Distress Ink Water color fun

My mojo got a little jump start after I watched this video from Kristina Werner.  The video was a review on those popular new Zig Clean Color Real Brush water markers & the new release from Mama Elephant.  No, I don't have the markers, I don't think I need them and honestly I'm good with not having them, especially when I have spent a considerable amount of money on Copics.  But hey if anyone wants to send me some to test I wouldn't say no.  (hahaha!)  After watching the video I was inspired to try my hand at more Distress ink water coloring.  (I was also inspired by Eva's blog, she's been doing a lot with those adorable Mama Elephant stamps and water coloring with Distress Inks.)  A few weeks ago I purchased a stencil made by Hero Arts called large lotus pattern.  An idea popped into my head and I decided to run with it before it disappeared.

I cut down some Canson water color paper into 4 x 5 3/8 so that I could easily adhere them to A2 card bases.  Grabbed some washi tape, the stencil and some Distress Inks.  Since I had the turtles from Sister Stamps on the table I reached for those guys too.

As you can see I adhere the water paper to my board with some washi tape.  I made sure to tape over the edges to get a nice white border all the way around.  I stamped two of the turtles using Versafine Vintage Sepia, then I created masks of each.  In Kristina's video she mentioned Versafine was perfect for use on water color paper because it doesn't run.  A great tip to know!

Next thing to get washi-taped down was the stencil.  The stencil is much bigger than the paper, but it was ok because I had the edge of the paper covered with the washi tape.  No worries that I wouldn't get the effect I was hoping for.  Using the sponge tool I added color going from dark to light with the DI.  Here I used Peeled Paint, Mermaid Lagoon, Evergreen Bough & Tumbled Glass.  Once the colors were put down to my satisfaction I removed the stencil and because of the masks the turtles were saved!  (Yay!)

I used the lightest color, Tumbled Glass, and lightly went over the whole picture with it.  Next I used a few other DI colors to ink up the turtles.  I washed out the colors a little bit by spraying some water on a small paint brush and going over the whole picture with it.  Last I stamped the cute sentiment from Jillibean Soup (Item #jb0198) with Black Versafine ink and wet embossed it with clear embossing powder.  Once I removed the washi tape I was done!

I haven't mounted this one yet, I was thinking of maybe making it into a postcard instead.  They are sturdy enough and flat so they would definitely mail easily.  Something to think about.  I loved this technique, in fact, I loved it so much I ended up coloring 11 more backgrounds using different colored DI!  I have so many colors and with that awesome stencil I figured I could create a bunch more.  They make nice Aloha print backdrops, all I need to add are colored images and a sentiment.
Luckily I have a bunch of colored images handy (left over from the first 30 day coloring challenge) and can't wait to pair them up with a sentiment.  I'll be sharing those over the next few days.  Yay!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Happy Monday!!

LFF #90 - Sending you Aloha

Aloha!!

Today for Lilo's Fun Friday #90 I'd love to share this totally surfer girl card designed by my new friend, Donna, whom I met at our stamp camp get-together last Sunday.

This was definitely a lot of work fun to put together.  That hair though!!  #myhandiscramping!!  It took me a while to color her up, especially that hair!  But she turned out better than I expected.  This card has it all: cute dp, old school technique with the waves and yes that is sand, sand sandpaper to be exact and it has a cute surfer girl, Surfer Anya from The Greeting Farm.  Oh and did I mention there were a couple hidden messages?  Yep, try look...

Ta-da!  Not only is there a secret message (MFT) on the slider pull but there is also a message in the cloud.  Oh and how did Anya get to the other side?  She glided her way over...  This card is so cool!!
It was a lot of work to put together but definitely awesome!  I don't think I'll be giving this one away, it's just too cute!  Here's a side view of Anya, why you might ask?  Because you can't tell straight on but her flower is actually 3-D!

Ta-da!  Loved how Donna included that element on the card.  This card is full of surprises, right?!  =D

Before I sign off I wanted to remind you that you still have a week left to play in the current Aloha Friday birthday challenge, sponsored by A Random Fan.  Click HERE to link up.

Mahalo for stopping by, enjoy your Aloha Friday and weekend!

HB2U - Celebrate You Marci

Hello!

Today I'm happy to share this second to the last card from my Sunday stamp camp group get-together.  It was designed by Linda and is so super sweet and girly.  Another adorable birthday card to add to my stash.  Woo hoo!

Designed by Linda Tan

This sweet little girl is Celebrate You Marci from the May Club Kit from La-La Land Crafts.  I recently encouraged Linda to sign up for the club because she loves the beautiful dies and stamps.  Plus she gets the sets a year in advance.  She decided to give it a try and this was her first club kit.  (Hmm, maybe I should ask Irina if she gives incentives on referrals? hahaha!)  Linda decided to dig right in and used one of the dies, the celebrate sentiment, and of course the sweet, Celebrate You Marci.  I loved the colors of her card so much that I colored Marci using the same colors, yes including her hair.  This is a very pretty combo.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed the little showcase over the last week and a half.  I've got one more card to share so I'll be back!  Take care and thanks again for stopping by! 

Happy Birthday - Sitting Lovely Anya

Hello!!

How's it going?  Yep I'm back today to share another stamp camp card.  This sweet birthday card was designed by Belia.  Another card to add to my birthday stash.  (yay)

Card designed by Belia Sardinha

Featuring Anya from the Sitting Lovely stamp set this card design was a lot of fun to put together.  I colored her with dark hair instead of the lighter color that Belia used, only because I have a lot of friends with dark hair so I try to stay in that color scheme.  This little girl reminds me of Wonder Woman because of her blue/black locks.  hahaha!  I love the white space with the touches of pink and blues.  Super girly indeed!!

Thanks again for stopping by!  I'm excited to be back again for another share soon.  Take care!!

Happy Father's Day!

Hey everyone!

A quick post to wish the fathers and dads in this world, and in the other world, a Happy Father's Day!  My dad is currently in Las Vegas hopefully having lots of luck in the casino(s).  Lucky for me one of my besties is rooming with him because she's there for EDC.  I believe this might be an annual thing for them.  I asked her to make sure she took my dad to lunch or dinner.  We'll celebrate when he gets back.  Before he left I gave him this card:

To me he's the world's greatest dad. =D  On the inside I used a few more AmyR stamps from the Father's Day stamp set.  On the outside I kept it very simple.  Using a fun Aloha print piece of patterned paper, kraft cardstock, a strip of corrugated scrap paper and a couple AmyR stamps really pulled this one together really quick.  Love it and love that paper!!

Here's a pic of me and my dad, Charles, a few years ago.  Don't we look alike?  hahaha!  Love this man!  =D

 From our family to yours wishing you all a fabulous day!  

Hello from Anuhea!

Hello!

I'm back today to share another card from my Sunday craft session with the stamp camp ladies.  This is card #2, designed by Kathy and my oh my it is cute.

Card design by Kathy Dinh

This makes me want to go out and buy a shave ice or a large ice cream cone!!  hahaha!!  This sweetie is Anuhea from Sister Stamps.  I had so much fun coloring her with bright colors to match that yummy bright paper.  Love how Kathy kept it CAS with the window and that simple sentiment.  I think of this as a "Hello" to summer card.  It definitely fits.

Thanks for stopping by.  I'll be back soon with another share!  Have a fantastik day!!

Aloha Friday Challenge #50 - Birthday

Hey!!

Today starts a new challenge over at the Aloha Friday Challenge blog.  I hope you'll play because this one is super super easy peasy!!

CHALLENGE #50

BIRTHDAY

Create a project with a birthday theme

Sponsor: A Random Fan

For the full details on the challenge and prize from A Random Fan, head on over to the blog.   While you're there don't forget to hop to the rest of my teammates blogs to see their fun birthday themed creations.  Speaking of creations here's mine...

I used Noah the Cowboy for my card and several stitched dies.  Keeping it CAS was my goal here. Little boys don't really like fuss and boy it was really hard not to add more!  hahaha!  But I think I added enough and I love how clean it looks.  Another card to add to the stash, and you can never have enough boy cards.

This challenge will last for two weeks, that's plenty of time to get your crafty hands and ideas together and link up your project(s) on the blog.  Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a terrific crafty weekend!!

A cupcake in the oven

Hiya!

It's really nice to be back to blogging again.  If it's only for a few days time at least it's something.  I do have my regular Kitty Bee Designs DT projects, but it's nice to create for fun.  That's what this past Sunday was all about.  Creating for fun, or with a purpose as this project was something we all wanted to do, but it was also a time for us to bond with new friends and laugh our butts off!  I can seriously say I haven't laughed so much for quite some time.  It was really nice to be able to do that.

Let's get on to the project cause it is sooo darn cute!!

Designed by Angie Huey-Young

On our last craft session, Belia had talked about a cupcake oven treat box she saw on Pinterest and wondered if any of us knew how to make one.  When it comes to 3-D projects we always ask Angie, she's the 3-D project guru of our group and lo-and-behold she actually did know how to make it.  Lucky for us she made these boxes (100!) for a friend's baby shower!!  Yikes, you go girl!!

We used buttons & gems brads for the stove top, colored paper for the oven base, acetate for the window and yes a sneak peek inside the oven shows a cupcake in the baking process.  hahaha...   Here's a top view of the oven...

Designed by Angie Huey-Yung

This is a better version of the box.  I love this project but could not see myself making 100 of these.  Possibly 5 but no more..  hahaha!  A great start to a fun day full of projects.  Can't wait to share the rest of the cards designed by the rest of the group.  Until next time, have a great day!!

Hello!

Hello!

I've been so busy at work that it messed with my mojo; which means I've neglected not only my blog but you. =/  I'll slowly make my way around and try to catch up.  Happy to say I found a little bit of it this weekend and will space out some projects I worked on with some helpful inspiration from some crafty friends.  Looking forward to sharing those projects here.  (Yay!)

For today I wanted to share a CAS card I made for a crafty get-together last Sunday.  My mojo was sorely missing so I re-created a card I sent to my swap buddy from May (SSS) thinking it was the perfect 5-minute card.  Plus it's a great way to get back in to the swing of things...

I used the following dies: MFT Dienamics Blueprints 20 & Lawn Fawn Scripty hello and the rest is from my stash.  I really wish I had taken a picture of everyone's card so you can see the different creativity that was flowing that day.  So much fun!!  I'll be sharing the rest of our projects, a total of 6 in all!!  And that translates to 5 more days of just posting.  Yay!!  hahaha!  I had a blast re-creating the projects everyone made which definitely jump-started my mojo, but most of all I got to share some fun and laughs with these wonderful ladies.  That's what Sunday was all about. =)

Before I sign off here's a fun picture of all of us at Kathy's house.  Thanks so much for hosting all of us crazies Kathy!! 

L-R: Belia, Angie, me, Kathy, Donna, Linda, Jenny

Well this is as good a time as any to sign off.  I hope you're all doing well.  The few blogs I stopped by yesterday were truly inspirational, can't wait to visit more!!  Take care!!

LFF #89 - May SSS

Hi!!  Happy Aloha Friday!

Hope you're all doing well.  I appreciate the love gals, you know who you are, and all the happy thoughts.  I think my missing mojo if finally coming back!  Woo Hoo!  I'm just going to take it one project at a time. =D

Today's Lilo's Fun Friday #89 I'd like to share two non-colored birthday cards that were part of a set of 3 CAS cards I sent to my SSS swap partner for May.

The theme was "birthday" and of course I was stuck on what to make.  Lucky for me I finally received part of my order from 7CK from March and included in this shipment were those Mama Elephant word dies (happy birthday click on each word for the links).  Bingo!!  I decided they were perfect for a CAS card.  The corrugated kraft paper with the chevrons is from my stash as well as the flower and lacy ribbon.  I have to say with those word dies anything is possible, they are big enough to be the focal point of the card and that font... love it!  Here's the second of the three cards:

I also recently received my May club kit from La-La Land Crafts and the theme in this one was birthday.  Bingo, Bingo!!  hahaha!  Inside were those balloons.  They made the perfect accent for this happy card.  The patterned paper is from an older AC paper pad and the balloons were cut out with random scraps of paper.

Here's the amazing swap I received from my swap partner Gail...

SO many pretty projects all in one bag!  She is an avid tea drinker and I was so happy that she sent me some of her favorite teas to try.  I love tea so these will go a long way.  So cute how she made the different projects with Stampin' Up products and I love the pretty papers and colors.  Thank you Gail!!  If you'd like to be a part of the SSS swaps leave me a message and I'll ask Kathy to add you to the list.  It's a great way to connect with others as well as receive some awesome crafts.  The next one just started but you'll be in for July.

Well this is a good place to sign off.  I hope you all have a wonderful Aloha Friday and that you get to do something fun or relaxing this weekend!  I'm going to be around to visit too.  Should be a slow relaxing, craft filled weekend for me.  Bye for now!

Lilo 

Hiya!

Today's share is a card I made for fun, featuring Harumi from Sister Stamps.

I love this little girl's expression!!  She's sooo happy!

It all started with the bottom sentiment and went from there.   I had stamped that sentiment to test if using Versamark ink before adding a dye ink to the clear stamp would work better than just straight dye ink.  Well the MFT stamps are so well made it probably didn't need that first step, but I wanted to give it a try anyways.  Playing with some different colors and another simple layout, this turned in to one of those let's see how this works, let's see what that looks like experiment.  After a few tweaks here and there, I decided to stop.  Adding too many extras wasn't needed, the washi paper behind Harumi did the job.  The polaroid picture frame was colored with different layers of Copic markers.  I just couldn't get the right color until the end, of course that always happens, right?!  (hahaha)  To cut out the word "hiya!" I used the MFT Die-namics LLD Little lower case letters and thought I'm done!  (woo hoo!)

This one will probably go to my mom, and she'll probably send this one to her bestie.  She's lucky to have her own "hallmark" store in her "backyard."  Well in her defense it's either she uses them or they go in to what I call "The Vault."  Its the place where all my cards go, that shall never see the light.  LOL!

Thanks for stopping by!! 

June Spotlight at Kitty Bee Designs

Hello!!

Happy June!!  Can't believe how quickly the year is flying by!  In no time at all it'll be Christmas!! Yikes!!  haha!  For now I'm embracing June for all it's worth!

When I think of June I think of graduations and the many types of cards you can make for just this occasion.  Today I'm spotlighting this non-traditional graduation card over at the Kitty Bee Designs blog.

As my mojo has gone on hiatus for a bit I decided CAS was called for here.

I printed off Kawaii Hug Me Owl colored him up and added a cute cap.  Yes, I could have picked any other image from the Etsy shop, but I think this owl looks very wise and with that graduation cap very distinguished.  I went a bit non-traditional for a graduation card by using gold and white washi paper.  Perfect for this non-traditional graduation card.  I don't think I would think twice about giving this to a boy or girl, elementary or high school graduate.  Even possibly a college graduate.  Definitely works for all. 

If you're looking for more images to transform for graduation or that special occasion all you need to do is head on over to the Etsy shop to get started!  Happy crafting!!

Happy June!!