Hugs and Kisses!

Hello! I have a fun little project for you today! I wanted to make something for the Grandmothers for Mother's Day. So I decided to make this little bi fold picture frame!

This picture Frame is made with 3 1/2" square Chip board. I covered it with Night of Navy card stock and then used some wonderful Couture DP from SEI. To add a bit of texture to the DP I used the new Vintage embossing plate that will be released May 1st! The fun sentiment and label image is also from a new set to be released May 1st called Mini Tags 1. I then added a bit of navy organdy ribbon across the bottom of both layouts. Before I added any of the other embellishments, I punched one side of each layouts with the bind it all and bound them together with 3/8" metal rings.

To embellished the rest of the frame, I added the photo of my kids from last Easter cut out with an elegant oval die nestabilties, a large bow tied with a bow easy and some half backed navy pearls from Zva Creative!

I hope you have enjoyed my little project for you today! Have a wonderful day!

Connie

Project Details:
Images: Mini Tags 1 - ODBD
Inks: Night of Navy
Paper: Night of Navy, SEI Couture DP
Accessories: Ribbon from the Really Reasonable Ribbon Store, Zva Creative Pearls, Vintage embossing plate

KSCC17 - School Dayz Book

Happy Kitchen Sink Monday!! Since it is the first Monday of the month, that means it is time for another Kitchen Sink Crew Challenge (KSCC17)!! Today, the challenge is hosted by Maki, and she is challenging us to go Back to School! To use school supplies or items to make a card or project! Extra apple point for the school themed project :) I decided to create this little School Dayz book for my DD. I saw a book similar to this in a catalog the other day, and though...Oh I could make that...so here is my version!

The cover was made using the 3 step School Days set. I created the background paper with the apple image. Additionally, the book image is from this set. The sentiment was created using the Monogram and Alphabet stamp set. I heat embossed the letters with versamark and white EP on black paper to give it a chalk board look. I then framed that with the label 8 Nestabilities. To embellish the corners of the nesties, I used some mini paper clips from Tim Holtz...which qualifies at the use of school supplies for this school themed project! :)

The inside pages are all the same with fun school facts to fill out about your child. I have also left a space so that I can add a picture for each school year from Kindergarten to 12th grade! The bottom of each of the pages have been stamped with the ruler image from the 3 step School Days set.

Please head on over to see all the other creation the Crew members have created week for you!!

Maria Colosimo - Owner

Dee Jackson
Maki Jones

Angela Knopf

Julie Masse

Lynn McAuley

Lisa Somerville

Lori Tecler

Also, don't forget about the on going 10% off your purchase at the Kitchen Sink Stamps Store. All you have to do is use the promotion code of CONNIE10KSS. How fun it that! Gotta love a discount!! Thanks so much for visiting today!! Have a great week!

Connie

Card Details:

Images: 3 Step School Days, Monogram & Alphabet - KSS

Paper: Basic Black, Real Red, White

Inks: Regal Rose, Rose Red, Ruby Red, Real Red, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Versamark

Accessories: Brads, Black Ribbon, Mini Paper clips - Tim Holtz, Label 8 Nestabilities, Bind-it-all, Heat Gun, White EP

WT232 & CT0809 - Teacher Thanks

I made this card for both WT232 - to get warm and fuzzy...use something fuzzy on you card, and CT0809 - the dirty girls over on SCS are getting ready to go back to the drawing board (going back to school!!)

My DD started full day Kindergarten last week, and her teacher is just sooo awesome! Get this! My DD goes to the same parochial grade school that I did (K-8th grade). Her Kindergarten teacher started teaching there when I was in 7th grade! How crazy is that...she truly is an amazing teacher, her love for the kids shows every day, so I wanted to make her a thank you card for just being her...and going the extra mile each day!

I chose this wonderful African Daisy image from this month's Innovative Stamp Creation's release. I colored it with some Adirondack pigment pens, and for the centers I added some yellow fun flock for the fuzzy portion of my card.

The DP is some Making Memories Ledger card stock. I punched the left side with my bind-it-all and then trimmed each of the punches to make it look like it has been ripped out of a note pad. All of the edges have been distressed with my Tim Holtz distressing tool, and some scattered straw ranger distress ink.

To finish off the card, I added the sentiment layered on deckle nestabilities, some gold ribbon, and a Tim Holtz trinket pin.

Thanks so much for visiting today! Hope you have a wonderful day!

Connie

Card Details:

Images: African Daisy - ISC

Paper: Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, making memories ledger paper

Inks: Palette Black, scattered straw and spiced marmalade distress inks

Accessories: Deckle nestabilities, bind-it-all, trinket pin, ribbon, flower soft

ODBD August Sneak Peek!!

I am so excited about ODBD's release for August, and I have a sneak peek for you today!! I used three DTGD09 challenges from yesterday to create this project:

DTGD09craftycaro - Anything but Average - a card or project that is NOT the normal A2 size - obviously this is not A2 sized.

DTGD09BevMom- Sew Unexpected! - sewing on you card - My first time ever!! I sewed the border!
DTGD09debdeb--Moved by the Music - use a song as inspiration - When ever I see this verse I think of a hymn we sing often "This Is The Day The Lord Has Made."

I had so much fun working with my Bind-it-all last weekend doing the Mother Teresa Quote Book, I just had to use it again. Only this time, not for a book, but instead for this...well...I am not sure what to call it, but I had fun doing it anyway! LOL!!

The image and verse are from the new ODBD set called Happy Birthday. I colored the image with copics. I then sponged all the layers with some Tim Holtz Ranger Tea Dyed Distress ink to give it an aged/vintage look. Next, I added these GREAT vintage frames from Making Memories around my verses, and a Tim Holtz Foliage brad with added crystal blue brad by the image. I finished it off by sewing the border, and then using the bind-it-all to put it together!

Thanks so much for visiting today! Hope you have a great day!!

Connie

Project Details:

Images: Happy Birthday - ODBD

Paper: Parisian Breeze DSP, Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Creamy Caramel

Inks: Palette Black, Copics, Tea Dyed Distress ink

Accessories: Tim Holtz Foliage brad, crystal brad, Satin Ribbon, Bind-it-all, Sewing Machine, Thread.

Mother Teresa Inspirational Quote Book

I have seen many inspirational quote books, and when I saw all the wonderful quotes in both Our Daily Bread Designs Mother Teresa and Let Us Begin Sets, I thought it would be fun to create my very own inspirational quote book with them!

For the cover, the background paper was created by using glossy paper and alcohol inks to give it a sort of marbled look. The images and sentiment are all stamped in black craft and then heat embossed with clear EP. Additionally, the two flowers in the corner images were stamped again, heat embossed, cut out and the placed over the already stamped images. The corners have been ticketed, and then adorned with a few hero art black half pearls. Finally, I created the book with my bind-it-all, and added some black and rose red ribbons across the spiral top.

These two wonderful sets have a total of seven quote, so I then used the remaining six quotes within the book. I have a few samples of the inner pages here for you. This first page uses the larger of the two lotus flower corner image, while the second uses the smaller lotus corner image.

For these pages, I used the largest Label 1 nestability. Again, the sentiment and images were stamped in craft black ink, and heat embossed with clear embossing powder. Additionally, each of the lotus flowers were stamped and embossed on some more of the alcohol ink covered glossy white paper, cut out, and popped up on a few dimensionals.

Thank you so much for visiting today, and I hope a few of these quotes from my quote book has inspired you!

Connie

Quote Book Details:
Images: Let us Begin, Mother Teresa
Paper: Basic Black, Rose Red, Glossy White, Whisper White
Inks: Raisin Alcohol ink, Pearl Alcohol ink additive, craft black
Accessories: Clear EP, Hero Art Black Half Pearls, Ticket Corner Punch, Black Ribbon, Rose Red Ribbon, Chipboard, Label 1 nestabilities

ISC Release Day - Memories of Patriotism Mini Book!

Yep, today is the day...Innovative Stamp Creations is releasing three new sets TODAY!!

I have a mini book to share with you that I made with the Men of Patriotism sheet. For my cover, I used a 4" x 4" Zutter chipboard wood cover. I started with some very vanilla card stock and stamped the declaration of independence image with palette black ink and distress with a direct to paper technique with old paper distress ink.

For my main image panel, I stamped the image twice. Colored the flag, sponged the sky and added the sentiment on one of the images, and for the other did the direct to paper technique as I did with the base. I then punched a circle out over the flag image, placed a ranger circle memory capsule through the circle, and adhered the colored image to the back of the distressed image to create a sort of spotlight technique. I then distress all the edges with my Tim Holtz distressing tool. To finish off the outside of the book, I bound it with my bind-it-all and added a bit of twill tape that was distress with some more old paper ink.

I also did a quick inner page by stamping the eagle image from this set, and added the sentiment. The remainder of my pages are left blank. I figured this would be a nice gift to give to someone about to serve over seas, and the blank pages could be used to have family and friend write messages to him or her.

Well if you like what I have done here, and would like to create one of your own, everything I have used here is available at Innovative Stamp Creations. In fact, the owner, Betsy, is offering a wonderful "Memories of Patriotism Kit" that includes a number of things I just used on my mini book! Here are all the deets:

Memories of Patriotism Kit Contents: ($20.00 - limited kits available):

4 -12x12 c/s sheets of Karen Fosters, Stars & Stripes Collage(not double-sided)
1 pkg 12 pc Karen Foster decorative corner brads

6 - silver or copper antique brads

3 - metal family or friends sayings

3 - metal memory frames, black patina ( 1x3, 2x3, 1.5x1.5)

1 sheet of each - Ranger Memory Capsules (4, 1.5x1.5; 4, 1x1; 4, 2x2; 3, 1x3; total 15)

1 - Ranger Watermark Ink Pad

1 - Ranger Watermark Reinker

1 pkg of 2, 4x4 Chipboard Wood by Zutter

1 pkg of 2, 3x4 Chipboard Wood by Zutter

1 pkg of 4x4, 20 pages -white by Zutter

1 pkg of 4x4, 20 pages -cream by Zutter

2 - 3/4" black coils by Zutter

20 - #8 Manila Tags size 3 1/8 x 6 1/4

Visit the ISC blog to view even more samples of the NEW Stamp Line & how to use various items in MOP Kit!

Here are all the details on all three sets being released today:

Memories of Patriotism retail $24.00
Hibiscus retail $13.95
Sketch of Roses retail $13.95
Or buy both Hibiscus/Sketch of Roses for $21.00...what a deal!!

There is also a discount available for the first week of the June Stamp Line Release! Starting June 8th through the 15th receive 10% off by using coupon code 61509

Also, Innovative Stamp Creations is holding a charity fundraiser...here are all the details for that! A few yrs ago, some of the images on the Memories of Patriotism sheet were created in collaboration with a wonderful & talented artist. Who is currently going through a difficult health crisis. ISC is not at liberty to share and the artist is not aware that we are doing this! ISC has worked with this artist for 5+ yrs now! This artist is truly gifted and has an amazing heart!! It has been a joy collaborating on various ISC stamp lines! Therefore, from every single MOP sold, $10.00 will be put aside and given to the artist. The event will end until June Monday 15th. We will let everyone know the total raised on June 16th. We thank you in advance for your support and thoughtfulness! It will be greatly appreciated!

Thank you so much for visiting today! Have a great day!

Connie

Project Details:

Images: Memories of Patriotism - ISC

Paper: Very Vanilla, Basic Black

Inks: Old Paper Distress Ink, Palette Black, Copics, baja breeze

Accessories: Zutter chipboard wood covers 4" x 4"; bind-it-all; Ranger Memory Capsules; Large Circle Punch, Sponge, Tim Holtz Distress tool, twill tape.

ISC - Minibook Series: A Journal Released Today!

I created this minibook with Innovative Stamp Creation's new Minibook: A Journal which is being released today...you can check out this new sheet over at the ISC website.

I started this minibook, by stamping the old page image with palette black on very vanilla paper. I then used the direct to paper method to distress the vanilla paper with ranger's old paper distress ink. I cut the image out, and distressed the edges with my Tim Holtz distressing tool. I then stamped the plant image (from the Flair of Summer sheet) and bird image (from the Sayings sheet) directly onto the old paper image. Next, layered it on some grungeboard covered with distressed kraft paper using the same direct to paper method with the old paper distress ink. I then rounded the corners of my book and spiral bound it with my bind-it-all.

For the tag, I used the faux metal technique, by stamping the tag image with versamark and covering it with silver embossing powder. This step was repeated three times...after the third time, I quickly stamped the sentiment directly into the still warm silver embossed tag to create the imprint of "Snapshots of Life". I then layered the tag on some grungeboard, punched a hole in the top of the tag and attached it to my spiral binding with some Tim Hotlz ball and chain.

The two closures were created with strips of grunge board inked with palette black ink. I attached them to the back of the book with a brad, and then punched a 1/8" hole in the front side of the strips. I placed two Tim Hold Hitch fastener to the front cover of the minibook for the punched holes to fit through and fasten.

Minibook Details:

Images: Minibook Series: A Journal, Sayings,

Paper: Very Vanilla, Kraft, Grungeboard

Inks: Palette Black, Old Paper Distress Ink, Versamark

Accessories: Silver EP, Hitch Fasteners, Ball and Chain, Distressing Tool

ISC January Release!!!

I have some very exciting news...you may know that I was a spot guest creative architect for Innovative Stamp Creations for the months of November and December...well, I have asked by Betsy to continue on a permanent basis!!! How exciting is that!! What better way to get going then with a couple of projects with the new January release!

The above card was made with the Refections set...love this butterfly!!! When I saw it, I immediately thought of making a suspension card. I started by stamping the image in black, colored it with copic markers, and cut it out (the new largest circle punch from SU punches the whole out of the inner circle perfectly)! I used the canvas image for the background, along with some walnut stain distress ink sponged on the edges. I suspended the sentiment within the circle with some linen twine. I then finished the card off with some so saffron twill from SU.

Card Details:

Images: Reflections - ISC

Paper: So Saffron, Close to Cocoa, Bordering Blue

Ink: Basic Black, Copics, Walnut Stain Distress Ink, Close to Cocoa

Accessories: So Saffron Twill, Linen Twine

I made this 4" x 4" minibook with the AlterIt! set from the minibook series. This is only the second time I have used my bind-it-all, and I am soooo loving it!

The front and back are made with plain grungeboard. I started out by using some Scattered Straw distress crackle paint. Once it was dry, I stamped the corner image with some Pallette Noir ink. I then sponged a little pine needles distress ink on the edges of cover. For the sentiment, I stamped it in black on a piece of white card stock. I then sponged scattered straw and pine needles distress ink over it. Next, I adhered it to some plain grungeboard and cut it out.

For the closure, I used a hinge from a package of elements grungeboard. For a little sparkle, I added some scattered straw distress stickles, used some brads to hold it on the back and a Tim Holtz snap to hold it on the front.

I then finished it off with some cream taffeta ribbon sprayed with a little glimmer mist to give it some added sparkle.

Minibook Details:

Images: AlterIt! - ISC

Paper: Grunge board, White Card stock

Ink: Pallette Noir, Pine Needles distress ink, Scattered Straw distress ink

Accessories: Bind-it-all, scattered straw distress crackle paint, Tim Holtz snap, scattered straw distress stickles, brads, ribbon, glimmer mist.

LSC201 Sketch Book - I got to use my new Bind-It-All!!

Oh my! It has been a full week since I posted last!!! I did not get buried alive by the loads of gift wrap my kids demolished from their presents on Christmas. I just have been busy with all the holiday stuff that I am sure many others are busy with!! LOL!! :)

However, I got a Bind-it-all (BIA) for Christmas this year, and just could not wait to put it to use!!! So, I decided to create an 8"x8" sketch book. For the images, I used Innovative Stamp Creations About Me set. To create the swirled background I used glossy paper and three different brown colored alcohol inks along with some gold additive. I then stamped the ornate image and the sentiment with craft black ink and embossed with clear embossing powder (I used my stamp-a-ma-jig to make sure all the images lined up correctly). I then colored some plain grunge board with some white acrylic paint and covered that with some more gold alcohol ink. Next, stamped the pen image with black craft ink and embossed again with clear powder, cut it out, and popped it up with some glue dots. I then added the red swirls, which are from the Rustic Artsy Swirls set with some ruby red craft ink and embossed them with some more clear powder.

I used some Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon along with some fun gold and brick red ribbon to dress up the black bind. Then, I finished it off with a Zutter's antique gold perfect closure where I dyed the leather strap with black alcohol ink to match the black accents on the cover.

Wow! The BIA is just way too much fun to use! I am sure I will be finding all sorts of things to bind in the new year! Speaking of the new year...I hope that everyone has a save and happy New Year's Eve, and a fantastic New Year!!

Project Details:
Image: About Me, Rustic Artsy Swirls - ISC
Paper: Glossy White, Riding Hood Red, Basic Black, Antique Gold
Inks: Ruby Red Craft, Basic Black Craft, Alcohol Inks
Accessories: Grungeboard, BIA, Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon, Gold and Brick Red Ribbon, Zutter's Perfect Closure, Clear EP, stamp-a-ma-jig, 8"x8" chipboard covers