Belli Challenge

It's still hot here in Boise, but it's time to turn our crafting attention to projects for the Fall. This week's Belli Challenge (#74) is to create a Fall or Halloween project. I thought I'd join in since Creative Cuts & More is sponsoring this challenge and since my card uses elements from the new Fall Occasions Kit that CC&M will be debuting very soon. It's a sneak peek of several of the goodies that the kit contains.

The kit is luxurious, with beautiful rich tones and several shimmery papers. As you can see in the closeup that follows, both the card and the large swirl are shimmering. Another lavish component of the kit is the variety of silk ribbons and fibers that are included. The colors are stunning and the quality of these hand-dyed silken goodies from The Thread Gatherer is unsurpassed.

Supplies:
Stamps: Enjoy Your Day (Cornish Heritage Farms' Kim Hughes Collection)
Paper: Die-cut card, leaf, & swirl; and K&Company's patterned paper (Fall Occasions Card Kit from Creative Cuts & More)
Paint/Ink: Palette Noir (Stewart Superior)
Accessories: The Thread Gatherer's hand-dyed silk ribbon & silk chenille yarn; and button (Fall Occasions Card Kit from Creative Cuts & More); corner rounder punch

I hope you'll play along with us! Be sure to check out the other yummy creations at The Belli Blog. If you're uploading to SCS or PCP, the keyword is CBC74.

Happy Stamping!

Halloween Hopping

It's time for another Creative Cuts & More blog hop, and this time we're all showcasing projects created for Autumn and Halloween. (If you arrived here from anywhere other than Jennifer Johnson's blog, you don't want to miss out! Visit Diecut Diva for the starting point on the hop, 5 different ways to win a brand new album kit, and for a 15% off coupon code.)

Our family needs lots of cards to give to neighbors, friends, teachers, etc. This card features some inexpensive die cuts and an easy stick-on embellishment.


Supplies:
Die Cuts: Exclusive A2 Arch Window Card in Bazzill White and Witch on Broom in Bazzill Raven (Creative Cuts & More)
Paper: Boo Crew Goblins PP (BoBunny)
Accessories: pumpkin bling (BasicGrey)

The next stop in our hop is Pam Smerker, who has created some adorable Halloween boxes to show you (as well as the adorable Haunted House Album Kit that's available in the drawing).

Quick & Easy Acetate Box

Thanks for hopping on over to see my contribution to the Creative Cuts & More August Acetate Blog Hop! (If you did yet have a chance to see Angie's post, you can start at DieCutDiva.com to see it all and learn about the blog candy being given away!)

My husband's favorite day of the whole year is Thanksgiving. He primps the house for days before and cooks his heart out. He even has an apron embroidered with a turkey especially for the occasion. There's so much fuss and preparation going into a big event like that, I don't have the desire or the time to create elaborate little party favors. I want something adorable, quick, and easy.

CC&M offers a total of twenty-two boxes cut from acetate, and I chose to show you the Butterfly Box. It was so easy to create! The simple steps:

• Run the flat Butterfly Box through the BigShot machine with the D'Vine Swirls Cuttlebug Embossing Folder
• Fold box and adhere the bottom and side with the exceptionally strong Killer Red Tacky Tape
• Fill with fall-colored candies
• Interlock top to secure

It would be a snap to make a bunch of these for a wedding, little Valentine's Day goodies for the kids to give away at school, a token holiday gift for all those acquaintances at work or around the neighborhood, etc.

Now that you've seen a quick and easy acetate project, I want to share 2 new products that Creative Cuts & More will be kicking off in the coming weeks. First is a new Sea Life 8"x8" Album Kit. This is the blog candy prize for the blog hop. Another new kit is the (F)All Occasions Card Kit which will include pretty fall papers and gorgeous autumn colors. Keep an eye out for these.

The next stop on our hop today is Carla Mayfield... just wait 'till you see what she has in store for you today!

Happy Stamping!

CC&M Hop

Welcome to this stop on the Creative Cuts & More Blog Hop. Wasn't Carla's post fabulous? (If you haven't arrived here from Carla's blog, you don't want to miss what the Design Team has in store for you! The CC&M Blog Hop starts at http://diecutdiva.com.)

I had a great time making my projects for the today's hop. I'm a big fan of the cute, whimsical designs from Doodlebug... and I love that everything coordinates.

TIP: Did you know that Bazzill Criss Cross textured cardstock is dyed to match Doodlebug products? Takes away all the guesswork and makes coordinating a snap!

My card uses several of the dies from CC&M -- 5-1/4" - Square Window Card #01 - Border Windows, Heart #02 - Large with Layer, and Photo Corner #02 Set, all cut from the Criss Cross textured cardstock -- plus Doodlebug stickers, gemstones, and patterned paper.


The box was created from several CC&M dies also: Tall Gable Box, Heart #02 - Large with Layer, and Photo Corner #02 Set, all cut from the Criss Cross textured cardstock -- along with Doodlebug stickers, gemstones, and patterned paper.

I made two enhancements to the flat cardstock stickers (hippo & turtle) that were used on the projects. I used the EK Success Powder Tool to neutralize the adhesive. This allowed me to put pop-dots on the stickers so they'd have a little dimension. I added more interest to them by adding the self-adhesive gems. Now they really pop!


The next stop on our hop is Jennifer Johnson. She's very talented and I'm sure you'll love what she created! And you'll want to continue on to the end of the hop for a chance to win some blog candy.

Enjoy the rest of the hop!

BasicGrey Winner

My blog's winner for the BasicGrey paper collection is

Polo.Pony said...

Very good ideas! That is such a neat box!

Please e-mail me your name and mailing address so I can get your paper package sent on its way. Thanks so much to everyone who participated in the CC&M blog hop!

Happy Stamping!

Dynamic Dresses

Here we go! Today's the big product launch and first-ever Blog Hop for Creative Cuts & More! (If you didn't arrive here via Carla's blog, please pop over to DiecutDiva.com and start from the beginning -- each participating blog is offering blog candy!)

For my projects today, I chose to focus on the brand new Dress Box die. My wedding dress was very easy to make. It was cut from Bazzill Smoothies Coconut Swirl. The only embellishments used on the project are Prima Marketing's new Say it in Studs self-adhesive embellishments. The studs were arranged in an ornate frame pattern. I used my sharp Tonic snips to cut only certain parts of the frame to create the bodice, waist, and hem adornments.

Because these studs are self-adhesive, they were very easy to adhere. They're nice quality, too, and the segments held together very nicely.


My other sample was also very easy to put together. This next dress is cut from BasicGrey patterned cardstock from the Two Scoops collection and tied with a thin grosgrain ribbon. I made this to show that this die is not just for weddings!


Dresses cut from other patterns and other colors could be used for all sorts of occasions:

• Pretty floral dresses for Mother's Day, Tea Parties, Bridal Showers
• Matching dresses for Bridesmaids gifts
  
• Pastels for pretty Easter Dresses
  
• Dresses in school colors for graduations
• Dresses in sorority colors for Bid Day, Initiations and other special occasions
• Red or purple dresses for Red Hat events
• White dresses for Confirmations, Baptisms, First Communion, etc.
  
• Pink and/or sparkly dresses for "Princess" party favors
• Black, scary dresses for witches at Halloween
• A whole variety of dresses for favors at an Oscar party or a Mardi Gras/Costume party
• Pretty dresses for prom or homecoming
  
• Gold or silver dresses for 25th or 50th Anniversary parties
  

The possibilities with this dress are endless! Creative Cuts & More carries very few patterned papers. However, you can have CC&M cut papers that you send in -- and they cut it for a reasonable cutting fee. You can visit the Contact Us page to inquire via e-mail or by phone.

Now that you've seen some of the fun projects the CC&M DT came up with for wedding-themed projects, you'll have your turn to show us what you can do. A customer challenge will be posted within the next week at Diecutdiva.com.

To win a special pack of Basic Grey papers, just leave a comment on this post. You have until 11:59 PM on Thursday night, March 5th, and the drawing will take place on Friday.

Next, head over to Lila Holgate's blog to see what she has in store for you!

Thanks for participating!

A Quick Peek

My friend, Lori Renn, has launched her own line of rubber stamps. My project today uses her "Wish Big!" stamp. Lori's new stamp line is proof that wishing big can lead to big success!

This is the Tall Gable Box from Creative Cuts & More.




Supplies:
Stamp: Wish Big (Lori Renn Collection @ The Rubber Cafe)
Paper: Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Smooth (Neenah); Flower Patch PP (Making Memories); Tall Gable Box in Kiwi Crush Bazzill Smoothies (Creative Cuts & More)
Paint/Ink: Key Lime Shimmerz (Shimmering Products); Cottage Ivy Memento Dye Ink (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Large Rectangle & Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Dingbats 2 Die (Sizzix); Grungeboard Basics Dots (Tim Holtz @ Advantus)

Happy Stamping!

It came. It went....

...but we're STILL going to party. My 1-year blogaversary (which coincided with my sister's birthday) was last week. I didn't forget, but never did get around to posting about it or the blog candy I've been collecting for it. Happy Birthday, Kris!

Here's the scoop on what's been going on around here:

- I am working on building a design team for Shimmerz paints. They are so much fun to play with! Last night, I made earrings from beads that were painted with Shimmerz. They're so incredibly shimmery and they dry on slick surfaces. {singsong}Love It!

- Speaking of earrings, I learned to make earrings last fall. They are now for sale at a new, artsy consignment store in downtown Nampa called Sparrow Clothing, which had their soft opening on May 10th and sold 30 pairs by June 1st... and they didn't even have their Grand Opening yet. All 30 replacement pairs are made, and now there's the matter of getting the holders printed and assembled before sending them out there.

- I've been helping out at Creative Cuts & More, with blog buttons and newsletter formatting. Terry has lots of terrific new dies and new products that she'll be adding the the Web site very soon. Bazzill Bling and Tacky-Tape shapes... here we come!

On July 4th weekend, I'll be hosting a Wish-RAK challenge at Splitcoast for patriotic cards to send to overseas troops to send home to their friends/family. I can't WAIT to see what people come up with! I'm planning on making my samples from the Kim Hughes "America the Beautiful" set.

Here's a birthday cupcake for Kris and my blog. I'll have goodies for both sometime soon. :)


Supplies:
Stamp: Clear Design Cupcakes CL158 (Hero Arts)
Paper: Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Smooth (Neenah)
Paint/Ink: Golden Wheat, Magenta, Royal Purple and Bubble Gum Shimmerz (Shimmering Products); Brick Beige E31 Marker (Copic); Jet Black Archival Ink (Ranger)

We'll be heading off to Dave's coloring class this weekend, and then first thing Monday morning my husband is scheduled for abdominal surgery... so it may be another week or so before I'm able to post. Until then...

Happy Stamping!

Velvet Flowers & Copic Topics

So much to talk about today! Let's start with a card that looks as springy as I feel. The temperature is nice, tulips are blooming, and little buds on the trees are making it feel like Spring is here.


This Chick-a-doo line from SEI is so cute... one of my very favorites ever. The pretty blues and greens are wonderful together, and they really pop when combined with the slightly darker green Bazzill. Y-U-M!

Supply List:
Paper: Lime Crush Cardstock (Bazzill Smoothies); French Blue, Cypress, and Mint velvet papers (SEI); Chick-a-doo patterned paper (SEI)
Accessories: A2 Card Die & Various Flower Dies (Creative Cuts & More); Glitter Brads & Gemstone Brads (Making Memories); Buttons (Autumn Leaves); Silk Ribbon (May Arts); Rub-On (Deja Views)

And onto Copic Topics. Copic doesn't rhyme with topic. It sounds more like taupe than top. Cope-ic. It'll take more practice for me, but I'm trying to consistently say it like Marianne and other other Copic folks pronounce it.

There are a few KEY things I took away from the training class in Eugene. They include:

* These markers are modular. You can purchase new tips, more ink... even empty markers. Customize them as you wish.

* Most versatile marker of all? The colorless blender marker. You can use it to make textures in a field of color (bricks, spatters, dots, cobblestones). It can help 'erase' mistakes. It can make colored-in jeans look faded.

* Grab a bottle of the colorless blender solution. You'll be refilling your marker. You can also put some in a spray bottle to play with.

* When coloring, don't hold back with the ink. It should soak through the paper. The back should look evenly soaked. Be sure to protect your table surface by coloring on top of other scrap paper or a glass mat or other barrier.

* Play and go crazy. Try things you wouldn't normally do. Seriously. Touch the red marker to the tip of the yellow marker. The red ink won't hurt the yellow marker. Mash hard on the brush tip of the marker. It won't fray. And even if the brush does break, no biggie! The marker isn't ruined... you just take out the old tip and slide in a new one.

* Need a different color? Buy an empty marker and mix up your own custom color. Get a very pale blue by mixing blue ink with blending solution.

* Re-inkers can be used just like alcohol inks. In fact, they ARE alcohol inks.

* These inks can color just about anything. Laurie, my tablemate in class was using the airbrush system to color blush on the cheeks of felt birds. The crew of a currently-running Broadway show in NYC uses them to color the microphones so they hide in the actor's hair.

* The type of alcohol used in the Copic markers is like ethanol. Know what else is made of a similar type of alcohol? Hand sanitizer gel! They're great as disinfectants... but even better as a craft medium! (OK, isn't everything better as a craft medium?) So keep a pump of hand gel on your crafting desk. It works like a charm for clean-up. I even found a purse-sized spray gel which will probably never make its way into my purse.

More key tips and thoughts to come.

Happy Stamping!

New Die Goes Vintage

There's a brand new die at Creative Cuts & More -- the Cupcake Box. Although it is the perfect size for a cupcake, it's also a great container size for all sorts of trinkets and ephemera. In fact, my very first thought with the Cupcake Box was that it would make the PERFECT gift box for a rolled-up necktie for Father's Day. So I asked my husband for a tie I could use as a prop to photograph with the box and he said that he doesn't have one! Yep, "Captain Casual" is his new superhero name.

I went ahead and decorated the box with a more neutral collage of postage and mail themes -- so now instead of dad's tie box gift, it'll be on Grandma's writing desk holding her postage stamps and return address labels. Isn't it funny how projects evolve?Supply List:
Stamps: Vintage Postcard Set, Vintage Numbers & Late 1800s Script Background (Purple Onion Designs); Keys (Innovative Stamp Creations); Old-Fashioned Pen Nibs (Stamp Francisco)
Paper: Almond Cream (Bazzill Smoothies)
Inks: Vintage Sepia VersaFine (Tsukineko); Chestnut Roan Chalk Ink (ClearSnap)
Accessories: Cupcake Box Die, Clear Acetate Sheet & Killer Red Tacky Tape (Creative Cuts & More); Authentic antique letter & postage stamps; Buttons (various)

Happy Stamping!

New Card & New Releases!

Get ready for three terrific new releases from Verve Visual! First up is Easter Elegance, complete with an ornate swirly cross and decorated Easter eggs. Then there is Anniversary Birds, with two adorable modern birdies with great sentiments. And last is Thankful Blossoms, featuring flowers, a butterfly, and six sentiments in wonderful fonts. Love them all! The best part? Saving nine bucks when purchasing them all together in the Spring Launch Pack.

My card today features the beautifully unique cross from the Easter Elegance set. I just love it! This card frames the stamped cross with a big, bold cut-out using a die-cut card from Creative Cuts & More. I wish the photo showed this a little bit better, but you may be able to see that the largest swirl in each quarter of the cross look like it's lighter in color. It's actually a very fine application of micro glitter atop the stamped image.

Supply List:
Stamps: Easter Elegance (Verve Visual)
Paper: Sparkleberry Delight & Grape Delight (Bazzill Basics)
Ink: Wisteria ColorBox Chalk Ink (ClearSnap)
Accessories: A7 Cross Window Card Die & Nameplate #07 Die (Creative Cuts & More); Bright Jewels (Doodlebug Design); Twinkle Micro Fine Glitter (The Stamp Doctor)

Happy Stamping!

A Fun New Adventure

There was some productive stamping and painting time today. I stamped a flat die-cut white cardstock and a separate white sheet of CS with a gray StazOn ink, since I felt that black would have been too bold. Then for painting, several colors of Twinkling H2Os were tested on the white sheet. Garnet was just the right choice: bold enough to stand up to the gray but not over the top. Assembly was easy after the paint was dry... that killer red tacky tape is REALLY sticky. Just what was needed.

You'll be seeing a lot more die-cut projects around here because I've accepted the invitation to join the Design Team for Creative Cuts & More. So fasten your seatbelt and get ready for the specialty-cut cards, fun boxes, and all the other great products Terry offers there. And in addition to standard papers, she offers her die cuts in chipboard, acetate, polyshrink, foam, felt, and beautiful metallics. And if you want something else cut, like a specific patterned cardstock, send it to her and she'll cut it for you! The DT is comprised of many very talented members (including my best pal, Lila), and I can't wait to work with them and get to know them better.

Supply List:
Stamps: Serenity (Verve Visual)
Paper: White Cardstock (Creative Cuts & More)
Ink:Stone Gray StazOn (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Garnet Twinkling H2Os (LuminArte); Short Puff Box Die & Killer Red Tacky Tape (Creative Cuts & More); black ribbon (May Arts)

Happy Stamping!