Couple on the Beach

Aloha dear ones,

Wouldn't it be lovely to be able to cuddle on a warm sandy beach, watching the sun go down? I love this stamp set/image, especially making anniversary, wedding, engagement, or just lovey dovey cards.

I used Copic Markers on the couple, after first stamping them in Cocoa Brown (Memento inks). I cut out a mask and used Memento inks to sponge around some soft sand, softly glowing sunset, and distressed the embossed layer behind it.

Made for the SCS VSN Challenge by Lee, "A Motto of Design" (the Olympic Games). The 3 letters Lee wanted us to incorporate into the challenge are: C, A, F. I used Couple for C, Anniversary for the A, and foliage for the F. I am officially 11 challenges behind tonight lol.

Stamp Sets: All Stampin' Up - "Summer by the Sea (the couple)," "Express Yourself (narrow and short sentiments)," and "Flowering Fields (tall plants)."; SB Fancy Framed Tag Dies #1
Cardstock GKD 120# White Base, Neenah 80# white layer, AC Pink
Inks: Copic Markers, Memento Inks, Delicata Gold (around sentiment)
Dies: Gina Marie cross stitch rectangle
Darice Embossing Folder: "Florals"
Wink of Stella Clear, Want2Scrap Rhinestones, Signo White Gel Pen

I'm sure that most of you are asleep, and I am quickly catching up with you. My eye lids are so heavy, I will be going to sleep asap.

Thank you for visiting my friends!
May your lives be overfilled with love!

With Aloha ♥

A Textured Seahorse

Aloha everyone,

Has it been a good week for you? I hope so because a new one is about to begin! Apologizing in advance for the long description of various techniques and products used below. You might want to get a cuppa!

Splitcoast Stampers is having a weekend VSN (virtual stamping night) which started last night. So far I have completed 1, uno, ein, ichi card. I'm behind before it starts! But have no fear - they allow a few extra days to complete and enter all of our submissions. It's a fantastic way to create cards and brush up on new ideas, infusing your mojo with renewed energy. I used several techniques on this card which I will explain below --

Do you know the name of the manufacturer of the below seahorse? I bought it years ago on EBay, unmounted, red rubber. It did not have a name, so if any of you recognize it, could you let me know who made it? Thank you!

The challenge is about using water so I tried two different techniques. The Seahorse was heat embossed with Liquid Platinum embossing powder. Cover with your favorite distress inks and carefully wipe the seahorse or image with a little wet wipe to remove the inks from the image. Drop water onto the image and after a few seconds, blot up with a dry cloth or tissue. This creates some bubble-like background for your underwater image.

Direct to paper your VersaMark pad to cover the entire image with ink, sprinkle with UTEE (ultra thick embossing powder) and heat until clear. Do this three times for a glossy, thick finish. Allow to cool. You can leave it that way or you can bend it all over into the "Cracked Glass" technique which is what I did. I covered the top with a layer of Mod Podge to increase the gloss and seal the cracks.

For the textured background panel, I used Gansai Watercolors in teals, blues and yellows to match up with the underwater scene. While wet, sprinkle large grain Sea Salt all over. Spray all over with Perfect Pearl water. Allow to dry or use a heat tool like I did (no patience here). Use metallic color pastes and dab all over the textured panel. In real life you can see lots and lots of texture, shine and metals on this panel.

The black layering panel was run through with a Sizzix "Rope" embossing folder, then covered with the same aqua and green metallic paint as the textured panel. It gives the rope black panel a metallic sheen that isn't picked up in the picture.

Stamp bubbles all over the card base and heat emboss with clear or Holographic Embossing Powder like this one. Cut out piece of burlap for yet more texture and interest and assemble your pieces. Finally, add three clear bubble embellies for adding to the underwater scene.


Stamps: Seahorse (unknown, let me know if you recognize it, red rubber); Deep Red Rubber "Bubble" background
Cardstock: GKD Turquoise Sea & AC Black
Distress Inks: Peeled Paint, Chipped Sapphire, Peacock Feathers, Scattered Straw
Gansai Tambi Watercolors in teals and yellows
Versamark; UTEE; Ranger Liquid Platinum & Holographic Embossing Powder
Large Grain Sea Salt; Perfect Pearl spray (mine is homemade)
3D Stemple Farbe (metallic paints) "Light Blue" and "Lime Green"
Burlap, crystal bubbles (Pretty Pink Posh), adhesive foam squares, Scor Tape, Dries Clear, corner rounder

Thank you for your patience with this card's details -- 

I used quite a few products and a couple different techniques.

Thank you for coming by!

Consider yourself bear hugged ♥ Aloha

Oregon: Beavers or Ducks???

Typically them thar's FIGHTIN' words LOL.

FUN challenge for Kim's "Rival Teams" over at SCS VSN Challenge this last weekend

Humor often diffuses tension so how about these cards? The answer to the first card is ... "Duck-U-mentories!!!" {big grin}

Both images are digis from the net. I used Swiss Dots EF on the duck's card, and Argyle EF on the beaver card.

Thank you very much for stopping by to take a look, get a chuckle, feel a little happier? Yes!

Thank you so much for visiting my crafty outlet !!!

Moon Rise

I love Theresa Momber's tutorials on sponging a variety of scenery. She can blend colors like nobody's business.

This is for Ann's "I Spy" VSN Challenge over at SplitcoastStampers Website. The VSN this month is about opposites. So I spied a dark sky with a bright moon rising. Using Theresa's sponging technique in my humble way, I tried to recreate an ocean scene with stars twinkling above. Yes, I have a long, long way to go but the more steps we put forth forward, the closer  to the goals we get, Yes? Sitting still doesn't get us any closer to achieving :*

Stamp Sets by Theresa Momber, "Aloha" and "Tropical Nature." Both available at GKD.
Pure Luxury cardstock available at GKD.
Memento inks and markers used, as well as Signo White gel pen for stars and waves.
Cuttlebug Twig embossing folder
Pop dots to lift the panel from the card.

Moon Rise

Thank you dear ones for looking!

Love Ladybugs

Finally I got to enter ONE card made today into my first SCS VSN! (Many of my friends are disabled, too, so they will truly understand this card was made with tears as pain levels in my left low back are 8-9/10 and I need to hurry to get off line & take care of this. I'll add/edit later.)

Free digi image on Pinterest, "Love Lady"
Stampin' Up background and sentiment stamps
Colored with Copic Markers
Spellbinders Decorative Labels 8
Stickles Diamonds
Stash: ribbon, rhinestones, ladybug glued to mini clothespin, leaf charm, glue dots, pop dots

OK, I'm back, sort of. Am feeling quite ill, but so happy to have found CDAC (see challenge below)

Entered into: Outlawz Greeting Challenge, Feb 25 2013 
                      Crafter's Digital Art Center, "Anything Goes"

Thank you so much for looking!