Friday, December 13, 2013

12 Days of Craft-mas - On the 4th Day of Craftmas...


I am so excited to be joining an awesome line up of crafty ladies for this special event! If you haven't checked out Days ONETWO and THREE, please do so NOW - then come back and see what I have crafted up for ya.


I have to admit, originally I wanted to share my December Daily album but in all honesty, it is STILL lying in shambles on my floor. I have all the pieces pulled out that I want to use but haven't quite made any of my pages yet - haven't even printed pictures yet. Sad, I know. So, instead, I bring you a crafty little project that you can make pretty easily using some buttons you may or may not have been hoarding (like I have!)


What you'll need to create this craftmas project:
  • a foam cone (I got mine at the dollar store)
  • acrylic paint
  • lots of buttons
  • strong adhesive of your choice (I used Helmar 450 Quick Dry - which you can NOW find at Hobby Lobby!!)
  • jingle bell or something else to top your tree
  • ribbon & twine
First you will want to paint your cone in a matching color of your main buttons. I used a green paint. Let that dry. Grab a bunch of buttons, you can use all green with pops of red, like I did or you can get really creative and use any color you like. I actually think white buttons would look super elegant for a center piece. Then, it's just a matter of arranging your buttons. Don't think too much on this part - the randomness of the buttons is what really gives this a homey, rustic cute look! To add more interest, I added bows using sparkly cream twine that was gifted to me on the red buttons.


This came together fairly quickly, probably an hour or so from start to finish after the paint had dried. I got a little nervous about halfway through wondering how it would look, but I'm glad I kept going. It really is a sweet Christmas decoration now and on its way to someone just as sweet. (She probably hasn't gotten it yet so don't say anything. haha)
I hope you have enjoyed my project and be sure to check back on each of these ladies during the next 8 days to find even more Christmas Craft inspirations!


I ALMOST forgot! I have a crafty little prize to give away - just leave me a comment and you're entered to win a mystery box full of crafty goodies. I have been doing a little clean up and have lots of stamps, paper & embellies ready to go to a new home for the new year! You have until the end of all 12 days to enter. Gives me time for more destashing and filling this priority box to the max! I will pick a winner on Dec 22. (US residents only, since I am using a priority box) Thanks so much for stopping by.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

World Card Making Day Blog Hop with DTC!

Today, October 5th, is officially World Card Making Day! This holiday is an opportunity to celebrate the creativity of handmade cards and the personal connection that they create between friends and family. It's a day to connect with fellow card makers both near and far, to applaud the creativity that powers the craft, and to provide an opportunity for card makers to connect and find resources that will empower, inspire, and encourage them in their card making. It’s also a time to get a jump-start on the holiday card-making season!
At Designed To Color, we’ve decided to celebrate this special day with an awesome Blog Hop!! Our Design Team and special guests have made some amazing cards! Several of us will also be sharing some card-making tips along the way. Please leave a comment on each designer’s blog and then a comment at Designed To Color to let us know you have completed the hop. We will pick 1 random winner for a prize package consisting of goodies from various sponsors including: 
Crafter's Companion
Yumi & Fumi Handmade
…..just to name a few!
You have until Monday, October 7th, at 11:59pm MST to leave a comment on each blog. We will announce the winner on Wednesday, October 9th. GOOD LUCK!
Here is the blog hop order:
Carisa (you are here)
GUESTS from TSD:

Stamp: The Greeting Farm (From the Bean Collection - retired now I think)
Medium: Copics
skin- E50, E51, E93, V20
hair- V20, B91, B93
Clothes/stars- R24, R46, R59, B000, B12, B14
Elements: Copic Xpress It Blending Cardstock, Pink Paislee, Timeless Twine "Firecracker", Studio Calico Wood Veneers, Sweet N Sassy Mini Tags Die Set & Matching Stamp Set, Helmar 450 Quick Dry, Spellbinders Circles & Scallop Dies

For WCMD I wanted to go back to my stamping roots - for me, The Greeting Farm started it all. I kinda liked stamping and coloring up until the moment I saw my first TGF card. Totally stopped me in my tracks and the obsession with stamping and coloring grew beyond my wildest dreams. I've had a blast and met some of my closest friends because of it. I'm so excited to be celebrating WCMD with this hop today. I hope you have a great day and find some time to make some cards! That's one of the hardest parts for me these days is finding the time.

MY CARDMAKING TIP: I was noticing I hardly used my dies any more - so now when I pull out my cuttlebug if I'm cutting a general shape with plain cardstock I make a few extras. For example, the cute mini tag I used on my card today, I cut out a bunch of those dies using just white cardstock so that I can have them ready on hand for that final touch but I don't have to have the hassle of grabbing my cuttlebug out! Easy Peasy!

We hope you are inspired to create something special for World Card Making Day. If you do make a card please stop by the Designed To Color Facebook Page to share your creations. We would love to see them!! 

Now it's time to hop on over to Susie!

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Sweet N Sassy Stamps sponsors Designed To Color

Medium: Copics
YR21, YR23, G17, YG67, YG97, BG53, BG45, BG49, W1, W2
Paper: Cryogen
Elements: Sweet N Sassy Bookmarks & More Dies, Memento Tuxedo Black, Lawn Fawn Into The Woods 6x6 Papers, My Clever Creations Button, Twine, ATG Gun, Helmar 450 Quick Dry


I am so excited for our sponsor for our Oct 1 Challenge at Designed To Color - Sweet N Sassy Stamps. These stamps are just so cute and I love the different sentiments as well as the fonts that are used. Not to mention, the owner, Korin is an absolute sweetheart. I've been blessed to talk to her on the phone a couple times and she really has a good heart. I love that God has placed certain people in my life through this crazy crafty life that help me to grow and seek Him above all else. 

For my card I totally CASED Korin's card from the release. I thought it was SO clever and I think they make the best cards to have an interactive bookmark that you can detach and use. I had a blast making this cute bookmark and can't wait to make more. I also love the delicate lace border die that also comes in the set that I used to border my pattern paper. I cut a bunch of those out while I was doing this card because I realized I'm a lazy card maker and I don't use my dies a lot because I hate dragging out my cuttle bug, clearing a space and running through a die. SOOO, I thought hey! Why don't I just cut out  a few extras to have on hand while I already have it out?! ha! Brilliant. ;) Sometimes I have 'em. 

What is your favorite tip for crafty short cuts?

Monday, September 30, 2013

Cheeky Hello Crafter's Companion Spectrum Noir Card

Hi everyone!

Spectrum Noir Pens
Skin- FS2, TN2, FS6
Hair- CR7, DR2
Clothes- BT2, BT4, BT6, EB2, EB7, CT3
Horns- EB1


This is my last post as Crafter's Companion's September Guest Designer and I had a blast. I saved my favorite card for last. Well, I didn't really mean to, I had "misplaced" the stamp set and couldn't find it for weeks when I wanted then desperately NEEDED to stamp with it. LOL Have you ever done that?! I still haven't found my (SECOND) tiny attacher. *sigh* Anyhoo, I jus adore how this card turned out. Again, I colored with Spectrum Noir pens - I had fun breaking these out - forgot how much I love coloring with that fine point tip.

I have to give another little shout out to my friend Annette for giving me sequins and even some of her handmade buttons to play with when we got together a couple weeks ago. Thanks, girl!! I love that blue button - it has a bit of shimmer on it - if you want to buy some for yourself, be sure to check out her blog.

I want to thank Crafter's Companion once again for having me as their September Guest Designer - it was so much fun - I love their products and I love the people that make up their company. Be sure to keep up on what is coming out next & entering challenges by following Crafter's Companion Blog! ;)


Saturday, September 28, 2013

Crafter's Companion September Guest Designer Sheena A Little Bit of Magical Stamp

Hi everyone! I'm back with my 2nd to last post as Crafter's Companion September Guest Designer. :) 


Spectrum Noir Pens
Bird: FL1, OR1, GB6, EB2, EB1
Branch: EB7, EB2, DR2
Shadow: TB2, TB3, LG1

I have to say once again how awesome it has been being on this Design Team! For this card I used one of the stamps form the Sheena A Little Bit of Magical Honesty set - I just loved that bird and it kind of turned into an Autumn themed card. I colored the stamp with Spectrum Noir markers. I visited with a friend a couple weeks ago and she gave me some sequins to play with which I eagerly used on this card  (and pretty much any card I've made since. LOL they are a bit addicting!) I also used a fun technique using the Embossalicious Lattice folder to create my background on my card base. I just used 3 different distress ink colors and rubbed them directly on the folder before running through my cuttlebug. I really love the effect!

Thanks for stopping by - I will be back on Monday with my last post for Crafter's Companion and my FAVORITE card that I made during September!


Saturday, September 21, 2013

She's Here card using Crafter's Companion & Spectrum Noir pens

Hi everyone! Welcome to my 2nd post as September's Guest Designer for Crafter's Companion!


Today I have a card using the same stamp as last week - Treasured Baby s.w.a.l.k by Crafter's Companion - only THIS time I've colored her up as a little baby girl! Yep - this stamp can be a boy OR a girl because it includes 2 cute little pigtails that you can add or leave out. :D I love that! 

Crafter's Companion is also sponsoring the current challenge at Designed To Color so I hope you will head over and join in the fun - the challenge is ANYTHING GOES so easy peasy.


SUPPLIES-
Medium: Spectrum Noir Pens
Skin: FS2, TN2, FS6, PP1
Hair: CT2, CT1, CT4, EB2
Clothing: BP3, BP5
Other: (pillow) PP1, PP6
Paper: Smooth White Cardstock
Elements: Pink Paisley, Crafter's Companion Embossalicious Lattice Folder


Friday, September 6, 2013

Crafter's Companion Guest Design Team - SWALK Treasured Baby

Hi everyone! I am so excited to be back at my crafty desk and here to share some exciting news as well! I am the September Guest Designer at Crafter's Companion - USA!! I really can't say enough great things about this company - not only do they have some of the cutest stamps around (a couple that I will be sharing with you throughout the month) but they also have some of the best employees ever. This is truly a company with real integrity from top to bottom. I love that! With all that said, it really is an honor to be guest designing for them this month.
 
 
So, for my first post this month, I used this adorable stamp set SWALK Treasured Baby. Oh my goodness, you may not know but a lot of my long absence had to do with the birth of our 4th child in June. When I saw this stamp, I knew I had to have it - seriously is there anything cuter than a little baby tush up in the air like that when they are sleeping?! I think not! This little stamp reminds me of my new little guy with all that hair, too. Seriously cute!!!

Spectrum Noir Pens
Skin - FS2, FS3, TN2
Hair - EB2, EB7
Clothes - TB1, TB3
 
I colored this little sweetie using the "no lines" coloring technique. Now I LOVE this technique until I sit down to color. LOL It's definitely one of the more challenging techniques but soooo worth the time and effort when you are finished. I will be sharing a tutorial later this month on how I colored this cutie using my Spectrum Noir Pens. Once you get past the intimidating factor with the no lines coloring, it really is a lot of fun and the effect at the end is amazing. I love how it has that painted look to it when you are finished. Hopefully, if you haven't tried this technique yet, you'll be inspired to give it a go.
 
I can't wait to be back next week with another project featuring Crafter's Companion stamps. Thanks so much for stopping by and sticking with me all these inactive months. It feels really, really good to be doing what I love again. 
 
Let me ask you a question before I go:
 
Have you ever taken a break from crafting - like an extended break and what did you do to get your mojo started again? Leave me a comment and let me know!
 
Happy coloring,

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Unity Stamp Co. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun BIG new release!!!

There is a TON going on today at Unity Stamp Co. so let's just get started!! If you love to color like I do, you're going to love all the new stamps being released today - LOTSA girls and LOTSA coloring! :D I have to say there is ONE in particular AngieGirl being released today that has a hold of my heart which will be pretty clear when you see her - and that's also what I used in my project today!


Do you see what I see?! YUP, that is my very own CarisaGirl - seriously - isn't she adorable?! Angie does an amazing job creating this girls and I just love my very own. We were fooling around chatting one day with the Unity Girls and I jokingly put in my order for an Angie girl that had a big round pregnant belly, messy hair (cuz I hardly EVER do my hair these days. *giggle*) and bare feet - next thing I know, here she is! I love the sentiments in this set - especially She Procreates!! You've also got to love LisaGirl, the soccor mom and KelliGirl, the cook!!! LOVE them all!!!

(sorry for the crappy cell phone pictures - my camera is broken)




Here is my mixed media canvas using CarisaGirl. I've been creating some birth art and a pregnancy art journal and once I started coloring this stamp I knew I wanted to create something to have with me in labor. I love how it turned out - I'm going to make another one to give to my midwife as a gift! :D

And now for all the other awesome things going on today, just CHECK IT OUT:




Seriously, does it get any better?! How about those awesome new Fashionistas by Tracey Malnofski and the SASSY sentiments by Erin Schreiner!!! Of course, with every new release there is an equally awesome promotion so be sure to hop on over to the Unity Stamp Co. site to do your shopping when you're done. :D

And now you are off to Jen's blog:

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to leave a comment on all the blogs and THREE peeps get a chance to win a $20 gift certificate to Unity. 

Friday, March 8, 2013

Friends of True's - Swirly Spring Blog Hop!!


Welcome to the "Friends of True's - Swirly Spring" BLOG HOP! 


If you are here from Colleen Schaan's blog, you are in the right place. If you just happened onto mine you will want to head back to True's blog where it all starts. There will be a prize package donated by Inky Antics that includes  True's entire, newly released, Swirly Spring stamp line!


#11158MC, Swirly Easter Clear Set

I am so excited to be joining True and all her friends in this amazing hop to showcase her latest release with Inky Antics! I was so excited when True sent me this set above to use in my post today. I had so much fun I just couldn't stop at one card! I've been in a one layer card making mood lately so two of my cards feature that and for the last card I used some of True's new paper line along with the stamps. I don't want to chat too long because you have a lot of stops and I just want to share my projects!!!

I have been playing a LOT with Pan Pastels lately and that is how I created this one layer card! 

This card also features Pan Pastels for the sky but I also used Derwent Inktense pencils to color in the flowers. This is a new coloring medium I've been exploring recently. I love how this card turned out! That sentiment is just too cute and with all the flowers in the set, there are tons of possibilities! I just chose my favorite flower - tulips. 


This card kind of goes back to my roots of card making using Copic markers. I originally started out coloring the cross purple but then I thought OH MY GOSH, I should make them WOOD! So that is what I did and I love how it turn out. I was inspired by this beautiful pattern paper designed by Trudy to create this card. I stamped the sentiment directly on the seam binding ribbon and inked the edges with a Copic marker.


Make sure to leave a comment on every stop, to increase your chances of winning the prize package. One lucky commenter from a randomly picked blog will win all 6 stamp sets! The winner will be announced on True's Blog on Monday, March 11th.

Your next stop on the hop is Lisa Lara's blog. Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed my cards today and are having a blast on the hop!

Here is a list of all of the links in case you get lost along the way.




Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Designed To Color & Lil' Inker Designs Blog Hop!!!


Welcome to the Designed to Color and Lil' Inker Designs Blog Hop!!

This is the first stop on your inspiration journey!  We are so honored and excited that Lil' Inker Designs is our Hue's Who for the Winter 2013 issue of DTC that we just had to throw a celebration!  And because we just celebrated our FIRST year in your crafting lives, we thought having a birthday themed hop would be just the cherry on top!
So please, join the ladies of Lil' Inker Designs as well as a few sprinkles of the DTC Color and Challenge Crews.  

Complete the hop for your chance to win TWO stamps sets of the winner's choice from Lil' Inker Designs!  And of course check out Lil' Inker Designs blog for a prize as well!!!
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/61552_150958044937640_6369321_n.jpg
To complete the hop, follow along the order of the hop and leave a comment on each blog's post.  Once you have done this, come back here and leave a comment that you have completed the hop.  You should only leave one comment per blog.
Prizes will be given out on March 8th.  The hop is open from March 5th to March  7th.  So don't miss out!!!

Now that you know the rules, let's get this party started!!! 


Here is my card! I absolute adore this stamp  set called Surprise. I love the vintage little girls and the matching expressions. One of my favorite sentiments is Belated Birthday Wishes because I'm forever forgetting birthdays! LOL I kept it clean and simple (I think I was channeling Lisa McKinney while I was creating!) and I love how it turned out. These would actually be really fast and easy to make a set of for a gift or if you were getting ready for a craft fair! I stepped out of my normal Copic zone and pulled out my Derwent Inktense pencils. I only have the 12 set so you can see you don't need all of them to create something cute! (Although, I am sure I will be adding to my collection as I really LOVE the look of them on kraft paper!) For their skin, I don't have a good skin tone in the 12 set so I used the peach color from Faber-Castell Gelatos. 

Supplies:
Lil' Inker Designs - Surprise stamp set
Derwent Inktense Pencils
Faber-Castel Gelatos
Water Brush
Archival Ink - Jet Black
PaperTrey Ink Kraft Cardstock

I hope you like it and thanks so much for joining us today!

Here is the order of the hop! Your next stop is Laura

Designed to Color http://www.designedtocolor.com
Lil' Inker Designs www.shoplilinker.blogspot.com



Friday, February 22, 2013

Helmar February Challenge using Heidi Swapp Memory File

Hi everyone!
 
 
Did you know Helmar has a challenge EVERY single month and YOU have a chance to win an awesome prize package? Yep, this month we have an awesome sketch challenge and I wanted to put it into action with this new memory file folder I got in my Heidi Swapp warehouse package. I had never used them before but I can tell you right now, I want some more! Mine were the bare kind so I covered it with some Heidi Swapp papers and almost everything you see on my project is Heidi Swapp/Pink Paislee supplies and of course it is all held together using my favorite adhesives in the world: Helmar Premium Craft Glue and Helmar 450 Quick Dry!!
 
Here is the Helmar February Sketch:
 
 
Here you can see the inside of my memory file folder and how I used the sketch to display the ultrasound of our 4th baby due in June! We recently found out we're having another boy and I knew I wanted to create a keepsake with his pictures as well as some journaling to remember the day. This was no ordinary ultrasound - my husband lost his job 2 weeks before Christmas and we have been fighting for our cobra coverage ever since. His company was supposed to be paying for the first 2 months of coverage which was running out on February 8th. On February 5th, determined to get this ultrasound as I was already 23 weeks and after about 24 weeks it's a lot harder gets bigger to get all the measurments, etc. as the baby grows and honestly, I just wanted to know everything was ok with our baby.

 
After hours on the phone, I finally had insurance for 3 days and the only time they had available for an ultrasound was THAT day an hour from my phone call and the place was 45 mins away. LOL This mama was determined so I quickly called my mom to watch our other kiddos and rushed to the appointment. Since I had no way of getting in touch with hubby and I knew he wouldn't be able to come anyway (first time we'd have this ultrasound without being together) I grabbed a note card for the tech to write down the gender of the baby so we could all find out together as a family later that night. I kept that as well and tucked it into a little pocket on the opposite side of the memory folder.

 
I honestly couldn't believe it as our oldest opened the envelope and read what was on the notecard! I immediately burst into tears of joy as I really had hoped to give our son a little brother. I just know how special that is seeing the special sister bond between our 2  girls. It didn't take long for my hubby to start planning future boys vs. girls water balloon fights and other fun ideas now that as he says "we're even!" He was pretty outnumbered there for a little while. *giggle* We feel incredibly blessed right now and I'm pretty excited to meet this little guy in about 15 weeks or so when he decides it's time!!! Until then though, now that I'm finally feeling normal (I had a rough 1st and 2nd trimester with morning sickness - worst I'd experienced in all 4 pregnancies!) I'm just enjoying these last couple of months together, feeling him jump, kick and get the hiccups!

 
These ultrasound pictures never cease to amaze me! I loved seeing our little one bouncing around inside me as I was feeling him. In this picture you can clearly see his profile, a little hand above his head (he really likes that position) and his leg. The ultrasound tech kept saying our little guy has some really long legs! LOL Not surprising as my hubby is well over 6 ft tall. ;)

 
I just wanted to share a close up of how I used the February Helmar Sketch Challenge. I hope you will play along - you can check out all the details HERE!!
 
Thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Chalk Art with Unity Stamp Co!

Hi everyone!!

Have you seen or heard about Chalk Art?! It's pretty much catching on in the craft world and I've seem some of the original chalk art that just blows my mind!! I've always admired beautiful lettering and it takes that to a whole new level! Well, thankfully, for someone like me, I don't have to brush up on my (non existant) lettering skills because you can achieve gorgeous chalk art like effects with your STAMPS!!! Here are a couple of my first attempts using stamps from Everyday Fairytale {KOM 12/12} & All Hearts and Love {KOM 1/13} 
 

Isn't it fun?! This one is my favorite - it is fun to add pops of color with colored pencils in this technique. I'm working on a video that will be ready next week on the two different techniques I used to get these cards so be sure to subscribe to UnityTV so you don't miss them or anything else!!
 
And now there is a LOT to go over that you DO NOT want to miss at Unity Stamp Co so be sure to check it ALL out:
 
NEW Exclusive Wood Mounted Stamps - SPECIALLY Engraved for Collector's!
St. Patty's RELEASE!
Take a peek at ALL THESE on the WEBSITE right HERE.
they are NOW AVAILABLE!
Also RELEASING!
TWO new ANGIgirl Friends!
These girls are ADORABLE and will be RELEASING on a Monthly BASIS!
Watch for the NEXT RELEASE on March 7th!
Get THESE 2 NEW girls in the meantime!
$10 all weekend long!
We also have NEW RELEASES from Donna Downey!
CLICK HERE.
NEW Donna Downey Stamps are not available at a discounted rate from Unity.
You will also find these in STORES near YOU! :)
Here is the MOST fun part of the weekend if you are a Kit of the Month or SMAK Member!

YOU GET ALL past Kits for ONLY $18.
YEP!
YOU DO!
and if you are not a MEMBER YET...
YOU can SIGN UP TODAY and also be approved to buy the PAST KITS for $18!


PLEASE NOTE:
You are NOT ABLE to BOTH SIGN UP and SHOP FOR PAST KITS at the SAME TIME!
It is EASY to SIGN UP - and you MUST do that FIRST.

Once we see NEW SIGN UPS we will go approve you to shop for PAST KITS!

Sorry we cannot combine your MEMBERSHIP SIGN UP Kit and your PAST KITS ORDER.

You MUST do this as TWO SEPARATE transactions and you MUST pay shipping for BOTH TRANSACTIONS.

Thank you in advance for your understanding with this process.

Here are your LINKS!

Kit of the Month CURRENT MONTH MEMBERSHIP

PAST Kits of the MONTH

S.M.A.K. CURRENT MONTH MEMBERSHIP


PAST S.M.A.K. KITS

Enjoy taking a peek at all of the kits!
THERE are SO MANY all the way back to 2011!

2008, 2009, 2010 RETIRED!
{if you are a member we will bring these back once in awhile on nostalgic thursdays at unity!}
 
 
 
Phew, so now it's time to check out Eryn's Blog - thanks for stopping by and have a GREAT Thursday!!

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