Under the Sea Blog Hop

If you are here for the July Card Technique Blog Hop, please go HERE (not available until 7/9), or you can check out all of my hops for today (there's only two!). We'd I'd love to have you!

Welcome to the 

Under the Sea Blog Hop

Thank you for joining us for an underwater adventure Under the Sea!

You should have arrived from Miranda, but if you didn't Connie Can Crop is the first stop in this hop. This is a one day blog hop, and we appreciate your leaving a comment for all of these amazing crafters.

We have a WONDERFUL sponsor this month!!

 

One lucky winner will win this awesome three pack of sequins!

Be sure to check out their shop online HERE

Visit them on facebook HERE

And their Blog HERE

What do you need to do to win? Easy... become  a follower of each of the fabulous blogs in this hop and leave each of them a comment letting them know what you like best about their projects.

You will have until 10 pm Sunday to finish the hop and leave your comments.

Winner will be announced on Wednesday 7/20/16 at Connie Can Crop.

Be sure to follow everyone and leave a comment along the way!

 

On to the projects! Let's get "Kraken"! 

So... in choosing the paper... I loved THIS match. The blue (sky and water) and the ugliness green was perfect for my monster! Do you see a theme here, yet?

His tentacles are AWESOME! I love the detail...

 

On my mat, this is what's left after removing the tentacles. Crazy! "C" for Kraken? lol? I guess if you don't get it... you aren't in my mind, right? But it was funny to me!

Had to cut this a couple of times, since I wasn't using cardstock on the inside. I didn't quite set the pressure/speed quite right. Ugh.

Yep. I am so far from perfect.

And then... Ugh! Be sure to take care in lifting your creations off... Or you could just take it off... easy-speedy like I did...

The folds! What a pain in the **s! But the end result is well worth it.

 It took a bit of time and thought, but I did end up getting them just right.

Okey dokey... I loved my Wink of Stella so much... I was so excited to see a whole package of colors! And I bought them of course! Only to find out... they're not brush tips, which I was totally loving... So... I didn't edge the waves in Stella... The line wasn't like I wanted it.

A glittered and glued!!!!

And my waves turned out... just right.

And YES... this is my elbow. Note to self (and everyone else, too!) Be sure to put drying glitter/glue thingies AWAY from your active workstation. Otherwise, THIS could happen to you! I happened to do it THREE times before I finally moved it..

 

Stella... you get another chance. The black was perfect for finishing the cut edges of the tentacles.

See the differences? AWESOMENESS! I can hear the angels singing!

This... wasn't so awesome. Another note to self (and everyone else)... Use your MATS! That's what you bought them for... duh! It did come off (with only a tiny bit of residual ink) with a lot of scrubbing and elbow grease no glitter.

And the inside of the tentacles on the paper insert received a little Stella, too. Hmmm... that reminds me... I think I'll open a bottle...

Ok. Cricut People! People that design cards with inserts! You should note the insert piece should be 1/4" less than the card size. Otherwise this happens, and I am stuck with an unseemly edge that looks like I didn't know what I was doing (which I do/or I didn't... but I'm a fabulous critic!).

And I fixed it with a little... GLITTER!

I so love this card!

The waves... the scary tentacles... the boat in trouble(d - waters)...

I'm so happy I found this in Cricut Design Studio. All on a search for "waves". Otherwise... I had a different idea. This one, just took over!

And if you don't get it... I don't have the patience to explain it to you... Google much?

 

Have a fabulous weekend, and let's keep the Kraken "under the sea!"



 Up next is Christi

Here's our line up in case you get lost:

Connie- http://conniecancrop.blogspot.com/

Janet- http://janetscreativeworld.blogspot.com/

Alicia - http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com/

Sarah - www.sarahbiswabic.blogspot.com

Pam - http://lovebugcreations3.blogspot.com/

Kim - http://katydidcards.com/

Holli - http://sunflowerholli.blogspot.com/

Miranda - www.nanasscrapspot.com

Lisa - http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com

Christi-http://tranquility1905.blogspot.com/

Veronica - http://vickyscrappingpassion.blogspot.com/

Michelle - http://michellekinder.blogspot.com/

Ashley - http://marinewifesscrappinlife.blogspot.com/

Angela - www.crazy3monkeys.blogspot.com

 

 

A Year of Card Techniques - (April) Shaker Cards

Welcome to...

It's month four of our year long adventure into different card-making techniques,
folds and paper crafting products. We hope you got the chance to hop with us in previous months. If not, it's not to late to hop and comment.
If you missed January's hop, you can still hop and comment by starting HERE; if you missed February's hop, you can still hop and comment by starting HERE; if you missed March's hop, you can still hop and comment by starting HERE.

This month we will be creating shaker cards and you won't want to miss the amazing and fun cards we've got for you today.
We really love feedback, so please leave a comment on each of the blogs in today's hop. Each comment on the 12 hops throughout the year will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Blitsy.com gift certificate.

Now on with the projects.

I'm thinking this is my year of do-overs. I absolutely love some of the things I've made, but have given them up to other people as gifts, or even just because I'm that nice. And now... I'm wanting them back to add to my hoarding collection I'm wanting to have more "stash" to be able to give when I need to. But... My inventiveness aka: creativity has been slightly dwindling due to a hectic schedule. Yeah... I know ya'll have them problems, too... so feel my pain together, with me and instead of some "Wink of Stella", we'll be drinking some Rose of Stella.. or Platinum.. I'm not picky (all the Stellas are my friends)! Anyway... Back to my project. I searched through my shaker cards and found this fave... So I remade her with a little Stella in my cup.
 

First... I took searched my shelves for Mod Podge Glitter! NOTE* One of my pet peeves... When someone says, "MODGE" Podge. Do you here the "ge" in the the "MOD" part? Uh... No. (Yes... I got it on clearance quite a while ago at Joann's. Don't judge. Taking THAT back... Do! I'm a total tight-wad and save money every which way I can. Proud of it!) And it comes in quite handy... dries clear (with little flecks of gold glitter)... you'll see... keep reading and scrolling...

Then... I sponge-brushed it on 5"x4" acetate panels (2 of them)... and let it dry... (FYI... I used scraps of plastic aka: acetate that I saved from packaging. Save... SAVE MONEY!)

See? It's all clear now! Well... Kinda... It's a little smear-y looking, but hey... reminds me of those modern showers with the "water-works" in the glass...

Cut out "F A L L" (in Storybook font, without weldin) on a Terrifically Tacky Tape (sheet)... well, what was left of it (it was 3.25"x3.25"). It ran off the edge, obliterating an "L", so I deleted 3 letters from my screen, rotated and moved the "L" to squeeze it onto the leftover bits of the sheet (improvisation at it's finest!) and cut again. Note: Set the pressure higher on a project like this, otherwise you'll do like I did and have to manipulate separation afterward. Fun.

Now... here's the really CAREFUL part. I outlined (on white paper... the one I used as a mat while I Mod-Podged them) the area of the acetate. Then... I centered lines, so the placement of my letters would be just that... CENTERED! I'm sure I really do have some sort of tool that would let this go smoother (and easier), but I seriously did not feel like looking/searching through the craft room. If you must know... it is STILL not organized and is a total mess... STILL.

Then, I super duper carefully peeled the white backing off my letters, and placed them on the plastic acetate, beginning with the center letters, then adding the others to achieve this...

and carefully peeled off the red plastic coating to get THIS... (another note... I placed the white paper underneath ALSO so that bits of things wouldn't cling to the acetate... I love hate when that happens...)

Then... added a little burnt orange ProvoCraft glitter (thanks to goodness to clearance sales from years ago... twenty-five cents keeps on going!!!)... to achieve THIS. (it'd'n't purtee?)

I had already cut out an aperture in a card blank (craft cardstock! one of my FAVES!!!), large enough for my acetate. (btw... I can't find the pics of these steps... sorry...) I adhered the non-FALL acetate to the underside of the card opening, sprinkled in some punched out apples and leaves from various scraps, put adhesive around the edges of that acetate (be sure to adhere the complete perimeter, so that whatever you're putting in your shaker-box doesn't escape through an itty-bitty opening!!!), lined up my FALL acetate, and pushed it down. Another NOTE: I think I'd use my infamous caulking next time, but was looking to not have SO much shaker room...

Then I finished it up, by inking the framed portion of the card with Cat's Eye gold ink and a tad of Wink of Stella (Gold)...

... tied a strip of twine (recycled from a kids' toy packaging! be sure to check out the awesome extras that come with your kids' toys!!!! Remember... I recycle EVERYTHING. This... in a mental-health issue is now called a hoarder. Years ago, it would've been called conservatism and maybe thrifty...  [this held HAIR on a Barbie-type doll!] you'll be amazed at what you paid for and are throwing away!!!) around the card's "spine"... and found these two little leaves (yes... I only had TWO!), pierced a hole in them with a piercer... threaded the twine through and knotted it from behind... 

Really... I am super happy with the total result. You have to look "beyond" the pictures, actually look "through" them to see the full thing. I loved the idea!

Thanks for stopping by... and if you'd like to participate in our technique, feel free and be sure to leave me a link to your project, so I can comment and return the favor!

Hope you have a great "falling-in" with Spring! ... Up next is Kim.

Here's today's line-up in case you get lost along the way:

Theresa
Sharon
Lisa
Kim
Claudia
Denise
Debbie
    

Once Upon a Time Blog Hop

If you are here for the A Year of Card Techniques - (March) Inlaid Diecutting... please go HERE! (or... scroll down and check out all my posts for the day! I'm kinda great!)

Welcome to the
Once Upon a Time Blog Hop!

We are so delighted you are joining us in a land far, far away!! We will be showcasing projects featuring only the finest princesses in the land! So come be inspired by our magical talents!
Connie Can Crop is the first stop in this hop. This is a one day blog hop and we appreciate your leaving a comment for all of these amazing crafters.

We have an awesome sponsor for this hop!

One lucky winner will win a $20 gift card to shop their awesome files in their shop! Be sure to check out their shop online HERE. AND! Visit them on Facebook HERE. AND! Follow their blog HERE for freebies and inspiration!

What do you need to do to win? Easy... become a follower of each of the fabulous blogs in this hop and leave each of them a comment, letting them know what you like best about their projects.
You will have until 10 pm Sunday to finish the hop and leave your comments. The WINNER will be announced on Wednesday 3/16/16 at Connie Can Crop.

Be sure to follow everyone and leave a comment along the way!

So, between you and me... Haven't you ever wanted a do-over? I know I have... And going back through my scrapbooks, I see things coming off the page (old crappy glue or adhesive... You know what I mean... before we knew there was better?), definitely dysfunctional style... That "what the hex was I thinking when I put that page together???? and other scrapbooking woes. Whelpers... ME TOO!!!! So this two-page layout from a quincenera was crying, "HELP ME... PLEASE!" I don't believe it was an actual "please" but more of a demand. And so... I obliged.

You can't really see it... but I added a Wink of Stella on the white borders and scrolls... Glamming it up and making it all even gaudier than it already was...

Here's a better view. This is interactive. (You can't see it and the pics came out WAY to blurry to even bother posting, because you might wonder if some of my pics were taken by a child, but the picture frame [and photo] are a mini-accordion album and fold out to reveal many more photos.) What can I say? I try to make the most out of a page!

This is Aurora... But I made her a tad darker... to be more like the Quince Princess (the Birthday Girl!) and her doll. I just couldn't make curly hair to fit... so sue me.

A bit more detailed view... I just love Stickles!

And here's a whole 'nother page (the right side) completed. This was a long time ago... but I believe after my mini-maintenance, the pages will last a lot longer. Thank goodness I discovered better GLUE!

 

Sometimes, you just have to take a little breather and fix a couple of things... Life lasts much longer this way and breathing is easier, Don'tchya think?

 

Just a note... And oh my! Let me tell you how much easier this all was since the FIRST time I created it... Cricut has come such a long way! And the cutting is even better than ever!!!! Makes me maybe wanna "fix" some more things!!!!

 

Up next is Veronica! (Isn't that just a royal-sounding name? I think so!)

Here's our line up in case you get lost or need to find your way back to another land...

Connie- http://conniecancrop.blogspot.com

Pam - http://lovebugcreations3.blogspot.com

Janet- http://janetscreativeworld.blogspot.com

Alicia- http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com

Kim - http://katydidcards.com

Miranda - www.nanasscrapspot.com 

Angela - http://www.crazy3monkeys.blogspot.com

Tricia - http://mysticalcardcreations.blogspot.com

Beth~ http://thecraftyscrapyard.blogspot.com

Sarah ~ www.sarahbiswabic.blogspot.com

Ashley - http://marinewifesscrappinlife.blogspot.com

Holli- http://sunflowerholli.blogspot.com

Lisa - http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com

Veronica- http://vickyscrappingpassion.blogspot.com

Charmagne- Sanurascraps.blogspot.com

A Year of Card Techniques - (March) Inlaid Diecutting

If you are here for the Once Upon a Time Blog Hop... please go HERE! (or... scroll up and check out all my posts for the day! I'm kinda great!)

It's month three of our year long adventure into different card-making techniques,
folds and paper crafting products. We hope you got the chance to hop with us in January for the emboss resist technique and in February for ink layering. It's not to late to hop and comment.
If you missed January's hop, you can still hop and comment by starting HERE.
If you missed February's hop, you can still hop and comment by starting HERE.

This month we will be focusing on inlaid die-cutting and you won't want to miss the awesome cards we've got for you today. We really love feedback so please leave a comment on each of the
blogs in today's hop. Each comment on the 12 hops throughout the year will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Blitsy.com gift certificate.

Now on with the projects. (If you'd like to see the YouTube videos that may may not have inspired me/us... Check them out here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeNFa0Muo74
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3wMc1Bcdx0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQ9rLPzPUFI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTw3__zx8uk

Ok. I'm letting you know RIGHT now... this one was a bit harder for me... First of all... I don't own many dies. (I'm kind of an electronic kinda gal...) So here's what I had to work with:

 

And believe it or not, I picked one of the more intricate (The Butterfly) piece first. Got completely frustrated with all those hecka tiny pieces (you'll see below) and gave up for some simplicity.

 

And so... I chose the star frame. Easy? Not so much.

I went with the above colors...

And tried to run it through my Cuttlebug. Man, I sure wish I had some of that "Post-It" tape... Probably wouldn't have had to do so many tries and waste so much paper! Um... It moves!!!

So after all the sandwiching and passing, this is what I ended up with...

And all these itty bitty pieces...

But, today was a day I really felt like getting all gluey and peeling glue off my fingers. We all need to revert back to being a child once in a while...

And you know you gotta smoosh it around with your finger... Because who DOESN'T like peeling dried glue off their hands? I L-O-V-E it!

Piecing it together... It really is more tedious than it looks...

Like a puzzle... Which way does it go? Yes... I tried several times...

See that itty bitty teeny tiny piece on my fingertip? Yep. I had to try to get it into one of the equally small holes... THE RIGHT WAY! and see...? I'm still letting my finger(s) dry, so I can peel the glue...

THAT's the hole I had to fit it in...

And... just a hint... if you use CRAFT cardstock, run/pass it through several times, otherwise you'll get one of these bits that just isn't cut all the way through. Try that! on for size... major frustration and re-doing...

And some edges stick up... Ugh... Might as well get out my faves... (see below!)

Clear plastic and a BRAYER to the rescue! That's right... roll it all down really tight!

And then we have the above... And that glue still needed to dry...

And um... Be sure you put either some plastic between the layers or something, because otherwise, it might stick together? Uh... Yeah... It's a no-brainer. And I didn't have the brain that day...

So... I wanted to have my Cricut write inside my card... Only...

Design Space wasn't being friendly with the line-spacing... Ugh.

But, I changed it and got it... And then (as I've shown several times before...) I moved it to where I wanted it on the mat (which I had the physical mat loaded with the card... brayer-ed on, of course!).

Note: If you're not sure if it's going to "write" in the "right" place, use the stylus, and it will lightly emboss the path... If that's right, just do it again. Only this time with a pen... Yep!

Watch that baby roll!!!!!

And see? Gorgeous... But not quite enough... See the Wink of Stella I added?

Awww... Beautious! But still... not enough...

So... Strips of glitter card stock were added and brayer-down. If you don't know these lyrics... and they're not humming through your head yet, ask an "older" person... It's from the '70's!

Hope you enjoyed my simplistic card! I'll try it again... after I get some less-complicated dies. It really is cool!

Up next is Jearise! Check her work out and see what types on in-laying she did! This is pretty incredible!

Here's today's line-up in case you get lost along the way
Theresa
Lisa
Jearise
Kim
Claudia
Denise
Debbie
Sharon