Missing You... Simply #Cre8time Playtime

Hello friends! I find it hard to believe it's mid-November and it's now dark before dinner here in SoFL. I was rifling through a box of crafty stuff and came across some old collage stuff from way back in the day (or 2012-2013) when I did weekly live-streaming. It was fun and I miss those times and interacting online with all of my creative friends across the globe made through the web. Technology and social media has advanced significantly, some for ease and some making things more complicated. 

Remember Linqto - it was limited but it was the infant of what FB and YT live has become. Why did I stop streaming?? Because the technical issues with the platform became more problematic AND a server failure resulting in loss most everyone's recordings. It was nice to just turn it on and go... they were such FUN times. I had a strenuous job and a lot of DT commitments... then my health started to intervene on my round-the-clock lifestyle, forcing me to change everything. Jobs included.

Recent times have been upside down for all of us. Meanwhile I've taken a LOT of online classes and focused on my love for cooking as I get back in the swing of things. Last month I was a guest designer at Artesprix and I made a few projects for Dia De Los Muertos. It was nice to create just for fun, finish a UFO project and one was a livestream DIY for the annual festival at work. One thing has led to another...

AND... I have some super awesome news

that I have been so excited to share.

It's been so hard to keep a secret.

Check back tomorrow -- 

Monday, November 15th

when I can finally

announce the news!

See you tomorrow! :) Sb

Who Cut the CAKE at the #Stamping Party...

I had a fun time making this real snarky birthday card last week for my sister using Viva Las VegaStamps! for the "C is for Cake" challenge over at the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers {CLICK HERE to see my card from last week}.

While on this sugar high from all the CAKE... I had a little more rubber inspiration that I just had to get out of my head! Woe is a stampers life - LOL! So I made a couple CAS cards on white card blanks with black ink, markers and a bit of stamping/fussy cutting on bright colored papers. Enjoy!

"Hurry or the Party might be over..."

I have a bunch of birthday themed stamps in a baggie. It never dawned on my until this challenge - the combination just seems so right... or is this so WRONG - teeheehee!

I added some quick POPs of color to the hats and balloons by stamping onto bright colorful cardstock and fussy cut the pieces. A glue pen makes quick work of attaching small pieces.

The party streamer stamp was in a really light blue and I went over with my gelly stardust pen, the scanner couldn't even pick it up as its like a watermark. I fussy cut the cake to overlay onto three strips of washi tape - one stamped with the sentiment. **A TIP** Stamp on the washi tape before layering.

All stamps from Viva Las VegaStamps: "Party Streamers" #130; "Old Man Birthday" #18811; "Best Fishes" #16004; "Birthday Kitty" #5887; and "Cake Crossing" #4692.

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Do You LOVE to STAMP??!

The party is almost over

with the current team

at Viva Las VegaStamps!

and the call is OPEN!

Thanks so much for dropping by! I'm going to apply to keep my inky post at VLVS!... what about you?? Are you a fellow rubber addict? Here's your chance to join the design team {CLICK HERE for details} and stamp til' your hearts content! GO FOR IT!!!  :) Sb

Tagging King Tut's GOLD for Anything But a Card Challenges No. 46 - "FOOL's GOLD"

It's a long weekend for Easter and Passover. With a new challenge to play with, I putter about and catch up on some tag techniques to see what inspiration strikes. 

We have a new Challenge at Anything But a Card Challenges. Challenge No. 46 is "FOOL's GOLD"... uses the prettiest of all metals – GOLD – as your inspiration to challenge your muse. CLICK HERE to jump over to ABAC to see inspiration from our design team.

My tag is based on T!m Holtz' August 2013 Tag techniques and I'm heading to Ancient Egypt to find some Gilded treasure for my creation for the "FOOL's GOLD" No. 46 challenge at Anything But a Card Challenges.

On a sheet of freezer paper, I applied side by side three Ranger Distress Stains - Brushed Pewter, Old Paper, and Antique Linen. I misted my #8 manila tag with a light amount of water then dragged the tag through the puddle of ink. I tapped off the excess liquid and then heat set to dry. Looks pretty grungy and gold... weathered by thousand of years in the desert!

I built up the layers of color with three applications using the same technique above and heat set to dry between layers. The brushed pewter gave a subtle metallic shimmer over the tag that looks like aged sandstone. I overstamped the "Basket Egyptian Goddess" #6101, "Mummy Case/Female" #5806 and "Stylized Dog Border" #9827 {all from Viva Las VegaStamps!} using Staz-On Jet Black ink. I also stamped each on acetate and a scrap paper to create masks for layering and scene building.

I prepared my masks, two on acetate and the others on paper and adhered to my tag with some removable adhesive runner. The colored image will not appear where the masked areas are. This process of building scenes is a bit time consuming with fussy cutting - but the end results are AMAZING - and for me totally worth the effort!

I mounted the "Nile Flower Background" #1657 stamp and then began coloring with Ranger Distress Markers adding different colors directly onto the stamp. This is a detailed pattern, so I had to concentrate coloring similar sections. This was quite fun and relaxing coloring this large background. I remoistened the marker applied to the background stamp by breathing on it then stamped onto the tag. 

The "Mummy Case/Female" #5806 was not as clear as I liked on the painted tag, though I did stamp clearly - so I stamped it again onto a brushed gold cardstock, fussy cut and adhered with Miracle Tape right over the top. This did the trick! The gold gave the pop and extra bling that I desired and looks just like the artifacts in the King Tut exhibit I saw in the Art Museum!

I went around the edge with a distressing tool for a frayed effect and rubbed edge with a couple colors of Distress Markers. To finish off - I added a pink pearl gem, some additional hand coloring and some ribbon to the top and bottom and this tag looks like it's an artifact straight from the Egypt.

Tag ARTifact from the Pyramids...

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Supplies used: STAMPS - "Basket Egyptian Goddess" #6101, "Mummy Case/Female" #5806, "Nile Flower Background" #1657, and "Stylized Dog Border" #9827. Other supplies: #8 manila tag; Staz-On Jet Black ink; Miracle Tape; Ranger Distress Markers; Ranger Distress Stains - Brushed Pewter, Old Paper, and Antique Linen; water brush; brushed gold cardstock; pink pearl gem; and ribbon/trim.

Thanks so much for dropping by. I invite you to play along with us at Anything But a Card Challenges and the new "FOOL's GOLD" Challenge No. 46.

Hoppy Creating!  :) Sb

Teatime Inspired... You Can Make It Yourself Bloghop with Designer Crafts Connection

Hello Everyone! Today is the first monday of March which brings another Designer Crafts Connection Bloghop... celebrating National Crafts Month! Our creatives are sharing projects that "You Can Make it Yourself" and techniques to inspire you to get crafty all month long. I have loads of pins to try to keep me busy for a lifetime {and then some}... but for today's project, I decided on something that has been on my handwritten crafty list of "things to try".

I'm sure you've seen this one around! This papier maché tea cup tutorial by Ann Wood {CLICK HERE to view} is all over Pinterest and the web - I have been wanting to make these for ages. Ann is so wonderful to provide a fabulous tutorial - and - she also provides a downloadable template, too! THANK YOU Ann for sharing! This project is perfect for using up scraps, ribbon and embellishments that are too small for other makes.

I have a bin with paper scraps, small pieces of ribbon and other bits and bobs leftover from other projects which I shop when starting new projects. I had a four leftover mauve floral paper scraps from another project {3" x 12" strips} which made for a great base to make a set of four tea cups. I collected up some coordinating washi tape along with leftover ribbon sections, beaded trim, lace and my tacky glue. I downloaded and reduced the pattern to fit on my paper strips; cut out pattern and traced onto my papers. After a few brief minutes of fussy cutting {really super easy}, it was time for assembly.

I took a few liberites with the instructions: I reduced the pattern to fit my paper scraps and I skipped the traditional papier maché as per the tutorial. Instead I taped the inside of the cups together with loads of strips of washi tape... a cool grey and a teal polka dot pattern - two cups lined with each. I rubbed all the edges with Antique Gold Dew Drop ink, then layering ribbons and trims to each cup. I finished the cups with a sealing of Mod Podge on the inside so the washi tape will not peel up.

Isn't this so stinkin' cute?!!

These were so fun and easy to make - I made a set of 4 while catching up on a couple TV shows spooled up on the DVR. I could see a whole tree covered in these mini teacups for the holidays. They would make great place cards and favors for a bridal shower or dessert party, too.

"Time for Tea"

Thanks so much for visiting! Continue on the Designer Crafts Connection "You Can Make It Yourself" Bloghop by selecting hop back/forward on the logo below to enjoy all of the wonderful inspiration. Happy Creating! Sb :)

Designer Craft Connection

[ Hop back ] [ Hop forward ]

This Hippo is Ready to P-A-R-T-Y!!! Sketch-it Saturday with Unscripted Sketches #216

Welcome to the weekend... and there's always a reason to celebrate, right? Well this party girl is all dolled up bringing birthday wishes using Unscripted Sketches #216. When I visited Viva Las VegaStamps! back in April, I fell in love with this stamp and had to have her... "Hippo with Party Hat" #1454.

I made my own tissue tape with Miracle Tape and Miracle Sheets {a full letter-size sheet of Miracle Tape}. The colored tissue comes with a tissue wrap with the printed "happy birthday" on it; as you see above... except for the yellow. The yellow tissue section I created by stamping the "Happy Happy Birthday" #10479 stamp repeatedly in Milled Lavender Ranger Distress Ink. The green confetti tissue at the top is recycled from a gift I received {I've been having fun using this craftily}. I fussy cut and hand colored my party girl with my Ranger Distress Markers; then grounded her on a strip of grey spotted washi tape. The bright colored tissue really makes the party girl pop. I finished her off with some eyelash googlie eyes.

No card is complete until

you add some GOOGLIE eyes!

What is Sketch it Saturdays at Unscripted Sketches? Every Saturday morning a new sketch is posted for the week. Flip the sketch, rotate it… create a card, a scrapbook page, a wall hanging, digital, paper, fabric, paint, anything your imagination comes up with! There is no right or wrong way, as long as you are using the Unscripted sketch as the inspiration for your creation! And everyone is invited to join in the fun... and post your creation on their page via inlinkz for all the world to see!

•••••••••••

Supplies used: STAMPS - "Happy Happy Birthday" #10479 and "Hippo with Party Hat" #1454. Other supplies: cardstock; tissue paper wrapper; green confetti and yellow tissue; Staz-On Black ink; Miracle Tape; googlie eyes, photo corners; Ranger Distress Markers; Milled Lavendar Distress Ink; washi tape; Clearsnap Colorbox Khaki Green Dye Ink; Gelly Stardust Pen and a water brush.

I'm off for some creative play and tomorrow I have my monthly A.R.T. Club meet-up. Have a fantastic weekend! :) Sb

The Faux Airbrush Technique is "BEE"utiful for the Craft Stamper Take It, Make it Challenge #1

Happy Tuesday! I am sharing a project that I'm submitting to the Craft Stamper Magazine's first Take It, Make It Blog Challenge. 

 

I used the Faux Airbrushing Technique to create a warm, honey background to compliment my stamped and DIY embossed honeycomb. It might be a little difficult to see, but you might notice that my paper is stamped AND also looks embossed. Well, it is. I made my own embossing template using the stamp. If you attend my weekly demos at the Saturday Crafts Fair on Linqto, I previously shared how I make custom embossing template for my stamps {CLICK HERE to view demo}.

I started by using several Ranger Distress Inks to add color to my Kromecote cardstock base with the faux airbrush technique. After heat setting ink, I ran the paper and handmade embossing template through my Cuttlebug. I rubbed some more ink over the high points gently to accentuate the embossing, then stamped the "Six Hexagon Background #19076" randomly in places. Now my beautifully golden honeycomb background is complete.

I stamped the bees into the background using Jet Black Staz-On Ink and also stamped each bee onto clear acetate. I also stamped each bee's wings onto a Miracle Sheet. What is a MIRACLE SHEET??? It's a full 8 1/2" x 11" page of MIRACLE TAPE - a super strong double-sided adhesive perfect for making all sorts of projects, die-cut shapes and making DIY Washi Tape, too. On the backside of the acetate, I colored the body and head of each bee using a Sharpie Gold Paint Pen. I trimmed out the wings out of Miracle Sheet, then gently peeled off backing and applied to backside of acetate to corresponding stamped wing sections.

After burnishing down my miracle tape wings, I remove backing and dusted the sticky back adhesive with Ranger Perfect Pearls in pearl to give wings a glittery iridescence. I fussy cut each bee out of the acetate and slightly bent each wing. I adhered each bee to the background using Diamond Glaze - only putting adhesive behind the bodies and legs. I left the wings free to have depth and dimension.

To finish this off I'm placed this in a black wood frame from the Dollar Tree. It's a bit rough and rustic looking and will be the perfect home for my "Hive of Bees".

Supplies used: STAMPS - Six Hexagon Background #19076, Bee Facing Left #1708, Bee Facing Right #1820, and Bee Wings Open #1926; Also used Kromecote cardstock; Miracle Sheet; Jet Black Staz-On Ink; Clear Acetate; Sharpie Gold Paint Pen; Sakura Gelli Stardust Pen; Diamond Glaze; Ranger Distress Markers, Several colors of Ranger Distress Inks {Old Paper, Antique Linen, and Frayed Burlap}; Ranger Embossing Ink, and Ranger Perfect Pearls {Pearl}.

Thanks for dropping by - BTW there's still time for you to enter this challenge. The deadline is April 5th. CLICK HERE for the DETAILS.

Spring is right around the corner...right? Hope the rest of your day is sunny and warm! Sb :)

"I'm Late...I'm Late...for a VERY IMPORTANT DATE!" Anything But a Card Challenges #15

Sunday has come and past...my apologies. Yesterday was the debut of a brand new Anything But a Card Challenge... Challenge number 15. Are you ready to CREATE and play along - this is a GOOD one!!!

There's two weeks to play along and link up via inlinkz froggy. Anything But a Card Challenges is a bi-weekly challenge and today, the Design Team showcases NEW projects using a brand-new Challenge 15. For this challenge, we are asking for something "Spring-y" or spring colors, or Alice in Wonderland! Please click here to head on over to ABAC and see all wonderful projects shared by our fantastic design team AND submissions by all of you. Today I am sharing my button fairy version of the perpetually late rabbit from Alice in Wonderland.

**A TIP** The watch in the center is a collage watch face vintage image of Alice that I reduced using my ink-jet printer at home. I did seal it with a light coating of Diamond Glaze and then placed it in the bezel and filled with my Sakura 3D Crystal Lacquer and headed off to bed. I awoke to this blue blotto mess this AM. The Crystal Lacquer pulled all the blue ink to the center {go figure}. So my TIP - don't use Crystal Lacquer to add dimension to an EPSON ink jet print. I will peel it out and make a laser printed version and redux...but I couldn't wait to share. ENJOY!!!

REMEMBER this challenge blog is ANYTHING and EVERYTHING... except for Cards. ATC's aren't greeting cards...so please link up your ATC's!!!

Anything But a Card Challenge 15: For this challenge, we are asking for something "Spring-y" or spring colors, or Alice in Wonderland! I know it seems like a strange combination, but it makes complete sense to all of us creative types... I think it's probably the Rabbit/Easter thing. I hope you are inspired to play along and I can't wait to see what you create! 

Happy Creating!!!

https://apps.facebook.com/mylinqto/saturdaycraftsfair

Thanks for stopping by!!! I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Do you have creative playtime on Saturdays? Please join me live at 4:00pm EST {1pm PST} in the Daylight Musings room at the Saturday Crafts Fair on Linqto! I am demonstrating there every Saturday where I share my projects, how-to's, tips and tricks and more. I hope to see you there!  : ) Sb

Scrapalicious "LUCKY" Shamrock Card using Unscripted Sketches #202

Where did the week go? It flew by like a blink of an eye. Welcome to Sketch-It Saturday with Unscripted Sketches! Today I made a quick card using some leftovers on my table using the new Unscripted Sketches sketch #202.

I have been making a myriad of GREEN projects and this was the perfect opportunity to use some of the leftovers for a quick card to send to a friend. The "LUCKY" is stamped from large Making Memory foam stamps using "peeled paint" distress ink and the embossed shamrocks backround is created from a single Inkadinkado clover stamp. I stamped  the clover repeatedly with Clearsnap Colorbox green pigment ink and embossed with VLVS! Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder. The top left corner is a scrap of cardstock covered in green crumpled tissue and embellished with a double layer stamped clover. All the waste goes to use and I am going to enjoy sending this out today to put a smile on someone's face!

What is Sketch it Saturdays at Unscripted Sketches? Every Saturday morning a new sketch is posted for the week. Flip the sketch, rotate it… create a card, a scrapbook page, a wall hanging, digital, paper, fabric, paint, anything your imagination comes up with! There is no right or wrong way, as long as you are using the Unscripted sketch as the inspiration for your creation! And everyone is invited to join in the fun... and post your creation on their page via inlinkz for all the world to see!

* * * * * * *

https://apps.facebook.com/mylinqto/saturdaycraftsfair

Join me today at the Saturday Crafts Fair on Linqto and QUESTION everything creative in the sbartist : daylight musings. Look for the question mark to join in! All are invited to join me live at 4:00pm EST {1pm PST} in the Daylight Musings room at the Saturday Crafts Fair on Linqto! I demo live every Saturday and I share my projects, how-to's, tips and tricks and more. Today I will be showing how to make a Page-in-a-box {aka explosion box}.

Thanks for stopping by!!! See you tomorrow with a new Anything But A Card Challenges... Challenge #15 debut. 

: ) Sb

Make a Birthday Wish - Fun and Festive Card using Unscripted Sketches #194

Welcome to Sketch-It Saturday with Unscripted Sketches and today's new sketch #194. This week we also have a PIGGYBACK Challenge to use stickers. For today's project, I have shopped in my jumbo ziplock bag-o-scraps and my accordion file of stickers to create this fun and festive birthday card. 

I love the challenge of dumping out my scrap bag and seeing what I can find to create with. The pink solid background paper and the border stripe are scraps of My Minds Eye patterned papers. The "happy birthday to you" and the polka dot pattern I received in a scrap swap. To go along with the color palette, I found some fun metallic star and balloon stickers and some grosgrain word ribbons I have turned into stickers with my Xyron sticker machine. All of the elements are held together using Miracle Tape.

**A TIP** use your pens and markers to add some details to make elements "POP". The sketchy words in the "happy birthday to you" were already sketchy and I went around "happy" and "you" with yellow and blue Ranger Distress Marker to highlight those words. I also used a white gel pen to add some sketchy outlines around the star stickers on the border strip and hand doodling confetti pieces in the background. I also used a black Millennium Pen to add strings to my balloon stickers.

All I have to do is write a sentiment on the inside - and this card is ready to send!

What is Sketch it Saturdays at Unscripted Sketches? Every Saturday morning a new sketch is posted for the week. Flip the sketch, rotate it… create a card, a scrapbook page, a wall hanging, digital, paper, fabric, paint, anything your imagination comes up with! There is no right or wrong way, as long as you are using the Unscripted sketch as the inspiration for your creation! And everyone is invited to join in the fun... and post your creation on their page via inlinkz for all the world to see!

https://apps.facebook.com/mylinqto/saturdaycraftsfair

Thanks for stopping by!!! I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Have some time this afternoon? Please join me live at 4:00pm EST {1pm PST} in the Daylight Musings room at the Saturday Crafts Fair on Linqto! I am demonstrating there every Saturday where I'm sharing my projects, showing how-to's, sharing tips, and there's prizes, too. Today I am upcycling a tequila box into an asian themed lamp. Hope to see you there!  : ) Sb