Beautiful Day

 To new beginnings…. I’m not a fan of adventures . The unknown, being out of my comfort zone in everyday life. It’s a different ball game when it comes to creativity. Stepping out of my inner circle and exploring new techniques and applying them to older ones. The difference is being creative in the craft room is it’s the  safe zone. You know what they say ‘what happens in the craft room ~ stays in the craft room’ lol I made a card about being in the moment and seeing where it takes you.

Distress watercolour card stock is my go to for inky backgrounds. Especially with distress oxides. Magic happens when spritzing with water then heat setting it. 

I love how versatile Tim’s + Stampers Anonymous stamps are. I used cms358 music and advert. Applying distress archival in vintage photo to random parts of music background stamp then to smooshed oxide background.

I’ve always wanted to use the cms329 Theories stamp set and glad I bought it. Seeing the gentleman with the balloon and how others have used him. I was inspired to make. The properties of distress archival inks are perfect if you want a crisp look as they are permanent. I like to use the mini distress archival inks as they are easier to ink the detailed parts of stamps.

Sorting through ephemera is always a fun task. Cropping it to fit or using for layers. This particular ephemera piece is from an older package of Tim’s. I don’t remember what type of ephemera it came from. Mental note: always keep packaging lol. If anyone knows the name it would be greatly appreciated. machine stitched corners with brown thread. I wanted a messy look so I ran it through the sewing machine like a race car but not getting to carried away. Next I grabbed the cello tape which was gifted to me by a great friend. You know who you are. Place it in random places on the card. 

Tim’s chitchat stickers are perfect for everyday words. Distress spritz in Antique linen for an added touch 

I hope you take the time to make stuff ~ it’s good for the soul.

Christina 

Sugar and Spice

 When Simon Says Stamp released their Sugar & Soice line, I knew then I had to have the bird dies. Beautiful Cardinal + Perched Bird paired with Charming Berry Branch + modern loop embossing folder is a match made in heaven. I made two Christmas cards. One with traditional colours and the other has a wintery vibe.

Starting with mixed media heavy stock white for the card base, SF541 modern loop embossing folder to add texture.

Swipe distress oxide in antique linen on embossing folder, place card stock in folder and run through machine. I used my Sizzix foldaway. It has great pressure for embossed backgrounds. Tho any machine will do. I repeated the process with distress oxide pumice stone for the wintery card. Adding more dimension with TH/SA cms324 sparkles and Christmas stamp set. Using the Christmas background stamp and distress ink, to randomly stamp on background.

Playing with leaves is always fun! Especially with the Charming berry branch die. Inked with traditional and wintery colours.

I love birds. They are natures wonder. Bringing the beautiful cardinal and perched bird dies to life using a blend of distress inks.

Captions are everything. They give a nice final touch to your makes and sometimes tell the beginning of a story. The sayings from cms429 sketch greenery have the perfect font to go with the beautiful cardinal. White on black makes a nice focal point. Tim Holtz sticker book Christmas 2024 is great for sayings. So much to choose from. Different fonts, sizes and colours to fit any make. I chose a Christmas Dream for the wintery perched bird. 

A machine stitched border adds the perfect touch to any make. I especially love it on Christmas cards. Leaving loose threads adds character. 

Which one is your favourite? I hope you enjoyed my tutorial and it leaves you feeling inspired.

Christina 

Choose to Shine

 Receiving Simon Says Stamp card of the month kit for February ~ distress vintage notes ~ I knew the possibilities would be endless. With coordinating dies makes it easier to cut, no fuss and easy. I adore the flower stamp and music notes, and thought they would be perfect on a card. This is what I came up with.

Starting with distress watercolour card stock, distress oxides in tattered rose, saltwater taffy and old paper creates a nice soft background with TH/SA cms293 brushstrokes stamp set.

Giving the brushstrokes more definition lightly stamp the musical notes with coordinating distress inks.

The flower stamp from sss vintage love notes is the perfect size for this card. Stamped with distress archival ink makes it easier to use with distress watercolour pencil crayons. The beauty of these pencil crayons is they blend like butter. No water needed. I wanted to keep the colour family by using tattered rose, saltwater taffy and old paper. Using the same colours in different distress gives the card dimension. sss vintage love notes comes with coordinating dies. Perfect for the flower 

TH/SA cms394 tiny text has a type set font that is the perfect size for this make. 

I picked up a tip from one of my crafty friends, Kath Stewart, by creating a soft blend just around the edges of white card stock with distress oxide in tattered rose. 

Creating the border, machine stitched with cream thread creating an elegant yet messy look by leaving loose ends at the corners.

Hope you enjoyed my tutorial and it leaves you feeling inspired.

Christina

Berry Wishes

 Winter is here. We had our first snowfall warning for the season, up to 25cm for this weekend. There is a mountain ash tree out front (it has always been a late bloomer) and looks so beautiful especially with all the snow on top of the berries.

I was inspired to make a Winter + Christmas card with all the warm + cozy vintage feels.

The Base:

Distress watercolour card stock is my go to for card bases. Smoosh distress ink lost shadow, distress oxide in pumice stone, distress sprayer for movement, heat set between layers. Spray distress spritz in weather wood in random areas of card base, then heat set.

It's all in the layers:

Creating depth on the card base using texture fades birch trees and falling snow. Distress ink pumice stone for definition.

Adding more layers for depth. Branch birch die + 3D texture fades lumber. Using the poking tool from my sidekick to get all the negative shapes out of the branch birch die. 

Giving the trees a little more character by adding a blend of distress inks frayed burlap + lost shadow. Ending with an even blend on top of lost shadow. This gives a soft wintery effect.

I love the size of birds from the vault series lovebirds. They are perfect for this make. Die cut the bird twice, blend distress inks pumice stone, old paper, distress oxide antique linen to the body and feet of the bird. Distress inks lost shadow + scorched timber for the wings (cut out wing from second bird) and head. Use pop up dots to adhere wing on top of bird. Make sure to leave an opening white on the face of the bird. 

Giving the illusion of snow on the birds wing, using a splatter brush + distress paint picket fence.

Making twigs for the winter bird to perch on with wood planks from my stash + vault wildflowers.

Tim's + Stampers Anonymous new stamp set Florist Floor is definitely another favourite. I love the scale of these stamps. I chose the twig of berries. Stamped in archival ink + coloured with distress watercolour pencil crayons, on the branches and berries. 

Tim's new recoil scissors makes fussy cutting a lot easier. The comfort grip gives you more control when cutting the details of a stamp. Fussy cut the berries from florist floor, then apply texture paste sparkle. Let it air dry. The results are amazing. Gives the right amount of sparkle and give an elegant look of snow + frost on the berries.

The Finishing touches:

Adhere the winter bird with pop up dots, twigs + berries for the bird to perch on with collage medium. Tim's idea ology label stickers 'wishes' 

The final touch that ties everything together, a machine stitched border, leaving a few loose threads at the corners. 

I hope you enjoyed all the warm + cozy vintage feels of this make and it leaves you feeling inspired.

Christina 

Dashing Through the Snow

 Tim Holtz + Stampers Anonymous Home for Christmas stamp set has all the vintage feels. Especially the vehicle with the Christmas tree on top. I made a Christmas card using this stamp with a twist.

The Base:

Distress watercolour card stock as the base. Distress inks in antique linen + pumice stone, distress oxide in antique linen, spritz with water dying between layers. Next add droplets of distress spritz in antique linen for a nice sparkling finish.

It's all in the Layers:

Alterations texture fade in falling snow has been my go to this year. It adds the right amount of texture to any make. Another go to for me is distress ink walnut stain. It's perfect for blending edges.

I had a 'what if ' moment. Making a wood panel for the side of the car. Using distress wood grain card stock + a blend of distress inks in antique linen, gathered twigs + vintage photo.

Stamp the vintage car twice, masking out the tree. Distress watercolour pencil crayon in aged mahogany for car base, then cut out door panel from wood grain background. Adhere panel to car.

I chose a different tree to place on top of the car from the stamp set Into the Woods, with distress inks in forest moss + vintage photo.

Finishing Touches:

Tim's re-coiling scissors are awesome for fussy cutting, especially being left handed make it easier. Fussy cut the tree, then adhere to top of car. I love the type written font stamps from Home for Christmas. I chose the saying ' dashing through the snow' masked out the word 'snow' then stamped the top portion to the card. The font from Tim's new vault seasonal sketch dies is awesome. Die cut the letters 'S' 'N' 'O' 'W' from Kraft stock classic in red and place them under the saying. 

To complete the card, I machine stitched the border using cream thread.

Hope you enjoyed all the vintage feels and it leaves you feeling inspired.

Christina

Best Day Ever

 One of the best things in life is taking some time to create. Today I'm going to show you how easy and simple it is to make a fun birthday card.

The Base:

Starting with distress watercolour card stock as a base, smoosh distress oxides of your choice on to craft sheet. Spritz with water and heat set between layers, till you achieve the desired background.

It's all in the layers:

Using mixed media heavy stock, place the Sizzix bold text #1 die on top and tape the edges, (I use painters tape because it's easier to peel off) then run or crank it through your machine. Adhere the negative part of the words and save the letters for another project.

The finishing touch:

One of my favourite tools to use while I emboss stuff is the Ranger Handle It tool. It's easy and clips onto the paper your embossing and you won't burn your fingers. lol 

I love Tim's stamp set Noteworthy, it has a really awesome font and the sayings are perfect for any occasion. I chose the saying 'Best Day Ever', trimmed it to size using Tim's new Tonic mini recoil snips. These scissors are amazing. Being left handed, just got better. 

Next adhere the saying to the front of the card at an angle. The contrast of the white on black ads a nice crisp finish.

I hope you enjoyed my tutorial and it leaves you feeling inspired.

Christina 

Be Awesome Today

 With Mother's day fast approaching, I made a detailed ATC (artist trading card) for my mom. I chose it for the size 2-1/2 x 3-1/2. It's perfect for layering elements especially if it's something new you want to try and less intimidating. 

The base:  Starting with mixed media heavy stock for the base, ink up cms348 ornate & lace stamp set, I used the ornate stamp, with distress ink/oxide in tattered rose. Ink edges of card stock starting with antique linen, pumice stone, then finishing with walnut stain.

It's all the layers:  Aging the doily from Tim's vault boutique die with distress inks in old paper and walnut stain with a ink blending tool.

Next I cut the paper down to the size of an ATC. Adhered the doily to one side of the ATC then trimming off the excess. Made a frame from the vault picture show dies set. Then I inserted an old photo of my mom using a mini printer.

When I saw Tim's and Stampers Anonymous new stamps from forgotten garden, I new they would be well used. I also purchased the co-ordinating dies from SSS which makes a huge difference if you're not a huge fan of fussy cutting. Next colour with distress watercolour pencils, they blend well and are easy to control.

The finishing touch:    Tim Holtz/idea ology small talk stickers are great for adding little sayings to your makes and add the perfect touch. I used pop ups for dimension.

I hope you enjoyed the process of my make and it leaves you feeling inspired.

Christina