Wishing You the Best Today

July 12, 2009

Today's card was made for Darlene's Crafty Secret challenge that she hosts every Sunday at Paper Craft Planet. For this challenge we were to use Gingham in our project.

Stamps used for this card is from the Mice Party stamp set of Crafty Secrets Clear Art stamps. This was stamped on an off-white cs with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and the colored with Copic markers. Background DP is from Basic Grey's Lemonade Paper Pad. Machine Stitched the edges of the DP and added some ribbon for accent. Flower was made using the Flowers Creations 3 and Pink Japanese Paper. Added some punched ferns (MS).

Hope you all are having a sunny weekend.

Crafty Secrets DT Step-by-Step Sisters Vintage Shadow Box Frame

July 6, 2009

Today is a very exciting day for the Crafty Secrets Design Team. We are each sharing with you either a tutorial or step-by-step pictorial of our projects.

For this project I made a Sisters Frame, which I will be giving to my sister who will be having her birthday this month. She is the one who started me off in this craft. Thanks to her, I have been able to find the passion for this art form.

The project started off with a shadow box frame that I purchased in one of the Dollar Stores. As you can see in the raw picture, it was a very simple unfinished wood frame. The very first thing that I did was paint it with taupe acrylic paint and then the second layers was a brown acrylic paint. I lightly sanded the wood after the paint dried to bring out the woodgrain. By painting it with a lighter first base color I was able to enhance the woodgrain after sanding it. I then colored it more with some Coffee Shop Glimmer Mist to give it a shimmery glow. Then I proceeded to outline the frame with some strips of gold Class-A-Peel stickers. I then put the frame aside while I started to work on the borders.

The borders were die cut with the Classic Lace Border die of Spellbinders. I die cut 4 strips with a tan colored cs and embossed the strips. Before removing the strips from the die, I distressed it with Walnut Stain distressing ink. Some of the little pieces that were cut were dabbed with the Coffee Shop Glimmer mist which was later on glue back to the strip. Cut 4 single points of the borders for each of the corner of the frame. Here are all the pieces that I used to go around the frame.

Once the strips were done I then proceeded to work on the inside of the frame. I used an image from the Girfriends Images and Journal Notes for the main image. This I die cut using the Labels 4 from Spellbinders along with the matting that I used behind the image. I outlined the main image and the matting with a gold Sakura Glitter Pen, dotted the hats, sleeves along the wrists and collar with a Gold Spica pen and then added some half pearls to the points. The letters that spelled "SISTERS" was taken from the "Girls Alphabets & More" Heartwarming Vintage Booklets. These letters were cut and then distressed with Walnut Stain distressing ink then matted onto brown cs. Added some chipboard to the back of each letter to raise it up in the finished frame. Background paper is from the Pastel Paper Pad of Crafty Secrets, which I distressed the edges and added some ric-rak and flower stickers from the "Little Girls" Heartwarming Vintage stickers. I also used the sentiment from this same sticker collection.

After all the pieces were ready, I proceeded to finish the frame. I added the borders strips and corners to the frame and then sprayed it with Irridescent Gold Glimmers Mist. Added some of the little pieces from the die cut to the borders and added a norrow pink ribbon around the inside edge. All along the inside of the frame I added a biege lace. Also used a beaded strip along the bottom of the frame. Other accessories that I used to go on the frame are some glass leaf pieces on the 2 bottom corners, a Prima flower on the top left corner and some half pearls on the right corner. For the inside of the frame I assembled all the letters to spell "Sisters", added the main image and the sentiment.

Here is my finished project. Picture was taken without the glass cover that slides into the shadow box so that it will not produce a glare. I am hoping that you all enjoyed this special project with step-by-step pictures.

Now don't forget to check out the Heartwarming Vintage blog, Crafty Secrets gallery and all the blogs of our talented Design Team. They have made special project for you today. Just click on each of their names to access their blog.

* Vicki Chrisman

* Lisa Zappa

* Linda Duke

* Anna Wight

* Pam Hooten

* Michele Kovaks

* Heidi Blackenship

* Vivian Peters

* Michelle Van Etten

* Melissa Philipps

Hope you all have an enjoyable Monday.

Marisa

This weeks cards

July 5th, 2009

This week I have been neglecting by blog. I keep forgetting to upload the card that I have made for various challenges. So here are all 3 cards for this week.

The first card is for the Crafty Secrets Forum challenge as well as the Wednesday Sketch challenge over at Splitcoast stampers. For the Crafty Secret challenge we were to use a virgin stamp set, one that you have either neglected to use or have never used. I combined it with the sketch challenge for the week. Stamps used was from the "Sew Special" stamp set of CS.

The second card is for the Featured stampers challenge from Splitcoast. Today's featured stamper is Sandra. Check her gallery out, she has great stuff. The image I used for this card is from a free digital image from Victoria Case. I colored the image with copic markers and the DP used is from the Lemonade Paper Pad of Basic Grey.

Finally, the last card is for the Crafty Secret group challenge that Darlene hosts every Sunday at Paper Craft Planet. Today's challenge is "Christmas in July" This card used stamps from the Vintage Christmas and Christmas Joy stamp set of Crafty Secrets.

Sweet Tara

July 1, 2009

HAPPY CANADA DAY! Today it is Canada's Birthday. Wishing all my Canadian friends a day filled with fun and celebration.

Today I am sharing with you a card that I made using a Digital image from Victoria Case. This is a freebie that I got and is available if you email her. Go check her site out, she is an amazing artist. Her challenge blog also host a weekly challenge and this card is for the challenge posted on June 25th. Today, noontime is the deadline to submit your entry. Hope I made it on time.

This challenge is a sketch challenge and you can find the sketch in the challenge blog. Paper used for this card is from makingmemories - Chloe's Closet. Size the image in my Scrapbook Factory program to the size that would fit my card and printed it on Copic compatible paper. Colored the main image with copic markers, cut it out and mounted it onto white cs with double sided foam tape. Colored 4 more flowers with copics, cut them out and arranged it around the bottom part of the main image. Wanted Tara to be surrounded by all the flowers. For a final touch as I was assembling the different layers of this card I add a ribbon in the center of the card.

Hope you enjoy this card.

A Birthday Wish

June 25, 2009

This card was made for the sketch challenge posted yesterday at Splitcoast Stampers.

Images from the Mouse Party stamp set of Crafty Secrets Clear Art Stamps was stamped onto white cs with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and then colored with Copic markers. After coloring the image it was cut out. Use a yellow DP from the Lime Rickey Paper Pad of Basic Grey to die cut the smaller frame from the Classic Frame set of Spellbinders. This frame was embossed and sponged with Broken China distressing Ink. The rest of the background paper is also from the Lime Rickey Paper Pad. The frame was mounted onto the DP with double sided foam tape to pop it up a bit. The inner part of the frame is right against the DP. Mice, cheese and balloons are also popped up with foam tape. Used some scrappers floss for the string of the balloons. Sentiment was stamped on aqua cs and die cut with the labels 3 nestabilities. Final touch to this card are some oyster embellishment which I added to the frame.

Hope you all have a happy Thursday.

Marisa

The Beauty that Surround Us

June 23, 2009

I was late for last weeks Crafty Secrets Forum challenge and glad to be able to get this weeks challenge on time. Host for this weeks challenge is March and she has asked us to get inspiration from nature.

Selected some nature images for this card from the Calendar Creative Scraps of Crafty Secrets.Frame around the images was cut with the Scalloped Edge Frame from Spellbinders. Wove a sheere peach ribbon from Melissa Frances in and out of the holes in the scallops. DP used for the different layers of this card is from the Classic and Earthy Paper Designs which is also from Crafty Secrets. Added some pearls in the empty space on the image layer. Each of the different layers were edged with a Gold Gelly Sakura Pen.

Homemade with LOVE

June 23, 2009

I'm late, I'm late posting my project for last weeks Crafty Secrets challenge that was hosted by PammyJo over at Splitcoast Stampers.

Used an image from Crafty Secrets Cooking Cotton Scraps which was mounted on to DP from the Earthy Paper Pad which is also from Crafty Secrets. Stamped the flower border from the Kitchen Classic Stamp set to go all around the border of the image. It was then colored with Copic markers, sprayed with Irridescent Gold Glimmer Mist and adorned with Pearls. Sentiment is from the Sweet Stamp set.

Now, purpose of this challenge was to create a project with the theme " It's ALL about ME". So what in this project describes who I am. Well, before I started Card Making and a bit of Scrpbooking, my life was devoted to baking in my spare time. Before coming to Canada, I used to bake from home and take orders from family, friends and restaurants. In fact most of my family members are bakers. At a very early age, my precious Mom introduced us to the art of baking. Well baking slowed down when I realized we were starting to gain weight from all that sweets coming out of the oven. So I quickly had to find another way to spend my spare time. That is when my crafting evolved. Also in the project, I embellished it with pearls. Just love pearls. So to some it up, I love:

*baking

*card making

* pearls

Hello My Friend

June 21, 2009

This card was made for the Crafty Secrets challenge Darlene hosts every Sunday at Paper Craft Planet. For today's challenge we are to use squares and circles in our project.

For this card, I used an image that I took from the Birds and Dotanicals Images % Journal Notes from Crafty Secrets. DP that I used is from the Classic Paper Designs, which is also from Crafty Secrets. I outline the different panels and DP with a Clear Star Gelly Roll from Sakura to give the entire card a hit of glitter. The frame around the bird image was colored with Light Walnut Copic markers. Used some ribbon and Oyster embellishments to finish off the card.

1st Crafty Secret Challenge at Paperee

June 20, 2009

Julie has posted a challenge in the "We Love Crafty Secrets" group over at Paperee.com. Here is a little excerpt from Julie's challenge:

CONTRASTING COLORS! Pick your favorite color and then use it's complement--red/green, blue/orange, purple/yellow, etc. Also feel free to use any shade in between as I did--turquoise/muted orange.

And to add a little excitement we are also throwing in a prize. As Julie will be away on Friday, I will do a random drawing from the names of all those who have participated in this challenge and the winner will receive a "Birthday Kids" stamp set!!! So hurry over to Paperee, we would love to see what you create.

Here is the project that I made just for this special challenge. Image is from the Garden Girls stamp set of Crafty Secrets Clear Art Stamps, which was stamp using Tuxedo Black Memoto Ink on white cs. I then colored the image with various Copic markets. This was then matted onto a DP from the Lime Rickey Paper Pad of BasicGrey. For the frame I used another DP from the same set and die cut/embossed it with the Classic Frame from Spellbinders. I then sponge some Faded Jeans distressing ink onto the frame. Flowers were die cut from the Scalloped Edge Frame, also from Spellbinders. Then I added some blue rhinestones to the centre of the flower and then punched some ferns from a Martha Stewart punch and placed them around the flowers.

Now, don't forget to visit us at Paperee.com and join in on the fun.

Happy Birthday Carlos and New Crafting Site

June 19th, 2009

First of all, I would just like to wish my nephew Carlos a HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

Here is a card that I made for him for his special day. Stamps are from the Favorite Fellas stamp set of Crafty Secrets Clear Art Stamps. Image of the ties were stamped on various DP's from the Boxer Paper Pad of Basic Grey. They were then cut and mounted onto the Labels 4 nesty. Sentiment is also from the same stamp set. And background paper is also from the Boxer Paper Pad collection.

I also want to share with you all a new Crafting site that I recently was invited to join. It is called Paperee. If you love making projects using Crafty Secrets, we even formed a group called " We Love Crafty Secrets". We would love to have you join us. So please do check this crafting site out. And stay tuned as we have some exciting stuff happening in the very near future.

If you are on facebook, we also have a Crafty Secrets group over there and would like to hear from you there as well.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.

Marisa

Feliz Quinceanera - A Special Birthday

June 18, 2009

Someone at work asked me to make a special Birthday Card for a young lady who will be turning 15 tomorrow. In the Spanish Community, a it is a special celebration when a girl turns into a young lady. This happens on the 15th birthday and the celebration is called "Quinceanera". This card uses stamps from Scrappy Cat - Bride To Be. Images are either colored with Copic markers or stamped on Basic Grey paper and cut out. There is a lot of bling in this card. Around the edges of the Labels 4 I added some glitter. Top of the dress has a string of pearls along with the handle for the bag, the earing and the shoe. On the Tiara you will gind more bling. I truly enjoyed making this card and I hope that the recepient will as well.

Challenge and Sample

June 18, 2009

First upload will be 1 card with 3 different versions. This card was made for the challenge Darlene posted on Paper Craft Planet on Sunday. OK I know, I am a little bit late posting my card. I have been really busy with work and other stuff that I have been neglecting.

For Darlene's challenge she asked us to make a project using items that start with the letter "P". So for this card I used an image from the Little Dolls Images & Journal Notes from Crafty Secrets. Background paper is from the Pastel Paper Designs also of Crafty Secrets. Just simply cut the images on the sheet. For those of you who used to play with Paper Dolls, you know what to do with them. You dress them up with the outfits. In the sheet that I used there were 2 different outfits with matching hats. Used the smaller frame in the Scalloped Edge Frame from Spellbinders for the border around the paper doll image. Added some Pink Liquid Pearls around the embossed dots on the border. The die cut border is also from Spellbinders - Classic Lace Border. Added the little pooch off to the corner and ribbon just along the end of the Classic Lace. The saying - "My Paper Doll" are stickers from the Baby Girl Heartwarming Vintage Stickers.

So what did I use in my card that started with the letter "P"

P for Paper Doll

P for Pink

P for Pearls (Liquid Pearls)

P for Polka Dot Ribbon

P for Pooch

P for Paper Sticker Letters

P for Perfect Pink Classic Lace Border

I know, I think I got carried away trying to think of inventive ways to make sure "P" was used in this card.

The next card that I am sharing with you today is from the new stamp set - Mouse Party. This set will be availabe starting tomorrow, June 19th. For this card I used 4 stamps from this set to make my scene. The older mice was ready to take a picture of the clown mice just as he was coming out of his hole. Images were stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and then colored with Copic markers. Cheese was stamped colored and cut and placed on top of the main panel. Main panel was mounted on black cs and I added some red pearls on top. Background DP is from the Earthy Paper Designs from Crafty Secrets and die cut with the bigger frame of the Scalloped Edge Frame from Spellbinders. I wove some ribbon in and out of the holes.

Hope you enjoy my cards today. Thanks for looking.

Sparkle Card

June 9, 2009

Here is my card for the "sparkle" challenge over at the Crafty Secrets Forum. Darlene is this weeks host and gave us a few clues yesterday and here are the clues we were given:

1. 4th of July

2. diamonds

3. sequins

4. Twinkle

5. Flash

6. Shine

With all those clues, this is the card that I came up with.I used an image from the Seasonal Heartwarming Vintage Booklets "Proud To Be American" (although I am not an American) and added some Pastel Clear Ultra Fine Glitter to the stars and words around and in the oval. Background DP is from a stack that I purchased at Cosco some years back. I used a Quickie Glue stick to add some glitter on the fireworks on the DP. For the frame of the image, I used the Peony die from Spellbinders to cut red, white and blue cs. I then inter-twined the cut pieces to make my frame. And to finish off this card, I added ribbon to the image and some brads to the corners.

What a fun challenge.

Paper: Seasonal - Heartwarming Vintage Booklets, unknown DP, red, white and blue cs

Accessories: Peony die - Spellbinders, Quickie glue pen, Pastel Crystal ultra-fine glitter, ribbon and brads

Crafty Secrets DT Challenge

June 8th, 2009

Happy Monday morning to everyone.

Today Crafty Secrets is having a DT challenge. Theme for this challege is "Birthday". Anything with a Birthday theme, altered projects, layouts, hats, cards.. ect...

Sorry if the pictures did not come out very well. I am still learning how to use my daughters camera and don't know how to use all the fancy settings.

I took pictures of my project in two sets as the whole project was too large in one picture.

I also took a picture of 2 of the letters close up so that you can see the details in each of them.

For this challenge I made a HAPPY BIRTHDAY banner. Images for this project are letters from the Divine Alphabets % More Heartwarming Vintage Booklets. These booklets are so easy to use and you have a choice of different sizes for the Alphabets all in one page. Started of by die cutting a 2 beige and 1 brown cs with 3 sizes of the Labels 4 nestabilities. Use beige for the biggest size which I die cut then embossed, then I sponged the edges with Walnut Stain Distressing ink and added some Diamond Dust to the edges. This layer was later on sprayed with Irridescent Gold Glimmer Mist. After it dried I mounted the next size of the Labels 4 with brown cs, followed by the third size in beige cs which was again distressed with Walnut Stain. On top of this third layers I then added my letters which was matted with brown cs. Used a DP from the Classic Paper Designs of Crafty Secrets which I die cut and embossed using a Floral Accent die from nestabilities. After die cutting and embossing this piece I then distressed it with Walnut Stain while the die was still on the paper. Made 13 pieces which were used at the top of each of the letters that spell HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I then proceeded to die cut and emboss 3 sizes of the Flower Creations 3 which scrap DP's that I had from several Paper Designs of Crafty Secrets. Made 13 sets of the flowers which were sponged with Walnut Stain and distressed using a distressing tool to curl up the edges. Added the flowers to each of the letters.

Paper: Divine Alphabets & More, Classic and other Paper Designs from Crafty Secrets

Ink: Walnut Stain Distressing ink

Accessories: Labels 4, Flower Creations 3, Floral Accent and Diamond Dust

Don't forget to check out the blogs of the other DT members who have created special project for this challenge. They are as follows:

Anna

Heidi

Linda

Lisa

Melissa

Michele K

Michelle V

Pam

Vicki

Vivian

Words

June 4, 2009

Here is a card for the Tuesday Crafty Secrets Forum challenge that can be found at Splitcoast Stampers. This weeks host if Lori Lynn who has challenged us to use text in our project.

This card was made using an image from the Garden Creative Scraps of Crafty Secrets which was matted onto a rectagle scalloped red cs and tied with a ribbon around it. Velumn was embossed with a script cuttlebug emobossing folder and then used a piece of DP from the Earthy Paper Pad of Crafty Secrets.

Paper: Earthy Paper Designs and Garden Creative Scraps - Crafty Secrets

Ink: Walnut Stain Distressing Ink

Accessories: Ribbon, velumn, script CuttleBug embossing folder and nestabilities

Library Pocket

May 27, 2009

Here is my project for the Tuesday Crafty Secrets Forum challenge over at Splitcoast Stampers. Marcy's challenge to us pockets in out projects.I have been meaning to come up with some sort of Library pocket with sign-out card for all the books we have in out home. Marcy's challenge has inspired me to come up with this Library Pocket.

Stamps used are from the Book Lovers and Frame-it stamps sets of Crafty Secrets Clear Art stamps. First I stamped the 'from the library of' 2x on white cs and colored it with Copic markers. The second stamped image was cut out and popped-up on top of the first with double-sided foam tape. On the first image, I added some journaling lines with the Frame-it stamped set. Used a circle coluzzle to cut the half center at the top and then distressed the edges with a distressing tool. Distressed the whole tag with Old Paper Distressing Ink and added gold at the edges with a gel pen. Pocket and base for the pocket uses DP's from the Porcelain Paper Pad of BasicGrey. Used a sticker from the Fond Recollections Heartwarming Vintage stickers on the pocket, added some lace that was stained with a copic marker and corners were done using a scrap paper from the porcelain paper that was punched and colored with copic markers. Added another image from the Book Lovers stamp set which was colored again with copics on the pocket.

Now I have to make quite a few more of these for all the books.

Stamps: Book Lovers and Frame It - Crafty Secrets Clear Art Stamps

Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento, Old Paper Distressing ink and various Copic markers

Paper: Porcelain Paper Pad - Basic Grey

Accessories: Lace and circle Coluzzle

Hinged Thank You

May 25, 2009

Here is another card I made today for the Technique Lovers Challenge over at Splitcoast Stampers, to make a hinged card. Lynn once again has picked a great technique to feature in this challenge, along with an easy to follow tutorial from Wendy. Definitely a technique that I will used again and again.

For this card my focal image is from the Flower Gallery stamp set of Penny Black. Stamped image onto white cs with Tuxedo Black Memento ink and then colored it with various Copic markers. Added some glitter with a glitter pen on the center part of the flowers. Image was then die cut and embossed using the Labels 4 nestability. Inked the edges of the panel with Pearlescent Purple Billiance ink and then matted onto the purple DP. All DP used in this card is from the Euphoria Paper Pad of BasicGrey. Borders and corners were punch with the Parisian edger punch of EK success. (Again thanks to Wendy for pointing out in her tutorial about using the border punches in the corners as well). Brad to hinge the card together is also from Basic Greys matching brad set for the Euphoria collection. Sentiment is also from the same stamp set of Penny Black. Ribbon is a white Offray ribbon that I colored with a Copic marker. Butterfly was die cut with 2 different DP from the Euphoria Paper pad using a Spellbinders die.

Stamp: Flower Gallery - Penny Black

Paper: Euphoria - Basic Grey and white cs

Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento Ink, Pearlescent Purple and various Copic markers

Accessories: Offray ribbon, Euphoria Brad, Labels 4 and Butterfly die from nestabilities

Thanks Dad

May 25, 2009

Here is a card that I made for the Crafty Secret Challenge Darlene hosts in Paper Craft Planet. Every Sunday, Darlene had volunteered to host the challenge. This is a 1-2-3 challenge to used 1 image, 2 different papers and 3 accessories. So if you like using Crafty Secrets products and enjoy challenges, check it out. You can find a quick like on my side bar to the site. Hope to see you there as well.

For this card, I used an image from the Heartwarming Vintage Cuts - Bless Our Family. These images are so great to use in any paper crafting projects. This was mounted on to DP from the Boxer Paper Pad of Basic Grey. In fact all DP used for this card is from that collection. Tied a knot with the ribbon and used a circular metal clip on top of the image and a long brad to the side of the card. Lastly, I used a white opaque Signo pen to dot all around the edge of the card.

Image: Bless Our Family Heatwarming Vintage Cut

Paper: Boxer from Basic Grey

Accessories: Ribbon, long brad and circular metal clip

Special Friends

May 20, 2009

After a long time not being able to play along in the Splitcoast Stampers daily challenges, I am glad to be able to make a card for today's sketch challenge.

Stamped image is from the Teddy & Company stamp set of Penny Black, which was stamped on white cs with Tuxedo Black Memento ink and colored with Copic markers.. Used some Flower Soft on the ferns. Background DP is from the Porcelain paper pad of BasicGrey. Used the Labels 3 nestability for the die cut around the main panel and matting and a die from the ribbon tag nestability for the cut of the sentiment. Added some ribbon around one of the panels and pierced some holes along the 2 corners of the card.

Stamp: Teddy and Company - Penny Black

Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento ink and various Copic markers

Paper: Porcelain - Basic Grey and brown cs

Accessories: Labels 3 and Ribbon tag trio nestabilities and ribbon

2 Crafty Secret Challenges

May 20, 2009

Here are 2 cards that I am posting today. First one is for the challenge Darlene posted on PaperCraft Planet. For this card I used an image from the Travel Creative Scraps of Crafty Secrets. Matted the image onto orange DP from the Mellow Paper Pad of Basic Grey which was punched all around the edges with a MS border punch. This was then adhered on top of another DP from the Mellow collection and then onto to the background DP also from the same collection. Used the Labels 4 to die cut the sentiment which came from the Seasonal Heartwarming Vintage Booklet. Added some decorative edges using a Cuttlebug die. The sketch for the card was also provided by Darlene for the challenge.

Second card was made for the Tuesday Crafty Secrets Forum challenge over at Splitcoast Stampers. This weeks challenge was hosted by PammyJo. For this challenge she asked us to include as many circles, half circles or circle shapes on your cards.For this card I used stamped images from the Sweet Stuff stamp set of Crafty Secrets Clear Art stamps. Images were colored with Copic markers. Used the scalloped circle nestabilities behind the images. DP is from Chole's Closet - makingmemories. Finished the card of with ribbon.