Stampendous: Playing with Blocks

WE'RE HAVING A BLOCK PARTY!

 We know this form of crafting will spark your interest and give your mojo a serious boost! That’s why we have prizes!!!  We’ll choose three winners at random from the comments on all blogs in the hop. Then from those three we’ll randomly pick a GRAND PRIZE winner! Two of the winners will receive Stampendous PenPattern Petal and PenPattern Flutter cling stamps, just like you’ll see on Kristine Reynolds amazing ATB sample. They’ll also receive enough pre-cut, premium matboard from Sizzix to make two boxes of your own, plus some extra pieces for fiddly bits! The Grand Prize winner will receive the stamps as above, a whole package of matboard, AND the Sizzix die to cut your own ATB boxes! Uh, WOW! If that weren’t enough, eligibility for these amazing prize packages has expanded to include our international fans too!

We know you won’t want to miss a single creation in this hop, and the Eileen Hull Designs Inspiration Team has several members that live outside the United States, so it took a while for them to get their products from us. We need to give them time to post and you time to comment, so the comment deadline will be Sunday, March 8th. A whole extra week! We will continue posting links as we receive them from the Inspiration Team, so be sure to keep checking back. You get one entry for every comment, so you don’t want to miss the chance to leave a thoughtful comment on each project. For those who tend to get lost, we’ll post a “cumulative” list of links so far on Saturday, February 28th and Saturday, March 7th. Then you can check your progress.

The big “block” hop day is here! It’s time to pull up your comfy chair and favorite beverage while you are inspired by what the designers are creating for their own Artist Trading Blocks.

I come from a long line of cowboys on my Dad's side, and I've really enjoyed pouring over all the old family pics of their ranches in Saskatchewan and Montana. It's a great way to remember all of the old stories. I've used these memories to inspire my project for today.

My ATB box was covered in crumpled tissue adhered to the box and the display frame (actually the leftover Scoreboard from the die cut box sections). Various Deco-Art Mixed Media paints and mediums were brushed over the surface, building up color with an aged feel. Some pigment inks were wiped over the surface and heated to dry, before stamping a few Stampendous images (the Cowboy, Acoustic Sounds, and the Leather Flower background), and stenciling the Dreamweaver Paisley background with black StazOn ink. I applied a small amount of Deco-Art Decou-Page in Matte finish to adhere some of the Stampendous Spoonful of Rust. When dry, I was able to heat the embossing enamel portions without losing the other goodies. It's hard to heat through the scoreboard from underneath to melt everything together. Some distressed twine was wrapped around the box and the frame, and a few pieces of memorabilia were added to the box before it was placed inside the sides of the folded "frame" that I created. My grandfather's handkerchief and bolo tie were among these items, and I've added a few old pics as well.

Here are today’s participating designers -

Stampendous Blog

Pam Hornschu

Asia King

Jamie Martin

Kristine Reynolds

Janelle Stollfus

Tenia Nelson

Amy Hurley-Purdie

Wendy Price

Anna-Karin Evaldsson

Anne Redfern

Donna Budzynski

Diana Hetherington

Stampendous Links:

Shop Stampendous

Stampendous Blog
Follow Stampendous:  Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest * Instagram

Eileen Hull Links:  

Eileen Hull Blog

Shop Eileen Hull Sizzix Dies
Follow Eileen Hull: Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest * Google +* Instagram

The Artists on the Block Links:

The Artists on the Block Blog
Follow The Artists on the Block: Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest

 

 

Boxing Up My Frou Frou for the Month!

Those of you who are here for my Dreamweaver post, sit back and enjoy some additional fun...a mix of Dreamweaver, Stampendous, and Eileen Hull Artist Trading Blocks!

 We are having a “Block Party” and everyone’s invited!

We know this form of crafting will spark your interest and give your mojo a serious boost! That’s why we have prizes!!!  We’ll choose three winners at random from the comments on all blogs in the hop. Then from those three we’ll randomly pick a GRAND PRIZE winner! Two of the winners will receive Stampendous PenPattern Petal and PenPattern Flutter cling stamps, just like you’ll see on Kristine Reynolds amazing ATB sample. They’ll also receive enough pre-cut, premium matboard from Sizzix to make two boxes of your own, plus some extra pieces for fiddly bits! The Grand Prize winner will receive the stamps as above, a whole package of matboard, AND the Sizzix die to cut your own ATB boxes! Uh, WOW! If that weren’t enough, eligibility for these amazing prize packages has expanded to include our international fans too!

Creativity has many dimensions.  Artist trading blocks provide a multi-dimensional canvas for your artistic expression.  It’s never been easier to create, collect and share your style with Stampendous stamps and Essentials, and in the case of my project today...some Dreamweaver products as well!

I created this wedding favor box with one of my die cut ATBs, keeping it fairly simple for multiples. The sides were stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento using the Stampendous Cling Music Score stamp. I used sticky notes to mask off for each square.Then I cut smaller squares of ivory cardstock, and die cut each with the Dreamweaver Leafy Branch Die, and adhered squares of vellum behind each one to soften the look.

Obviously, when you die cut that many squares, you also have that many of the positive image from the die. I used these to layer on top of the box, along with May Arts Lace and Leaf Trim. Previous to this, I used an X-acto knife to cut an "x" in the center of the lid to insert a flameless tealite from underneath. The final touch was a layering of two die cut butterflies from the Stampendous set, along with a layered framed sentiment from the Perfectly Clear Royal Heart Quotes. A few crystals were the only bling necessary. The end result is a very elegant box for candies, or a little gift, or even a cupcake!

Here are today’s participating designers - (Available at 3 AM Pacific Time)

Stampendous Blog

Amy Hurley-Purdie

Lea Kimmel

Pam Hornschu (you're here)

Eileen Hull

Amy Bowerman

Tracy Evans

Lisa Hoel

Stampendous Links:

Shop Stampendous

Stampendous Blog
Follow Stampendous:  Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest * Instagram

Eileen Hull Links:  

Eileen Hull Blog

Shop Eileen Hull Sizzix Dies
Follow Eileen Hull: Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest * Google +* Instagram

The Artists on the Block Links:

The Artists on the Block Blog
Follow The Artists on the Block: Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest

 

For today's Dreamweaver team posts, check out the "B" team here. (Available at 1 AM):

Dream It Up!

Lyn Bernatovich

Louise Healy

Kristine Reynolds

Pam Hornschu

Gill Wilson

Cindy Groh

 

 

More House Mouse Designs® Squee!

I'm not sure if this little guy is "Singing in the Rain" or not, but he should be 'cuz this cute card was super fun to make!

The House Mouse Designs® "Rain Flower" image was stamped and water-colored with Derwent Watercolor Inktense Pencils and a wet paintbrush. Using similar colors, only with acrylic paints instead, I created a Creative Palette print. I brayered some cyan and pthalo green over the palette, allowing to mix slightly, before squirting a bit of Tsukineko® Neon Reinkers in Orange and Yellow into the mix. I laid the Dreamweaver "Rain" stencil on top of the mix, then picked it up and placed it on a panel of the Mixed Media White cardstock to transfer the paint and design. Now the raindrops are a cohesive addition to the previous focal panel. While the paint is wet, I sprinkled a variety of Stampendous Party Fragments over the surface. While this was drying, the base card was Jewel Encrusted with a mix of Color Fragments, Micro Glitter, and Clear Embossing Powder, and a strip of May Arts web was adhered with more goodies. Once everything was dry, the card was assembled, with the final addition being a cute sentiment from the Beary Mice Wishes Perfectly Clear set along with layers of paper flowers, a button, and some twine.

Here's the list to follow to be inspired by the team's mice creations, including the list from Tuesday's creations as well:

Tuesday, February 24th

Pam Hornschu

Amy Hurley-Purdie

Rhea Weigand

Wednesday, February 25th

Stampendous Blog

Pam Hornschu
(you're here)

Kristine Reynolds

 

I Love These Meeces to Pieces!

Though I wouldn't be crazy about having mice get into my cookie jar in the real world, these House Mouse Designs® would be hard to say no to. Especially when the sneaky critters are trying to frame the cat for the crime! This darling Cookie Bandits design was colored with Copic Sketch markers, with an effort at creating a green depression glass jar, with a bit of reflection through it onto the "wallpaper" created by stenciling the Dreamweaver Tulips and Daffodils background. A bit of Glossy Accents was brushed over the jar for a glassy look. I added a Spoonful of Rust Frantagé goodies to the card as well, sort of mimicking cookie crumbs.

 Be sure to visit the Stampendous blog for a link to those of the team who are posting their own House Mouse Designs® creations today!

Woodware: Rustic...Not Rusted

When I think of rustic, I generally think of dark, distressed, and well...rusty. When we received our Woodware challenge for this week, that was where my mind went. However, I am just NOT in a dark and rusty state of mind at the moment, so I'm posting this instead. It is very nature-inspired, so I think that it is appropriate for a rustic theme, don't you?

The base is a panel cut from chipboard with rounded corners, and holes punched through the top. Layers of off-white paper have been inked (dye-based), and stamped (Stampendous Follow Your Art and Cling Music Score), and stenciled (Dreamweaver Open Heart)  before  being torn and layered on the chipboard. Ephemera such as feathers, old keys, and postage stamps have been added. Jute cord was wrapped around and tied. Twill ribbon was wrapped over a branch from my backyard, which was wrapped in netted fabric, and attached to the chipboard with large flat brad fasteners which have been aged. The final detail, and my personal favorite, is the Stampendous Dragonfly, stamped and embossed in white twice, layered and cut out, blinged up with crystals, and now having alit onto the branch.

I guess you could call this a springtime version of rustic! Be sure to visit the rest of our rustic team this week. You can find their links on the Woodware Blog.

Stampendous: Kitty Cuddles

I think this is one of my favorite kitty cards that I created for the Stamepndous October '14 catalog. I love how perfectly I was able to place the two Copic-colored cuties so that they appear to be cuddling together on the piano. Panels of Authentique papers sprinkled with Aged Copper Embossing Enamel were used to hide them a bit so they could dream of singing birdies in peace and quiet. May Arts twine "ties" it all together.

Here's what I've used for this card:

• Cling Feline Sleepy • Mixed Media Cling Musical Motif set • Perfectly Clear Happy Greetings • Authentique Harmony Collection • May Arts' twine • Tuxedo Black Memento • Aged Copper Embossing Enamel • Copic markers • Core'dinations cardstock •

For more kitty inspiration, visit the team links on the Stampendous blog.

Dreamweaver: Frilly Fabulous Frou Frou Fairy!

Break out the frou frou! For the month of February, the Dream Team are going Frilly and Fabulous! Vintage, retro, or modern, adding extra charm with fun Fran•tagé products from Stampendous, ribbons and lace from May Arts, buttons, crystals, charms, or even creating your own dimensional decor! A snippet or a pile, whatever your creative heart desires! Remember to link your creations using the Inlinkz tool on the Dream It Up! blog for a chance to win the stencil of your choice! Bonus points for using Dreamweaver and/or Stampendous product in your work of heart.

Here's what I've been playing with:

Can you say "frilly fabulous frou frou fairy" five times fast? No? Well, neither can I. Fortunately, I only needed to say it once, and create it once, 'cuz this cutie has a LOT going on!

The new Dreamweaver Fairy has been traced with a VersaMark pen and embossed in a few areas with Stampendous Crystal Embossing Powder to keep her ethereal look. A few sprinkles of Stampendous Shaved Ice on the heated powder adds the perfect amount of iridescence. There's also a torn panel of machine-embossed cardstock with the new I-Beams design. The raised areas have been brushed with Clearsnap Coral Chalk Ink, and the card base and panel have been "encrusted" using items from the Stampendous Fran•tagé Pink Encrusted Jewel Kit. A Stampendous sentiment is added along with a Dreamweaver Die Cut Fern, and a section of beautiful May Arts organza roses. The roses were spritzed with Dreamweaver Memories Mists in Mango Lemonade and Pink Lemonade. When you are creating something with this much frou frou, it helps to have a monochromatic color scheme. This way your eyes can relax and enjoy the varieties of shades, dimension, and texture.

For more frilly fun, visit the "A" team:

Dream It Up!

Leadonna Kimmel

Louise Healy

Laura Drahozal

Lynn Mercurio

Pam Hornschu

Jamie Martin

An InLinkz Link-up

Stampendous: Here Kitty Kitty!

I LOVE KITTIES!!! I have two of my own, and have pretty much always had cats. Therefore, this week's kitty challenge on the Stampendous Impressions blog was right up my alley cat...I mean...alley.

Today's kitty is the Cling Feline Fun, and this one thinks that he's going to make friends with the butterflies. He and the orange butterfly have been colored with Copics (as seen at left), as well as the daisies. The  butterfly and the daisies are from the Perfectly Clear Daisy Thanks set. The Core'dinations Vintage cardstock was sanded a bit prior to stamping to lighten up the areas where the flowers would be placed to allow them to be colored. A sprinkling of Hunter Green and Hot Lime Color Fragments were added for more texture. The Perfectly Clear "Life Words" sentiment has been stamped on a die cut scrap of white cardstock cut from the Dreamweaver Nested Frames Die set.

If you're feline curious about the team's kitty creations, slink on over to the Stampendous blog!

Woodware: Happy Wishes for Happy Mums

They celebrate Mother's Day earlier in the year over in the UK than we do here in the States, so that is our challenge for the Woodware team this week. I chose to use this whimsical "You Make Me Happy" Clear Magic set designed by Francoisé Read for Woodware. I used bright Aquarel Watercolor Pencils and a wet paintbrush for the watercolor effect. A Dreamweaver Nesting
Frames Die Cut in yellow was the perfect pop of color off of the blue background for the cut out segments of this design. Borders of gingham ribbons and satin floral trim are the perfect embellishments for Mum. The inside features the Woodware Just Words "Mother's Day" sentiment, along with another die cut frame and more ribbon. For more inspiration for this important occasion, visit the rest of the team member's blogs as linked on the Woodware blog.

Stampendous: Art Journal with a Flourish...and a Few Swirls

It truly is not much of a challenge to work with the various fun flourishes, borders, and textures from Stampendous, but that's what it's all about this week! So...here's my little art journal...

There are four chipboard pages in this little book, with canvas on one side of each. The cover was one of the canvas covered pages. I swiped various inks over the Authentique's Adventure Collection papers, the edges of cover, the die cut sentiment panel. Versamark was added around the edges and embossed with Aged Gold Embossing Enamel. The Cling Ornate Border stamp was stamped and embossed in gold as well. Layers of May Arts burlap and ribbons were added as a banner at the top, and sprinkles of Stampendous Color Fragments and Crushed Glass Glitter were added for a bit of bling.

The inside pages each have a pocket created from Authentique papers on one side, and unique sentiments and quotes like Life is Art, Dream Forever, and Friends from the Happy Greetings set. More inked edges, gold embossing, and sprinkles for a cohesive look, and just because it is so much fun to add all the little Fran•tagé touches!

Additional borders and flourishes were added to each page including the Ornate Border and the Elegant Scroll.

I hope you've enjoyed my little creative journal. For more inspiration, be sure to visit the Stampendous blog.

Dreamweaver: Frilly and Fabulous for February!

Break out the frou frou! For the month of February, the Dream Team are going Frilly and Fabulous! Vintage, retro, or modern, adding extra charm with fun Fran•tagé products from Stampendous, ribbons and lace from May Arts, buttons, crystals, charms, or even creating your own dimensional decor! A snippet or a pile, whatever your creative heart desires! Remember to link your creations using the Inlinkz tool on the Dream It Up! blog for a chance to win the stencil of your choice! Bonus points for using Dreamweaver and/or Stampendous product in your work of heart.

Here's what I've been playing with:

Sometimes in the process of creativity, accidents happen. It's up to you how you view your "oops" moment. I chose to go with it.

This banner was created on a base of cotton canvas paper. One side is pre-coated and ready to create with. I chose to use a palette knife to apply a swipe of Dreamweaver Matte Black Embossing Paste in a thin layer over the canvas. When dry, I placed the Open Heart stencil over the top, and applied Crackle Embossing Paste over the design. Normally, the Crackle works perfectly over the Matte paste, but for some reason, it wanted to crack and peel off, which was quite annoying...until I thought, "hmmm". So, I played some more. I used a dauber to apply VersaMark ink over the surface carefully before sprinkling with Stampendous Deep Impressions Clear embossing powder. After heating this. I spritzed over the entire canvas with Dreamweaver Memories Mists in Pink Lemonade and Mango Lemonade, and let the colors run. I sopped up a bit of the ink with some cotton ribbon, paper flowers, and strips of lace, and set these aside to dry as well. At this point, I still was uncertain as to how my peeling sections would stay put, so I brushed over all with Beacon Fast Finish, letting it ooze underneath and around. After drying (doesn't take long), I stamped the Stampendous Cling Contract and the Follow Your Art sentiment with Black StazOn ink over the canvas and on one paper flower. Holes were punched at the top to allow for the ribbon to tie a painted dowel to the top.  The lace was adhered and brushed with Fast Finish to hold its shape, and the flowers were layered and adhered, with a brad fastener inserted in the center.

Once completed, I was quite pleased with my banner. The cracked and peeling sections added dimension and interest, and let's face it...everyone has had a cracked heart at some point in their lives!

For more frilly fun, visit the "B" team:

Dream It Up!

Lyn Bernatovich

Louise Healy

Alison Heikkila

Kristine Reynolds

Pam Hornschu

Gill Wilson

Cindy Groh

An InLinkz Link-up

Woodware: Playing Along with "The Mirror Crack'd"

For 2015, the Woodware team will receive some interesting new challenges from "The Mirror Crack'd". This week, we are featuring Journal Covers, which are so much fun to create!

Mine was created using a chipboard book base, with rings through the pages which allow each page to lay flat. However, it is easier to create each page and then insert the rings through the sides.
I die cut papers in the same shape as the book, edged each with some ink to distress them, and inked some edges with Clearsnap Mixed Media ink and embossed with Stampendous Aged Gold Embossing Enamel. The edge of the cover page was also treated to a coating of ink and embossing enamel. The blue panel was stamped with the Cling Ornate Border image and embossing in gold as well. Another die cut piece was stamped with the Follow Your Art sentiment in Archival red ink, aged a bit with tan ink, and edged with blue. A little bit of Glossy Accents was applied to adhere sprinkles of Stampendous Color Fragments and Chunky Glass Glitter. A layering of banner cut sections of coarse fabric with lace, twill, and a ribbon tie complete the cover. I hope you'll take the opportunity to play along with this challenge as well. You can find all the details on the Woodware blog as well as the Mirror Crack'd blog.