Lawn Fawn Thanks+Painting Divas Class Projects!

Happy weekend! It’s very hot here today as we are under a heat advisory! So thought it was best to stay indoors and keep working on my “catch-up” posts! This one is a bit different than my usual papercrafting posts, but it’s my finished projects from the crafting retreat I had with friends right before the wedding and why I was so busy! But first, I’d like to share a fun “thank you” card I made for my friend that hosted it all:

And as you know from my last post, I was on a Lawn Fawn fever mode, so this was also made for my friend that hosted the fun “Painting Divas” retreat for us! This ADORABLE set called Just Add Glitter was a perfect set to use to create a card for the theme as well as those products to accompany it with the Art Supplies dies, Canvas and Easel as well as the Paint Splatter Background Stencil too!

For the background, I created a scene with a brick stencil from my stash that I’ve had for years which was blended on with some grey ink. The bottom solid grey portion of the scene I used that paint splatter stencil and some Distress Oxide colors and blended in over it. By using the oxide inks, the colors showed up better over the grey.

I used these same colors of Oxide inks to sponge over the die cut pieces from the Art Supplies dies as well as the “masterpiece” splatter on the “canvas” and the brick wall splatters. I’ve used some LF Woodgrain paper to cut out portions of the “wooden” pieces and the rest of the pieces were cut from white cardstock and then just colored with Copic markers. I arranged the scene to make it fit the way I wanted and then attached it down with some of the pieces being popped up with foam tape. (The sentiment on the rainbow canvas blob was from a freebie stamp the company is famous for adding to your order.) I had fun making this one and I chuckle at the “I arted” sentiment! 😅

Painting Diva Vicki 2022

For the “Painting Divas” Retreat, we had projects with different teachers and of course you probably recall the Mixed Media birdhouse I did from my past blog post. CLICK HERE TO VIEW POST The theme was on that cute little sign as we arrived…”Gnomes & Fairies & Unicorns & Glitter”…how fun is that?!! We were to create a decorated gift bag to bring with us using the theme and enter for a contest…but totally forgot to bring mine back home for a photo to show! LOL (I am hoping that we get together to share some photos as I wish I had taken more than what I did!)

I took a quick photo with birdhouses everyone finished for my class, and it was so fun to see everyone’s interpretation of how they made their own. I enjoyed seeing what everyone did! (I think two of these are missing in this photo.)

Now, I am not an avid decorative painter and don’t spend a whole lot of time doing it, but a couple of girls at this retreat are, and have been doing it for many years! (even longer than I have been a paper crafter…which is a LONG time! LOL) So I have had the privilege of learning a bit about it. I’m glad to have this time to share something together and doing when we can. I appreciate it and the memories that are made. 🥰

Below is my gallery of projects that I did for each class. I did this in order of when each class was taught. If you’re directly on my website, just click on each photo to enlarge it and also see the description of what the dimensions and types of surfaces that were used. All were hand painted by me using acrylic paints.

Painted over a canvas board measuring 8″ x 10″ with addition of 3 stars, buttons and knob for nose. You could make a face or paint a gnome, so of course I painted a gnome for mine. I went on my own and added twine to the star…not sure I like it.

I have one last project to share which is something I recently finished up before this painting retreat, but it had been sitting around the last few years as an un-finished box not being used.

A few years back, I had gone to a paint convention and purchased this brush box that was hand-made by an older gentleman and vendor at this place. I started it quite a while back and finished up the top portion of the box doing some ombre painting. I added the wooden lettering on the front and some glitter paint to the lettering after it was sealed.

And here’s what the inside of the box looks like with all of my brushes stored in it. (Well most of them anyway! LOL) What I like is that there are separate compartments so that I can organize the different types/styles of brushes in each. The brushes are protected and dust-free. The dimensions of this brush box are 11″ x 7″ x 4″ deep all made with wood. The hardware was removed and then replaced after painting and sealing.

Like I mentioned, I don’t always do decorative painting like this, but since it’s already part of my life and I have accumulated things related to it, I will probably do some things here and there. It’s like a mixed media thing for me as I don’t always do that, but sometimes I enjoy getting things out for something different. I like many different crafts which makes this all so fun for me. It’s nice to have a variety of interests to keep enthusiasm going!

How about you? Do you have interests in other things besides paper crafts?

Stay COOL and safe out there today friends…how do you like to keep cool?

Thanks so much for joining me today and I hope you were inspired in some way on your visit!

Challenges:

Crafty Animals – Anything with an animal (card)
Dragonfly Dreams – Indoor Hobbies (card)
Happy Little Stampers – Anything Goes with Dies (card)
Happy Little Stampers – Anything Goes with Stencils (card)
Addicted to Stamps & More – Any Occasion (card)
Cardz 4 Galz – Get Inky (card)
Creative Moments – Anything Goes optional: CUTE (card)
Lil’ Patch of Crafty Friends – Anything Goes (card)

Interactive Fun for Crafty Chefs + Video

Hello friends! We are nearing the end of July and I wanted to be sure to try and get at least ONE “Christmas in July” project in before the month is gone, so I thought I’d keep things fun and simple as well as “kill 2 birds with one stone” so-to-speak!

Now we’re given one “must do” item from the previous chef to use on our recipe. My item from Nana Connie was *”die cut” and so here is the project that I’ve made for this month’s “Crafty Chefs” group:

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I have used a scallop square (cut from gold metallic mirror cardstock) and stitched square die cuts for layers on my project here. I’ve taken this really cute elf image from the Christmas Elves Pairables digital set from Digi Doodle Studios on the front of my design.

I’ve printed out and colored the present from the same digital set along with another elf image (for his arm only) so that I could cut them out to make it look like he’s holding the gift. His cut out arm was popped up with foam tape. I’ve colored with Copic markers, added details with gel pens, liquid applique and Stickles glitter under his feet for snow affects. I also stamped extra snowflakes for the background as well as add three snowflake rhinestones for accents.

Here’s the Crafty Chef’s August Recipe:

MUST DO:

*Die Cut (can also use electronic machine like Cricut, etc)
Interactive (More than 1 fold eg: easel card, gatefold, etc.)
Specialty Paper (foil, vellum, glitter, etc.)
ribbon/twine/raffia

CAN DO:

Color an image
Add THREE of something
**add glitter/sparkle – (this one I’m passing along to the next chef)

It doesn’t appear to be very interactive by looking at it, but when you untie the ribbon along the side, this is what it looks like when you open it up:

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I have decorated two of the opposite panels with a greeting and then I’ve added a pocket to the top left panel so that I could include a gift card or cash to the recipient for Christmas! I thought it was a super quick and fun interactive design to do!

If you are interested in learning how this project comes together, I’ve made a video sharing the measurements on how it’s done: (CLICK HERE to see the video on You Tube.)

During this time of the year when it’s pretty warm over my way, it’s sort of a nice thought to think about some snow! Plus, it always nice to get a start on some Christmas too! (It’s not necessary for the “Crafty Chefs” to use a Christmas theme…it can be anything.)

I hope you’ve been inspired by my project today and have learned something fun in my video with it too! (I have even more interactive tutorials on my You Tube video channel if you’d like to see other ideas!)

Thanks so much for stopping in today friends and I’ll be seeing you again soon!

Challenges:

Colour Crazy Craft – Anything Goes + coloring
Daring Cardmakers – Three Musketeers (3 snowflake rhinestones)
Sweet Stampin’ – Chrismas in July
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends – Anything Goes (Christmas in July)
Crafting Happiness– #59 Anything Goes
Pammie’s Inky Pinkies – PIP2030 Anything Goes
Dream Valley – Christmas in July
Fab ‘N’ Funky – #492 Christmas
Christmas in July 2020 Hop – Anything Christmas

Naughty or Nice for Digi Doodle Studios

Hello friends! Hoping you all had a wonderful weekend!

Today I’m sharing a fun circle shaped design using a cute new Pairables set from Digi Doodle Studios:

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This cute little elf is sitting atop of an ornament, getting out the list for Santa and marking down who’s naughty or nice! LOL! This image and sentiment are apart of the Christmas Elves Pairables Digi stamp set. On my computer I actually expanded the ornament image to make it larger and then added the cute little elf from the set right on top of the ornament. I printed it out as one image and colored it up with Copics. I’ve also stamped some snowflakes around the image and cut him out with a circle die. I used some Broken China distress ink to sponge around the edges.

I layered him onto a brushed gold die cut circle and added some gold stickles around the edges. I then layered these onto a red die cut circle that was embossed with an embossing folder, which is also the same one that I used for the green piece on the inside of the card.

I made a circle easel card and then cut out the sentiment from the digi set in a strip (also sponged with Broken China ink) and mounted it over another piece of red cardstock and attached it on the inside right above the green embossed layer. (This strip is what helps keep the front layer propped up.)

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Here you can see the side view of the card design. These are very simple to make with die cut shapes and I love how they nicely display for the recipient.

I’ve add some green saddle stitch ribbon to the center of the red circle before attaching it to the easel card backing and then added a bow that I’ve tied 2 gold bells on with a piece of twine. I then used the twine to make a double bow to go behind the green one and glued them on my card.

I added some snowflake accents and placed a blue rhinestone in the center of each.

Here’s a closer view of the details on this cutie. I actually have lots of thing going on with this image. First, I covered the bottom of his ornament with glossy accents. It’s a fairly thick layer and you can see the details of it in the photo below, but I had to let it dry over night!

I have taken a gold gel pen and colored the “bells” on the elf’s outfit. I then took a white gel pen for his cheeks. On top of the ornament, I used a glue pen and covered it with some clear loose glitter.

For the trim on his hat, I took some Brutus Monroe Snow Paste and a small brush to apply it. It’s REALLY thick stuff, so for a small area like that, I had to be a bit careful. Love the sparkle in it and you can see, in the photo above this one, the side view of how thick it actually is! I heat set it with my heat gun because it “puffs” up a bit when you heat it.

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Here’s what the card looks like when it is closed up. I think this would also make for a really cute ornament too! You can really see the shine on the glossy accents from this photo and why it took all night to dry! LOL!

I hope you’ve enjoyed my easel card today and gotten some inspiration and/or a smile! Thanks so much for stopping in today! I’ll be seeing you again soon!

Challenges:

Merry Little Christmas – November Anything Christmas Goes
Pearly Sparkles – Christmas
My Time to Craft – No Rectangle or Square Cards Allowed
Stamping Sensations – Traditional Christmas Colors (Red, Green, Gold)
A Bit More Time to Craft – Anything Goes
Crafts Galore Encore – Anything Goes

Be Merry for Paper Nest Dolls New Release!

Hello friends! I hope you’ve had a wonderful weekend! I was busy making “treats” for my husband to content him for the week! LOL! Speaking of treats, Paper Nest Dolls has a brand new mid-month release and it’s full of ADORABLE images!

As a matter of fact, I’ve made a card with one of them here and it’s my very first Christmas card of the year!

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Isn’t she so sweet?! This one is called “Elf with Jack-n- Box” and she is available from the store.

I thought this “elf” needed to be colored up in green and so I found some fun papers to compliment her along with a sparkly silver glitter strip of cardstock, and added some seam binding, twine with button and festive embellishments too!

Everything was mounted onto a 5×5 white top folding card base.

Here’s a closer look at how I’ve colored her in with my Copic markers. I’ve used some gel pens to color in parts of the “Jack in the Box” as well. I’ve cut her out with a stitched rectangle die and white heat embossed the sentiment over a strip of red cardstock and I cut out and attached along the side of the image panel and then I used some white ink to sponge around all the edges. I’ve added some rhinestones on the sentiment strip and then I popped up the image panel with some craft foam before attaching it onto my card.

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I hope you’ve enjoyed my festive card today!

Thank you so much for stopping in today and I’ll see you soon!

Challenges:

Merry Little Christmas Challenge – August Anything Christmas Goes
Double D – Pearls, Gems or Rhinestones
Creative Knockouts – Tic-Tac-Toe (I went diagonally from top left: stamp, sentiment, ribbon/twine
QKR Stampede – #360 Anything Goes
Crafty Friends – Add embellishments

Flying Dragon for 2 Crafty Critter Crazies

Hello friends! Welcome to May! Yay! I’m so happy that my flowers are finally up and blooming! It always brings a smile to face when I see the colorful blooms!

Today is the 1st of the month which also means the start of a new monthly challenge over the 2 Crafty Critter Crazies challenge blog! All you have to remember is that you need to use a critter somewhere on your creation…that’s it! The sponsor we have for this month is Fabrika Fantasy:

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I have used this adorable digital image kindly provided to us from our sponsor called Flying Elf. I love how that dragon is looking up at her! 🙂

After coloring her in, I’ve taken a cloud stencil and sponged in some clouds behind her to give the appearance of being in the air! I’ve used the ink foam blending tool and distress inks for that. I then cut out the image panel with a cross-stitch rectangle die from Lawn Fawn and then used a cloud border die also from LF to cut out along the bottom that also adds to the “cloudy” feel of the design. I stamped a sentiment from a My Favorite Things stamp set.

I wanted to add a “magical” element to my design, so I found some really cool cosmos looking papers from my stash and added that as a layer underneath the image panel which I popped up a bit with foam tape. I then added a purple shimmer ribbon with a bow around the bottom portion and layered it over a piece of gold mirror cardstock and then an additional piece of black cardstock that was layered over a white A2 sized top folding card base. Lastly, I added some black pearls in the upper right of the image panel.

Here you can see a closer view of the coloring I did on the image. I’ve colored it in with my Copic markers. Then on her belt, the trim on her boot and the middle of the dragon bridle, I colored those in with a gold gel pen. Such a cute image!

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Here’s a better view where you can see the shine from the gold mirror cardstock. It helps to add a “magical” feel to the design, I think.

Thanks so much for dropping by! I appreciate you being here with me! Hope to catch up with you all at the end of this week to see what you’re up to!

It’s the April Anything Goes for Cute Card Thursday!

Hello friends! This week has completely flown by me so very fast!! I can’t believe how quickly it went and I’m thinking being outside in the warmer weather will make it go even quicker! Summer will be here soon, right?!

Today is Thursday and also the first Thursday of the month, which means it’s time for our regular “Anything Goes” theme at Cute Card Thursday! We are also sponsored by our regular monthly sponsor Whimsy Stamps! So of course, you know I’m going to be using one of those for my creation today:

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Isn’t she just a cutie?! This newly released digital image is called Elfie from Whimsy Stamps. I’ve been starting to see a few lady bugs here and there around my area, but I actually don’t like it when they are everywhere! Otherwise, I can take them on a card and think they’re so cute!

After coloring her up, I cut her out with a stitched circle die and layered another circle with black cardstock behind her. I also cut out the Whimsy Stamps Friend Word die set with black cardstock and set it aside to work on the rest of my card.

I pulled out this embossing folder with lady bugs (by Darice) and embossed a piece of red cardstock with it. I took some white ink to lightly go over it to highlight the texture a bit. I layered this piece onto a piece of black and then layered these over a white A2 sized top folding card base. The circle image was place towards the right of the card and then I just cut off the excess circle with scissors.

I stamped the “hello” from the Whimsy Stamps Painted Sayings clear stamp set with black ink next to the image. The “friend” die cut piece was glued at the bottom of the card. I also took the WS Quick Strips die set to cut out a couple of stitched banners from some shimmer paper and added them to the side of the circle. Lastly, I’ve put the black gingham ribbon bow over the banner strips and added the lady bugs and sequins to the design. I filled the sequins with some Nuvo White Blizzard Glitter Drops.

Here’s a closer look at the coloring of this cutie. I’ve used some Copic markers to color her in and then I’ve used a Wink of Stella Clear Glitter pen to add some shimmer over her wings and the wings on the butterfly. Here’s the list of Copics I’ve used:

Hat, skirt, shoes and ladybug – R39, R37, R35, R32, C8, C5, C3
Shirt, leaves – G24, G21, G20
Hair – E49, E47, E44, E43
Skin – E21, E13, E00, E000, R20

Vicki-CCT576-WSElfie-flat

I think there are so many different ways you could color up this image, but I saw her holding this little ladybug and so I just went with that theme when coloring. Hope you’ve enjoyed my card today and got inspired!

Challenges I’d like to enter this card for: