Fun Stampers Journey April KOM Guest Designer

Hi Everyone! Carisa here today and I am excited to share with you the AMAZING April Kit of the Month from Fun Stampers Journey! I tried out a few months ago for their Part Time Designer and while I didn't get the position, Richard and his team are so gracious they invited me and other designers that tried out as Guest Designers throughout the year. When they asked, of course, I said yes! They said they would send us the April KOM and we could do 1 of 3 things:

Create the projects just as they appear in the kit instructions 

-OR-

Create something new using the supplies included 

–OR-
Use the exclusive stamp set to create something completely original

I decided to take the kits as they came and create all four cards using all the bits they sent us along with the instruction sheets! Of course, I took some small design liberties such as the inks were all Tsukineko Memento Inks that actually matched the papers great! Also, I decided to emboss the rain drop stamps on this card and add some Wink of Stella Clear to the open drops as well as the umbrella. I also inked all the edges of each layer of card stock.

This one is pretty much to a "T" what the instructions stated. Of course my colors are not Fun Stampers Journey but my Memento inks worked seamlessly! I also inked the edge of the sentiment panel.

When I received the kit, I was so excited to see some cute little line art images perfect for coloring - since that is what I truly love to do. I pulled out my Copic Marker color chart and matched up the papers with some colors and then went to town coloring the images. Since this panel was pre-cut, I went ahead and stamped the image with Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with my Copic markers. This paper soaks in the markers a lot more than my preferred coloring paper but there wasn't that much bleeding and so I was pleased. I think colored pencils would blend really nicely on their white card stock. It had a bit of tooth to it which makes it nice for stamping and colored pencils.

I think this card is my favorite. Probably because the little image reminds me of my little boys and it is a top folding card which is my preferred style of cards. It just seemed to come together a bit more naturally than the others in that it was more "me". Since the instructions called for stamping and cutting the image out to pop up on the card, I could have used my preferred coloring paper (Copic Xpress It Blending Card) but they included the paper to do the stamping and honestly, I just really wanted to use only what was in the kit for my post. Keeping it real here!

I also created a video showing you how easy the final two cards were created. I think these are great kits. You get an exclusive stamp set (that isn't released until a few months later), plus all the bits and embellishments to create four cards RIGHT AWAY to jump start your mojo! All you will need are your own inks, coloring mediums (if needed) and adhesive. That's really the only things I needed - everything else was included - precut and everything - I made 4 cards in record time. haha

I also think these kits would make great gifts for kids or grandkids across the miles that you want to share the love of stamping with. Since it comes with everything needed (except what I mentioned, you could always sent a separate package with a few inks and adhesives - every kid has crayons, right!? with a card letting them know about the upcoming gift. How cute would that be?!)

Ok, so this kit is ONLY AVAILABLE for TWO MORE DAYS!!! So, don't wait - sign up today and you'll start your subscription with this awesome kit. For more details, please check out Fun Stampers Journey Website.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! If you liked my project and video today, please click on the button below to subscribe to my blog so you don't miss a post! 

Products:

Fun Stampers Journey April Kit of the Month

Copic Markers -

Skin: E000, E00, E11, V20, R20 (E93 for boy cheeks)

Hair: E23, E19 (girl) E50, Y26 (boy)

Other colors: R22, R08, Y19, Y15, R83, R81, BG34, BG23

Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black, Lady Bug, Dandelion, Teal Zeal, Summer Sky

Tsukinkeo Versamark

Imagine Crafts by Tsukineko Clear Embossing Powder

Wink of Stella Clear

Scotch ATG Adhesive

Simon Says Stamp Big Momma Foam Tape Roll

Zots Bling Adhesive

Create Mixed Media with Stamped Images

Hi everyone! Carisa here with a fun way to use your stamped and colored image with your mixed media projects. I am using Jamie Dougherty's Prima Bloom Girl collection Instachick as well as two of her stencils, Sweet Pea and Lotus Flower. Along with lots of yummy paints, texture and embellishments! 

Let's get started - join me as I share my process with you in this video:

I am also joining in this week's Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Anything Goes! Did you see they are having a DT call? Eeep, yep, so exciting! Good luck to everyone that applies!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! If you liked my project and video today, please click on the button below to subscribe to my blog so you don't miss a post! 

Products:

Jamie Dougherty Bloom Girl Stamp - Instachick #980016

Jamie Dougherty Bloom Girl Stencil - Sweet Pea #980351

Jamie Dougherty Bloom Girl Stencil - Lotus #980375

Flower Embellishments and Believe Light bulb all by Prima

Imagine Crafts by Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Imagine Crafts by Tsukineko Staz-On Cloudyy Sky, Black

Imagine Crafts by Tsukineko StazOn Studio Glaze Stormy Sky, Emerald City

Imagine Crafts by Tsukineko Creative Medium Clear and Metallic Gold

Imagine Crafts by Tsukineko irRESISTible Pico Embellisher and Texture Spray in Wedding Dress

Pink Paislee Coffee Filter Words

Copic Xpress It blending Card

Copic Markers (Cool Grey Colors)

Golden Fluid Acrylic Paints

Gesso

Faber Castell Whipped Spackle

Faber Castell Pitt Artist Pen Big Brush

Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive

Recollections Chunky Glitter

Simple Masking Technique with Paper Smooches

Do you love punny cards? Carisa here with you today and I just love Paper Smooches because they have so many stamps with a fun play on words. I couldn't wait to create this card - as soon as I got the stamp set, this card came to mind. I created my pile of jelly beans using some simple masking and then did some basic Copic coloring to make them pop. Then end result is a fun, easy and fast card to make and I'm going to show you just how in this video today.

Here is a close up of all those jelly beans. I added Wink of Stella clear and Glossy Accents to each of the jelly beans for some added interest. I also used Paper Smooches Dots & Dashes dies to create that fun punched border on the main image panel of my card. I love using dies to create added interest and dimension to cards without the bulk of heavy embellishments. This card is perfect to pop in the mail! I also used My Favorite Things Die-namics Blueprints 20 & 22 to create my card. These dies are MUST HAVES for card makers - really takes the guess work out of design. 

I am also playing along in a couple challenges today:

My Favorite Things - Card Challenges: Sketch 225

Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge 'Anything Goes'

Supplies:
Paper Smooches - Spring Fling Stamp Set
Copic Xpress It Blending Card
Tsukinkeo Memento Tuxedo Black Ink & Toffee Crunch
My Favorite Things Die-Namics Blueprints 20 & 22
Paper Smooches Wise Dies - Dots & Dashes
Basic Grey Highline 6x6 Paper collection
Zig Wink of Stella - Clear
Glossy Accents
Clear Sequins

Watercolor Video Series: The Greeting Farm

Hi everyone! I am so excited about my post today. I have a video series that I am kicking off today. My FIRST ever - but I hope that I will enjoy this process so much that I will come up with more YouTube series for you instead of random videos here and there! This was born because Marie (super talented creator of The Greeting Farm) sent me a text asking if I'd be interested in watercoloring her Frou Frou collection. First of all, there isn't a collection I don't love that she puts out and second of all, did you text the right person!? LOL I have no formal watercolor (or any artistic) training but I know that I love this medium and it has been a joy to self learn this past year. Watercolor brought me back to the craft and I there is something very soothing about picking up a brush to bring some line art stamped images to life with color. Ok, so let's get on with it shall we?

Here is the video! I did speed it up - there was really just no way to color this image in real time on video but I do walk you through what I'm doing so you can see the reason behind and how I use watercolor as a medium to color my stamped images. The Frou Frou collection by The Greeting Farm are sized to work really nicely with watercolors - They are a large stamp, measuring at about 3.5" x 4.25" when trimmed. They fill a standard A2 card beautifully which I will show in an upcoming video. I hope you enjoy the video. If you do, please give the video a thumbs up and become a subscriber so you don't miss a video!

Here is a close up of the finished card. I know it seems crazy that I cut out the image after all that coloring but to be honest, I was most happy with the way the coloring looked here and I wanted to use this fun die with the pattern paper peeking through. A lot of times, I really don't have a card design in mind when I sit down to color - sometimes I don't even look at pattern paper first!

I just love those lollipops she's holding so I had to add a bit of glossy accents on top! I think it really adds to the image over all. You can't go wrong with glossy accents as an embellishment!

Here is another close up of the image. I will be honest that the eyes in this image really had me thrown for a loop at first. Then I thought about adding some color and a pupil toward the top with a black pen then added a highlight with a white gel pen. Once I did this, it was like she blinked up at me and came to life! 

Here is another look at the finished card. Did you know on The Greeting Farm blog there is a weekly challenge with your chance to win a $25 gift card? I am adding my card for inspiration in this week's Farm Fresh Friday - Pick 3 challenge today; my 3 embellishments are enamel dots, bakers twine and glossy accents! Be sure to play along - using your favorite The Greeting Farm stamps - you have until Thursday at noon MST to add your link!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! If you liked my card and video today, please click on the button below to subscribe to my blog so you don't miss a post! 

Supplies:
The Greeting Farm - Frou Frou Sweet stamp
Tim Holtz Watercolor Paper
Koi Watercolor Pocket Field Sketch Box by Sakura 
Winsor & Newton Series 7 Sable Watercolor Brushes (Size 0, 2 & 3)
Silver Black Velvet Watercolor Brush Size 8
My Favorite Things - Die-Namics Blueprints 20
Simon Says Stamp - Stitched Circles
Simon Says Stamp - Big Mama Roll Foam Adhesive
PaperTrey Ink - Quatrefoil Cover Plate die
PaperTrey Ink Cardstock
BasicGrey Highline 6x6 Paper collection
Recollections Enamel dots
Bakers Twine
Glossy Accents
Helmar Zap Dots
Scotch ATG Adhesive
Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue

MarkerPop! + Saturated Canary = Copic Tutorial

Hi Everyone! It is my day on the MarkerPop! blog and I am super excited to share with you one of my favorite ways to add texture to jeans on my colored images using actual JEAN fabric and the Colorless blender! I think you are going to love this and will go texture crazy once you see how simple it really is. I have a video for you as well this week! Check it out on YouTube or watch below:

How incredibly easy is that?! Like I mentioned in the video, when you are creating texture like this with the Colorless Blender, you want to make sure you isolate the coloring - meaning, only color the portion that you want to have that texture - apply the coloring medium to your fabric and press. Once it is dry, you can finish coloring the rest of your image like I have. Another tip: Before adding the texture with the colorless blender, makes sure your image is completely dry from the coloring you just did. Copic markers dry pretty fast but depending on how many layers you used, your paper may be quite saturated. You can use a heat gun to speed up that process.

Here is a close up of the jeans with all that gorgeous texture! I mean, seriously?! I love it!!! It is definitely one of my favorite ways to add jean texture to my images - as long as I remember BEFORE I start coloring that I want to do that. ;) 

Isn't he just the cutest? I absolutely adore Saturated Canary images! This guy is from the Puppy Luv set that is available in the store right now! And this set rocks because you get both this cutie and a girl image in the stamp set! I cut them apart so I could use them individually without having to mask them. I can't wait to get him on a card!

For my entire image these are the Copic colors I used in order of how I laid them down:

Skin - E50, E51, E21, E93, R01, V20

Hair - E33, E57, E79

Shirt - BG10, BG11, V20, R24, R29, E09

Jeans - B91, B93, B95, B99, 0 (V20 optional - I also used tip to tip blending as I do not have B97)

Shoes - 100, C8, C6, C2, N3, N1

Thanks so much for stopping by today! If you liked my card and video today, please click on the button below to subscribe to my blog so you don't miss a post! 

Supplies:

Saturated Canary - Puppy Love stamp

Copic Xpress It Blending Card

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Copic Markers

Colorless Blender

Signo Uni-Ball White Gel Pen

Watercolor Wednesday: Cosmo Cricket + Paper Smooches

Hi everyone! Today, I am sharing two cards I made for the current Paper Smooches Picture Perfect Inspiration Challenge. 

The photo is so pretty and uses one of my favorite color combinations right now so I couldn't stop at just one card - plus I wanted to share how awesome this new paper is by Cosmo Cricket called Just Add Watercolor! 

I love how beautifully the sentiments in this Kudos Stamp Set by Paper Smooches emboss on vellum. That bold, scripty font is awesome; I think it is a great set to use for encouragement or thank you cards and with the word handsome included, it is also a perfect set to create masculine cards!

I am using this crazy awesome new Just Add Watercolor paper by Cosmo Cricket for my cards today. It's like magic! Add your favorite watercolor medium and you are good to go. Perfect backgrounds every single time! There are resist patterns on each page and even though I got the 12x12 Paper Pad, there are several cut aparts in many different sizes ranging from 8x10 to 4x6 and even some border strips. There is so much variety in this set I am glad it was the only one I could find at the time since I can use it for much more than just cards! 

Here is the second card I created using the same technique, Cosmo Cricket Just Add Watercolor paper and Paper Smooches stamp set. I used a different word on this one and switched up the direction of the die cut but the technique is the same and I have a video for you as well - a card start to finish! I hope you will take a look.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! If you liked my cards and video today, please click on the button below to subscribe to my blog so you don't miss a post! 

Supplies:
Paper Smooches - Kudos Stamp Set
Cosmo Cricket Just Add Watercolor 12x12 Paper Pad
Imagine Crafts Fireworks! Spray
Tsukineko Versafine Onyx Black Ink
Imagine Crafts Embossing Poweder Black
My Favorite Things - Die-namics Blueprints 22
Paper Source Vellum
Simon Says Stamp Moonshine Sequins
Pretty Pink Posh Gold Heart Confetti
Scotch ATG Adhesive
Thermoweb Zots Bling Glue Dots

Inspiration Wednesday Journal - Mixed Media

Hi everyone! I am taking a class by Donna Downey called Inspiration Wednesday 2015. I fell in love with mixed media while watching her Inspiration Wednesday videos on her YouTube Channel a couple years ago. Although I loved watching her create magic in her journals, I never had the nerve to put paint to paper myself. I missed IW last year and when she announced she was bringing it back, I was stoked. She is offering it as an online workshop - you can find out all the details on her website HERE. 

I am working in one of her journals but you definitely do not have to, I have just always loved her journals and knew if I was going to take the class, I wanted to do my work in one. Oh, and if you are SEW-crafty, she even has an awesome tutorial so you can make your own!  As these journal pages are a result of her class, I am not going to go into detail on how I created each page but I did want to share my progress throughout the year. The class started in January but as usual, I'm late, not because I didn't have the class then but because my own insecurities stopped me once again from diving in! Well, finally, all that aside, I have the first two weeks finished and here they are. I hope you enjoy!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! If you liked the first few pages into my Inspiration Wednesday 2015 journal and don't want to miss a post please be sure to follow me by clicking the button below! Also, thank you for leaving a comment, I know how busy life is and how easy it is to click through after looking at the pictures to move on to the next blog - I do appreciate the time it takes to leave a comment. This is something I'm trying to be better at myself!

MarkerPop! Challenge - Tiddly Inks + Copics

Hi everyone! We have a new challenge starting today at MarkerPop! and I created a card to inspire you to join us! Our theme is 'Anything Goes' - seriously, how easy is that?! And we have an AWESOME prize. 

I adore Tiddly Inks Stamps and just by joining in our challenge you have a chance to win the set above! You have until April 19 to enter so be sure to stop by the MarkerPop! Challenge Blog Post and enter to join in the fun!

I used Tiddly Inks - Willow Greetings Fairy for my card today. I stamped her with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Copic Xpress It Blending Card. Notice a trend here? Yup, I've tried different papers but this is my go to and I love it. I colored her up with Copic Markers and kept the coloring pretty simple as far as blending goes for her hair, which I have listed below. I was inspired by the papers (OLD collection, I think Pink Paislee but not sure, I only know on of my favorite artists Christy Tomlinson designed it and I've been hoarding it. LOL) as the yellow was calling my name. I think because the weather has been so nice, I was in a bright mood. I loved experimenting with different yellow combinations to match the paper just right and of course I had to use some Wink of Stella - Clear on her wings for a touch of sparkle...because fairies sparkle!

Here are the Copic colors that I've used to color this sweet image. I love the sentiments in this set as you can use it just as a general hello card or as I've done here as a birthday card to send to my friend this week. I had fun pulling out different dies to put together my card. I went a teensy bit overboard in my opinion but once everything was cut, I just really had fun laying it out. For the main image panel I used My Favorite Things - Stitched Traditional Tags STAX and then Blueprints 20 & 15 for the rest of my layers inside and out. Even with all the layers, I kept each one pretty flat and only used a little bit of foam adhesive for the main image panel so this card will still mail easily.

Another finished inside card! I kept it simple just by layering both stitched rectangle panels from the Blueprints dies I used and stamping a coordinating sentiment in the corner. Plenty of room to write my letter to my friend this week and yet it looks finished and tied in to the front of the card. PLUS, one more sheet of 12x12 in my stash is used. Save for 2 6x6 scraps left over. ;)

Thanks so much for stopping by today! If you liked my card and don't want to miss a post please be sure to follow me by clicking the button below! Also, thank you for leaving a comment, I know how busy life is and how easy it is to click through after looking at the pictures to move on to the next blog - I do appreciate the time it takes to leave a comment. This is something I'm trying to be better at myself!

Products used:

Tiddly Inks Clear Stamp - Willow Greetings Fairy

My Favorite Things Dienamics - Blueprints 20, Blueprints 15, Stitched Traditional Tags STAX

Pink Paisley

Tsukineko Memento Ink

Copic Markers

Zig Wink of Stella - Clear

Zig Uni-Ball White Gel Pen

Simon Says Stamp Chevron Cloud Craft Die

La-La Land Bday Banner Die

Paper Source Vellum Cardstock

Simon Says Stamp Foam Adhesive

Scotch Advanced Tape Glider Adhesive

My Favorite Things - Light It Up Blue for Autism

Hi everyone! I have a fun and meaningful card to share with you today. There was a wonderful blog hop last week celebrating World Autism Day called Light It Up Blue for Autism. I've missed the blog hop but it inspired me to make this card in honor of all my mommy friends with beautiful children that have autism and I wanted to share it anyway. These mommy's are all rock stars in my opinion and I admire each and every one of them.

I designed my card using the My Favorite Things - Sketch 222 Challenge. I just flipped through some of my favorite October Afternoon papers out to find some pretty blues that I paired together. I love these collections because you can mix and max between collections seamlessly. I stamped the My Favorite Things - Wood Plank Background stamp on kraft card stock with Versamark ink and clear embossed it. I love the texture this gave it.

My good friend Tonya RAK'd me this awesome die from My Favorite Things - Heart Puzzle and as soon as I heard about the hop, I knew that would be perfect for my card. I cut it from some blue card stock and distressed the edges with Memento Ink Teal Zeal. I  stamped the sentiment with Versafine Onyx Black in on one of the banners in the My Favorite Things Blueprints 20 die and heat embossed it with Clear Embossing Powder. I inked the edges again with Memento Ink Teal Zeal. I die cut the separate heart in red card stock and covered it with Wink of Stella - clear, then I popped that up with foam adhesives.

For the inside of my card I used this sentiment from the I Love You More stamp set also by My Favorite Things. To keep with the color scheme of the card, I stamped and distressed the edge of the card stock with Memento Ink Teal Zeal.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! If you liked my card and don't want to miss a post please be sure to follow me by clicking the button below!

Products used:

My Favorite Things Stamps - I love you More, You Have My Heart

My Favorite Things Dienamics - Blueprints 20, Blueprints 15, Heart Puzzle

October Afternoon

Spellbinders Stitched Squares

Tsukineko Memento Ink

Imagine Crafts Clear Embossing Powder

Tsukineko Versafine Onyx Black Ink

Tsukineko Versamark

Simon Says Stamp Moonshine Sequins

Zig Wink of Stella - Clear

Thermoweb Zots Bling Adhesive Dots

Helmar Zap Dots

Simon Says Stamp Foam Adhesive

Scotch Advanced Tape Glider Adhesive