How to use your cricut to make distress masks!

Hello,

Welcome back! I am always on the look out for ways that I can use my cricut to help me make cards. I love when I think of ways to incorporate the two together to achieve a tool or task that I could not make on my own or even purchase in a store! I LOVE this hack I made!

I decided I wanted to make a series of 4 by 4-inch panels and turn them into smaller cards for my co-workers at school (when we do go back to school). But I did not have a mask that I could use to mass produce the panels, so I created one, and made my cricut do all the marking!

In my design space I create this square. The outer square was a cut line. The next biggest square was a DRAW line. I purchased a pen adapter from Etsy for SHARPIE ULTRA FINE markers. I placed a black marker in my pen holder for that line. The smallest square is a CUT line. I took a piece of white cardstock, and ran it through my laminator. This gave the sides of the mask a slick surface, and will extend the life of the mask. I did try this without using laminated paper, and I was not able to blend colors as well. (go figure?!) Below is the Item I created. 

The outer square is 5.25 by 5.75.  The DRAW line is 4 inches by 4 inches centered. The smallest opening is 3.25 by 3.25 centered. I love that design space can do that for me.

Cut out a piece of Neenah white that is 4 inches by 4 inches and line it up with the black line that the cricut drew on the mask. I use LOW tack tape that is easily removed and can be used again. Flip your mask over. Blend any ink colors you wish. I used the four colors you see in the picture.

When I was happy with the blending, I left the cardstock in the mask. I distressed it with a bunch of Tim Holtz stencils and a darker color ink. I love to splatter it with black spots too. I am getting the hang of the bristle brushes. I do not own the Tim Holtz brushes......yet.

Here is an example of a finished card. I took the mask off to stamp the butterfly. I matted it on pink cardstock and I am done! This card was very quick to make, and I enjoy the distressed look.

Here are a few more blendings that I completed. I ended up cutting 10 masks, so that I could complete 10 at a time without having to remove the masks. I will finish these smaller cards in no time! Here is a link to my cricut mask. You must have your cricut design space installed to view and save my mask. LINK: Cricut masks
Kristina Werner has a whole video and post featuring many of her favorite blend combinations. I just like having fun! Thanks for dropping by. Please leave a comment, it would make my day!

Card Challenge: Freshly Made Sketches CAS FMS318

With all my time off, I am able to join in a challenge or two! I am excited to be able to join Freshly Make Sketches right off the bat in the new year! Here is the sketch:

 Take a look:

Here is my take on the sketch:

Currently, it is 54 degrees in TAMPA, FL. I will not be going outside to take my photos as I usually do. It is TOO cold. I am sorry for the terrible pictures, it is the best I can do right now. Next week should be better!  :) Thanks for dropping by! FMS318

Supplies:
Stamps: hummingbird - inkadinkado
Sentiment: hero arts
Paper: Neenah Solar White, black cardstock
Ink: Distress Inks and water, Simon Says Stamp Black Ink, 
Accents: Gemstones - Aqua, ribbon
Challenge: Freshly Made sketches #FMS318

RGB Codes for Distress Oxide Inks!

Good morning!
I searched the internet, like I usually do for a new idea I had, that I was sure someone else had thought of first! Low and behold, I could not find it! Let me explain.

I came across Shari Carroll's Distress ink combo sheets that she created for Simon Says Stamp blog. I had miniaturized them, and printed them out a while back. I taped this sheet on my craft wall above my distress inks, and refer to it often. Then I came across Justine's blog where she has some AWESOME distress OXIDE combos that I had to try, so I wrote them down on my combo sheet. Then realized, I wanted to record them as Shari had with the little watercolor circles and the name next to it.

SO.....needless to say, I wanted to add one to Shari's idea, to include all the oxide inks, and then make a combo sheet of my own of my favorite combinations! I wanted to share it with you!

First, I needed all the RBG codes for all the distress Oxide inks. I searched all over the ranger site, but to no avail. Then I searched blogs, and pinterest, and found one hit, but it wasn't quite right. Then I thought, if ranger already chose the colors in their swatches, (which I had in my files) then I can use the eye dropper tool in inkscape, and get the codes myself. With a little elbow grease, and a bunch of patience, I could make them!

I wanted to make the swatches in word so that I could copy and paste them as I needed to make new combos on a separate combo sheet. Take a look:

Here is the word document: click here. I might go forth and create a sheet with all the distress color on it. (I have 24 of them done already) Why not? I'll add to this post if I do. Enjoy!

Labels: distress oxide ink RBG codes, Ranger, Tim Holtz inks, 24 Oxide ink colors. 2018

http://cpjcreations.blogspot.com/2018/01/rgb-codes-for-distress-oxide-inks.html

Butterflies, Butterflies, Butterflies....

I admit it, 

I LOVE butterflies! I think I have 10 different butterfly stamps in my tiny collection, this is, by far, the biggest butterfly I have. It is so easy to work with when I stamp with my MISTI tool. Again, I am trying to improve my copic skills. What do you think? Take a look:

I originally tried to create this card using a mask, but I messed that all up! This version required no mask at all, I simply overlapped them in small parts. I then used the masks to help color in the background without running into the butterflies. LOVE the look! Paper crafting will forever intrigue me with all the new techniques/skills you can master!

Challenges:

Come and Get It- CARD FOR A WOMAN

Craft Stamper- ANYTHING GOES

Where the Heart is Challenge - ANYTHING GOES - One layer

Just Us Girls - Butterflies 

Happy Sunday Challenges

Happy Sunday
I was in the mood to participate in a few challenges, I have been intrigued with a few particular bogs lately. I call them my "GOTO blogs". I go to them first to get fresh inspiration.  One of my goto blogs is SNIPPETS (Karen D).

She plays in many challenges and so I thought, if she does, so can I! Here is my card for today. Take a look:

 

I submitted this card to a few challenges:

CASMIXUP -  May Challenge - Heat Embossing

Crazy4challenges - C4C335 - Use Green Somewhere

Addicted to stamps - Make your mark

Beautiful Backgrounds!

Hello everyone!

I love when I dig through some backgrounds that I created forever ago, and I finish them into a beautiful card that I did not envision back then. Here are a few of those.

 I LOVE the backgrounds on this duo! The sentiment completes the card.

I just purchased all I need to create Jennifer McGuires ink color swatch book. I have over 100 different inks, and thought it was about time I got them sorted and cataloged to see what I have, and what I lack in my collection. Stay tuned to see my version of a swatch book!

Christmas Creations on Thanksgiving!

Hello Everyone!

I have been busy enjoying my week off of teaching, and playing with all my new purchases from Simon Says Stamps! I know, it's Thanksgiving, but I have some down time until all the cooking starts. And believe me, after company leaves, I'll be creating more! Take a look at my newest creations:

Are they cute? I found this digital stamp here.  Using my copic markers I made him blue, and her pink! Matted with Pink cardstock on a black card. 

This is one of my newest purchases from Simon Says. It has a stamp, die set, and a stencil that match! Look here. the sentiment is from Hero Arts - CL540. I used some glitter paper and outlined the pieces with a black marker.

 I pulled out a favorite background stamp from Hero Arts. I heat embossed it with gold powder. I applied three distress inks with a blender pad, and added a die cut from Wplus9. and don't forget the fiber.

  I pulled out a favorite background stamp from Hero Arts again with white embossing powder, and added the sentiment from Simon Says.

  I pulled out a favorite background stamp from Hero Arts again with white embossing powder, and added the sentiment from Wplus9.

 The sentiment is from Simon Says.

 The sentiment from the same set: Simon Says.

I am having so much fun re-arranging my craft room, and playing with my new purchases. (Don't tell my husband) but Santa has placed two more orders for Cindy's stamping Obsession. But they will be under the tree for Christmas from the kids.

Just before my Cruise!

I totally forgot to post these cards. I enjoyed creating these. I created these before my cruise.

Sunday Afternoon Designing

Hello Everyone,
Sunday Morning, I got the chance to drive to St. Petersburg, to a art/craft store called Whim-So-Doodle. The store has a Sidewalk sale several times a year, where other crafters can sell their items that they no longer want. I love going to these events to get some really great deals. I am very particular about the items I pick up, but usually I get some really good deals. This trip, I purchases a large 12 by 12 bag stock full of all Christmas paper for $5. When I got it home and went through it all, I was SO amazed. Not only did I get top brand name paper, but stickers, rub-ons, pop-outs, and many embellishments too. I am getting the item to start stamping Christmas cards a bit early this year.

Before I do, here is my latest creation:

I have had this sentiment for several years, and have never used it. It fit perfectly on this card and I love the look it added. I really love the distressed look. Enjoy!
Paper: Stampin' up and Neenah Solar White Card Stock Inks: Distress inks Stamps: Butterfly - Inkadinkado, Background stamp: Happiness by Local king Rubber stamp, Sentiment: F-2563 1998 PSX -Embossing Powder - White Purple twine

Featured Duo: Experimenting with embossing powders!

Hello,
     I was cleaning up my craft room last weekend, and took a good-hard look at all the embossing powders I have collected over the years, and realized I need to play with them on my next duo!

This card uses just white embossing powder on it. I used two distress inks on the background.

On this card, I used a shimmery embossing powder on the background. I was not sure if it would endure my blending pf ink on top of it, but to my surprise it did! I know the picture did not come out the best, but you can see the glittery embossing.

 Here is a picture of the duo together. Enjoy!

Featured: Organizing blending pads - follow-up!

Hello Everyone,
     I have several comments asking for dimensions and how-to's on my blending pad books. Click here for the first post. I have put together a few pictures to help you create your own!

Steps: I was given a few large pieces of black poster board from a teacher. I am not sure the thickness, but it was very rigid, not like science project poster board. Mine was thick enough that you cannot curl or bend it. I am sure you can find it in a craft store, any color will do, you will cover it with your favorite patterned paper anyway.

I cut the sheet down to 20 inches long, and 10 inches wide. The spine is  2 inches wide. I marked the spine with pencil from the left side at 9 inches and again at 11 inches.

With a ruler and a exact-o knife, I cut on each of the lines, but I DID NOT CUT all the way through. This creates a hinge. (I fortified the cuts with clear packing tape because I knew the cardboard will be weak since I cut almost all the way through.) Your pencil marks are now on the outside.

For my stampin' up book, because there are so many colors, I needed to add a page in the center on the spine. I took another piece of poster board and cut it 8 3/4 by 10 inches. I scored it 3/4 inches in on the left to make a hinge again and taped it onto the spine as seen below. I used clear packing tape on both sides. This page is NEVER coming loose!!  (lol)

I decorated the outside first with some designer paper from SU! and wrapped the paper around the edges into the inside of the book. Once the outside was finished I used some sparkly silver paper on the left inside, right inside and a smaller piece for the spine. 

 I am sure you think the ink will transfer from one pad to another, honestly, the spine is wide enough they don't even touch each other. I have not had an issue. I really love this project. I don't dread searching for the correct pad anymore, and I don't have to worry about smearing the wrong color on my current card. It also shows me which colors I use the most, and which colors I shy away from. I left space on the last page for additional colors and growth! I have used a label maker to add additional colors. I hope this has helped! Enjoy, feel free to ask me any questions, I will be sure to answer you!

Featured: Duo and Challenge

Happy 3rd of July!
     I cannot believe the fourth of July is almost here! That means I have been work free for almost a month already! WOW! the time is a-flyin'.



I wanted to use my two new distress pads I purchased. The colors are not new, but they are NEW to me and my collection. I am proud to add faded Jeans and Salty Ocean. They work perfectly together too!











I wanted to complete one challenge today with my new inks, so I joined Freshly Made Sketches #93. It was so straight forward and up my alley, I had to play!
















I had so much fun creating the first one, I turned it into a duo! The second card is slightly different, but the two distress inks are the same. Thanks for dropping in, I LOVE all the comments, keep 'em coming! :)

Featured Duo: ...Moments...by Penny Black

Hello!
I am really enjoying all the new storage creations I have made. If you haven't taken a look, click here. They are keeping me organized, and I look forward to using my blending pads more often.

I sat down earlier in the week, and played with Stampin' up Perfect Plum. (I love that color) and designed a handful of beautiful pieces without a card or end goal in mind.(like the butterfly panel on the left card)

This butterfly is so versitile, I use it all the time. Check it out in this card.

This weekend, I assembled them into cards. I am pleased with the results. Take a look!