What a fun way to recycle....

The TP mini album swap was such a success on my FB group that we did it again this month. The theme was "Summer Fun". Since I am in this "use it up" mode, I did not buy anything for this swap. I used papers & embellishments I had on hand by Imaginesce...cute penguins. I also tried out a new was to bind from the last one I made...instead of the rings I used large eyelets and ribbons. First I added a band to the end of each tube, adding an inch to the overall length of the tubes. Then, I punched the holes and added eyelets to the tabs. I ran a bunch of ribbon & raffia through the holes and tied to bind. Different....This is definitely a fun way to recycle...these are addicting!

Trying out digi stamps

I have been purchasing & downloading digi stamps for awhile, but haven't used them yet. This card I finally used one...the hummingbird and flowers are a digi from Fred She Said ( http://fred-she-said.blogspot.com/ ) You can buy them colored or uncolored...this one was uncolored. I colored with colored pencils then covered with a blend of rock candy crackle paint and Smooch inks...it gives the images a very dimensional effect. The card is a tent card. I added the lattice to the window for more interest. I like how this came out...and I will definitely start using my digi stamps...not only are the easier to store, but they are also less expensive.

ATC: Somewhere in Time

Here is my second ATC. It is for a swap and the theme was "Somewhere In Time". This one I took a more literal approach. I am not sure if I like it...it just didn't come out the way I had sketched and envisioned in my head.....it is growing on me. The background paper is velvet embossed. I hand pieced the hour glass with the "sand" flowing out. I added crystal effects on the glass part of the hourglass for dimension. I used glitter paper for the 'sand'. I thought it still needed something so I added the filigree corner by Flower Soft.

Makin' lemonade

This is my swap card for this month's FB swap. The theme was summer sun...had to have a sun or the color yellow. For some reason lemonade popped into my head & I just had to go with it. I knew I wanted to do the double pocket card...it is one of my favorite folds ( direction can be found here: http://splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/diagonal_double_pocket_card/ )
Now my dilemma was how to decorate...I found the paper and then just drew a blank. I had no stamps I liked...didn't want to do Cricut cuts...so I went surfing! I first looked for digi-stamps. While I ended up purchasing several, none were for this project, so on to plan B...clipart! I found images that I liked and then formatted on my computer. Then I had to figure out what to put in the pocket...that didn't take long...Kool-aid. I think they turned cute...if I do say so myself.

My First ATC's

Ok, new challenge on FB group this month...ATC's (Artist Trading Cards). I have always considered these to be a little out of my zone, but....I loved it. Once I set the theme, "Somewhere in Time" - after my favorite movie, my creativity just kicked in & all kinds of ideas were bouncing around in my head. I signed up for both groups so I only needed two ideas...The first one I kept with my original inspiration, the movie. It is one of my favorite movies starring Christopher Reeves & Jane Seymour. Reeves has a mysterious visitor at the opening of his play that prompts him to look into time travel...and he succeeds. He travels back to a beautiful hotel where he meets his visitor...but much younger & I, just in case you haven't seen it & I peaked your interest, I will not say anymore...but that is how I came up with my first card....

I still have to make two more...and then tweek them a little, but overall I am happy with them. I used Graphic 45 paper for the background. I then inked the card with Distress Ink in Walnut and Black. I also used Smooch in Pumpkin and Sunflower on the women's hair to give it a little attention...Smooch has a nice metallic finish when it dries. The resin heads are from early endevours in jewelery making...they are completely plain. I added the hair (fibers), ruffle, and headband. I kept the palette in the peaches & teal. I then added pearl accents to the corners with Liquid Pearls...these are a little brighter than I would like, so once the are dry I am going to go over them with some ink.

Now on to my next set...I have it sketched out & it is a much more literal interpretation of the them.

Cardiology with Val

Today I attended "Cardiology with Val" at one of our local scrapbook stores, Simply Scrapbooks (http://www.simplyscrapbooksoh.typepad.com/my-blog/). Val, one of their many talented designers does a weekly card that you can drop in and make. She always highlights either a technique, product, paper, etc. This week card was a father's day card...and it's a cute one! I think Jarek will like it for giving to his dad. The technique she introduced to the group was the inking with your emboss folder (see below for instructions). Simple technique with a lot of punch. We used the technique on the card face. The great thing is that Val preps just about everything for you, so you can make a nice card in just a matter of minutes....and all for $1.00!

Emboss folder inking: simply use your brayer to apply ink to one side of your emboss folder. Place paper inside & run through Cuttlebug as usual. Depending on what side you ink will determine your print...negative or positive space inked...Play with it a little...great for backround, etc.

Stamped Image Swap

One of our latest swaps on my FB group was 'Stamped Image & Embossed Paper". Each person was to send a stamped image and a piece of cardstock embossed with folder of your choice...So, here is what I got....

And here is what I did with them...

I used waterbrush markers or colored pencils for all the coloring. I think I used every fun thing I had....Crystal Effects (on the large conch shell), stickles, inking, edge punches, Perfect Pearls, Smooch, rhinestones, etc. For fun, I sent the cards to the swap participants with their stamped images...I always think it is interesting to see how other people use your images. Now on to my next swap project...ATC's!