Crafty Secrets Baby Girl Card and Layout

Hi ladies.  Today I'm posting a  Layout I created using one of my Crafty Secrets Stamp Sets - Baby Girl Clear Art Stamp Set.  Check out the actually stamp set at the bottom of the post, so you can see how I used it.

Frame and Masking Tutorial

I began with my photo and matted it.  Next I had to determine the width of the frame around the photo.  The sides had to match the width of a series of the scallops if I wanted to finish the corners nicely.  If you take a look at the photo of the stamps for this set, you will see that the scalloped image as 6 scallops.  I stamped the image twice on a piece of scrap paper, end to end to help figure the measurements of the frame. 

I liked 7 scallops across by 10 scallops vertically.  So I measured across from edge to edge for 7 scallops, that equaled just short of 4", and again from edge to edge for 10 scallops - 5 5/8".  So now I had my measurement for my guidelines of the frame.  I cut a piece of white cardstock 6" x 7.5"  and penciled in my guidelines, creating a 4 x 5 5/8" rectangle (I used a pen on mine so it would show up for the photo).  You want the pencil lines light enough so that you can go back later and erase it.  When I am drawing squares or rectangles I use a tool called a t-square.  It is a drafting tool that allows you to have perfectly aligned edges.  And you can read more about how to use it HERE. 

So now I'm ready to stamp the scalloped border. 
In order to stamp the image along the penciled line, you need to mount your stamp on an acrylic block with lines on it.

You will line the white line on the block with the penciled line on the paper.  You might want to practice a couple of times before stamping on your project.  Practice by drawing a pencil line on a scrap piece of paper and see if you can stamp your image along that line.  Standing up over the stamp/block, helps you to be able to line it up.  Once you are confident you have that skill down, you are ready to stamp around your guidelines. Start in the left lower corner and stamp the first 6 scallops. 

In order to stamp just one more scallop, you have to mask off the 2 ends as shown below.  I know mines a little messy, but I was in a hurry to finish these tutorial photo's.

Take the post-it note mask off and stamp up the right side 6 more scallops.

Mask off 2 ends so that you can stamp 4 scallops to equal 10 up the right side.

Remove the mask and stamp 6 scallops along the top.

You will continue masking and stamping around the frame until you finish down the left side.

Here are some more details.  I love using stamped images to create my own little embellishments!

Patterned Paper : Crafty Secrets, Daisy D, Flower Bazzill

Ribbon Hobby Lobby, Spellbinders scalloped dies, Deckeled sissors

Just Breathe Week 3

Hello and welcome back for another project using Just Breathe by FireCracker Designs by Pamela.

If you missed last weeks project, check it out HERE.

So for project #3 I built another scene.  This time I imagined sitting on the rock and gazing out into a field of wild flowers.  I love the sentiment this set comes with.  And the "blossom and grow" part seemed to fit for a field of wild flowers. 

Supply List:

Stamp Set : Just Breathe by FCD

Ink : Momento Sky Blue and Momento Bamboo Leaves.  Palette Noir.  Brilliance Hint of Pesto.

Colorization : Prismacolor Pencils with OMS and Shimmerz

Tools : Brayer, Dove Blender Pen, Liquid Pearls, Pop Dots.

I brayered top 1/2 of the card with Sky Blue and lower 1/2 with Bamboo Leaves onto glossy paper.  Honestly the green was a little to bright and I was afraid you wouldn't be able to see the flower stems since they would be green as well.  So to tone it down, I used a sponge and smeared on white and a tad of brown.  I used Brilliance Hint of Pesto and stamped the stems.  I added clouds using the cloud stamp.  I stamped the girl/rock on white cardstock and colorized with Prismacolor Pencils and OMS.  Added Shimmerz.  I adhered the bottom part of the image flat and used some pop dots at the head and shoulders.  Stamped sentiment and distressed edges and adhere with pop dots.  I stamped butterfly with Palette Noir and colored in with Dove Blender and pink ink.  Last but not least, I added my wild flowers.  The stamp set doesn't come with a flower stamp, so I used Liquid Pearls. 

Have a great Thursday and I'll be back Saturday with another Crafty Secrets Layout!

FCD BLOG HOP!! - Just Breathe Week 2

Good Morning and welcome to FireCracker Designs by Pamela's Monthly Blog Hop!

(The official start time of the FCD Blog Hop is Friday at 8:00am (EST). If you have arrived early, please be patient, as all the links may not be live until 8:00am (EST).)

The October DT assignment was to use mesh.  See my book mark below for my "mesh" project.  All 9 of us will be sharing projects created with this theme in mind. And the best part for you is Pamela will be giving away some awesome blog candy. But to qualify for the drawing you have to post comments. She will randomly pick one of our blogs, and then randomly pick from all the comments posted on that blog. So you will want to read ALL the BLOG HOP details at the bottom of my post and leave comments on each of the blogs to qualify for the drawing. Make sure you leave your email address in your comment!
Pamela is offering a coupon code today.
code :  hopidays
Use this code at check out to recieve a 15% off discount thru Monday at 8pm!  This discount does not apply to magazines.
With the release of Pamela's New Christmas sets it couldn't be a better time to place and order!

I like to show how versatile a set can be, when I can.  So, I try to create projects using my stamps on projects beyond cardmaking.  So for this weeks "Just Breathe" project, I decided to design some manly gifts.

I purchased a wood plaque for .99cents at Hobby Lobby for this great desk top decor.  The sentiment is NOT part of the set.  I picked that up at Hobby Lobby as well.  I loved the play on words for the trees, tree branches provide shelter and the tree cast a shadow.  I used Spellbinders die to cut that shape.  I used dusters to apply green and brown ink around the edges.

I also thought a book mark would make a nice manly gift.

I found some sticky mesh in my husband's workshop.  Apparently it's used to for dry wall.  It worked perfect as a mask for this project.  I placed it over some green cardstock and sprayed with glimmer mist.  I peeled it off and I got this cool mesh looking background. I know I will be trying this again!!  Funny though, I designed this for a guy, and my daughter seen it and wants it.  So, I promised it to her!

I have 2 more projects coming up for you using this set this month, so stay tuned!
If you like this set, check it out HERE!  This set is $8.99, untrimmed/unmounted!
Check out all Pamela's products and great prices.  It's so easy to order from her online and she ships fast!

I know this is a long post.  But I'm excited about another stamp set of Pamela's that I've been designing with.  It's a fruit set, FRUIT CUP,  and so far I have designed 5 cards with it.  I will be revealing all my projects for this set Saturday.  So please stop by and see me again.  This is such a great set with fun sentiments to go along with the different peices of fruit.  If you want to take a sneak peak at the stamp set you can see it HERE.  This set with 29 images is $12.99 untrimmed/unmounted!!  Awesome deals ladies!

Blog Hop Details ...
The official start time of the FCD Blog Hop is Friday at 8:00am (EST). If you have arrived early, please be patient, as all the links may not be live until 8:00am (EST).
This is a "circular blog hop" where the only beginning is wherever you start. You will know you are at the end of your blog hop when you have arrived back on the blog you started with. (There are only 9 of us, so you should be able to remember where you started)
THE WINNER ... will be chosen by our mystery blog hostess. Who is she ? We want know until after the blog hop. So make sure you leave a comment (with your emial address included in that comment) on EVERY blog to qualify!!
Pamela will contact the winner via email (don't forget to leave your email address with your comment) and post the winner on her blog on Monday 8pm(EST).

Next Blogger to check out is Michelle !

Crafty Secrets Thanksgiving Layout

Good Morning.  Here is a Thanksgiving Layout using the same Crafty Secrets Stamp set I showed you on Saturday.  I love fall and Thanksgiving, so this one was a lot of fun to create.  Hope you like it.  See details below as well as a link to where you can get this stamp set!  Thanks soooo much for taking the time to check out my projects.  Have a great week!

Frame Tutorial

This frame is easy, but requires alot of detailed cutting.  But I think it was worth it.  I use cuticle scissors when doing detailed cutting like this along the curvy area's.  The curve of the cuticle scissors just makes it easy to get around, especially in small spaces.  I simple stamped the image from this set (see photo below) on cardstock, colored and trimmed.  I layered the felt flourish trim around the photo first, then layered my stamped images over that using pop dots.  Stretch those creative muscles and think about how you can combine images from a set to create a frame.  I think you will like the results!

Stamp Set : Crafty Secrets Thanksgiving Clear Art Stamp Set

Paper : Crafty Secrets DP (beige), Daisy D DP (green), beige and dark brown cardstock

Ink : VersaFine with Clear Embossing Powder for all images, Palette Burnt Umber to distress edges of DP using eyeshadow applicator.

Other : Velvet Class A' Peel Stickers by Stampendous, Ribbon - unknown.  Corrugated cardboard painted dark brown using acrylic paint.  Cuticle scissors used to cut around images and pop dots to pop up some of the frame.  Deckled scissors by Fiskar.

Colorization : Prismacolor Pencils and OMS with Shimmerz.

Artist Trading Card / Thanksgiving

Artist Trading Card 2.5" x 3/5"

This Thanksgiving Stamp set from Crafty Secrets had the cutest image and sentiment.  It made a cute little ATC, but could easily have been a card!  I created it for one of the Crafty Secrets Challenges over at Splitcoast Stampers.  

Stamp Set : Thanksgiving Clear Art Stamps - Crafty Secrets

Other : Ranger Crackle Paint

Ink : Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate (swirlies in the corners)

Palette Burnt Umber (turkey, leaves and sentiment)

Colorization : Prismacolor Pencils and OMS, Shimmerz

You can view all of my ATC's HERE

Crafty Secrets Announcement !

I'm soooo excited to share with you that Sandy at Crafty Secrets has selected me to be their Guest DT Member this month!  How cool is that.  I love their Vintage look.  I'm been using their products for a couple of months now and started playing along with the Crafty Secrets Challenges over at SCS and PCP.  Great group of gals running the challenges.  We would love to have you join us !!

Their products are different from a lot of the other stamp companies.  In case you are not familiar with their products let me share a little about them.  They sell not only Clear Stamps, but also Pattern Paper Pads, and other vintage images via their Heartwarming Vintage Collection.  These range from cardstock weight printed images - Paper Scraps, Cotton Scraps, Sticker Scraps.  You have to see them so see how adorable they are.  Some of the Sheets of multiple images are only $1.75.  Excellent prices.  Ships fast as well.  Hurry and get yours ordered so  you can hop over to Splitcoast and play along with their weekly challenges.

You can order online.  Check out their HOME PAGE HERE.

Check out their BLOG HERE.

Check out other projects I have created using their products HERE !

Sandy said she needed someone to demo use of her products on layouts.  So I will be sharing more layouts with you this month!  Don't get stuck thinking that stamps a just for cards.  These little guys are so cute and I had a ball creating this layout using them.  They would be equally adorable on a birthday card or invitation.  How about a mini birthday album??  Too cute!

Supplies:

Stamps Crafty Secrets : Birthday Kids Clear Art Stamps

Paper : Carolee's Creations (polka dots), My Minds' Eye (yellow), Red Cardstock

Ink : Palette

Colorization : Prismacolor with OMS and my new favorite - Shimmerz

Tools : Cuttlebug Embossing Folders

Ribbon : unknown

Chipboard : Technique Tuesday (stars), Prima ("Boy"), and Thickers ("birthday")

Altered Acrylic Photo Frame

Good Morning and welcome to FireCracker Designs by Pamela's Monthly Blog Hop!

This months theme is "Greetings and Salutations".  All 9 of us will be sharing projects created with this theme in mind. And the best part for you is Pamela will be giving away some awesome blog candy.  But to qualify for the drawing you have to post comments.  She will randomly pick one of our blogs and then randomly pick from all the comments posted on that blog.   So you will want to read ALL the blog hop details below and leave comments on each of the blogs to qualify for the drawing.  Make sure you leave your email address in your comment!

Altered Acrylic Frame

I found this old photo of my Great Grandmother and could not resist creating this altered frame using this set. I couldn't think of a better way for her to "greet me" than by displaying her photo for our family to see.

I really love altering acrylic frames.

#1 - They are inexpensive.  I got this one at Walmart for $1.  So you can spend your $$$ on the perfect embellishements (I highly recommend rubber stamps, hehe).

#2 - I get to decide where and how big the photo window, opening will be.  I like having all the design control!

#3 - They make great gifts because you can add all the goodies/decor to the outside of the frame and the recipient can add the photo easily later by sliding the photo in the back as shown above.

Have I convinced you to create one yet??  Are you seeing a great, unique idea for gift giving this year??

Blog Hop Details ...

The official start time of the FCD Blog Hop is Friday at 8:00am (EST). If you have arrived early, please be patient, as all the links may not be live until 8:00am (EST).

This is a "circular blog hop" where the only beginning is wherever you start. You will know you are at the end of your blog hop when you have arrived back on the blog you started with. (There are only 9 of us, so you should be able to remember where you started)

THE WINNER ... will be chosen by our mystery blog hostess. Who is she ? We want know until after the blog hop. So make sure you leave a comment (with your emial address included in that comment) on EVERY blog to qualify!!

Pamela will contact the winner via email (don't forget to leave your email address with your comment) and post the winner on her blog on Monday 8pm(EST).

You can read on below for more of my project details OR continue on to the next blog !

Next Blogger to check out is Michelle !

Michelle will give you the next link to keep you going round in the circle til you get back to the beginning. Hope your not dizzy, hehe.

Project Details ...