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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

SNEAK PEEK - WHICH WITCH?

Hey there stampers, today is the kick off for Our Craft Lounge's new release.  There are 20 sets in all including their new line of singles!  So...are you ready to win some blog candy?  All you have to do is leave comments over at The Lounge and each of the participating designer's blogs during Wednesday/Thursday's Sneak Peeks and Friday's Blog Hop.  You will get a bonus entry if you "like" OCL on Facebook...just remember to let them know that you did it.  Winners will be announced Saturday at The Lounge.

To be perfectly honest with you, I really didn't "get" A Little Witchy at first.  I wondered what I was supposed to do with half a witch.  Ummm, yeah, and then I colored it.  This set is SOOO much fun!  The stockings can be striped, polka dotted or even paper pieced!

The bright colors in this card really make it stand out.  The images were stamped on white card stock and colored with Copic markers.  They were cut out, popped up with foam and layered on white and black card stock that was wrapped with twine.  A square punch was used on the end of the banner then finished with rhinestones.

Copic coloring:   

Witch:  BV25, BV23, BV20, YR09, YR07, YR04, YG09, YG07, YG05, YG11, YR0000  Hat:  BV25, BV23, BV20, YR09, YR07, YR04, YG09, YG07, YG05  Ground:  C3, C2, C1, C00

SUPPLIES
STAMPS: OCL's A Little Witchy
PAPER: Neenah Solar White; SU Basic Black; Bo Bunny Whoo-ligans Batty, Whoo-ligans Stripes DP
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black
ACCESSORIES:  Spellbinders Grand Calibur, Shapeabilities Fleur De Lis Accents; Glue Dots; paper snips; Bazzill Blackbird rhinestones; The Twinery Mandarin, Charcoal twine; SU Dimensionals; square punch
SIZE OF FINISHED PROJECT: A2 (4 1/4" x 5 1/2")

I just couldn't resist...I absolutely HAD to color this new single called Swept Up.  This has got to be one of the sweetest witches ever!  I don't know if you noticed, but the singles are a tad bit bigger than OCL's regular stamps.  Some people like to make bigger cards and these singles will be perfect for that!  This little cutie was stamped on white card stock, colored with Copic markers then cut out with a Nestie using the out-of-the box technique and popped up on foam.  *Edited*  I was asked what the out-of-the box with Nesties technique was so I thought I would pop back in with a link to this SCS tutorialBasicGrey DP and green card stock were layered and a button with a twine bow completes the card.

Copic coloring:

Dress/hat:  V99, V95, V93, V91  Stockings/bows:  YG25, YG23, YG21, T3, T2  Skin:  E01, E00, E000, V91  Shoes:  V91, N4, N3, N2, N1  Hair:  E23, YR31, YR24, YR14, Y23, Broom:  E29, E27, E25, E23, E21, YR31, YR24, YR14, Y23  Bat:  V91, N4, N3, N2, N1, N0  Ground:  E37, E35, E34, E30, YR30, W3, W2  Sky:  B000, B0000, 0  Outline:  Multiliner .03

SUPPLIES
STAMPS: OCL's Swept Up
PAPER: Neenah Solar White; SU Green Galore; BasicGrey Eerie Bats, Cauldron DP
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black
ACCESSORIES: Spellbinders Grand Calibur, Nestabilities Labels Seventeen; Glue Dots; paper snips; The Twinery Peapod twine; SU Dimensionals; button from my stash
SIZE OF FINISHED PROJECT: A2 (4 1/4" x 5 1/2")

Well, that's it for today.  Remember, all comments left at The Lounge and all the participating designer's blogs Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will enter you for a chance to win some blog candy.  Good luck and I hope to see you back here tomorrow for more Sneak Peeks!

Thanks for stopping by!  SmileyCentral.com 

Friday, August 26, 2011

TAG, YOU'RE IT!

Hey there stampers, today is the last day of the Our Craft Lounge/May Arts product Swap.  Don't forget to leave comments on all the designers blogs (each day they participated), The Lounge and OCL's Facebook page.  If you "like" us, you will get a bonus entry, but you have to let us know you did it.  Also, don't forget about OCL's Sneak Peeks/Blog Hop next week...20 new sets...dang, I better get crafting!  Woot!

Today I'm showing this awesome gift ensemble of a dozen tags and matching tea light candles.  It was so much fun to make!  I let the May Arts twine choose the colors for me; dark olive, pinkish-mauve and cream...probably not the first colors that come to mind for Christmas, but they are very pretty together.

I designed this box based on a similar one we made in a class at Memories of Time.  These tea lights are in glass holders so I had to accommodate for that.  I also created risers for the tags to sit on.  Another gorgeous May Arts trim completes the packaging along with a little more of that yummy twine.


Here's a pic without the acetate cover.  The tags were stamped on white card stock with black ink then colored with Copic markers.  They were cut out then layered with olive and mauve card stocks.  Holes were punched for the twine to slip through.  The candles were created with this technique from SCS minus the wax paper (you don't need that for the tea lights).  Sooo cool to make...I'm totally hooked!

I guess that's it.  I hope you had as much fun during the product swap week as we did.  I'd like to say a big thanks to Bethney and May Arts for teaming up with OCL this week and providing this wonderful ribbon that we all got to play with!  Hope to see you back for the Sneak Peeks/Blog Hop next week.

Copic coloring:

Ornament tags:  RV19, RV34, RV32, E51, E50, YR30, BV23, C2, C1, C00  Present tags:  RV19, RV34, RV32, E51, E50, YR30, YG99, YG97, YG95, YG93, BV23, C2, C1, C00  Tree tags:  RV19, RV34, RV32, E51, E50, YR30, YG99, YG97, YG95, YG93, BV23, C2, C1, C00  Outline:  110
Thanks for stopping by!  SmileyCentral.com



SUPPLIES
STAMPS:  OCL's No Peeking
PAPER:  Neenah Solar White; tissue paper
INK:  Memento Tuxedo Black
ACCESSORIES:  Copic markers; paper snips; Scor-pal; Score-tape; Ranger Heat-it craft tool; 1 1/4" circle punch; tea light candles; May Arts twine and trim; acetate
SIZE OF FINISHED PROJECT:   7" long x 5 1/4" wide x 1" tall

Thursday, August 25, 2011

GINGERBREAD HOLIDAYS

Hey there stampers, it's day four of the Our Craft Lounge/May Arts product swap.  I've been so inspired by what the designers have been posting; such a talented group of ladies!  The product swap is just about over but the fun isn't stopping there...Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of next week will be the Sneak Peeks and Blog Hop for OCL's new release (20 sets including their new singles).  You won't want to miss it!

Today I'm combining May Arts beautiful wired ribbon with two OCL sets: Gingerbread Fun and Sweet Holiday. I borrowed Gingerbread Fun from a friend and after playing with it...it made my gotta have it list. I think these two sets look great together!

The gingerbread house is a Sizzix die and was super easy to assemble.  Stamps from both sets were used to accent the windows and door.  The center of the heart really pops with Crafty Sparkles and puff paint was used on the roof line of the bag and card.  A bow and tag complete the treat bag.

The card has a simple layout. The images were stamped with black ink then colored with Copic markers. Glossy Accents was used on all of the candy.  The tan card stock was embossed and the sentiment was curved around the die cut.  A bow finishes off the card and a gingerbread man was cut out and attached as an accent.

Well I guess that's it for today.  I hope you stop back by tomorrow to see my last OCL/May Arts product swap project.  Also stop by The Lounge and May Arts Ribbon Blog for a list of participating designers.  Don't forget to leave comments for a chance at the May Arts ribbon blog candy.  There are a lot of ways to win...every day, leave comments on: 
  • The OCL blog,

  • on each participating designer's blog (the complete list can be found on the OCL blog),

  • on OCL's Facebook page, and

  • for a bonus entry, "like" OCL on FB, but make sure you let them know you did it.




  • Copic coloring:

    Gingerbread man:  E77, E74, E71, E70, R27, R24, R22  Gingerbread house:  E77, E74, E71, E70, R27, R24, R22, G28, Y11, C4, C2, C1, C0, B0000  Candy cane:  R27, R24, R22,G28, G24, G21  Small gingerbread man:  E77, E74, E71, E70, R27, R24, R22, G24
    Thanks for stopping by!  SmileyCentral.com 



    SUPPLIES
    STAMPS:  OCL Gingerbread Fun, Sweet Holiday
    PAPER:  Neenah Solar White; SU Close to Cocoa, Glorious Green
    INK:  Memento Tuxedo Black; SU Real Red
    ACCESSORIES:  Big Shot; Sizzix Gingerbread House bag, embossing folder; Spellbinders Grand Calibur, Nestabilities Classic Circles Large, Classic Scalloped Circles Small; Snow Marker; Ranger Heat it tool; Score-tape; 1 3/8" circle punch; 1 3/4" scallop circle punch; Score-tape; Zig 2-way Glue Pen; OCL Rockstar Red Crafty Sparkles; ribbon from May Arts; SU Dimensionals; Bazzill clear rhinestone; Zots; Glossy Accents; adhesive
    SIZE OF FINISHED PROJECT:  Card = A2 (4 1/4" x 5 1/2"); Box = 2" wide x 8 1/2" high (with bow) x 1 6/8" deep

    Wednesday, August 24, 2011

    LET'S DO LUNCH

    Hey there stampers, we're on day three of the May Arts product swap.  This ribbon screamed summer fun to me so I combined it with the set called Life's a Picnic from Our Craft Lounge.  I used to be in love with this set when it first came out but last summer I made around 100 cards/invitations for a friend's wedding.  I was totally over the set by the time I was done!  I still think it's adorable...but only in small doses.  LOL!

    A Nestie was used to cut three pieces of card stock for the frame.  The images were stamped with black ink and colored with Copic markers.  Black Sakura, white opaque, and clear Spica pens were used on the watermelon seeds and rind to make them pop.  The clear Spica pen was also used on the centers of the flowers and a clear Sakura pen was used on the ant's eyes.  One of the flowers was stamped a second time, cut out and popped up on foam.

    You know what I love most about OCL stamps...the color panel that comes with every stamp set.  This set was illustrated by Marianne Walker, from Copic and I Like Markers blog; she's AMAZING!  She colored the panel and it's so cool to "try" to color like her.  My coloring has improved a lot with the help of these panels!  Stop by again tomorrow to see what other OCL/May Arts project I have to share...hmmm...I'm thinking beyond summer and ahead to the most wonderful time of the year.  I hope you join me!

    Just a reminder...you can visit The Lounge and May Arts Ribbon Blog to see what the other designers made.  Leave some love for the designers for a chance at the awesome May Arts ribbon blog candy.  Here's how...every day, leave comments on:
    • The OCL blog,
    • on each participating designer's blog (the complete list can be found on the OCL blog),
    • on OCL's Facebook page, and
    • for a bonus..."like" OCL on FB, for an extra entry, but you need to let them know you did it.
    Copic coloring:

    Ants:  C6, C4, C2, C0, R27, R24, R22  Watermelon:  YG95, YG07, YG05, YG03, G20, R27, R24, R22, 0  Ant hill:  E29, E27, E25, E23, E21, E44  Hot dog:  E29, E27, E25, E23, E21, R27, R24, R22  Flowers:  R27, R24, R22, Y17, Y11  Grass:  YG95, YG07, YG05, YG03, G20, T4, T3, T2, T1  Sky:  B000, B0000, 0
    Thanks for stopping by! SmileyCentral.com 




    SUPPLIES
    STAMPS:  OCL's Life's a Picnic
    PAPER:  Neenah Solar White; Cosmo Cricket Bloomers, Sunshine DP; SU Basic Black; red Bazzill card stock from my scrap bin
    INK:  Memento Tuxedo Black
    ACCESSORIES:  Copic markers; Spellbinders Grand Calibur, Shapeabilities Labels Trio, Nestabilities Labels Seventeen; black and clear Sakura Glaze pens; Inkssentials white opaque pen; clear Atyou Spica pen; SU Dimensionals; mini and micro Glue Dots; May Arts ribbon; button from my stash
    SIZE OF FINISHED PROJECT: A2 (4 1/4" x 5 1/2")

    Tuesday, August 23, 2011

    AIN'T NO SUNSHINE...

    Hey there stampers, I'm back with another May Arts product swap card.  As soon as I saw the polka dot ribbon, I immediately grabbed Sunshine Cheer from Our Craft Lounge.  I absolutely love this set because of the super cute images and it's versatility.  I saw Croppixie's card in the SCS gallery and wanted to do something similar.  There isn't an awful lot to it, but I kind of like how it turned out.

    Three sizes of Nesties were used to cut a frame out of white card stock and designer paper.  A border punch was used on the orange layer before it was embossed.  The images were stamped in black ink and colored with Copic markers.  The frame was popped up and the sun was cut out then tucked behind it. 
    Spica pens were used on the hearts and sun so they shimmer and the charm was attached to the May Arts ribbon with twine.  While I was taking pictures, it hit me...I forgot the Glossy Accents on my ladybug friend...D'oh!  Of course, I had to stop everything and add some, right!?!  NOW my card is complete!  LOL!  I hope you stop back tomorrow for a little more summer fun.

    In the mean time, head on over to The Lounge and May Arts Ribbon Blog to see what the other designers have been up to.  Don't forget...there are lots of chances to win some blog candy so don't forget to leave some love along the way.  It's easy...every day, leave comments on:
    • The OCL blog,
    • on each participating designer's blogs (the complete list can be found on the OCL blog), and
    • on OCL's Facebook page for a *bonus entry*.  If you "like" OCL on FB, you will get an extra entry if you let them know you did it.
    Copic coloring:   

    Hearts: R27  Ladybug: R27, R24, C1  Sun: YR04, Y19, Y11, Y00  Outline: 110

    Thanks for stopping by!  SmileyCentral.com




    SUPPLIES
    STAMPS:  OCL's Sunshine Cheer
    PAPER:  Neenah Solar White; SU Basic Black; Bazzill Festive Burlap; Basic Grey Indie Bloom DP
    INK:  Memento Tuxedo Black
    ACCESSORIES:  Copic markers; Spellbinders Grand Calibur, Nestabilities Labels Four Small, Labels Four, Petite Ovals Large; Big Shot; Sizzix embossing Folder; EK Success border punch; SU Dimensionals; paper snips; Buttermilk and Lipstick Atyou Spica pens; Maraschino twine from The Twinery; metal charm from Blue Moon Beads; Stamp-a-ma-jig; May Arts ribbon; Inkssentials Glossy Accents
    SIZE OF FINISHED PROJECT: A2 (4 1/4" x 5 1/2")

    Monday, August 22, 2011

    SALTY KISSES

    Hey there stampers, I'm excited to share with you that today is the kick off for a week-long product swap between Our Craft Lounge and May Arts.  They have awesome ribbon and, holy cow, what a selection to choose from!  Today's card uses my all time favorite OCL set called Sandy Sunsets and the May Arts twine pulls it all together.  I absolutely love getting inky but don't do it often enough.  It amazes me every time I start with a piece of white card stock, rub a little ink on it and end up with something like this.  Gotta love it!

    Beach/sun masks were cut and the sunset was sponged first.  The beach mask remained in place but the circle mask was removed so color could be sponged onto the sun, leaving a thin strip of white to help set it off and make it glow.  Next, the sky was masked and the beach was sponged.
    The speckled stamp from Hangin' Loose with Kona adds interest to the beach.  The silhouettes were stamped in black ink using a Stamp-a-ma-jig.  A Copic marker was used to freehand draw the two panels to match the grass in the main image.  A white gel pen was used to add highlights to all of the images.  A sailor's knot made from twine completes the card; you can find the tutorial for the knot here.

    I'll be showing OCL/May Arts samples all week...I hope you are able to come back and see what other fun projects I'll be sharing.  If you want to check out what the rest of the designers have been up to, stop by The Lounge and May Arts Ribbon Blog for their links and to find out what you need to do to win some awesome blog candy.

    This project includes the following challenges:

    4 Crafty Chicks ~ Where's the Metal
    Cards for Men ~ Anything Goes
    Creative Inspirations Wednesday's Challenge Blog ~ Use Your Favorite Stamp!
    Little Miss Muffet Challenges ~ Multiple Images
    My Mums Craft Shop Challenge ~ Summer Time
    Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge ~ Create a Scene
    Sew Many Cards ~ Summertime
    The Order of the Opus Gluei ~ Oh I do Love to be Beside the Seaside and All Things Fishy
    The Stamp Man Challenge Blog ~ Anything Goes with Summer Colors
    Try it on Tuesday ~ Anything Goes
    Thanks for stopping by!SmileyCentral.com 




    SUPPLIES
    STAMPS: OCL's Sandy Sunsets, Hangin' Loose with Kona 
    PAPER: Neenah Solar White; SU Basic Black
    INK: Memento Tuxedo Black; SU Apricot Appeal, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, Ruby Red, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Brocade Blue, Not Quite Navy, Night of Navy
    ACCESSORIES: Sticky notes for masks; 1 1/2" circle punch; sponges; Craft Mat; 110 Copic marker; Inkssentials Opaque White Pen; Big Shot; Spellbinders Tags 5; May Arts twine; Blue Moon Beads metal charm; Glue Dot; adhesive
    SIZE OF FINISHED PROJECT: A2 (4 1/4" x 5 1/2")

    Sunday, August 14, 2011

    A BEE-AUTIFUL DAY!

    Hey there stampers, my hubby and I have been on the go so much this summer it seems like I've hardly had a chance to get crafty.  With summer coming to an end and hubby gearing up for Salmon season...I say bring it on!  I'll have tons of time to craft during fishing season!  Woot!

    Broni (OCL DT) played along in last week's Our Craft Lounge challenge and posted a very creative beehive card and as I was perusing the web, I found another really cool beehive card/box project created by Frances.  I decided to combine their ideas and throw in a few of my own and this is what I ended up with.

    Cute, huh?  I adore those little bees and the honeycomb on the hive...awesome!  (You will be able to see it a little better in the close-up pic.)  The beehive was made with strips of yellow card stock.  The same size Nestie was used on the top piece of the hive as on the door.  Black card stock was used as the base to hold it all together.
    The bees were stamped six times...three were colored with Copic markers, cut out, Sparkly Fluffed, and glittered with Stickles.  The wings were the only part colored and Stickled on the other three.  Wire was cut, shaped, and colored before it was glued in between the two bees to make their new antennae.  I really like the extra dimension of the double wings.
    You can see the honeycomb pattern in this pic.  I also lightly sponged the edges to give it a little extra interest.
    Copic coloring:

    Bees:  Y19, Y17, Y15, Y11, B0000  Flowers:  Y11, RV19, RV17, RV14, YR02, YR01, YR00, RV25, RV23, RV21  Outline and bee's antennae:  110

    Thanks for stopping by!





    SUPPLIES
    STAMPS:  OCL Bees Knees, Just Bugz
    PAPER:  Neenah Solar White; Bazzill Raven Monochromatic, Lemon Bliss Smoothies, Festive Burlap, Lime Crush Smoothies
    INK:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Cantaloupe
    ACCESSORIES:  Copic markers; Spellbinders Grand Caliber, Nestabilities Big Scalloped Squares Small (inside), Petite Ovals Small; MFT Die-namics Fresh Cut Grass; OCL Eyeliner Black Sparkly Fluff, Lemon Drop Yellow Crafty Sparkles; Ranger Star Dust Stickles; sponge; Score-tape, Scor-Pal; paper snips; Sakura Quickie Glue Pen; ScrapPerfect Best Glue Ever; floral wire; wire snips; SU Dimensionals; Mini Glue Dots; Zots; black rhinestones from my stash; EK Success Punch; Creative Memories corner rounder punch; Sakura Clear Glaze pen; adhesive
    SIZE OF FINISHED PROJECT: Card = A2 (4 1/4" x 5 1/2"); Box = 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 1"
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