Monthly Archives: January 2016

You Make the World a Better Place

CLICK HERE FOR PAPER SMOOCHES BLOG HOP.

Hi everyone! TGIF!  (Although around here, it’s been “Friday” for the last nine days.) Anyway, it’s time for Stamping Bella‘s weekly challenge. Last week we shared a {Mojo}Bella sketch which you can see at the bottom of THIS post.  I’ve used super-cute Bunny Pile from the Stuffies Collection.

Michele Boyer - Stamping Bella

I used Copics to color the image and followed the sketch to a T (this time).  🙂

Michele Boyer - Stamping Bella

Copic markers – BG10, BG70, C1, C2, C3, E31, E33, E50, E51, E53, R00, R01, YG06, YG13, YG17

Next week’s theme is “Love is in the Air.” Use any current Stamping Bella image to create a card or project then email your card to [email protected] by next Thursday to be featured on the SB blog and to be entered to win some Bella Bucks!  (All challenge details can be found HERE.)

And don’t forget, there are only a few more days to get January’s Stamp of the Month, Brittany the Birthday Girl, at 20% off!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

1amichele siggy 

Paper Smooches February Release Hop

It’s Pep Rally week and we are here today to share a sampling of the NEW Paper Smooches FEBRUARY 2016 release!  ONE new stamp set and FIVE new dies will be available to purchase at 8:00 pm PT on January 31st.  You will find our new products HERE once they go live.

To add extra fun to our hop, we are offering a $25 gift code to choose what you like from the PS online store.

Here are the details:

  • FOUR winners will be chosen at RANDOM from any of the design team blogs and the PS Blog to win the $25 prize.
  • Just leave a comment on any of the design team blogs listed below or the PS blog for your chance to win!  (You do not need to comment on all blogs to qualify but it increases your chances.)
  • Deadline: You have until midnight PT on Sunday, January 31st to leave a comment.
  • Please check the Paper Smooches blog on Monday, February 1st to see if you are one of the FOUR lucky winners.

To increase your chances of winning:

  • Tell us that you Facebooked about our blog hop.
  • Tell us that you Tweeted about our hop.
  • Tell us that you posted on your blog about our blog hop.

(That’s up to three extra chances to win on each blog!)

On my card I’ve used new Fun & Flirty sentiments with new Rain Boot dies.

Michele Boyer - Paper Smooches

I added a couple Clouds, raising the larger one on Kool Tak clear foam squares and the smaller one on X-Press It 1/2″ foam tape. I like the varying heights. The sun was die-cut using Weather dies and the “grate” is part of Hot Spots Small Base. The rain drops are part of the Rain Boot die set. 🙂

All patterned paper is from Echo Park’s Sweet Girl 6″x 6″.

Michele Boyer - Paper Smooches

Be sure to hop along and comment with the rest of the DT to increase your chances of winning one of the four $25 gift codes!

Thanks for visiting!  And happy hopping!  🙂

1amichele siggy

Happy Mother’s Day, southwest style (Taylored Expressions)

Hi everyone! I finally ventured out yesterday among the high piles of snow and disappearing lanes. My teenage son was so sick of being in and around the house, he decided to ride along to Michael’s. Haha. I didn’t hear one complaint as I slowly roamed the aisles looking for the items on my list. So funny.

Today I’ve used Simply Succulents stamp and die combo from Taylored Expressions. Perfect, since I’m dreaming of warm, dry Tucson. 🙂

Michele Boyer - Taylored Expressions

All stamping and coloring was done with X-Press It Blending Card and Copic markers. I used Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolors to create as a background. I am totally insecure with water coloring, and after hearing rave reviews about the current on-line card class, have decided to give it a go. I’ve only had a chance to watch and listen to the first day’s lessons but wow! A TON of helpful information. I’m so glad I signed up. If you are even mildly interested, you should check it out. Don’t be intimidated by the word “intermediate.” It’s fabulous! Dawn is amazing.

Michele Boyer - Taylored Expressions

Copic markers – E08, E09, E31, E33, E35, E37, R56, R89, RV95, V93, Y21, YG03, YG05, YG11, YG17, YG97, YR14

Next week February previews begin so I hope you’ll stop back in for that. Thanks for visiting!

1amichele siggy

Sending You Smiles (with new Kirarina Wink)

Hi everyone! We’ve spent the last two days trying to shovel out from the blizzard but in between, I managed to spend a bit of time in my craft room.  Now available from Imagination International are two new Kirarina Wink pens – Emerald and Violet.  I used Emerald on my project along with Old Rose, Dandelion and White Pearl. (I love them on black card stock.) You can read a bit more about the Kirarina Wink pens HERE.

I’ve used For to Us (it’s not just for Christmas!) and Sending and Wishing along with the coordinating Sending die from Simon Says Stamp. (Sending and Wishing with both dies can be purchased all together here.)

Michele Boyer - Simon Says Stamps

Here’s how I created my card:

1-Stamp-black

First stamp the swag onto black card stock using black ink. If your ink disappears very quickly, try another brand. Some show better than others.

2-Color-images

Use Kirarina Wink pens to trace and color the image.

3-Color-Diecut

Die-cut “Sending” from black card stock then color with Old Rose. Once dried, I colored over the die-cut a second time.

4 Adhere-diecut

Adhere beneath the colored swag.

5-Repeat-stamp-and-color

Stamp the second swag in black ink and color.

Michele Boyer - Simon Says Stamps

Kirarina Wink – Emerald, Old Rose, Dandelion, White Pearl

Lastly, I used my powder tool over all areas, then stamped the remainder of the sentiment in white ink and embossed with white powder.  🙂

Thanks so much for visiting today!

1amichele siggy

Warm Wishes (on a blizzard of a day)

Hi everyone! This week’s challenge with Stamping Bella was to use an inspiration photo (which you can see at the bottom of this post). Since we are expecting a blizzard today with snow totally 18-28 inches (gah!), I thought I’d create a card sending warm wishes. I went with the teal/red/gray/white color palette using Uptown Girl Quinn and her Boots.

Michele Boyer - Stamping Bella

After stamping and coloring with Copics, I added dots of dimensional snow using a Kirarina Wink White Pearl pen. So quick and easy.  🙂

Michele Boyer - Stamping Bella

Copic markers – BG10, BG32, BG72, BG75, BG78, C00, C1, C2, C5, C6, E00, E01, E11, E31, E35, E50, R01, R29, R59, R89, Y21; Kirarina Wink White Pearl

Next week’s challenge includes another fabulous {MoJo}Bella sketch:

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Create a card using any current Stamping Bella image then email your card to [email protected] by next Thursday to be featured on the SB blog and to be entered to win some Bella Bucks!  (All challenge details can be found HERE.)

And don’t forget, there’s one more week to get January’s Stamp of the Month, Brittany the Birthday Girl at 20% off!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

1amichele siggy

Adding Sparkle and Shine with atyouSpica Glitter Pens

Hi everyone!  Today I’m sharing my favorite ways to use one of my most loved crafting supplies, atyouSpica glitter pens. I don’t have all the colors, but I do have three or four each of my favorites -Buttermilk, Clear and Gold. (I never want to run out of those.)

All-Pens

First, here’s a bit about Spica glitter pens from the Imagination International website:

  • Archival
  • Acid-Free
  • Non-Toxic
  • Unique no-clog felt tip
  • Works on a variety of surfaces
  • 24 colors (one clear) sold individually and in sets of 6 and 12.
  • Transparent pigment based ink, can be used over other inks
  • Micro glass flakes, more reflective than other additives
  • Waterproof when dry
  • Long-Lasting – Writes for over 360 yards!
  • Colored caps for easy color identification
  • Should be stored horizontally to keep the flakes of glass evenly distributed

I like to use the darker, more vibrant pens to color in small areas or objects. They’re also great for writing a message inside a card or addressing an envelope. The lighter colors are amazing for adding just a touch of color and/or sparkle over Copic coloring. (This is my favorite way to use Spica pens.)

Here are a few samples, one new and a couple older.

Michele Boyer - Paper Smooches

Atyou Spica – Gold and Melon Green

On this cute leprechaun from Paper SmoochesMagical Spring , I used Gold to color the buckles and bow, layering extra color on the bow to create a bit of shadow. There is no additional color beneath the gold. It provides amazing coverage and lots of sparkle. I will use the gold pen to write my sentiment inside and to address my envelope. On the clover, I used a Melon Green pen to add the darkest (sparkly) green shadow along the outer edges.

Michele Boyer - Paper Smooches

Last month I gave this rainbow (using Paper Smooches’ Weather dies) a little extra pizzazz by coloring over each die-cut card stock strip with a coordinating Spica pen before inserting into the rainbow.

Michele Boyer - Paper Smooches

Atyou Spica – Red, Orange, Lemon, Melon Green, Sky Blue, Pink, Lavender

It’s super sparkly.  🙂

Michele Boyer - Paper Smooches

My favorite technique using Spica pens is to add light color/sparkle over Copic coloring. I think it looks amazing!

Michele Boyer - Kraftin Kimmie Stamps

Atyou Spica Buttermilk and Clear

This mermaid, from Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps’ Sea  Jewels, is super-sparkly thanks to Buttermilk and Clear Spica pens. I love those two!  (I created this card several years ago. I’ve been using Spica pens for a long time. They’re a must-have for me.)

Michele Boyer - Kraftin Kimmie Stamps

You can purchase and find more info on atyouSpica glitter pens HERE on the Imagination International web page. And check out the new iii 2016 catalog HERE.

Thanks so much for visiting!

1amichele siggy

You’re an Inspiration (Taylored Expressions)

Hi everyone.  🙂   Today I’ve used Choose Hope, a new stamp and die combo from Taylored Expressions.  It’s a lovely set including several sentiments (in a beautiful font) along with two ribbon dies and the tiny heart I added below.

Michele Boyer - Taylored Expressions

To create the background, I embossed a panel of Sugar Cube card stock using new Flower Power embossing folder.

Michele Boyer - Taylored Expressions

I have a friend who just completed her very last chemo treatment on Monday. She has stayed incredibly positive throughout the entire process and truly IS an inspiration. This card will go to her.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

1amichele siggy

A couple more from Paper Smooches

Hi everyone. I’m still not feeling 100% so I’m combining two posts into one today. I feel like this sinus stuff is never going to end. I have two cards to share, both using new stamps and dies from Paper Smooches‘ latest release.

First, I’ve used new Curls & Swirls stamp set along with Best Buds and new Best Buds Icons dies.

Michele Boyer - Paper Cuts

After stamping swirls as a background, I added a bit of definition with a Kraft marker. The banner was stamped onto X-Press It Blending Card, colored with Copic markers and then popped up on foam tape. To add a bit more interest, I applied Glossy Accents to the flower centers and yellow dots.

Michele Boyer - Paper Cuts

Copic markers – E35, E40, E43, E57,G09, G14, W00,W1, W2, Y19, Y21, Y32, YG05, YG07, YG17, YR23.

I used Curls and Swirls on my next card as well as new Get Well 2 die.

Michele Boyer - Paper Cuts

I die-cut the sentiment first from the purple card stock (which doesn’t look so purple here), then used only the tail of the g to add back in the part that hangs over the purple strip.  “Love  you” was stamped in a third ink color using Hip Hands stamp set.

Michele Boyer - Paper Cuts

Thanks for visiting today! I’ll be back soon.  🙂

1amichele siggy

Thanks a lot card

Get Well card

Quick and Easy Sympathy Cards (because sometimes two just aren’t enough)

Hi everyone. 🙂

While I always try to have a couple sympathy cards on hand, this week, sadly, two were not enough. Since time is short for me this weekend, I  turned to my One Sheet Wonder template, chose one of the card layouts and quickly turned out six cards.

Our-Thoughts-and-PrayersRev

I needed four this week 🙁  but while I had all of the supplies on my table, I decided to create a few extras for Jennifer McGuire’s Lasting Hearts Card Drive which you can read about HERE. There are several ways to participate so please check out the details on her blog.

Also note that Simon Says Stamp has brought back their hugely popular Prayers stamp and die set, which I’ve used here. With every purchase SSS is donating 25%. I absolutely love this set and consider it one of those necessary staples for card making.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend!

1amichele siggy

Sprinkle Life with a Little Silliness

Hi everyone. It’s time for another Mojo/Bella sketch with Stamping Bella! This week I’ve used Iron Chef Chicks from the Cool Chicks Collection. So cute and so fun.  🙂

Michele Boyer - Stamping Bella

My little chickadees were stamped onto X-Press It Blending Card, colored with Copic markers and accented with Pebbles Fun in the Sun patterned papers.

Michele Boyer - Stamping Bella

Copic markers – BG13, BG15, BG18, BG70, C00, C2, C3, C5, E30, E31, E33, E35, E37, E41, E42, E43, R01, R24, R29, R39, Y11, Y17, Y18, Y35, YR09, YR14

Next week’s challenge is to create a card using this inspiration photo and any current Stamping Bella image:

12345401_1021139407942685_2224965198371527289_n

Email your card to [email protected] by next Thursday to be entered to win some Bella Bucks!  (All challenge details can be found HERE.)

Also, there are quite a few stamps/sets in the Stamping Bella store on sale for 50% through January 21st. You can find theme HERE.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

1amichele siggy