~Sweet Water Babies~

Happy Saturday!!!! This is going to be a super quick post as we have more celebrating to do:)  Our son, Zachary, graduated from high school last night, and we are having a few of his friends over this afternoon to continue last night's festivities. My husband and I still cannot believe our BABY boy is now all grown up!!! Where does the time go?!?! I still remember bringing him home from the hospital over 18 years ago as if it happened yesterday...not to mention his first day of kindergarten. You should have seen us boohooing as he walked across the stage, but shhhhhhh...don't let my DH know I shared that with you;)

Today's card features the ADORABLE stamp "Water Babies" form the recently released "Natural Beauty Collection" by the super talented Carmen Medlin for SCACD Stamp Co.  I absolutely adore this precious image!!! Just look at the darling faces on both the sweet mermaid and the cuddly sea lion!!! Who could resist such sweetness? Not me!! I tell ya...I could just reach in and hug those cuties:) Couldn't you?

Well, I am going to head on outta here!! I hope your weekend is filled with happiness and smiles!!! Thank you bunches for dropping by!!!

Blessings & Hugs!!!

Carolyn

I am also playing along with the following incredible challenges:

• Deep Ocean Challenge - Anything Goes + Optional Ocean Image
• Cupcake Craft - Things with Tails
• Kaboodle Doodles - Mystical Creatures
• Quirky Crafts - Under the Sea
  

Card Supplies:
Stamp: Water Babies by Carmen Medlin for SCACD; Card stock: Bazzill and Stampin' Up!; Patterned paper: Tim Holtz; Miscellaneous goodies:  Prismacolor markers, Viva Decor Pearl Pen (Ice White), Maya Mist (Iridescent Pearl), DecoArt Ultra Fine Glitter Paint (Ice Crystal), Spellbinder's - Lacy Squares, Offray grosgrain ribbon, Prima flowers, pearl spray from Hobby Lobby's bridal department

Got GOO?

Wanna be able to make your own vintage-style embellishments?

Well, does Susana have THE perfect thing for you!!! Today, she is releasing some awesome new products  that will let you do just that:)  POP on by the STORE BLOG to check out the videos Marti has created to show you how to make the most wonderful embellishments for your one-of-a-kind creations!!! And, while you're there, check out the beauties my marvelously messy sisters have created...and we all have something a bit different to show you:) So...you don't wanna miss it!

The goodies I played with were Viva Decor Crystal Gel (Violet/Gold #503), 1st Impression Molds (Button Set 2), and Hearty Lightweight Air Dry Clay.

 

Above is a photo of a few of the vintage-style buttons I was able to create using the 1st Impression "Button Set 2" Mold and the Viva Decor Crystal Gel.  Although the color of the wet gel looks purple, it dries to this purplish-copper color. Isn't it beautiful? And look at the gorgeous detail. As you can see, especially if you click on the pic to make it larger, I don't have a crafting spatula...so a few air bubbles got in there. Fortunately, these are "vintage-style" buttons...in which case, the *popped* air bubbles add to the antiqued look...kinda like they have been used and tossed around a bit. I guess it gives them a little character...of course, that is a crafters way of not admitting to any "mistakes";) HeeHee! And that's my story, and I'm stickin' to it:)

Above is a photo of a few more buttons that were created by using the 1st Impression Mold and Hearty Lightweight Air Dry Clay.  Doesn't it look like porcelain? And this is what it looks like with nothing on it or added to it...just clay!

Above is a photo of a few more buttons made with the Hearty clay and painted with Creative Inspirations Paint.  Don't they look expensive? Just think...you will never find yourself searching for the perfect button to add to your project...you can whip up exactly what you want just for yourself:) If you're not into buttons, Susana has a large variety of 1st Impression Molds...I'm sure she has something that is ALL YOU:)

Don't these buttons look like jewelry...or aged metal embellishments? These were created with the Viva Decor Crystal Gel and Dreamweaver Mica Powders (Goldfinch). Once your gel dries...it takes about 24 hours; but for the thicker (deeper) buttons, I let it sit longer (you'll know when it's dry because the goo starts pulling away from the mold)...dab the decorative portion of the button on your Versamark pad. Then, dip your stencil brush into your favorite color Dreamweaver Mica Powder...tap off the excess into the jar...and dab it on your button. The powder sticks to all the areas the Versamark has touched, and it will stay there...it won't rub off:)

Above are a few buttons created with the Hearty clay, Dreamweaver Mica Powders (applied the same way as in the previous pic), and the added sparkle is from DecoArt Ultra Fine Glitter Paint (Ice Crystal). Aren't they dainty and elegant? And whether you choose to use the clay or the goo or BOTH, the buttons are extremely lightweight and won't make your card feel heavy. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I LOVE these fabulous, new products and being able to make my own buttons!!!!

I even used one of these handmade buttons to brighten the bow on one of my cards:) I will be posting the card later this weekend...probably Sunday. I'll share more details about the card then, but the button was made using the Viva Decor Crystal Gel and the 1st Impression Button Set 2 Mold...nothing else.

I hope you are as excited about these awesome products as I am, and don't forget to stop by the STORE BLOG to see the amazing videos Marti has created AND links to the blogs of  a few of my wonderfully talented DT sisters. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THE COOLNESS THEY HAVE CREATED:):):)

Thanks for dropping by!!! Have a beautifully blessed day:)

SMILES & HUGS!!!

Carolyn

Celebrating with Quixotic Paperie!!!

Some of the SCACD Design Team have the pleasure of joining Quixotic Paperie today to help celebrate their 2nd Anniversary, and also to throw the spotlight on SCACD Stamps, which are available in the UK at Quixotic Paperie!

Today, designers from both the SCACD Stamps and Quixotic Paperie teams are showing off creations featuring some of the gorgeous images available through SCACD Stamps. 

It's not a hop, so feel free to dip in and out of the list of blogs however you please!

Here's the list of participants:

- Annika - Elaine - Kim D - Mary - Rowena -

- Alex - Carolyn - Colleen - Crystal - Danni - Dianne - Lori

As you may be aware, SCACD Stamps is run by the lovely Susana of Susana's Custom Art & Card Design in the US.  The SCACD Stamps range is available in the UK exclusively at Quixotic Paperie.

There are three fantastic artists in the current range from SCACD Stamps - Carmen Medlin, Elisabeth Bell and Victoria Case, each with a different style.

  

As part of the celebrations and the spotlight today, there is a PRIZE GIVEAWAY!  Visit the Quixotic Inspirations blog for details and to enter!

For my card, I chose to use one of the beautiful stamps from the recently released "Natural Beauty Collection" by Carmen Medlin for SCACD, which can be found HERE at Quixotic Paperie. This beauty is called "Dances with Dragonflies". She is colored with Prismacolor markers and all the lovely shimmer on her dress is from Creative Inspirations paint...Autumn Wheat and Ivory. The background was created using the Dreamweaver's stencil "Vertical Dragonflies" and Viva Decor Champagne Modeling Creme. I couldn't resist using the stencil since it coordinates perfectly with this image. If you are interested in learning how I did it, let me know in the comments section, and I will whip up a photo tutorial for you. All I can say is...it is easy peasy lemon squeezy...hope you like to get a wee bit messy;)

If you look closely, you will see that I used some sparkly gold spritz over certain areas of the card...this was created using my Gold Creative Inspiration Paint. I recycled an empty spritz bottle, but you can also use the Mini Mister by Tim Holtz as well. Then, you add approximately 20% water...80% rubbing alcohol...and a few drops of paint...I add everything into my spritzer (which looks a lot like the Mini Mister) with a recycled medicine dropper. I always begin with the fewest amount of drops...spray a test sample to determine if I like the color...then, I add more paint if I need the color deeper or richer. It is always best to start out small and work your way up, this way none of the paint is wasted...you can always add more; but once it's mixed with liquid, you cannot take it out.

Well, I have gone on and on enough. Thank you for joining us, we hope you enjoyed checking out SCACD Stamps with us today! Have a wonderful day!!!!

I am also playing along in the following inspirational challenges:

• Craft Room Challenge - Anything Goes
• Everybody Art Challenge - Distress
• Pile It On - Summer Heaven
• One Stop Craft - Texture
• Sugar Creek Hollow - Paper Flowers, Vintage Lace & Bling
• Daring Cardmakers - Roses and Honeysuckle (I chose the colors of soft, pink roses and creamy honeysuckle)
• Creative Card Crew - Wings
• Anita Be Stampin' - "Layer" It On Me!

Blessings & Hugs!!!

Carolyn

Card Ingredients:
Stamp: by Carmen Medlin for SCACD Stamp Co., Card Stock: Papertrey Ink (kraft and cream) and Bazzill (powder pink), Dreamweaver stencil (Vertical Dragonflies), Viva Decor Modeling Creme (Champagne), Creative Inspirations Paint (Ivory, Autumn Wheat, Gold), Copic Atyou Spica Glitter Pen (Blossom), Bazzill Chips "Flourishes," Nesties (Peony, Labels 4), Magic Mesh (Gold Fine Weave), Kaisercraft rhinestones (soft pink), Martha Stewart adhesive pearls, Tim Holtz Idea-ology "Adage Tickets", Hobby Lobby pearl sprigs, eyelet lace from stash, Scotch adhesive, dimensional adhesive

Naturally Styled

Happy Tuesday!!!!! Today, I wanted to share a card with you showcasing one of the GORGEOUS stamps from the very recently released "Natural Beauty Collection" by the fabulously talented Carmen Medlin for SCACD. This awesome stamp is called ~ Naturally Styled. Isn't the name absolutely perfect?!?! I don't know about you, but this lovely image SO reminds me of Cinderella...when her beautiful ball gown was being magically created:) Such a happy thought from childhood!!!

As soon as I saw this stamp, I knew I had to layer it up:) Doesn't it just *scream* layer me? The image was stamped 4 times...3 times on card stock and once on vellum. Once I finished coloring the parts being layered, I cut out them out and glued them in place. Next time, I am going to try different patterned papers or maybe even pieces of paper doilies for each layer:) I love an image that ignites my mojo...cuz usually, my mojo is  barely creating a spark...yeppers, mucho lacking:}

Did you notice the embossed background panels? It is one of the many wonderful embossing folders Susana has recently added to the store. This one is by Couture Creations and is called ~Drifting Emdless. It works beautifully and very much resembles the Cuttlebug embossing folders. What I really love about it (other than its fabulous design) is the size...5" X 7". This means I can use it...with no finagling or fuss...on my larger cards:) Susana has quite a few of these wonderful, embossing folders (by both Couture Creations and Craft Concepts) in the store, and they come in many different styles and designs. I put a bunch of them on my wish list...now, I just have to decide which ones I want first...

Well, it is time for me to head on outta here. DH has today off, and we are going to work in the yard and get the pool ready for the hot weather that will soon be here. This year, we have been having one heck-of-a-time getting it "right". Hopefully, today's labor will do the trick:) Wish us luck! We need it:)
Have a super, wonderful day filled with lots of smiles and sunshine!!! Thank you for popping in for a bit:)

This card was inspired by following fabulous challenges:

(A huge THANKS to all the talented designers for the lovely inspiration!!!)

• Crafty Cardmakers ~ Embossing (I used dry embossing here)
• Kaboodle Doodles Challenge ~ DISTRESS, RIP, TEAR, CRUMPLE or any other things you can think of to add some sort of distressing or weathering to your project.
• Make It Monday ~ Anything Goes
• NettieGs Challenge ~ Childhood Fantasy...I don't know about you, but this image brings to mind Cinderella's dress ..what a wonderful childhood fantasy...to have a Fairy Godmother make you a princess for one night:)
• The Ribbon Reel ~ Shabby Strawberries and Cream (Inspiration pic + ribbon/baker's twine and flowers)
• Woodware USA ~ Anything Goes
• Paper Sundaes ~ Pop It Up
• Designed 2 Delight ~ White + 1 Other Color
• One Stop Craft ~ Fairy Tales (As I said earlier...this image reminds me of Cinderella:)

HUGS!!!!

Carolyn

Card supplies:
Stamp: Naturally Styled by Carmen Medlin for SCACD; Card stock: Papertrey Ink; Miscellaneous goodies: Prismacolor markers, Couture Creations Embossing folder ~ Drifting Endless, Spellbinder's ~ Lacey Ovals, Classic Oval LG, Sew Easy, Paper Studio adhesive pearls, vellum, Glamour Dust Ultra Fine Glitter Paint ~ Ice Crystal, EK Success flower punch (small), Martha Stewart ribbon, Interior: Prima E Line flowers (#300159), Sentiment from Papertrey Ink