Believe

After watching a Tim Holtz video yesterday, I decided to give the Distress Oxide inks a try on Glossy White cardstock. What you can't see in the photo is the overall shiny look to the card.  I must say that I do like the look of them on the glossy.

It was a bit of a learning curve for me but I am happy with the outcome.  One of the thing I discovered is once completely dry, the color will rub off on your fingers.  To eliminate this for the recipient, I simply went over it gently with a paper towel.  It took off all the "chalky" feel and left a very nice shiny look.  It's the only time I have known these inks to rub off.  On the other papers I've used them on that does not happen.  By completely dry, I mean that I dried each layer of color I applied with my heat tool then, set it aside to dry overnight.

Stamp Set:  Believe (Momenta); Distress Oxide Inks:  Faded Jeans, Fossilized Amber, Peeled Paint, Spiced Marmalade, Vintage Photo, Wilted Violet, Worn Lipstick (Tim Holtz); Cardstock:  Always Artichoke, Glossy White (both Stampin' Up!); Other:  Sequins, White Blizzard Glitter Drops (Nuvo)

The sketch I used is from the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge.  For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Birthday Stars

Well, it's been one of those days.  My poor car has an issue and I was not sure it was going to get resolved but I'm so pleased and thankful that come tomorrow I'll have my little burgundy car back on the road taking me wherever I want to go.  I'm happy!

Today I'm sharing another card I made using the Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Inks.  It's a bright cheerful card and I know one of my grandchildren will love it.

The birthday theme challenge at The Paper Players Challenge was the perfect place to show off another of my distress oxide inks card I made at a recent Taylored Expressions class. They really are a lot of fun and you can do so many different things with them.

For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

So glad you stopped by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Hello Friend

One of the things I love about living where I do, is that I have a local stamp company right in my own back yard.  Taylored Expressions is just a hop, skip and jump away.  It gives me lots of opportunities to attend all kinds of classes.

The last one I attended was all about Tim Holtz's Distress Oxide Inks.  It was so much fun learning different ways to use them.  I thought this one would fit perfectly with The Flower Challenge this month.  I love how easy it is to blend the colors and get just the look you want.

An "anything goes" challenge has always been one of my favorites which is why I was so excited when I saw this week's challenge at The Flower Challenge.  It gave me a chance to show off one of the cards I made using Distress Oxide Inks. 

For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

So glad you stopped by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Wild Tangelo Twist Rose

This week's Friday Mashup challenge is all about background or something 3-D or both.  For my background I dug out one of my favorite Tim Holtz stamps and stamped a wood background to showcase my flower.  To color the rose, I stamped the Tangelo Twist ink pad down on my craft mat, spritzed the ink with water then, laid the flower in the diluted ink.  After drying the rose with my Heat Tool, I sprayed it with some Radiant Rain Shimmering Mist to give it a little sparkle.  As you can tell, I still need to get a light of my photo tent.  The picture is a little dark and does not show off the true color of the flower.  It is much prettier in real life.

Stamp Sets:  Work of Art, Tim Holtz Wallpaper and Wood (Stampers Anonymous); Inks:  Mossy Meadow, Tangelo Twist, Blackberry Bliss, Tim Holtz Vintage Photo (Ranger); Card Stock:  Mossy Meadow, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Doily (Bo Bunny), Wild Rose Flower (Petaloo), Radiant Rain Gold Pearl Shimmering Mist (Creative Imaginations), Mini Glue Dots, SNAIL

All Stampin' Up!® Product unless otherwise noted.

You can find The Friday Mashup Challenge HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Strawberry Slush Thinking of You

My friend, Heather, would be so proud!  She loves pink!  For some reason, it's really starting to grow on me, too.  I'll be honest, I've not been a fan of pink but lately, I seem to be grabbing it more and more.  Oh, and just to set your minds at ease, it does not replace my love of blue!  :-)

The CAS(E) this Sketch has a great sketch this week.  It was perfect for a stencil I bought months ago and have never used.  I even spritzed it with some Shimmer Mist, although that doesn't show up well in the photo.

Stamp Set:  Teeny Tiny Wishes (Stampin' Up!); Ink:  Strawberry Slush (Stampin' Up!); Card Stock:  Strawberry Slush, Whisper White, Baked Brown Sugar (Stampin' Up!); Accessories & Tools:  Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch (Stampin' Up!), Splatters Stencil (Tim Holtz Collection), Radian Rain Shimmer Mist (Splash of Color), Silver Jewels, Dimensionals

You can find the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Happy Thanksgiving

Today I'm playing along with a new, to me, challenge over at CAS-ual Fridays.  The challenge was to use a Fall color palette and at least one leaf in a clean and simple design.  It also gave me the opportunity to use one of the cut files I have for my Silhouette SD.

The leaves have now started to change here in Iowa.  The trees out my front door are adding a touch of golden yellow to their branches.  I think this weekend will be a good one to go check how much Fall color is out there.  Another week or two and should be beautiful.

 

Stamp Set:  Teeny Tiny Wishes (Stampin' Up!); Inks:  Tim Holtz Vintage Photo (Ranger), Soft Suede (Stampin' Up!); Card Stock:  Whisper White, Soft Suede and Tangerine Tango (Stampin' Up!), Happy Harvest Patterned Paper (Doodlebug Design); Accessories & Tools:  Leaves Silhouette Cut File, Tim Holtz Candy Stripes Embossing Folder (Sizzix), Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder,  Large Oval Punch and Scallop Oval Punch (Stampin' Up!), Pearl Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels), Clear Gems, Pop Dots

The Glimmer Mist is hard to see in the photo but it gave the whole card a very pretty shimmer. Now it's time for you to go check out all the other talented designers.  Just click the image below to head over to CAS-ual Fridays.

For me, it's time to go make some bows.  I have my week all planned out and it's a busy one!  You'll find me most days and evenings sitting at my craft table inking and stamping and cutting and gluing and just plain having fun.

Until next time. . .happy creating!

Moonlight in the Trees

The other day I picked up a new embossing folder that I knew would work well with Core'dinations card stock.  It's called Birch Trees and it's from Tim Holtz.  I used it to play along with this week's Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge - Let it Shine.  The challenge was to incorporate a light source in the card.

After embossing and sanding, I punched a hole in the card front and set the golden moon with a pop dot on the inside of the card.  The sanding looks like moonlight bouncing off the birch trees.  I love that sentiment from the Botanical Bookplates stamp set.

Stamp Set:  Botanical Bookplates Vol. 1 (Flourishes); Ink:  Cajun Craze (Stampin' Up!); Card Stock:  Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla and Early Espresso Core'dinations (Stampin' Up!), Burlap Paper (DCWV); Accessories & Tools:  Modern Label Punch and 1" Circle Punch (Stampin' Up!), Standard Circles Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Tim Holtz Alterations Birch Trees Texture Fades Embossing Folder (Sizzix), Clear Rhinestones (Hampton Art), Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (Sizzix), Pop Dots

Click on the image below to head over to the Flourishes blog and see some of the other beautiful designs that have been submitted.

Until next time. . .happy creating!

Fall Colors

Stamps, dies, ink and paper.  What more do you need to keep yourself busy for hours?  It's amazing how time flies when I'm crafting and creating.  For me, it's like therapy.  I get lost in the whole design process and before I know it an afternoon or evening is gone.  It's a great stress reliever!

Stamp Sets:  Wallpaper and Wood (Tim Holtz Collection - Stampers Anonymous), Fall Colors (Unknown); Inks:  Fired Brick, Ages Mahogany, Frayed Burlap, Crushed Olive, Black Soot (Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Ranger); Card Stock:  Classic White (Flourishes), Happy Harvest 6x6 Paper Pad (Doodlebug); Accessories & Tools:  Tim Holtz Autumn Gatherings Strip Die (Sizzix), Early Espresso Baker's Twine (Stampin' Up!)

I even added a couple of fallen leaves to the inside of the card.  I think instead of the Black Soot for the sentiment, the Fired Brick would have been so much better.  Hmm, I may just have to stamp it on white, punch it out and add it over the top.

Until next time. . .happy creating!

Tag It!

The other day I found a recipe for Homemade Seasoned Salt and thought it would make a great Christmas gift for my family and friends this year.  I can use all organic ingredients and I know that will make them very happy.  Now I'm on the lookout for some pretty jars to fill.  I also need tags for each jar so I've been playing around to see how I want to make them.  The following tag is my first endeavor.  I like it but I know I want to use Christmas colors and stamp sets for the gift tags.  I'm thinking green, red and white.  I think the sentiment I used from Flourishes Italian Garden set works well for the tags.  Anyway, here is my tag.

Stamp Set:  Italian Garden (Flourishes), Everything Eleanor (Stampin' Up!), Flowers (Autumn Leaves); Inks:  Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Vintage Photo, Frayed Burlap, Fired Brick (Ranger); Card Stock:  Inkssentials Manilla Tag (Ranger), Feels Like Home Paper (Little Yellow Bicycle); Accessories & Tools:  Tim Holtz Gem Clip, Key, 1/8" Vanilla Ribbon, Silver Eyelet, Crop-A-Dile

The back of the tag is covered with the same paper used to make the banner.  I just couldn't leave the back unfinished.

Until next time. . .happy creating!

A Christmas Candle and Snowflakes

Today was just like Christmas for me.  When I get home from work, I always run up and grab my mail.  I had a package from Flourishes full of goodies that I won when my card was selected in a recent Designer Focus.  What I wasn't expecting were two new stamp sets among the goodies, Christmas Candles and Italian Garden.  I just had to use one for the current Timeless Tuesday Challenge.  The challenge was to incorporate dry embossing somewhere on your project.  Click on the image below to check out the all the details for the current challenge.

And here is the card I made for the challenge.  I used one of my favorite Tim Holtz embossing folders, Snow Flurries.  The snowflakes are so pretty and realistic.  Rather than add a sentiment to the front, I decided to put it on the inside of the card.

Stamp Set:  Christmas Candles (Flourishes); Ink:  Cherry Cobbler (Stampin' Up!); Card Stock:  Classic White (Flourishes), Cherry Cobbler (Stampin' Up!), Vintage Christmas Designer Paper (My Mind's Eye); Accessories & Tools:  Tim Holtz Snow Flurries Embossing Folder (Sizzix), 3/8" White Organza Ribbon, Rhinestones, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

There you have it.  Tomorrow I'll have another of the Graphic 45 cards I made in class the other night.

Until next time. . .happy creating!

Get in Shape - September Release Challenge

Flourishes is gearing up for another release and this month's release challenge is to create a Shaped Card or 3D Item.  To play along, click the image below to go right to the Flourishes blog for all of the details.

I love making non-traditional cards so I brought out Pumpkin Jack.  Thanksgiving is an often forgotten holiday but it and Christmas are my two favorites.  I remember all of the delicious smells coming from the kitchen and the beautiful table my mother used to set the those holidays.  The house was always full and it was a time to be thankful for all we had.  Here is the simple Thanksgiving card I made for this challenge.

Stamp Sets: Anemones (Flourishes), Thanksgiving Sentiments (Unknown); Inks:  Tuxedo Black (Memento), Tim Holtz Vintage Photo (Ranger); Card Stock:  Pumpkin Pie and Always Artichoke (Stampin' Up!), Classic White (Flourishes); Accessories & Tools:  Anemones Silhouette Cut File, Essentials Paper Piercing Pack (Stampin' Up!), 3/8" Lime Ribbon, Tim Holtz Pumpkin Jack Die (Sizzix), Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

Until next time. . .happy creating!

And the Winner Is. . .

Drum roll, please!

Congratulations, Jean Fitch!  You are the winner of the set of beautiful Graphic 45 cards.  They will be on their way to you just as soon as you e-mail your mailing address to me at marsha@coffeepotstampingcafe.com.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I did making them.

Here is one last look at the set of six Graphic 45 cards.

This is what I get to do at work!

Tomorrow is the winner of the card set will be announced but in the meantime, I thought I'd share a project I made one afternoon at work.  We had some frames come in that were damaged so they were put in the clearance section.  My manager thought it would be a good thing to show that the frames could still be used.  With a bit of sanding and a few whacks with a hammer, actually, the frame is so solid that the hammer barely made an impression.  A few flourishes and a wee bit of bling and here you have the finished project.  I love the little girl in the picture.

Graphic 45 April Card Six

And, now it's time to share the last card in the set and my all time favorite.  It's a tri-fold card with lots of layers and lots of detail.  There were two identical pieces with the ladies so you could fussy cut one and add it to the other for a shadowbox effect.  I love this card with all of the blue and the daisies on the stamp.

There you have it.  Six beautiful cards that can be yours.  Leave a comment to be included in the drawing.

Graphic 45 April Card Five

This pretty round anniversary card is blank on the inside so you can write your own note. The scallop circle, butterfly, flower and flourish were great additions to this card.  As I mentioned in another post, I am loving that Liquid Pearl by Ranger.  You put a small drop down where you want it and you get this great little pearl. 

One more day, one more card, one more chance to win them all.  Take time to leave a comment. 

Graphic 45 April Card Four

This is one of my favorites in the set.  It's a birthday card and shows a group of ladies sitting around a table sharing tea and visiting.  It's a lovely way to celebrate a birthday, don't you think?  The oval set on the scalloped oval and the silky peach ribbon bring an element of softness and femininity to the card.

Only two more cards to share.  Have you left a comment so you can be included in the drawing?  You have until 11:59 p.m. on May 8th.  On Thursday, May 9th, the winner will be drawn and Friday, May 10th, the big announcement will be made.

Graphic 45 April Card Three

How do you color Spring?  With shades of peach and green and blue and yellow and cream.  Card number three is a sweet one with tulips, geese and a little girl.  I have completely fallen in love with this Place in Time paper from Graphic 45.  All of the cards were made using the April Cut-Aparts.  I had not done much in the way of vintage but this paper makes it so easy.

Be sure to leave a comment on today's card.  The more comments you leave, the better your chance of winning this beautiful six card set.  One thing I forgot to mention is that envelopes will be included with the cards.  Free cards, free envelopes and free shipping!  It doesn't get any better than that!

Graphic 45 April Card Two

This card was such a fun one to make and I love that the card base is made using the Tim Holtz® Sizzix Alterations Ornamental Die.  I sometimes forget that a card does not have to always be a certain shape.  All the cards in this set have lots of layers.  Because of this class, I've discovered Liquid Pearls by Ranger.  The color used throughout this set is Platinum Pearl.  It's a dimensional pearlescent paint that actually forms a little "pearl."

Isn't this just the prettiest thank you card!  I love the flowers, the flourish and the colors!

Beautiful Birthday

This morning when I decided to make a new card, I didn't have the tool I wanted so I improvised.  I used an eye shadow applicator to sponge on the colors for the background of the card.  I had no set design in mind and just played around until I came up with this card.

Stamp Sets:  Serene Silhouettes, Beautiful Birthday, Tiny Tags; Inks: Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Ink in Crushed Olive, Dusty Concord, Aged Mahogany, Faded Jeans. Black Soot, Fired Brick; Card Stock:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Baja Breeze; Accessories & Tools:  Beautiful Wings Embosslits, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Stardust Clear Gelly Roll Pen, eyeshadow applicator, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

The little bush in the right corner was made using a stamp from the Tiny Tags set.  It was fun to be able to sit and play for a while today.  Now I'm off to hem a pair of my oldest son's work pants.  At least he didn't ask me to mend anything.  :-)