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!

Lucky find!

Hello,
I am so glad you are here. I often go on the facebook marketplace to see if anyone local is destashing any supplies for my crafting room. I found a woman who was parting with a mess of older stamp sets from companies that I have never heard of. She wanted no money, it was a porch pickup. I grabbed it!

Many of the stamp set were of no use to me. Companies like Autumn Leaves, Studio Calico, and some studio G mini sets. But at the very bottom was one set that I really liked. It had no name or brand that I could discern. Take a look:

It had a few shapes with writing inside the shape. I want to say it was a older fiskers set.  So I grabbed the flower and created a matching set of cards. I bought masking magic sheets and created masks so I could overlap the image and color around them with distress inks. Aren't they cool? I adore this one stamp, and I think I will use it again. The rest of the stamps, I think I will pass on to someone else.
Thanks for stopping by, please leave a comment. It would make my day!

Lots of time at home

Hello,
I am glad you are here. I have more time to post on my blog, so I thought I would show you a few of my recent cards.

I have really enjoyed watching Jennifer McGuire's posts and videos. She makes everything look so easy and beautiful. She showcases many of the latest ALTENEW flowe sets.  I recently purchased a second set from ALTENEW. I have the vintage rose set that I thought I would love. I don't like it at all.

Years later they came out with a Stamp/die/stencil matching set that I thought was perfect for me! How can I go wrong, right?! It is now a go-to set for me. I wish it had some layered stamps in it, but ohh well. I have found new ways to use this set.
Take a look.

 I used distress inks for the background, and the Altenew flowers in the opposite corners. The Sentiment is from Picket fences. I adore big bold sentiments.

 Same stamp set, this sentiment I believe is a HERO arts that I pulled off a wooden block. It is so retired. I water colored with distress colors.

 Same stamp set. This is another picket fence sentiment. A more masculine design is what I was going for.

 All three cards together. Thanks for stopping by. I would love a comment if my cards inspired you!
See you again soon.

Altenew & Jennifer M. inspiration!

Welcome,
I saw this set of matching stamps, dies and stencil from Altenew, and knew I had to have them! I splurged and placed them together under the Christmas tree. I just had to wait until after Christmas to open and play!  Take a look:

I also purchased the life changing brushes and the Masking Magic sheets to create these. I duplicated Jennifer McGuire exactly to get the hang of the stencils, masking and brushes. I love the look! Thanks Jennifer! You Rock! There are so many other ideas I have for this set! So excited! Thanks for taking a look. See you soon!

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Poppy Garden Stamp (Altenew) Sentiment: Trust is (CAS-ual Fridays)  Masking: Poppy Garden stencils (Altenew)  Ink: TH distress inks Paper: Neenah Solar White   Others: Life Changing brushes

2020!

Welcome back!
The second half of 2019 flew by in a whirl wind! I am proud to say that I am a Regular Education 6th grade math teacher! I have been so busy switching over, my crafting has taken a back seat. I believe 2020 will bring a nice balance and my posts will be more regular!
Take a look:

 These two panels were done on Photo paper and coated with a clear acrylic sealer spray.

I drew my inspiration from a post by Melissa. I thought I would give her technique a try and I really had fun! Tearing paper is a hit or miss technique, but so I did some cards with, and some without.
Thanks for stopping by! Leave a comment, I would love to hear from you!
Card Recipe:
Stamps:  Dandelion Wishes (Picket Fence)  Sentiment: Celebrate (HA Happy Birthday)
Ink: TH Distress inks  Paper: Water Color Paper Generic  Colored Paper: SU!

Turning the Corner...

Welcome back,

I am so glad you dropped in. I have been really intrigued with the more mixed media/grunge/steam punk look of stamping recently. I have been totally entranced with all the new releases at Creativation 2019 from Tim Holtz all the companies that he designs for. I watched all the facebook lives and drool over all the new products and designs that are coming on the market!

Although I can't own them all, I have a nice little stash of goodies that I am learning with. Take a look at today's creation!

JUST A THOUGHT:  I have been doing a lot of video watching, and blog reading about Art Journaling. The process of Art journaling never really interested me before. As I have mentioned before, I enjoy creating pieces that I can bless others with. Everything I create is turned into a card or gift of some form. I have passed by Art journaling previously because its end result is self-fulfilling. (i.e. I keep them) That makes it hard to share and it doesn't bless others.

However, I am growing as an artist, and my skills, techniques and subject matter are always changing and evolving. I am wondering if IN ADDITION to card-making (and scrapbooking) I could create a few art journal pages to play with ideas on a larger format rather than the very little card sizes.
I recently gave another look at Vicky Papaioannou art journaling style. She intrigues me. It took me a long time to assimilate her Greek accent, it was very difficult for me to understand at first. lol Her art style is very different than mine, but it is very controlled and I think I like that about it. I like the HAPPY PLANNER and hole punch that she uses for her journals. From what I can gather, she has notebooks, as well as several different sizes. (i.e.- 6 x 6 and 8 x 8) She mentioned she enjoys square journals. (huh) Just a direction I may venture into. Though I would share!

Here is another piece from the same background. Take a look:

I REALLY like these two pieces, and I am not sure I want to share them! So,  I may turn them into art for my craft room and keep them! (... I am a bit selfish after all) lol.
But before I do, I entered these into a few current challenges. Each one will take you there. I would love to know what you think!

1. Dragonfly Dreams
2. Fashionable Stamping
3. Love 2 Create
Leave a comment, I always return one!

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Heart

Welcome back,
I am joining yet another challenge. Valentine's Day is right around the corner, so a heart challenge seems fit! Take a look:

 My background makes me SO happy. I think I really am improving my mixed media skills. (are there such things?) I wanted to incorporate this into my card for this challenge. When I pulled out my Valentines/love stash, I found a ton of die cuts I had left over from a project I made a few years back. I layered them all up to create my own thick embellishments. The challenge I faced, was that they were too "clean" (lol). I had to "dirty them up" and make them fit with the background.

I really had a fun time creating this card. I enjoyed creating my own embellishments. Thanks for stopping in. I hope my number is selected, I would love to place an order at Simon Says Stamp! Please leave a comment!

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Clean and Simple

Welcome back,
I am joining the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge! The theme this week is Clean & Simple. . Take a look:

I saw this stamp set on the clearance rack at Technique Tuesday, and I had to grab it! I loved the price point, but seriously did not pay attention to the SIZE of the stamp set. I thought it was quite a bit larger then it really was. I was disappointed at first, but then realized that I don't have any smaller wildflower sets that I can use with a white frame. It's ALL GOOD!
I believe I used Picked Raspberries, Wild Honey and Mustard Seed. I used my Misti to get a dark black stamping. Thanks for dropping in! I would love a comment or two. It would make my day!

New Start Gift for My Sister

Welcome Back,
I am going to visit my oldest sister tomorrow and I wanted to give her a cute gift! I have fallen in love with Paper-Mate Flair Marker Pens, and wanted to share a few of them with her. Wait, she needs a pencil cup! (pen cup, to be correct) What a great paper craft to make! Take a look:

 I ran right to my water color paper, Tim Holtz Distress inks, his diamond stencil and of course my all-time favorite, wildflower stamps! I believe both these sentiments are from him as well.  :)
I used Peacock Feathers, Picked Raspberries, Wilted Violet, and Wild Honey. Then I used water over my stencil to remove some of the color. I tried to give each panel an ombre effect, but I am not sure if I achieved it.

After all my panels were finished, I taped a square panel on the bottom inside, and then glued another panel on the bottom outside. I wanted to be sure that bottom was secured. I love how the flowers wrap around from one panel to the next.

My sister will love this! If not, I am tempted to keep it, it makes me VERY happy! I hope it makes Sue happy. She needs a good smile these days. Thanks for dropping in, and PLEASE leave a comment, they make me VERY VERY happy!  :) See you soon!

A touch of christmas....

Welcome back,
Each year I have high hopes for creating AWESOME Christmas cards, and each year (including this one) I never get them all done. I create a few, but end up with not enough to send to family and friends. Take a look:

Each of these cards started with the same white heat embossed image used in my MISTI. The backgrounds are different based on the distress inks I used. I gave these to my children for Christmas Cards this year. This card (of Course) I used wilted violet.

This one is my favorite. I love this blended combo of colors. Picked Raspberries, Salty Ocean and Peacock feathers. Thanks for stopping by. I love comments!

Jennifer McGuire CASEd!

Hello and welcome back,
I am totally enjoying my summer vacation. I have been crafting, I just haven't been FINISHING projects very well. That being said, I started searching videos for inspiration. Because I love Jennifer McGuire, I dove into her older videos. (2015). I found one that was very straightforward, and totally outside of my usual designing. I didn't need a specific type of stamp set, like many of her videos feature. Here is a picture of the cards from her blog. Click HERE for the post.

The simplicity of the design and the easy supplies helped me get back on track. I was able to focus, design, start, and finish these cards in a couple of hours. It felt good to see cards all the way through! Here is my versions. Take a look:

I didn't get as clean of images as she got, but I like my cards just the same. to be honest, the artsy flowers are the ones that came out the best!  LOL I love the purple too. (of course I do) More to come! Thanks for stopping by.

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

Crazy Dogs - Tim Holtz 2

Happy Hurricane Day!
I am located just north of Tampa FL. We are expecting Tropical Storm Hermine to hit land late today. All the local schools are closed as a precaution, so I have a day to craft!

I am in love with these dogs! I am loving how easy it is to water color with distress inks and get a messy/crazy look and it is all ok!

I love the surprised look on the dog's face, so I created a funny belated birthday card. I have no bold, funny, crazy sentiments, so I ran to MS Word and created my own!

My cell phone was misbehaving, so I bought an inexpensive replacement. I love the Samsung Galaxy phones, so I purchased the Samsung Grand Prime. These are the second set of photos from my new phone, and I have to say these show a definite decline in quality as compared to my Galaxy S2. (yes, I had an S2 for four years, never needed to upgrade) I believe they are on S6 now? for $600? Can't afford that. I will try a few more pictures.

Supplies:
Stamps: Crazy dogs - Stamper's Anonymous
Sentiment: handmade with MS Word
Paper: Canson XL cold press Watercolor, Sentiment is on Neenah Solar white
Ink: Distress Inks and water.
Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities A2 Distressed Edges
SSS Stitched Rectangles
Font: Grilled Cheese size 24

Thanks for stopping by! More to come! Four more dogs!

Crazy Dogs - Tim Holtz

Hello again,
I am always surprised when I simply can not keep posting during the school year. Each year, I honestly think that I can teach full-time AND continue to craft and post each week! And...each year I am disappointed in myself for not being able to do it. Silly, huh? What is this, year 5?

I caved. I LOVE cats, but I am not as excited about the CRAZY cat stamps as I am about the CRAZY dog set!!
Weird, huh?
I bought them as soon as I could. THEN they sat in my craft room each week taunting me!  So, What do you think!?! Please keep in mind, I am SO learning water coloring techniques.

Directions: First I stamped the dog onto watercolor paper with Simon Says stamp Intense Black ink, and with a paint brush and distress inks, I painted in the dog using scattered Straw, Mermaid Lagoon and Picked Raspberry. The hash-marks helped with the shadows and the shading (something I am SO not good at...yet). I even took some burlap and created a grassy area around his feet.  

I have a challenge I want to enter this in, so I hurried to post this. I know I have a lot to learn, but I am so pleased with the results. Only 5 more dogs to go!  TEE HE!

Challenge:

Live Love Cards - Happy Birthday - August Challenge

More to come!
Cindy

A new Paint Brush makes such a difference!

Hello, and welcome back!
I have been trying my hand at water coloring. I watch videos of how other very talented card makers paint such detailed stamps with such simplicity. I thought, man, can a artistic leveled paint brush make that much of a difference? Take a look....

   I was so proud of myself! The pink is picked raspberries, and the blue is peacock feathers. Guess what the purple color is? I simply mixed the two colors together! It is my purple!! :) I love the variation of color from the centers of the butterflies to the edges. I guess the professional brushes are TOTALLY worth it! who know $12 could do all this!  lol


I stamped the butterfly several times using a masking tape mask with black ink. This card stock is actually ivory Stampin' Up! I love the warmth it gives the card. It isn't stark white like my solar white Neenah card stock. Then I simply painted each section of the butterflies with distress ink placing more emphasis on the edges than the centers. Last I stamped the sentiment with my MISTI. LOVE IT!


Challenges:

Addicted to Stamps and More- CAS

Simon Says:  ANYTHING GOES

Card Recipe:
Paper: Ivory from SU!, various other from stock
Stamps: Butterfly - Penny Black, "Free Flight", Sentiment - Stampendous "Precious Gift" (retired)
Ink: Distress inks Picked Raspberry, Peacock Feathers, and a mix of both to create purple.

Hummingbirds are beautiful...

Hello again,

I fell in love with a card I made a long time again, and decided to duplicate it before giving it to a friend. I had so much fun, I made several!

First, I masked each card off with low tack masking tape, and left a narrow strip showing. I used my blending tool to blend two distress inks together. These two were created with Bundled Sage blended with Salty Ocean. Used water to create waterspots.

Then I removed the masking tape, and stamped the hummingbird with versamark ink and used a glittery black embossing powder. Then used my MISTI to stamp my sentiment straight.

These two were created by blending Picked Raspberry and lots of Salty Ocean.

On this bottom card, I tried a new twist on matting it in black. I tried to show just a sliver on top and on the bottom. I am not sure I like it. What do you think? I know you can not see it in the photos, but the hummingbird is very glittery. I wish the pictures did it justice! 

Supplies:

Stamps:  Allegro - Penny Black, Free flight - Penny Black, Mindscapes - Inkadinkado

Inks: Distress inks: Salty Ocean, Picked Raspberry, Bundled Sage. 

Paper: Neenah Solar White, black cardstock and Stampin' Up! colored cardstock

Thanks for dropping by! More to come.

Cindy

Unity Stamps and Distress ink Galore!

Hello friends, welcome back!

I am on summer vacation, but I have not had a lot of time to do much creating. Whenever I get stuck, I run right back to my favorite stamps and I grab distress inks. You just can't go wrong, ever!

For this duo set, I used Neenah Solar White cardstock. I stamped the unity flowers in various distress inks by spraying the stamp with a spray bottle a bit before stamping to get the watercolor look. The lower stamps on the left card I forgot to spray, so they came out crisp. (I still like the look) 

Then I used salty ocean to blend the background avoiding the very center. Then I stamped the background image by stamping off a few times.Last I stamped the sentiment in the center using my MISTI to be sure it was straight.

The same goes for the Happy Birthday card, I just love the look of purple and blue. I think I stamped off three times to get a very light wording in the background.

I joined one challenge for these cards:

Addicted to Stamps and More- ANYTHING GOES

Thanks for stopping by!

Card details:
Stamps: Insightful Meadows by Unity stamp, Sentiments by various stamp sets, background, En Francis (Stampin' Up!) 
Cardstock: Neenah Solar White Cardstock, colored cardstock from Stampin' up
Inks: Various Distress inks and blending tool
Extras: Black Brads

Live Love Cards challenge

Hello again!
I had a minute to join a challenge. I am a member of LIVE LOVE CARDS. It is a great community of stampers created by Darlene. Each month has a challenge. June's Challenge is to use a large Sentiment! I found the largest sentiment I owned and unmounted it! I get so nervous every time I do that. I have only unmounted a handful of stamps. I really wanted to use the stamp in my MISTI, so I ripped off the wood block and slapped it into my MISTI. It took 6 stampings to get it dark enough. Take a look.

I found a few more to join:
Addicted to Stamps and More- CAS 

Crafty Creation- ANYTHING GOES

The Crafty Addicts- ANYTHING GOES

Cindy

More Challenges...

I had time tonight to join the Wenesday Simon Says Stamp challenge! The challenge calls for the use of PATTERNED paper. EEECKS. I am so not good with papered paper. this was a challenge. However, I just purchased a unique pad of 6 by 6 paper last week that I was eager to use. Take a look.

I bought this at joann's. It was $6.99 on sale for 60% off. SAY WHAT? I think that is a no brainer. I had never seen anything like this before, and the colors and texture were wonderful! Less than $3. It's MINE!  :) I love purple, the blue is perfect, and the grey is awesome! I love getting a bargain, It makes me feel less guilty about spending money on my obsession! Better known as craft therapy!






Then I pulled out this pad, and used a sheet from it.

Here is my creation for the Simon Says Stamp challenge.

 I know you can't see it, but I heat embossed the letters several times, they are raised and shiny in real life.

I love the distress color combination! I used peacock feathers, wilted violet and salty ocean. My pictures do not bring out it's true colors! Thanks for stopping by!

Inspired again....

Happy Sunday!
I was inspired again by Karen D at her blog - Snippets. Take a look at her newest creation, then take a look at my versions. What do you think?

 This one I used peacock feathers and silver embossing powder.

 My second try, I used spiced marmalade and silver embossing powder.

I sure like the look, and the fact that it is not perfect sure helps me hide imperfections....They look like I meant them!  lol! Thanks for dropping in.
I joined in some great challenges too. See below:

Simon Says- FLOWERS

Craft Stamper- ANYTHING GOES