again, til you get a look like the wings below.

 

Tulip :  Brush on water over tulip.  Wet brush and pick up a very small amount of yellow #07.  Brush from base upward.  I actually put on a little too much color, add some water by brushing outward back toward the base a little and blotted some off.  Wet brush pick up a very small amount of brown and brush on as shown above. 

 

Then go back and add a little more yellow til it looks like the one above.  You can go ahead and color your stem now if you want as well with the green pencil, I just forgot.

Sky : Brush water on the sky area. Apply a little Tumbled Glass Distress ink to a plastic surface or acylic block. Wet brush and begin picking up the blue and painting your sky.  The distress ink is not as concentrated.  I tried to make it a little darker around the edges / corner.

Flower : Brush water over petals.  Wet brush and pick up orange #13.  I start out light, adding color from base outward keeping some area's darker as shown above, but I did go back a second time and add more concentrated orange to create shadows.

To create move depth, I added some brown as I had on the wings and tulip.  I think you can see the difference in the previous photo and this one and tell where I added it.  I didn't worry about trying to blended it, because I knew I was going over it again with orange.

Add more orange to get the look you want.  But the other thing I did that you can really see in this photo is pick up some concentrated yellow and added it from the tips inward to blend with the orange.  That really highlighted some area's and made it pop.  I added some brown to the flower center. 

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and are encouraged to try coloring some of your images with watercolors.  I have 2 more tutorials coming up in the future.  Using the other 2 images from this set. 

And if you missed my post yesterday ....  I have been added to the Speedy TV DT and I'm so excited.  So you will be seeing more Mark's Finest Papers projects on my blog.  Speedy TV is a NING site and because I'm new over their, I don't have a lot of friends.  So .....  I'm making a somewhat desperate plea, teehee, by asking you to hop over, join the site and friend me.  To encourage you, I'm doing a give-away.  I will be giving away 3 gifts on October 25th to 3 of my new friends (MFP DT excluded).  Sorry I don't have photo's yet.  It's been a busy week.  But I will be posting photo's of the prizes later this week.

MFP Speedy TV

My page

THANK YOU!!  for all your encouraging comments and support!

hugs,

Melisa

Nature's Postage

Happy Saturday!  And it is a very happy one for me.  I'm waiting on my friend Deb to arrive and off we will go on our trip to 2 local scrapbook stores. 

But, it's also a happy day because I get to share with you that I have been selected as a "Friends of Speedy TV" design team member!  Speedy TV was started recently by Faith Hofrichter.  She is also the owner of Mark's Finest Papers.  Speedy TV is named after Mark's Finest Papers official mascot "Speedy the Cat".   It is a Ning site and I would like to invite you to join us!  We would love to have you join us for weekly challenges every Monday.   This monday kicks off the first challenge.

I need friends ... so don't forget to put in a friend request on my page HERE.
And to kick things off ....  I'm going to do a drawing and give away a prize to one of my lucky friends!

There are 10 other Friends of Speedy TV DT members excited today as well, and if you get a chance, stop by and say hello to Debbie (our fearless leader), Bonnie, Brenda, Fran, DJ, Janine, Karen B., Karen W., Kitty, and Toni.

Today's project was designed using a really cute set called "Nature's Postage".  The image was colored with Lyra Watercolor Crayons.  I have 3 other cards I designed using watercolors and I will be sharing step by step photo tutorials starting this Sunday and for the next 2 Sundays.
Thanks so much for stopping by, and don't forget to hop over to Speedy TV and put in your friend request on my page!
Hugs,
Melisa

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Project Details

Stamps : Mark's Finest Papers Nature's Postage

Patterned Paper : My Mind's Eye

Lyra Watercolor Crayons

Ribbon : Creative Impressions

Trim cream cardstock 4 ¼” x 5 ½” Trim patterned paper (My Mind’s Eye) slightly smaller than card front and adhere to cream panel. Adhere cream lace and wrap with cream ribbon (Creative Impressions) / tie bow. Adhere panel to card front. Stamp sentiment on cream cardstock and trim as shown. Adhere to card front and embellish with button. Stamp image (Mark’s Finest Papers “Nature’s Postage“) on watercolor paper (Strathmore 140#) with water proof ink (Palette Noir). Color with water color crayons (Lyra Watercolor Crayons), trim and adhere to card front with pop dots.

Layers of Color Bookmarks

Good Morning.  Today I have 2 bookmarks to share with you designed using Layers of Color stamps (Artful Endearments, Encouragement and Merci Bouquet).  I was so tempted to add glitter and embellishments, but I wanted them to be as flat as possible since they are bookmarks.  Today is Faith Art Friday over on the Layers of Color blog and I know they will have something special to share and encourage you!

What are you working on this week??  I had a lot of fun designing a watercolor class this week.  I will be sharing one of the cards with you on Sunday, with a step by step photo tutorial.  Each card has soooo many photo's I figured it would be better to share them one at a time.  Have you ever worked with watercolors?

I am looking forward to this saturday, because I'm spending the day with one of my SASSSC (Sassy) Sisters, Deb!  We are going on a trip to 2 of our local scrapbook stores, and then coming back to my house to get crafty.  I hope you are able to find time for some crafty fun this weekend!

And .....  I will be making a big announcement on Saturday!

If you have not done so .... please "like" the Layers of Color Company FB page.  When it hits the 300 mark, Laura is giving away a free stamp set!

Happy Friday!

Melisa

Sweet Baby Girl Layout

9x9 Layout

Good Morning Paper Crafters!  I bet you are wondering who this little cutie patootie is??  It's my neice 21 years ago.  What a sweet little face.  So I needed a sweet little layout to go with it. 

I wanted to use my "Baby Clothesline" set by Pink Persimmon, so I headed out to Archivers in search of the perfect patterened paper to create my layout with.  As soon as I seen this patterned paper I grabbed it.  I knew it would make a great shabby layout.  It's part of the My Mind's Eye "Blush" line.  It came in a 6x6 paper pad as well so I grabbed one, knowing the small patterns would be perfect for paper peicing the little clothes.  This set comes with the cutest little clothes pins so that you can create a little clothesline, adorable boy and girl clothes, and some cute little toys as well.  LOVE it!

I wanted to use my "Small Banner" set with the "Small Carnival Alpha" set though,  so I opted to layout the clothes randomly.  The Small Banner set comes with 6 different little patterns that you can choose to stamp your banner in.  You stamp the inside first, then the outside in black.  Then stamp your letters on each banner.  I colored the inside of the letters with a Copic marker R85.

I paper peiced the dress and bloomers.  I stamped the sweater, booties, and bunny on pink cardstock and then added shawdowing with my Copic Markers.  I used RV0000 with R85, tip to tip.  R85 would have been to dark to apply directly to paper.  I created a great shading by picking up a little R85 on the tip of my RV0000 markers.  I shaded the birds with N00.

It's hard to see in the photo, but I added glitter to the stripes in the dress, around the edges of the banners, over the birds, and over the swirly. 

I wanted to create a shabby mat so I layered 3 peices of pink.  I distressed the edges of layer one using a distressing tool.  I used my deckled scissors on layer 2.  I inked all the edges with Pearlescent Chocolate ink.   

To help create an interesting border along the side of the mat, I layered eyelet lace with white party streamer that I had gathered into a ruffle.  I needed more white on the layout so the clothes would show up, so I added some wide lace. 

I hope you are inspired to create a sweet little baby boy or girl layout of your own!

hugs,

Melisa

Check out Pink Persimmon stamps HERE.

You can view all of BABY themed projects HERE.

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Supplies

Stamps : Baby Clothesline, Small Banner and Small Carnival Alpha sets by Pink Persimmon

Patterned Paper :  My Mind's Eye "Blush" line

Ink : Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate, and Momento Onyx Black

Glitter : Stampendous

Small Roses : $1 aisle at Micheals SCORE!!

Wide Lace in background : I just bought it at Hobby Lobby

White party streamer, buttons, small eyelet lace, and chipboard : my stash

Distressing tool :  My favorite is by Making Memories.  But I also use the one by Tim Holtz.

GinaK Designs "So Grateful"

Here is a little fall inspiration for you today.  I know I said I was going to post a Christmas gift set, but I totally forgot that I had pushed that one forward for a "Gift's Galore" blog hop with Layers of Color in November.  Sorry.  Hope you like this one instead!  And I hope you are enjoying some fall like weather in your neck of the woods.  It was 97 here today!  Seriously.  Well, I do hate cold weather and while some of you were shopping for winter wear this weekend ....  I was laying out in the sun!

This is a REALLY cute fall set that I bought over a year ago called "So Grateful".   It comes with an apple card, pumpkins, and the cutest acorn border.  GinaK has another fall set I have as well.  It's called "Autumn Beauty".  So if you are still on the hunt for some fall images ..  hop over and check them out!

Have a great day!!

Hugs,

Melisa

You can check out all of my Gina K. Designs Projects HERE.

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Project Details

Stamps : GinaK "So Grateful"

Ink : Tsukineko Momento Tuxedo Black and

Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate

Markers : Copic Chalk : Pebbles

Patterned Paper : The Paper Studio

Spellbinders Labels Two

Ribbon : Offray

Deckled Scissors : Fiskars

Trim brown cardstock 4 ¼” x 5 ½”. Trim patterned paper (The Paper Studio) 4” x 5 ¼”, ink edges with brown ink (Tsukineko Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate) and adhere brown cardstock panel. Trim / emboss white cardstock using Nestibilites Labels Two (Spellbinders). Stamp image (GinaK So Grateful) on scrap white cardstock. Color with markers (Copic basket - E55, E57, pumpkins - E97, E35, gords -Y00, E33, leaves G61, G24, YG67, E33, E9, wheat - Y00, E33) and trim around all of the image except those little lines coming off the sides of the wheat. Stamp image again on the label. Do not color, this is to provide the lines coming off the sides of the wheat. Adhere colored image over this image. Stamp sentiment. Apply yellow and orange chalk (Pebbles Inc) around edges and image. Distress edges with brown ink and adhere to brown cardstock. Trim around label with deckled scissors (Fiskars). Tie brown ribbon around bottom part of panel (Offray). Adhere panel to front of card. Embellish with fall sprig (local craft store).


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And here are a few other cards I made a long time ago using these sets.  And even though I'm not crazy about them, maybe you will be inspired by the images.  The photo's are old as well, I tried to fix them up a little.

Crafty Secrets Birdies

 

Good afternoon.  I kept this one pretty simple, not a lot of embellishments and easy to re-create.  Hope you like it!  Tomorrow I'll be back with a Christmas gift set!

Have a great day!

 

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Project Details

 

Stamps :  Crafty Secrets "Birdies" clear art stamp set

swirl - I don't know who this one is made by

Ink : VersaMagic Oasis Green Tsukineko

Momento Tuxedo Black

Prismacolor Pencils for branch

Patterned Paper : My Mind's Eye Lost & Found 12 x 12 paper pad (Hobby Lobby)

Ribbon : American Crafts

Spellbinders Nesibilities Labels Fourteen

Grand Calibur

Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing Folder

 

 

Christmas Stocking Gift Card Holder Tutorial

Hello!  I hope you have had a great weekend.  Today I'm sharing a tutorial on how to create this Christmas Stocking Gift Card Holder.  The cute little image is from "Angelic" art stamp set from Layers of Color.  If you love all things Christmas, then I know you will want to join us in October for our handmade ornament blog hop ( I will have another fun tutorial for you), and in November LOC blog hop for Christmas gift bags / tags inspiration.

I started with this free template from Waltzing Mouse. 

I changed it up a little bit though.  The template they have requires you to cut the front and back of the stocking seperately.  I KNEW there was now way I could hand cut the back and front seperately and then get them to line up.  So here is my idea.  Cut off the top 1/2 of the stocking fur.  See in the photo above it says trim here.  Just cut it off and toss it.

Start with a red card 5" x 5 1/2".  Now line the pattern up along the fold line as shown above.  Trim the stocking.  Now you should have a stocking shaped card that is folded acorss the top and opens from the bottom.

Draw a light pencil line from side to side defining the fur top and cut along this line, as shown above.  Now you have 2 pieces as shown below.  And the front and back will match perfectly since you cut them out at the same time.

Run the the stocking front through the Big Shot using the "Musical Flourish" embossing folder.

Next we need to add the fur.  I used a piece of white velvet paper.  I glued the top onto the back of a larger piece as shown below and then trimmed.

Use a gift card or credit card to draw out the boundaries for your gift card pocket.

Add white glue as shown, avoiding the inside of the pocket and the stocking top (fur area).  I use Aleene's Tacky glue (1.47 at Walmart for a large bottle).  Secure the embossed front of the stocking to the back.
 

And you have a cute little gift card holder!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.  If you decided to create one, I would love to see how you embellish yours.  Just email me a link or leave me a comment here.

Have a great day!

Melisa

Artist Trading Card / Faith Art

Artist Trading Card 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" 

Good morning Paper Crafters!  Today I'm sharing a project I created for today's Faith Art Friday over on the Layers of Color blog.  Every friday a member from the Layers of Color design team shares a faith art project.  We would love to have you check in and be blessed each week.  My project is an Artist Trading Card (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") I have added to my Faith Art ATC Revolving Holder. 

I hope that you will be blessed by this beautiful poem I found from : Scripture Worship

O come let us worship and bow down
Let us kneel before the Lord our maker
Offering the praise He deserves
For He is our God, our creator
We are the people of His pasture
And we are the sheep of His hand
So we shall offer with thanksgiving
Praises to the great "I Am"
Today if you would hear His voice
Don't let your hearts grow hard
As they had done so long ago
In the wilderness at Meribah
So come let us sing to the Lord
Make a joyful noise to our rock
With songs of praise and worship
To the King above all 'gods'.

Psalm 95: 1-3; 6-8

I love to sing praises to God and I'm so thankful for those He has blessed with wonderful creative talents that allow those of us who aren't so musically talented to sing along. I would like to share one of my favorite worship songs I listen to all the time. Check it out and join me in praising our great God!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuuLBPOYcI8

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you have a beautiful weekend!

hugs, Melisa

You can view all of my ATC's HERE

You can view more of my Faith Art HERE.

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Project Details

Stamps : Layers of Color Merci Bouquet art stamp set

Stencil : Layers of Color "Belle Brocade" art stencil

I wish I could share with you how I created the background, but I did it a while back.  Every now and then I like to sit down with paint, ink, ink sprays and play.  I know I layed out water color paper and just kept combing paints and inks until I got the look I liked, then cut the sheets down to ATC size backgrounds.  Now I have a pile of them that I can grab and finish embellishing for a quick ATC.  The stenciled pattern was created using Tsukineko Pearlescent Brown ink.  I stamped my images and cut them down to inchies.  I have a pile of those as well, ready to go when I need a quick card or ATC.  I do know that a book that has inspired me in the past is "Artist Trading Card Workshop".  It's loaded with background techniques and what better way to practice than on mini pieces of art like ATC's.  So get you some watercolor paper and start playing with color!  I will share that one of my favorite brushes I use to add just a little color is a fan brush .  I will try to create some background tutorails soon.  I miss doing them!

Pink Persimmon Birthday Card using an Owl

Good Morning Paper Crafters.  I have a fun card to share with you today using "Wise Old Owl" by Pink Persimmon.  Isn't he seriously cute!  What's so much fun about this set is that all the parts of his body are separate.  So, you can stamp the body, head, and wings different colors.  I paper peiced the eyes.

One of the reason's that this old owl is so wise is because he wears so many hats!  teehee.  You can add a crown, a party hat, or a graduates cap.  So this set would be great for a birthday card, Father's Day card (with the crown and sentiment "dad you rule" or maybe "king for a day"), or graduation card. 

It also comes with a variety of sentiments :

"What a hoot"

"Whoo loves you?"

"Thank whoo?"

"Guess whoo's a wise old owl?"

and "See you later owl-igator!"

You can check out more inspiring projects by the PP design team over on the PP Blog HERE. 

I told you it was a cute set!

Have a great day!

Melisa

You can view more of my Masculine / Father's Day cards HERE.

You can view more of my Pink Persimmon projects HERE.

You can view more of my Owl projects HERE.

You can view more of my Birthday projects HERE.

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Project Details

Stamps : "Wise Old Owl" by Pink Persimmon

Patterned Paper : Teresa Collins "Celebrate" line (back side of "Stars" for the verbage paper)

Cut out 3 stars from one side and then use the verbage side for your background

Ink : Distress Ink Broken China, VersaFine Crimson Red

Border Punch : Fiskars

Deckled Scissors : Fiskars

I stamped the body first, then the wings, on white cardstock.  I had to practice a couple of times to get used to how to line the wings up with the body.  Then I added the head, paper peiced the eyes and hat.  You have to stamp the branch on the patterned paper first, then the owl body with branch on white cardstock, then trim the owl body and line it up over the branch you stamped on the patterned paper.

Pink Persimmon " Flower Garden"

Good Morning!  What a great day for me, because I'm off and will be trying to get caught up on some projects I need to finish.  : )    I've been sitting here at my computer, getting distracted by my cute little birds outside my window.  I am blessed to have almost floor to ceiling windows in my studio and I put 3 bird feeders right in front of the window.  I have a different type bird food in each one.  I think I am the favorite house on the block for the birds.  I get so many on and off all day long.  Unfortunately I don't know what type they are except for the red birds.   They bring a smile to my face. 

Today I'm sharing a Pink Persimmon card designed using Flower Greetings.  This is an example of how you can take one stamp and stamp it repeatedly to create your own little backgound.  What a fun set!

What have you been working on lately??

Have a great day!

Melisa

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Project Details

Stamps : Pink Persimmon “Flower Greetings”

Patterned Paper : My Mind’s Eye Cardstock : Bazzill

Ribbon : Maya Road and Offray

Lace : Hobby Lobby

Trim cardstock and adhere to front of A2 card. Trim white cardstock slightly smaller, stamp across top and adhere to card front. Trim patterned paper strip and adhere across bottom. Embellish front of card with ribbon, lace and pearls. Stamp flower on pattered paper, white, and coral cardstock. Trim and paper piece. Adhere to card front.

Layers of Color New Release Blog Hop!

Good morning Paper Crafters and welcome to the new release blog hop of the Layers of Color Christmas Collection designed by Nina Brackett and Laura Kirste Campbell!

These special designs were created from the artist's hearts in celebration of Christ's birth.  You will find a few of the images coordinate with Spellbinders's dies (Joy & Peace - Labels 18 and Sentimental Banners with Ribbon Banners)! 

But if you have started at my blog, you will want to start at the Layers of Color blog and then hop around so that you can make sure you are entered into the Grand Prize Drawing!   Laura will give you full instructions on how to qualify on her blog.

If you have arrived from Linda's blog, then you are in the right place and keep scrolling to read how you can win a free stamp from me!

  I have created a Christmas Ornament using one of the decorative elements from "Touch of Elegance" and the dove from one of the new release sets "Glad Tidings".    You can check out all the details on how to create this one at the very bottom of my post.

I actually have 2 more Christmas ornament post coming up in the future. You can subscribe to my blog post via email if you like, so you don't miss a thing. Just check out the side bar gadget.  No worries, if you get sick of me, I promise I want be offended if you unsubscribe later.

One of the ornaments / tutorials will be posted on Wed. Oct 26th during the Layers of Color Christmas Ornament Blog Hop! 

I also have a Five Star 3-D (4 folds / 1 cut ) ornament tutorial I posted recently and after the hop I would love to invite you back to check it out HERE.

My Prize

Today I'm giving away "Holly Angel" cling art stamp (sample - meaning it's not packaged)!  All you have to do is leave me a comment.  You have until 12 noon EST to leave me a comment.  I will do a random drawing and post a winner as soon as I get off work Tuesday (late afternoon).  The winner will have til Wednesday 10am EST to contact me at luv_2_stamp@yahoo.com to claim your prize.

and here is a card I created using Holly Angel

The next stop in this hop is the very talented

Nina Brackett!!

Good luck in the drawings!

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Project Details Ornament

Stamps : Layers of Color "Touch of Elegance" and "Glad Tidings"

Cream Cardstock

Gold cord and beads

Stickles Champagne and Recollections Gold Glitter from Michaels

Tsukineko Glue Pad

2-Way Glue Pen

Krylon Matte Finish Clear Spray

Scor-pal

Aleene's Tachy Glue ($1.47 at Walmart.  I LOVE this stuff, use it all the time, and store it upside down in an empty peanut butter jar to keep it ready to go all the time.  The jar I use is actually plastic and it has a little dimple in the bottom)

I used a glue pad and gold glitter - not a great choice.  I recommend VersaMark and gold embossing powder.  I just didn't have an embossing powder that was gold or glittery enough to match my beads and I'm a little picky, teehee.

Cut 4 cream rectangles 2" x 2 5/5".  Locate the centers on each side and put a pencil dot.  Connect the dots with light pencil lines to create your diamond.  Score from top point to bottom point down center.  If you want that really glittery look, then you can do it like I did.  But I"m not resposible for any hair loss you may have along the way as I promise, you may want to pull it out, teehee.  But there is an easier way I'll share in a few minutes.  Wipe the cream diamond with an Embossing Magic or dryer sheet.  Stamp the decorative image on the diamond with a Glue Pad (Tsukineko), VersaMark may work, not sure.  Sprinkle with glitter.  It was a brilliant plan up until now!  Ha!    The glue pad doesn't completely hold the glitter and at this point it can be easily rubbed off.  So very carefully use a very fine brush to pick up any unwanted glitter, hopefully there is not much if you used Embossing Magic or your dryer sheet.  To fix the glitter in place spray it with a clear matte finish spray (Krylon).  But wait, one coat want do ...  I think I ended up with 3, making sure to let it dry in between coats.  I'm sorry there was just NO substitute embossing powder that gave me that glittery gold look I wanted.  And it matched my Champagne Stickles perfectly.   And for an easier method, just use VersaMagic and gold embossing powder.  After your 4 diamonds are dry, fold along the score line.  Adhere 2 at a time so that you now have 2 pairs.  Use a white tacky glue for this.  Measure and cut your gold cording.  You want to leave it looped at the top as your hanger or so you can attach a metal hanger, and leave lots extra coming out the bottom.  So tie off a loop at one end leaving the 2 tails hanging down.  Add tacky glue down the inside center of one side and all over the back side.  Glue the 2 side together.  You should now have the 2 gold tails haning out the bottom.  After it is dry, add beads.  Make sure you buy beads with holes big enough to thread the 2 pieces of the gold cording.  Tie a knot at the bottom of the beads to hold them in place.  Leave a little tail to adhere your image to.  Stamp the dove, trim, outline with 2-Way glue pen and sprinkle with gold glitter.  After it is dry, adhere to tail you left hanging below the beads.  When adhering actually hang the ornament, so you can get it adhered right where you want it.  Adhere Stickles around the edges.

I should have taken photo's.  The next ornament I post is similar and I will post step by step photo's with that one.

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Project Details Holly Angel Card

Stamps : Layers of Color "Holly Angel" and "Sentimental Banners"

Copic Markers

2-Way Glue Pen and Stampendous ultra fine white glitter

Pink cardstock

Vellum with white snow flakes - unknown

doily

Ribbon - Offray double sided white satin ribbon

Deckled Scissors - Fiskars

Adhere front of A2 card to a larger peice of white cardstock.  Trim around edges with deckled scissors.  Trim pink cardstock and patterned vellum slightly smaller, wrap with white ribbon, tie bow and adhere to card front.  Adhere doily. Stamp angel and banner.  Color with Copic Markers.  Apply glue with 2-Way glue pen to wings, avoiding black lines as much as possible.  Sprinkle with glittern.  Use a tooth pick or paper poker to remove unwanted glitter over stamp lines.  After dried, adhere angel and banner to card front.

Thanks for stopping by!

Melisa