Monthly Archives: August 2011

A Bushel Of Kindness

Posted on August 30, 2011 | 7 comments

I am so ready to show you what do with the latest Avocado Arts release, Thankful for You. If you ordered early, this set started shipping August 25th so some of you may be ready to get inky. As the weather starts to cool and we’re starting to gear up for back to school, this stamp set is perfect for Fall and  Halloween. If you haven’t seen the whole set, you can find it here.

As you can see, I’ve kept this card clean and simple. It’s always great to have a lot of thank you cards on hand and a card that is easy to mass-produce is perfect for that. I’m always about adding texture though and in my mind, Autumn and texture just seem to go hand in hand. On this design I’ve added quick texture in the tied twine, corrugated paper layer and the popped up basket element.

Supplies: White cardstock by Neenah, Corrugated paper by Creative Impressions, A Bushel of Kindness stamp set & Sunshine and Smiles stamp set by Avocado Arts, Jet Black Archival Ink by Ranger, Pear Tart Memento Ink by Tsukineko, twine, Leaf Trinket pins by Maya Road, Red Memento Marker by Tsukineko, Kraft cardstock by Bazzill, Tiny Attacher by Advantus

Looking for more stamping ideas with this set?

Check it…

Happy stamping!

 

 

7 Comments

Posted in Avocado Arts, Card Designs

a sketch, a card & a winner

Posted on August 29, 2011 | 8 comments

Since I love sketches, and I created so many (wink), I’ve decided to share another with you today. We’ll see how it goes but I just may make it into a weekly feature.

Today’s card is a combo of the sketch below and some fun new goodies that I ordered to play with. The new Basic Grey Indie Blooms line has some fabulous colors and prints.

Have fun using this sketch. It features a curved sentiment around the embellishments. I think I’ll be using it again for inspiration.

I love these beautiful Prima buttons. They look so vintage and wonderful.

This beautiful butterfly is also a new Prima accent. It was hard to photograph how very pretty it really is.

 

Supplies: white cardstock by Bazzill, Indie Blooms 6×6 paper pad by Basic Grey, Sanding Block by Advantus, Sketchbook Tissue Tape by Tim Holtz, White Pigment Ink by Clearsnap, Corrugated Flower by Jillibean Soup, Glitter Thickers by American Crafts, Bobbin Toggle Buttons by Prima, Mirror Butterfly from Romantique Reflections by Prima

Okay, now what you really wanted to see…the winner!

Random.org chose number 17

Annette A.on 26 Aug 2011 at 8:44 am 17 This sketch is amazing. I love that crown idea. Thanks for sharing.

Congrats Annette! Please e-mail me with your address and I’ll get your issue sent out to you asap. My e-mail link is at the top of my blog sidebar.

Happy creating!

 

 

8 Comments

Posted in Card Designs, sketches

everything’s coming up roses…

Posted on August 27, 2011 | 8 comments

With the cool breezes of the end of August, I can feel Autumn coming in the air. It’s a beautiful time, this end of summer. I’m sad the summer is almost done but Fall has a beauty all it’s own. It’s a contrast of warmth and crispness, and is full of texture, the bounty of harvest and many good things.
Today’s card reminds me a bit of this time of year. A bit of summer in the roses, the gingham and the bright colors and fall comes in with the warm felt texture and richness of color.

The other day I was happily playing around with felt and die cuts and created these lovely and easy to make felt flowers.

I’ll definitely be making more! They are addictive.

Want to make some? Come join me in the CLASSroom for the tutorial and step-outs.

Have a fabulous weekend!

 

8 Comments

Posted in Card Designs, Ellen Hutson LLC projects

Paper Crafts magazine Presents: Bonus Sketch Blog Hop

Posted on August 26, 2011 | 188 comments

So you know I love sketches. Love creating them. Love using them for inspiration. Love seeing how others interpret them.

It’s no wonder then that I was so excited to get my hands on the latest special issue from Paper Crafts Magazine, Card Ideas for Paper Crafters.

It’s an issue I’ve been keeping on my coffee table and keep picking it up to relax and enjoy it. Soon it will make it’s way down to my craft room and will get much use but for now (and until the kids get back to school) I’m enjoying it when I get a few minutes.

What do I love best about this issue? I love the creativity of all the different ways the designers have interpreted the sketches. So creative! I keep saying wow…why didn’t I think of that?

I loved working on this issue. I think what I loved the most was getting so inspired to create so many sketches when I really had only done a couple before. I love a good challenge. I love trying new things. The hardest thing was choosing which sketches to design and submit with. Unfortunately, there’s only so much time in the day.

Looking for this special issue? You can find it online here.

Today’s blog hop is all about sketches of course. Paper Crafts is sharing the 12 bonus sketches in the issue here. They are great sketches that you can find in the issue and also print them out from that link online. Have fun using them!

My princess card is inspired by the bonus sketch that I designed for Paper Crafts. Here’s what it looks like…

I was thinking crowns and mountains when I came up with it. If you plan on using it,  I’d love to see what you do with it.

 

Quick Tip: Make a template of a shaped card so that you can quickly redo it in the future without all the measuring.

To create my card I first cut the crown shape out of a 4×6″ card. After you have the base, it’s easy to cover it with the canvas and stitch the edges. There’s lots of subtle shine, bling and glitter to make this card fit for a princess. Who can you give a crown shaped card to? How about a little girl, your mom (the queen), or a royally special friend.

Here’s the top view.

Supplies: Vanilla cardstock by Bazzill, Printed Canvas by Prima, flower by Maya Road, Glitter Chipboard by Melissa Frances, rhinestones by Zva Creative, Crystal Star Trinket Pins by Maya road, twine, Lace by Prima, pennant stickers by Lily Bee Design


So most fun blog hops have a royally wonderful prize, right? This one has MANY!

1. Comment on THIS blog post for a chance to win the latest issue, Card Ideas for Paper Crafters. All comments must be posted by midnight (MDT) on Sunday, August 28 I’ll be announcing the winner on Monday here so stay tuned!

2. Stop by Paper Crafts Connection for a chance to win a really fabulous giveaway. Don’t miss this one! It’s good!

3. Stop by each of the following blogs for some incredible inspiration using the bonus sketches as well as more chances to win an issue of this latest and greatest magazine.

Happy sketching, happy creating, happy blog hopping and have a fabulous weekend…

188 Comments

Posted in Card Designs, sketches

head over heels for sketches!

Posted on August 25, 2011 | 7 comments

I adore sketches. Don’t you?

Card sketches are a great way to get you out of a rut and try something new. If you’re short on time, they take the guesswork out of design and make it fast.

I’m so excited to be part of the new Card Ideas for Paper Crafters, the latest special issue from Paper Crafts Magazine. Designing sketches and card projects are things I just love to do. Today on the Paper Crafts Connection, Susan Opel has asked me a few questions about designing sketches and I’ve created a card using one of the sketches from this latest issue. Check it out!

Here’s the card using my new paper line, Head Over Heels from Lily Bee Design. You can find the accompanying sketch at Paper Crafts Connection. I hope it will inspire you to get creating!

To create this design, I simply followed the sketch to make designing the card easy and quick. I’ve added in a few fun design ideas I want to share as well.

  • Customize a white flower by misting it with a dye ink spray that coordinates with your projects.
  • You can create your own custom colored trinket pins by airbrushing them exactly the color you want. I love using the Copic air brush system for this. It’s quick and easy.

Supplies:Head Over Heels patterned paper and stickers by Lily Bee Design, flower and crochet button by Prima, Tiger Lily Glimmer Mist by Tattered Angels, twine, tulle and white cardstock by Bazzill, sewing machine, Pearl Trinket Pins by Maya Road, Copic Markers, Copic Airbrush System

Since I love creating more than one project when my supplies are out, I decided to share a sketch with you that I designed and create a project to go with it.

Anyone like argyle?

 

And here’s the quick card that was inspired by the sketch…

It also uses up pieces from my Head Over Heels line. It’s a great sketch for using up your scraps!

Don’t miss this!!!!….

Speaking of Head Over Heels, I can’t wait until it hits the store shelves in October. It’s expected to start shipping to stores October 17th so be on the lookout for it shortly thereafter. Is anyone interested in getting it long before the stores do?! Hop over to the Paper Crafts Connection where Lily Bee and Paper Crafts Magazine are giving away THREE collections of Head Over Heels to some lucky winners. Good luck!!!!

Your sketch crazy friend,

7 Comments

Posted in Card Designs, Lily Bee, sketches, Tutorials & Techniques

Shabby Notebook

Posted on August 22, 2011 | 34 comments

I’m back from a few days blogging break. The kids and I all needed a little time at the lake. We had a wonderful time until my 8 year old broke his wrist falling from some monkey bars. He was so brave and is doing fine now even though he’s broken his writing hand. I’m glad school doesn’t start for another two weeks. Did you know you can get a plastic cover that will totally keep water and sand out? He was back in the lake 36 hours later and it made me so happy that he will still be able to enjoy the rest of our summer.

Ready to check out an upcoming stamp set by Market Street Stamps? This new set, Comforting Florals is going to be a classic for sure! The sentiments and images are so beautiful and versatile. You know how I love versatile!

I decided to create a stamped notebook too keep in my purse using this stamp set. The sentiment really was one I wanted to carry around with me daily and remember it. The stamping on this is super simple and would make a quick gift or would be great for mass-producing. Christmas is coming before we know it, right?

Today and tomorrow, Market Street Stamps is sharing peeks at their upcoming releases. Stop by the Market Street Stamps Blog for lots of inspiration.

Supplies: Kraft notebook, Comforting Florals Stamp set by Market Street Stamps, Jet Black Archival Ink by Ranger, Aquamarine Archival ink by Ranger, Frost White Pigment Ink by Clearsnap, rhinestone by Zva Creative, flowers by Prima, twine, Applique Frame by Melissa Frances, Tiny Pin by Tim Holtz

Happy Monday!

34 Comments

Posted in Card Designs, Market Street Stamps

Wonderful Woodgrain

Posted on August 18, 2011 | 7 comments

Anyone else adore woodgrain? I love this fun trend as woodgrain can take on so many different looks. Versatility is key, isn’t it?

As woodgrain is such a staple image, I couldn’t wait to add the Market Street Woodgrain stamp to my collection. All those beautiful wavy lines got me thinking about paper piecing. I’d never tried paper piecing a background stamp before but I’m thrilled with how it turned out.

This design would be fun in any monochromatic color combo but I love how the blues look a bit like waves.

Today I’m also sharing this project on the Market Street Stamps blog. It’s full of great stamping inspiration so why not pop by and check it out?

Quick Tip: Balance your colors and keep the number of bands of color in odd numbers to make it pleasing to the eye.

Supplies: cardstock by Bazzill,  Woodgrain Background Stamp and So Happy stamp set by Market Street Stamps,  Jet Black Archival Ink by Ranger, Aquamarine Archival Ink by Ranger, button by Basic Grey, circle punch by EK Success

 

Thanks for stopping by!

7 Comments

Posted in Card Designs, Market Street Stamps