Paper Cuts

Kim Hughes has two new releases available today at Cornish Heritage Farms, The Landing Pad and Making the Grade.  With Teacher Appreciation Week this week at my children’s school, it’s the perfect time for Making the Grade.  I used it to make three different gift bags.  (What’s inside?  A little Yankee Macintosh Apple scented candle.)

Thank You

This one is for my son’s teacher.  I used the Burlap backgrounder on the larger red block, stamping and sponging the edges using Adirondack Cranberry ink.  The kraft paper was stamped with the same ink using the Lined Paper backgrounder and  I used a Stamp-a-ma-jig to stamp the sentiment on the lined paper.  For the apples, I inked the individual parts with the corners of the ink pads then lightly sponged the edges.

Cardstock:  Prism Blush Red Dark, Kraft and Natural Smooth   Ink:  Adirondack Cranberry, Bottle, Latte and Pitch Black   Stamps:  CHF Making the Grade (Kim Hughes), CHF Lined Paper and Burlap backgrounders   Accessories:  Gift bag, Spare Parts paper clip by Paper Studio, Stamp-a-ma-jig, sponge.  Card size 3″ x 3″.

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Grade ‘A’ Teacher

These next two are for my daughter’s teachers.  I covered the bag front with the coral paper, zig-zagged a block of stripes then added the blue background.  Before attaching the school house and tree, I stamped a row of trees  and stitched a strip of green paper across the bottom for grass.  I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig again to place the words across the bottom of the bag.  Once everything was together, I added a bit of shading with a gray Copic marker.

Cardstock:  Prism Natural Smooth  Patterned Paper:  American Crafts Monogram paper “V”   Stamps:  CHF Making the Grade (Kim Hughes)   Ink:  Adirondack Espresso, Mountain Rose, Pesto, Cloudy Blue   Accessories:  Gift bag, sewing machine, Gray Copic marker, Stamp-a-ma-jig.  Card size 3” x 3”.

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One 2 three Four Apples

For this one, I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to place all the apples (from The Landing Pad set) in straight lines.  The number of apples in each row matches the number on the ruler.  After watercoloring the apples, I once again used a gray Copic to add a bit of shadow.

Cardstock:  Prism Suede Brown Dark, Birchtone Dark, Natural Smooth  Stamps:  CHF Making the Grade and The Landing Pad (both Kim Hughes)   Ink:  Adirondack Espresso, Cranberry, Pesto   Accessories:  Gift bag, sewing machine, Stamp-a-ma-jig, water brush, Gray Copic marker.  Card size 3” x 3”.
Before I wish you all a nice day, I have a couple questions… Do you like detailed explanations of how I do things or would you rather just see the project with a brief description?  Or only give directions for more complicated projects?  And do you like the supply list or no?  I don’t want to bore anyone, but I know there are a lot of beginning stampers who might appreciate the extra words.  If you’re more experienced, do you mind just looking at the pictures and skipping over the blah-blah-blah?  Just thought I’d ask.

 Ok…NOW, have a great day and thanks so much for stopping by!! 

 ETA:  Here are the links for Kim’s two new sets:

‘Making the Grade (School)’

‘The Landing Pad’

And this set goes very nicely with The Landing Pad:  Pretty Birds

My last “official” MFTeaser.   Awwwww…. 

Tonight My Favorite Things releases three new sets–one mini (Friends Furever) and two full-sized sets (Gone to the Dogs and Goin’ Places).  Today I have a couple samples using Goin’ Places.   For both cards I used Making Memories “Travel Embellishment” for the patterned paper.  It was perfect!  (Kind of vintage-ish.)

Bon Voyage

I had fun making this one.   Pretty much everything is paper-pieced.  I stamped the luggage, the girl’s dress and the map onto patterned paper then added some shading with Copic markers.  The arms and legs were colored on vanilla cardstock and cut out.  I popped up the arms (after cutting them as one piece for easier placement) and then slipped the cut out map into her hands.  I sponged the edges of just about everything.  (I didn’t sponge her legs or arms…if I had, she’d be hairy and, well, that would not be attractive.)

Cardstock:  SU Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla   Patterned Paper:  Making Memories “Travel Embellishment” paper pad   Stamps:  My Favorite Things “Goin’ Places”   Ink:  Brilliance Graphite Black, Ranger Walnut Stain and Frayed Burlap Distress inks   Accessories:  Copper brads (Accent Depot), Copic markers, sponge.  Card size 5” x 5”.

Going Somewhere?

This one is much simpler.  I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to align the buildings along the bottom then placed a strip of sponged patterned paper for the ground.  The sentiment was stamped on patterned paper as was the plane.  The top wing is raised on pop dots.  Once the front panel was assembled, I adhered the whole thing to a Natural Ivory card base.

(Pretty much same supplies as above. Card size 5 1/2″ x 4 1/4″.)

Also, Setting the Stage is on sale this month (regularly $17.95, now $13.95).  You can check it out here.  Don’t forget about the new release party tonight in the MFT Member Forum at Splitcoast from 9-11 p.m. (est)!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a great day!

Today brings the release of three new sentiment sets at Cornish Heritage Farms, Birthday Centers, Friend Centers and Motivational Centers, all from the Mona Lisa Moments Collection .  I’ve used Motivational Centers here. 

Go Confidently

I wanted to keep this card fairly simple but I ended up doing more to it than I had intended.  After stamping the green images (from Silhouette Blooms I, CHF) and the sentiment, I added the wonky stitching.  But the card still looked too plain to me. So I sponged the edges.  Hmmm… still not quite right so I distressed the edges.  

Then I thought the card still needed some other element…a flower maybe?  I consider myself to be totally Prima-challenged, so the thought even entering my brain was a little unsettling.  :)  I love how other people use flowers but when I add one to a card, I always think it looks stupid.  And I’m still not so sure about this one.  What do you think?  I didn’t have the right color flower so I sponged this one with Oregano Adirondack ink to match the green images.  Hmmm…I don’t know.  Anyway,  I love the flowers and the sentiment!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

Cardstock:  Prism Natural Smooth   Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey Periphery paper pad   Stamps:  Cornish Heritage Farms “Silhouette Blooms I” (Kim Hughes Collection) and “Motivational Centers” (Mona Lisa Moments)   Ink:  Stazon Jet Black; Ranger Adirondack Oregano and Walnut Stain Distress   Accessories:  Prima flower, organdy, sewing machine, sponge, edge distresser.  Card size 5 ½” x 4 ¼”.

My Favorite Things is releasing three fun new sets on Wednesday, May 7th.  The two sets I’ve used here are all about the pups!  I do not have any pets (other than a fish…if you want to call that a pet), but I do like dogs and I’ve always been drawn to dog stamp sets.  I don’t know why.  Just another odd thing about me. 

Friends Furever

I think this image from May’s MFT mini set is just so darn cute!  I colored the pup with Copic markers and paper-pieced the little boy’s shirt.   I made the “collar” from brown twill, adding We R Memory Keepers eyelets and buckle.  The pup’s nose is nice and shiny by coloring in with a black glaze pen.  All edges were heavily sponged with Ranger Walnut Stain Distress ink.

Cardstock:  SU Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla   Patterned Paper: Basic Grey Archaic paper pad   Stamps:  My Favorite Things “Friends Furever”   Ink:  Brilliance Graphite Black, Ranger Walnut Stain Distress   Accessories:  Copic markers, twill, WRMK hardware, Karen Foster thumbtack brad, Sakura black glaze pen,  piercing template/needle, Chocolate Chip marker, pop dots, sponge.  Card size 5 ½” x 4 ¼”.

For a Fabulous Friend

I think this set, Gone to the Dogs, is my favorite of the MFT May releases.  The set comes with the girl, the leash and twelve different breeds of dogs!   Since I’ve always loved Labradors and my kids are crazy for Chihuahuas, I had to use both. 

I first stamped the girl and masked her. I stamped the Lab then added the leash and paper-pieced the clothes.  I stamped the tiny dog on a separate piece of cardstock, colored him, made the little carrier and adhered him behind the girl.  The arm holding the dog is actually paper-pieced too as I thought that to be the easiest way to get everything where I wanted it.

The sentiment is from MFT’s “Let’s Go for a Walk” set.

Cardstock:  SU Chocolate Chip, Papertrey Ink (white)   Patterned Paper: Basic Grey Sugared paper pad   Stamps:  My Favorite Things “Gone to the Dogs” and “Let’s Go for a Walk”   Ink:  Brilliance Graphite Black   Accessories:  Copic markers,  Creative Impressions dog bone clip, Making Memories brads, 5/8” chocolate grosgrain, Stamp-a-ma-jig.  Card size 5 ½” x 4 ¼”.

Be sure to check out the release party Wednesday night in MFT’s Member Forum at Splitcoast!  Thanks for visiting!  Have a great day!

I’ve been having such fun with Kim Hughes’ new sets! This one is called Making the Grade and will be available Friday, May 9th from Cornish Heritage Farms.

So Proud

I didn’t use any “neutral” cardstock here.  All the images were stamped onto patterned paper from Basic Grey’s Recess paper pad.  I stamped the Lined Paper backgrounder (from CHF) onto the burgundy paper.  The books, ruler and little note were stamped on the lined paper and the worm was stamped onto the green dotted paper.  I used a white gel pen to color in the white of the worm’s eyes and then he’s adhered to the paper with pop dots.

You will definately be seeing more of this set (especially with Teacher Appreciation Week next week).  Making the Grade is another favorite of mine for sure!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Come back tomorrow for some new “My Favorite Things!”  Have a great day!

Cardstock:  Prism Crabapple Dark and Island Mist Medium   Patterned Paper: Basic Grey Recess paper pad   Stamps:  Cornish Heritage Farms “Making the Grade” (Kim Hughes Collection), Lined Paper Backgrounder (CHF)   Ink:  Brilliance Graphite Black, Ranger Adirondack Cranberry   Accessories:  Signo white gel pen, Spare Parts brad, sewing machine, pop dots.  Card size 5 ½” x 4 ¼”.

Kim Hughes has two new sets being released at Cornish Heritage Farms on May 9th and they are both adorable!!!   I have so many ideas for this set…I just hope I have time to make them all!

Hello Chica

Here I used The Landing Pad.  How fun!  The set has several different branches, accessories and sentiments.  I turned one of the branches on end and stamped leaves to make a tree.  The flowers are colored, cut out and attached using tiny sprinkle brads.  The birdhouse is paper-pieced and adhered to the tree using pop dots.  I used Copic markers for all the coloring and I scribbled in the grass with a black marker.  The little bird is from the Pretty Birds set.

The patterned paper is from Basic Grey’s Sultry paper pad available from Jacksonbelle Embellishments (where there just happens to be a sale of 15% off ALL orders today only to celebrate National Scrapbooking Day!  Use code NSD15 at checkout to get your discount).

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

Cardstock:  Prism Suede Brown Dark and Super Smooth White   Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey Sultry paper pad   Stamps:  “The Landing Pad” and “Pretty Birds” from the Kim Hughes Collection by CHF   Ink:  Brilliance Graphite Black, Citrus Adirondack by Ranger   Accessories:  Copic markers, Queen & Co. sprinkle brads, scallop blade/Fiskars Rotary Trimmer, sewing machine, pop dots.  Card size 4 ¼” x 5 ½”.

As I was putting away a few things from my horrendously messy table, I found my Nature’s Silhouettes from the Kim Hughes Collection at Cornish Heritage Farms and it was calling my name again.  (I just *love* Kim’s silhouettes!)  So I thought I’d pair that set with one of the new sentiments being released by CHF on May 6th.  There will be three “centers” released and this sentiment is from the “Friend Centers” set by Mona Lisa Moments.

Hold a True Friend

I really like how this card turned out, but it was messy.  I used Distress inks for all the stamping. 

I inked the French Script Backgrounder with Brushed Corduroy and stamped at an angle onto a block of Cosmo Cricket’s Fleuriste patterned paper.  I used Tattered Rose ink for the flowers, rolling the ends into the Brushed Corduroy ink before stamping.  I stamped off once before stamping the greenery with Peeled Paint.  Before stitching everything together, I sponged and then distressed all the edges.  The sentiment is stamped in Brushed Corduroy as well.  Somehow, my hands got more inky than the card.  A day in the life of a stamper, right? :)  (That’s why I don’t get manicures. What’s the point?  I’m way too messy.)

I made this card with a particular friend in mind, but I need to do some doctoring before I mail it.  I didn’t plan very well with this one and all that stitching and the brads show through to the inside of the card.  It looks awful!  (But I like the front!)

Thanks so much for stopping by!!  Have a great day!

Cardstock:  Prism Crabapple Light and Natural Smooth   Patterned Paper:  Cosmo Cricket Fleuriste 8 x 8 paper pad   Stamps:  “Nature’s Silhouettes” from the Kim Hughes Collection by CHF, “Friend Centers” from the Mona Lisa Moments Collection by CHF, “French Script” backgrounder by CHF   Ink:  Tattered Rose, Peeled Paint and Brushed Corduroy Distress Inks by Ranger   Accessories:  Ribbon, brads, edge distresser, sewing machine, sponge.  Card size 5” x 5”.

Before I get into my blog stuff, I want to thank all of you who shared your thoughts and concerns about my design team changes and the reasons behind those changes.  I can’t tell you all how much I appreciate your kind words and support!! 

With all the changes I have going on, I thought this might be the perfect time to change my blog banner too.  I love the last one, but change is good, right?  My dear friend, Lindsey, had her friend, Rachel, make this new one for me.  Rachel is fabulous and I highly recommend her if you’re in need (or want) of a new banner.  (She didn’t yell at me at all when I asked her to change things twenty times!)  Seriously, she is SUPER nice and very talented!

Freedom

This card uses May’s Stamp of the Month from Cornish Heritage Farms (available today, May 1st).  Perfect timing with Memorial Day right around the corner!

I stamped the eagle twice onto Natural Smooth cardstock, coloring both images with Copic markers.  I cut out the top portion of the eagle  and adhered that piece to the first image using pop dots.  

The background on the dark red cardstock is the new Tiled Scallops Backgrounder from CHF.  I cut around the scallops along the bottom edge then sponged all edges with Adirondack Currant ink. 

The sentiment panel was stamped with the Canvas Backgrounder using Adirondack Latte ink.  I crookedly stitched around the edges (I do that best–stitch crookedly) and then heavily sponged the edges using the same ink.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a great day!

Cardstock:  Prism Stormy Dark, Crabapple Dark and Natural Smooth   Stamps:  Cornish Heritage Farms “Proud Eagle,” “Freedom,” “Tiled Scallops” and “Canvas” Backgrounders   Ink:  Brilliance Graphite Black, Ranger Adirondack Latte and Currant   Accessories:  Copic markers (Eggshell, Dull Ivory, Brick Beige, Golden Yellow and Honey), Making Memories star brads, sponge, pop dots.  Card size 4 ¼” x 5 ½”.

Whether news is good or bad is all relative, isn’t it?  Well, I have some news and I’ll leave it up to you to determine if it’s good or bad. 

As some of you know, last summer my son had brain surgery (obviously bad news).  He had some issues with his eyes immediately following surgery and in time, the condition corrected itself.  About two months ago, the condition resurfaced and we have learned that unless it corrects itself once again (which is highly unlikely at this point), another surgery is the only solution.  Although this surgery will be by far less serious than the last, it is still another surgery.  I have been hoping and praying that my son’s eyes will improve, but with each doctor’s visit, I have sat there in disappointment as the doctor tells me there is no change.  So with all of this going on, along with the daily challenges of life, I had been considering cutting back on my design team work.  I wasn’t sure how I was going to go about this, but I have felt it is something I need to do.  I just can’t concentrate on things at home and split myself here and there between my teams and give them all the attention they deserve. 

In the midst of my pondering of what to do, I received an invitation to join the Cornish Heritage Farms design team.  After giving this an enormous amount of thought  (it was in no way an easy decision), I have decided to leave all of my teams and work with CHF.  Although I am very excited to join CHF, I am sad to leave my teams I’ve been with for so long.   They are all wonderful and I will miss them terribly. 

I will still be using stamps by My Favorite Things, Lizzie Anne and C.C. Designs (and Inkadinkado… although that one wasn’t a “team” so to speak).  I just won’t be designing “for” them.  I’ll be designing for CHF.  I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone there and becoming part of their fabulous  team.  :)  So….good? Yes? I think it will be great!

Now onto my card…

Birthday Blessings 

I needed a fairly quick birthday card so I took a few moments to make this one for my sister-in-law.  I used Nature’s Silhouettes from the Kim Hughes collection at Cornish Heritage Farms.    Using all Ranger Distress inks, I inked the stamp in Tattered Rose, then rolled the edges a bit in Worn Lipstick.  I added a few tiny butterflies here and there, sponged the edges with Brushed Corduroy ink and then distressed a little.  The sentiment, stamped in Brushed Corduroy, is from CHF’s Script Essential Expressions from the Mona Lisa Moments Collection. 

The patterned paper was all scraps I had lying around.  I can’t bring myself to toss that Wild Asparagus paper by My Mind’s Eye (and I have a lot of it).

One more thing…some of you have mentioned that you’re receiving multiple copies of my blog updates (via email). I’m not sure what’s up with that or how to fix it but I’ll look into it.  Thanks for letting me know!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  And thanks for listening to my ramblings. I hope you’ll come back, and have a nice day! 

Cardstock:  Prism Natural Smooth   Patterned Paper:  My Mind’s Eye Wild Asparagus “Friends Forever” Gingham and Floral; “Dad & Me” Brown   Stamps:  Cornish Heritage Farms “Nature’s Silhouettes” and “Script Essential Expressions”   Ink: Ranger Distress in Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick and Brushed Corduroy   Accessories:  Karen Foster Earth Tones thumbtack brad, large oval punch, sewing machine/thread, sponge, edge distresser.  Card size 5 ½” x 4 ¼”.

I don’t feel the need to scream…at least not right now, but it’s still early.  :)  Of all the sentiments I own, this is one of my favorites. 

It’s Been Lovely

I think this bird by Inkadinkado (appropriately named “Squawk”) looks like it has had a bit of a rough day, don’t you?  Look at those eyes.  I’d say she’s done.  LOL.  (I often feel like *I* look like that!)

I paired this little chicky with some Basic Grey Sugared patterned paper.  I colored her with Copic markers and used one of those Stampin’ Up mini library clips I just had to have and never use.  And look at that! I got ALL the stitches on the paper edges this time! lol.  (I almost missed it in one spot, but I’m getting better!)

Speaking of things I never use, since I’ve been moving my things into my own space, I have discovered that I have an insane amount of stuff that I will never, in my lifetime, have the opportunity to use.  So I see a blog give-away coming up pretty soon.  I *have* to get rid of some of this stuff! 

Well, it’s been lovely (lol).  I hope you all have a great weekend!! 

ETA:  The sentiment is by Inkadinkado as well.  I think it is “technically” retired but possibly still available in some stores.