~ Christening Blessings~

Hello blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life Blog.

 

I went back for day 2 of the Copic Class here in Pittsburgh. We covered a lot in this intermediate class including: shading with Copics, coloring trees, coloring with reds, coloring faces and hair. We had a fair amount of coloring time as well. I am glad that I took the class and now it's time to practice, practice practice.

 

Between the two classes I have plenty of images to color. So it's just the matter of me setting the time aside to do it. Our school season is drawing to a close so I will have open days available.  

 

Now onto my card for today. This one I made for my weekly DT post on the CottageCutz Blog. Today, for your viewing pleasure, I am showcasing the new girl christening gown die. It's such a beautiful die that cuts a sweet baby dress. So let's get started with some details on what I did this week.

I already had the card idea in mind. So when I saw the sketch #642 on Splitcoaststampers this week, I knew it would work perfectly as my layout. It's a square layout this week and one with lots of layers. So I was anxious to give it a try.

 

Vanilla Card Base: 5" square
Blush Pink Layer: 4 1/4" square
Blush Pink Patterned Paper Layer: 4 1/8" square
Champagne Mesh Ribbon Layer: 1 1/2"
Blush Pink Ribbon Layer:  1/2"

Step 1. I figured out my card sizes and then cut all the cardstock and patterned paper. I found this pretty blush pink paper in my stash. I liked how the hearts are cascading down the paper. On the reverse side is a pretty sand color lace pattern.

Step 2:  I wanted to have a cross in this design because it is a christening. And in this Christian ceremony the baby is dedicated to God. I decided to stencil the cross pattern instead of using the die cut. I was going after a very soft look for this card.

 

I used the Easter Cross die and cut the stencil from a window sheet. I used blush pink ink to stencil the cross. The paper size on this vanilla panel is 1 3/4" x 3 1/4" and the pink layering panel is 1 7/8" x 3 3/8". I used a corner rounder for some added interest. It's layer #6 on this sketch.
I decided to stamp my sentiment directly over the stenciled cross. I used a brown sugar ink. This sentiment is layer #7 in this sketch.

 

Step 3: I cut the christening gown in vanilla cardstock. The other pieces are cut in blush pink. This is another of the detailed dies from CottageCutz. With this die you can cut the collar, buttons, sleeve trim, waistband, bow and hemline. You have the option to cut in white and color the pieces,  or do as I did and cut with colored cardstock. I really like how this gown turned out. It's so soft and girlie.

 

Step 4: Time for card assembly. I originally was going to use the lace pattern that is on the reverse side of my patterned paper. But when I placed it on the card I thought it was a bit dark. So I used a champagne mesh and blush pink ribbon. It kept the softness of my card. To finish it off I added some pearls in the corner and a butterfly to the cross panel.

 

Well, that's it for me for this post. So until next time.........God bless.

 

Die I used to create card:

 

I am also entering:

1.  Hiding in my Craft Room has a freestyle challenge.

2.  Crafting with Friends has an anything goes challenge.

3.  Fussy and Fancy has an anything goes challenge.

 

Birthday (Shaving Cream Technique)

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life Blog.

It's Friday and another weekend is upon us. My weekend is centering around Copic markers. The Copic classes are being held here in Pittsburgh today and Saturday. I signed up for both the standard and intermediate classes.

 

In today's class, I learned about the Copic coloring system and what the letters and numbers mean. Markers to start your collection, how to refill the markers, coloring techniques, correcting mistakes and using the airbrush system. And, we also colored some images. The 7 hours went by so quickly. Tomorrow will be a 9.5 hour class and I am looking forward to it.

 

Our instructor, Debbie Olson, said that we need to practice, practice, practice to get results we will be happy with. We learn the methods in the class to take home and work with.

 

So more on what I learn in the class tomorrow in another post. Now, let's move onto my card for today. This one I made for one of the Virtual Stamping Night challenges on Splitcoaststampers. Kim was the hostess and her challenge was to use the shaving cream technique. She wants us to use that technique for our background or for die cuts. I did a background.

I used pumpkin pie, real red and pear pizzazz re-inkers to create my background.

The image panel is using the Stampin'-Up "field flowers" stamp set. It's a 2 step stamp set and to get the color gradient I stamped the watermelon wonder off 2x and then stamped the image.

The detail stamp is stamped full strength. I decided to fussy cut one of the flowers and pop it up on my card for added interest.

To finish the card off, I added some pear pizzazz ribbon and bow, then stamped my birthday sentiment. This one has already left my home. It was our Preschool director's birthday this past week and I was in charge of bringing the card.

 

Well, that's it for me for this post. So until next time........God bless.

 

card details:

Stamps: Field Flowers (Stampin'-Up), Seashells (MFP)  

Paper: pear pizzazz, watermelon wonder, whisper white  

Paper Size: A2

Ink: watermelon wonder, pear pizzazz, tuxedo black (Memento)

Accessories: pear pizzazz ribbon, pearls, reinkers: real red, pumpkin pie, pear pizzazz, shaving cream

Techniques: Shaving Cream

 

I am also entering:

1.  Aud Sentiments Challenge wants us to use a stamped sentiment.

2.  Simon Says Stamp has an anything goes challenge.  

3.  Seize The Birthday is an anything goes birthday challenge.

3. 

 

Sending Hugs from Noah's Ark

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life Blog on this Saturday in April.

 

It's already a beautiful day here in Pittsburgh-sunny but on the cool side. But, the temps don't matter to me because Spring is officially here. Our spring flowers are blooming and the trees are budding.

I don't have any special plans for today. Hubby goes to work this afternoon so maybe I will just go into my craft room for a bit. That's always fun for me.

 

Now let's move onto my card for today. This one I created for my weekly DT post on the CottageCutz Blog.  

We just had the cutest release of baby dies. There are 42 different designs. So perfect for creating cards to welcome the new baby, baby birthday cards or even as baby shower invitations. I have several nieces who just got married and now are expecting so I will need baby cards soon. Just not right now and that may be where you are at.

So today for your viewing pleasure, I am showcasing the new Noah's Ark die. But, I am showing another way to use this die that isn't centered around a baby card. I featured this card on Tuesday using the choo choo train dies with the same idea. 

I needed a card of encouragement to send from a group of us. I thought all the ark animals would be perfect for a card of this type. So let's get started with some details on how I created this card.

Smoky Slate Card Base: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"
Island Indigo Layer Panel: 5 3/8" x 4 1/8"
Designer Paper Image Panel: 5 1/4" x 4"

Step 1: This week I created my card design totally around my designer paper. I found this awesome scenic water and sky designer paper in my stash. It's from the Stampin'-Up "serene scenery" collection.

I thought it would be a great accompaniment to the ark. I really like using designer paper on my cards. So when the card design, dies and paper fit like a glove it's a win-win for me.

 

Step 2: I cut all the animals and the ark using different color cardstock. The colored picture on the die packaging is always the perfect colors-in my opinion. So I usually use colored cardstock that matches the picture.

 

 Step 3: I assembled the ark and placed all the animals in their assigned spot. Normally, I would do this right on the patterned paper but I only had 1 sheet of this paper and I didn't want to make a mistake or get glue somewhere it shouldn't be. You know how easily that can happen (lol)!!

 

 Step 4: I stamped my sentiment on this step. I used 2 different stamps and my MISTI for placement. I forgot to take a photo of this part of the process. Started assembling all the layers. I changed the base color to a light gray instead of the white I was going to use. I thought the smoky slate accented the island indigo panel and the designer paper more than the white.

 

Well, Blogger friends that's it for me for this post. I hope I have given you another idea on how to use these new dies. Until next time..........God bless!!!

 

Die I used to create card:

I am also entering:

1. Crafty Friends has an anything goes challenge.

2. Brown Sugar Blog has a die cut challenge.  

3. Crafting with friends has an anything goes challenge.

 

Fairy Hugs Shaving Cream Technique

Hello Blogger Friends and a happy Wednesday to you all.

 

We had a new mattress delivered this morning. We were long overdue in buying a new one. When you go to buy a mattress now you really get an education. Our sales person was very knowledgeable and we are confident that we made a good decision. We also have 90 days to try it and if it doesn't work we can return it and pick another mattress.

 

The delivery men were in and out within 10 minutes and even removed the old mattress. And, there were no issues getting it up our stairs. That was a bit of a concern with us. So tonight will be the first sleep test.

 

Now onto today's card. This one I made for one of the Virtual Stamp Night challenges on Splitcoaststampers.  Dawn Mercedes VSN APRVSN17M was the hostess for this challenge. She wants us to create a card w/o any stamps on it. I love using dies so that's the direction I went.

My background was made using the shaving cream challenge. Here is a link to this technique.

I used pumpkin pie, pear pizzazz and mossy meadow re-inkers with the shaving cream. I cut the foliage border in mossy meadow cardstock. The fairy was in my stash. The hugs word I cut in mossy meadow and pumpkin pie cardstock and then did a slight offset.

I found the pumpkin pie scalloped frame in my stash so I decided to use that. Secured it to my mossy meadow base and this card was done. It's time to dim the lights in Charmed Life land for another day. So until next time....................God bless.

 

card details:

Paper: mossy meadow, pumpkin pie, whisper white

Paper Size: A2  

Accessories: pumpkin pie, pear pizzazz, mossy meadow reinkers, spring fairy, spring foliage border dies (CottageCutz), rectangle die (Impression Obsession), hugs die (MFT)  

Techniques: Shaving Cream

 

Dies I used to create card:

1.  Crafts and Me has a things with wings challenge.

2.  Crafting with an Attitude #26 challenge is anything goes.

3.  Crafty Girls challenge #35 is anything goes.

4.  Creative Knockouts has a lots of layers challenge

 I am also entering:

1. 

~ Follow Your Dream ~

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life Blog.

Enjoying my last couple days of Easter break before pre-school resumes on Thursday. It's a bright sunny day here in Pittsburgh. My grandson has a baseball game this afternoon at his school. So it will be a perfect day for it. 

 

Let's move onto my card for today. This one I made for my weekly DT post on the CottageCutz blog.

And, for your viewing pleasure, I am showcasing the new Choo Choo Train dies. But, I am showing another way to use this die that isn't centered around a baby card.

So without further delay, let's get started on how I created my card.

bermuda bay card base: 5 5/8" x 4 3/8"
black Layer Panel: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"
Image Panel: 5 3/8" x 4 1/8"

Step 1: I started my card this week by die cutting my train pieces. I used the colors from the Splitcoaststampers color challenge #631. The colors are red, crumb cake, bermuda bay and black. I also used a neutral of smoky slate and basic gray.

bermuda bay, black, real red, crumb cake

Step 2: I decided to create an outdoor scene for my train. I started it by sponging the teal ink on the top part of my white cardstock.

I wanted some mountains in this scene so I took a post it note (it's blue) and tore it into a mountain range shape. Placed it on my cardstock to cover the card top and sponged in chocolate ink.

For the final step to the background, I sponged more teal ink and then crumb cake and tea dye distress. I was happy with how the background turned out.

Step 3: I usually stamp my sentiment as one of my last things to complete my card. But, since I had a couple of layers on this one I stamped at this point in the process. I used Tuxedo Black ink and my MISTI for placement.

Step 4: I placed my train cars, couplings and track on the completed background scene.

Step 5: I layered the black cardstock to the image panel and then to my teal card base. And, that completed this card. Here is a close-up of the card. I wanted to show the detail in the train cars -right down to the couplings that connect the train together. You can click any of the photos to make them larger.

I hope I have given you an idea for a different way to use this die. Sometimes by just thinking out of the box a bit, you can get a creative idea to use a die in a unique way. Well, that's it for me for this post. Until next time..... God bless.

Die I used to create card:

I am also entering:

1.  Always Fun Challenge is anything goes.

2.  Crafting From the Heart has an anything goes challenge.

3.  Lost Coast Designs has a favorite background technique. Sponging is one of my faves.

4.  Path of Positivity has a beauty of nature challenge.

~ Easter Blessings ~

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life Blog. Today is Easter Sunday so I hope your day was a good one.

 

We started our day off with Church. Our Pastor had a great Easter message. In fact, I told him after service that I thought it was the best Easter message I ever heard him preach. We have been part of this church since 1990 so I have heard a lot from him over the years.

 

After service we went to visit with our son and daughter-in-law for a couple of hours. Then we moved to my hubby's family where we had dinner. It was a great time of just enjoying each other's company and having a great meal together.

 

My hubby's niece hosted the dinner at her home. She is such a great hostess. I have to drop a thank you card in the mail and let her know how much we appreciated the day.

 

Now onto my card for today. This one I made for the color challenge #629 on Splitcoaststampers. Karen was our hostess and she chose sweet sugarplum mint macaron and pear pizzazz for her color trio.

sweet sugarplum, mint macaron, pear pizzazz

 

I used the MojoMonday #491 sketch. I love tilted panels so this layout was for me.

My background designer paper is from the Stampin'-Up "playful palette" and blooms and bliss collections. The Easter Egg is the die from CottageCutz - "build an Easter egg" collection. I cut the background egg in pear pizzazz as well as the bow across the center of the egg.

Sentiment is from MFP "blessings" stamp set. I stamped in sweet sugarplum ink and used my MISTI for placement. Finished off the card with some mint macaron and sweet sugarplum enamel dots.

I am also entering this in the Splitcoaststamper April Virtual Stamping Night challenge. The hostess was Lee and the challenge was "April Fun".  She wanted us to use the letters APRIL in our card design.

A - angle (sentiment panel)
P - Polka Dots
R - Rectangle Dies
I - Ink (sweet Sugarplum)
L - Layering

 

That's my card for today. So until next time.......God bless.

 

card details:

Stamps: blessings (MFP) 

Paper: sweet sugarplum, mint macaron, pear pizzazz, whisper white, playful palette, blooms and bliss dsp (Stampin'-Up)   

Paper Size: A2

Ink: sweet sugarplum

Accessories: stitched rectangle & rectangle dies, build an Easter egg (CottageCutz), it's my party & 2016-2108 in-color enamel dots (Stampin'-Up) 

 

 

S'more Fun

 

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life Blog.

Today is my first day of Easter break at Preschool. I used the day to clean my craft room and some other household chores.

And, yesterday the 2016 taxes were finished and filed. That headache is over for another year. We owed a very minimal amount so that was very good.

 

I also put my Easter cards in the mail today. They are just going locally so they will get there by Saturday. Don't know why I didn't send them sooner. I have had them done for awhile.

 

We will be having Easter dinner with my hubby's family. Usually, I cook and have them here but his niece wants to host this year. My son and daughter-in-law will be having dinner with her parents. So this all works out nicely for me.

 

Now onto today's card. This one I made for the virtual stamp night challenges on Splitcoaststampers. Misti was the hostess of the "funny friend" challenge. She wanted us to project that you could send to THAT friend that is a punny, snarky, humorous card.

 

I think mine falls in the punny and humorous category.

Did you ever see a squirrel toasting marshmallows (lol)!! My precious 6 year old granddaughter will love this because when she comes to visit in the summer we always make s'mores together.

I used lots of CottageCutz dies to create my campground scene. The background paper is something from my stash. I layered that over night of navy cardstock.

The sentiment is from the get toasty set by MFT.

 

Well, that's it for me for this post. time to dim the lights in Charmed Life land for another day. So until next time........God bless.

 

Card Details:

Stamps: Get Toasty (MFT)  

Paper: night of navy, mossy meadow, baked brown sugar,cajun craze, summer sun, kraft, smoky slate (Stampin'-Up)  

Paper Size: A2  

Ink: night of navy, smoky slate (Stampin'-Up), distress inks tea dye, rusty hinge  

Accessories: snowcapped mountains, mushrooms & greenery, campfire squirrel, campsite dies (CottageCutz) 

 

Dies I used to create card:

 

 

 

I am also entering:

1.  Crafting With An Attitude has an anything goes challenge.

2.  Crafty Girls Creations has an anything goes challenge.

3.  Crafty Creations has an anything goes challenge.

4.  Inspiration Destination has an anything goes challenge.

~ Wrinkle Free Distress Technique ~

Hello Blogger Friends. Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life Blog today. Hope your weekend was relaxing whatever you did and that there was some crafty time in there as well.

 

I didn't do anything special just some household things. I did finally purchase the new knobs for my kitchen cabinets and I even put them on. It wasn't difficult at all.  Some months ago I mentioned the remodeling that we were doing.

 

Well, it's still not done. Christmas came and I put everything on hold and then it went to the back burner for some reason. It's so close to being finished so I am pushing ahead.

 

The eating area of the kitchen needs painted so I am going this week to pick that out. I will also be purchasing a new ceiling light fixture. I didn't see anything that jumped out at me at the big box stores. So, I am looking on line. I also need a new area rug and the hardwood floor in the eating area needs refinished. I am going to call the contractor today.

 

Hopefully in the next month I can call this project a done deal. It's been a year so it's more than time to be done.

 

old olive, rich razzleberry, pumpkin pie

Now let's move on to my card for today. this one I created for the color challenge #628.  I was the hostess this week and I chose old olive, rich razzleberry and pumpkin pie for my color trio.

For both my cards I decided to do a wrinkle free distress technique. The tutorial is here on SCS.

I swiped my 3 colors of distress ink (spiced marmalade, seedless preserves and peeled paint) on my craft mat- sprayed with water-and then laid my distressed watercolored cardstock on top.

I made about 4 backgrounds and each one of them turned out different. I didn't lay this background back in the ink after using the heat tool. I got a slightly lighter color on my spiced marmalade on this one.

I first tried the technique using Stampin'-Up inks, but I didn't get the same dramatic effect that I did with the distress inks.

This background reminded me of a misty English moor so I went with that and started stenciling. What I did on this card is way out of my comfort zone (lol). But, I like how it turned out

After the stenciling was done, I had to add the fairy. She fit right in the scene. It's the Spring Fairy die from CottageCutz. The sentiment is a stamp from Great Impressions. Layered my background on a rich razzleberry card base to complete this card.

 

Well that's it for me for today. time to get started with my card for this week's color challenge. So until next time......God bless.

 

card details:

Stamps: Wishes Have Wings (Great Impressions Stamps)

Paper: rich razzleberry, whisper white (Stampin'-Up), distress watercolor cardstock (Ranger) 

Paper Size: A2

Ink: spiced marmalade, seedless preserves, peeled paint, old olive, rich razzleberry   

Accessories: Spring Fairy and Wildflowers 2 dies (CottageCutz), Garden Fronds Stencil (Memory Box), Blossoms Stencil (Martha Stewart)

Techniques: Wrinkle Free Distress 

 

Dies I used: 

 

I am also entering:

1.  Cards in Envy has a fantasy and flowers challenge.

2.  Crafty Cardmakers has a Things with Wings challenge.

3.  Lost Coast Designs has a favorite background technique