Alas, it’s about me, but no picture of me.  One of these days, I’ll get a good shot of myself lol!  I chose some of the brilliant rainbow hues available from Core’dinations to draw the brilliant colors in my blossoms further out across the page.  The flourish dies from Sizzix really helped me accomplish that!  Hope you’ll take a second to stop by the Core’dinations blog for some comment lovin’ today!  Thanks so much.

-Vivian

SUPPLIES:

I am so loving this opportunity to work with a fantastic company that has been near and dear to my heart since I began papercrafting.  The most significant aspect of this undying love is that their products, dies, and embossing folders continue to be integral tools in my crafting toolbox whatever crafting mood I am in, and despite how my style evolves.

I hope you’ll check out my post over at the Sizzix Blog!

See you there!

-Vivian

I had some Core’dinations Colorcore Cardstock left over from a layout that I had done.  The blue color on the right side was great for my layout, but the kraft backside suited me perfectly for the cardbase on this project.  Somehow kraft cardstock always draws me into projects I encounter, whatever the style!  I dry embossed this backside using the Sizzix Texture Fades “Bubble” Embossing folder and patted the debossed surface with a great white fluid chalk from Prima which goes on smooth and dries quickly.

I distressed the edges with Tim Holtz Walnut Stain Distress Ink and added some background stamping using a Hampton Art “Distressed Words” PS0680 Woodblock stamp and the same ink.

The alphas were cut using the Sizzix “Chip Block” Decorative Strip Alphabet die and some more Core’dinations Cardstock.  OK, am I the only crafter that’s totally psyched about having an alpha strip die that I can use to my heart’s content and not having to buy consumable alphas that are here today and gone tomorrow?  I reach for my Alpha Strip dies from Sizzix for just about all my projects that need titling – layouts, art journals, cards.  Since I can use coordinating papers from my project, matching is never ever an issue.   A very wise, very practical crafty investment, in my opinion.  Once the letters were adhered with glue, I sanded them gently for more grungy punch.

As for the butterflies, I took an entire sheet of Bristol Vellum and randomly painted it with Tim Holtz Distress paints, spritzing liberally with water and tilting the page to encourage fun drippy patterns.  For this card, I cut out just 2 lovely butterflies using the Sizzix “Flights of Fancy” Sizzlit die set, part of a  new collection of dies from  Brenda Walton which you must check out.  I will keep the rest of that painted sheet on my table and it will go to great use in upcoming projects.

To finish it off, I wrapped it simply with a length of dark brown jute.

The final result is a masculine card that’s grungy, with a small, bold pop of color.  Thanks for stopping by today, folks!

-Vivian

SUPPLIES
Sizzix:
Texture Fades “Bubble” Embossing folder
“Chip Block” Decorative Strip Alphabet die
“Flights of Fancy” Sizzlit die set

Hampton Art:Hampton Art “Distressed Words” PS0680 Woodblock stamp

Core’dinations:
Tim Holtz “Nostalgic” Kraft Core Cardstock Collection

Tim Holtz/Ranger:
Distress Paints in Fired Brick, Vintage Photo, Peeled Paint
Distress Ink in Walnut Stain

Prima Marketing:
Fluid Chalk Ink in White

Brown Jute

I had so much fun making this project and I can’t wait to share it with you at the Sizzix blog next week!

Today I also want to hook you up with a really quick video that I made for Scraps of Darkness – using the Creativity Add-on  from our April “Remember When” kit to create this bezel – not be ‘zel, but ‘bezl lol!  I kept switching pronunciations during the video (yes, I’m sure annoying!), perhaps because even though it is apparently wrong, I so much prefer the sound when the stress is on the second syllable, much more fun to say.  What the heck, maybe I’ll just say it that way from now on!

The glitter sprinkled on top reminds me of those Sunkist candy jewel discs that I am nuts about.  I haven’t eaten one in decades because they are so unhealthy… but they live in my sense memory!!! Mostly for their texture in my mouth LOL you mixed media texture fiends will “feel me” on that one.

A bit of good news came in today, too!  I sold a crafty creation from my Etsy Shoppe!  Always such a great feeling when that happens.   So after mailing that off, I shall do a bit o’ writing today.

Happy crafting, folks!

-Vivian

A big birthday also passed for me this last Saturday – I turned the big FOUR OH!  Thank goodness I don’t have any major issues (at least I think I don’t) about that number.  Aside from a few aches and pains, life just keeps getting better as the years pass.  Hubbie made the day unforgettable – he started the day by bringing me espresso and the newspaper in bed, as well as a gorgeous necklace!  We cleaned for much of the day since his parents were to visit on Sunday.  But we finished off the day at McCormick and Schmick’s for dinner.  I had never been there before, but I am now a big fan – every element in that meal was to die for!  The best thing about the day, though, was simply getting to spend it in entirety with my guy.  We joke that we won’t have any issues during retirement because we are absolutely content spending 24/7 together.  If it turns out well, I believe my next layout at Sizzix will be all about this ever loving and lovable guy.  A couple of other things going on, too, but I won’t bore you with them just yet

Next item of the day, a little reminder for those of you who use Google Reader.  Have y’all switched over all your blog lists from google to another service?  If you haven’t yet, do it soon, because before you know it, Google Reader will be gone.  Some folks have turned on to Bloglovin’.  I also am very happy with the interface on Feedly.  Don’t worry – it’s easy.  These services will import the blogs you follow through Google with just a few clicks.

Projects projects!  Pictures!  I have a few papercrafted projects that are in progress, but for today I have a card project to share that I recently made with Core’dinations Cardstock!  My first DT box was HUMONGOUS!  A crafter’s dream.  This card features lovely “Gemstones” Colorcore Cardstock that came in the perfect size for cardmakers – 4.25 in x 5.5 in.  Each sheet has a pretty pearlescent sheen.

Core’dinations and Sizzix – what a pair!  For this flowers, I used a Sizzix die that I’ve been “exploiting,” lol!  Getting such great use out of the bloom die, and especially the varied leaf shapes.

I also used the Colorcore Cardstock with a new Sizzix embossing folder from their “Moroccan” style collection, sanding away the raised surface to take advantage of the capabilities of Core.

The result is a nice combination of pearlized surfaces and matte surfaces.  Love that folder.

That’s all for now, folks.  I shall groom my hairy cocker spaniel now and then try to get my craft on!

SUPPLIES:
Core’dinations:
Gemstones ColorCore (4.25 in x 5.5 in) – Sapphire,Rose Quartz, and Opal
Sand-It Gadget
Dust Buddy
Sizzix – “Moroccan” Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Flower Bloom w/ Leaves 3-D Sizzlit, Big Shot Machine
Hampton Art – “Abundance” Stamp Set IC148
Viva Decor – Pearl Pen
Tim Holtz – Distress Ink
Tsukineko – Stazon Ink
Really Reasonable Ribbon – Metallic String Iridescent

At first glance, I thought that these colors would be great for autumn themes.  But as I worked with them, I realized they could effectively create a great rusted effect.  Video tutorial here:

Here’s a shot of the Rust Effect in the project I featured in the video.  It uses the Distress paints from the Color Add-on in conjunction with the “Bubble” embossing folder from Sizzix.  And it’s really easy!

I actually worked all day on a different project, a layout, which in the end, I didn’t like enough to edit into a video – pooh.  But, I did discover that this assortment of Distress Paints used with the beautiful teal patterned papers from Bo Bunny’s Mamma Razzi Collection included the base kit give a completely different effect – deep and luminous!

Umm, I need me some more of those papers!!!  Wow yow the teal patterned paper combined with the Spiced Marmalade Distress Paint makes my heart SING!

For my next video tutorial, I will focus on the Creativity Add-on from the April Kit!  So visit Scraps of Darkness to subscribe, if you haven’t already!  Every month, Karolina, Sarah, and I prepare tutorials to show you myriad ways to enjoy the Color and Creativity Add-ons that are available.

For more details and supplies, head on over to the Hampton Art blog today.  ki memories has a new line that totally appeals to my love of vintage.  And look at all the nature infused into each and every piece in this collection – love it. I also created most of my embellishment clusters using my Sizzix dies. Folks, have I said it much lately?  Choose the right dies for you and they will pay for themselves ten times over, blessing you and over again with embellishments for all your papercrafted projects.

Hope you will stop by the Hampton Art blog and leave me a little love!  We’d so appreciate any shares or likes on various social media platforms, too!  Today also marks my last post on the team at Really Reasonable Ribbon.  I have a vintage inspired card project over there, too.  So I hope you’ll stop by!

-Vivian

Here’s a sneak peak!

There’s a video tutorial viewable at Sizzix, too!  Ciao for now.

-Vivian

While weeding, I noticed a wonderful change in the garden – the ladybugs have arrived.  And a lot of them.  This news made me want to jump for joy, because those critters will munch up all the nasty aphids that I’ve been having to smoosh by hand for the past several weeks.  And boy, are these insects just the most spectacular shade of red or WHAT?  Mmm mmm mmm!   I think I love them just as much as I love my earthworms.

Anyway, I came inside and crafted this grungy card.

Chock full of the organic effects I so dearly love, and embellished using one of my new Sizzix Sizzlits, the Washer Border Die, as well as one of my older well-used dies, the Sizzix Movers and Shapers Mini Butterflies Set.  Wanna see how it all came together?  First I misted a sturdy piece of Bristol Vellum with some of my favorite mists.  Then I scrunched up some plastic wrap on top and let it dry.  This was the result.

Whoa mamma!  I am having so much fun with this technique – look at how the colors mix and don’t mix!  Next, I wrinkled my paper, smoothed it out, sanded the ridges a bit, and selectively applied more ink on some ridges.

Next, I did some stamping with a great Hampton Art Woodblock stamp.

Then, using my current adhesive of choice, Ranger Glue ‘N Seal, I adhered a portion of a Washer Border die-cut that had been misted as well.  The card was asking for more mist, so I doused it with a beautiful gold.

Lovely abstract patterns and textures in this die.  Very very versatile.

I stamped some insects using a new Hampton Art/ 7 Gypsies set that contains a great variety of delicate insects.  As a final step, I added my vascular hot glue effects, first laying down the glue.

Misting it.

After it dried, I added Clearsnap Mix’d Media Inx on top of the hot glue.  The butterfly was adhered using pop dots.

** I’ve had a lot of followers ask me about drying time on my hot glue effect.  It takes a long time, folks.  You can speed it up with a heat tool, you can also paint the hot glue with gesso or other fast drying pigment before adding the Inx.  You can also use a completely different choice of media than I do.  I have done this with Painter’s Pens as well, which dry very fast. But so far, I have found the Inx to go on most luxuriously and give me the look I want, so I don’t mind waiting a few days once my project is done, then spraying with fixative.

Here are some more details.

I tried to preserve some areas with the plastic wrap effect.  Aren’t those ladybugs neat?

A trail of ants.

This is where all the textures converge.  Hope you enjoyed my project!

-Vivian

SUPPLIES
Sizzix – Washer Border Sizzlit, Movers and Shapers Mini Butterflies SetClearsnap – Gold Glow and Black Velvet SMOOCH Spritzes
Tattered Angels – Sea Glass Glimmer Mist
Tim Holtz – Salty Ocean Distress Ink
Hampton Art/ 7 Gypsies – PS0673 Distressed Background Woodblock Stamp, IC0223 A Bug’s Life Cling Stamp Set, IC0148 Abundance Cling Stamp Set
Hampton Art/ Art Warehouse – PS0712 Speckle BackgroundWoodblock Stamp
Tsukineko – Black Stazon Ink
Ranger – Glue ‘N Seal
Strathmore – Bristol Vellum

Hampton Art is back online!  We’ve got a great team now with some new folks as well as some of us “oldtimers,”  lol.  But seriously, I am very proud to be serving a second term, and I’m looking forward to sharing with you all their yummy stamps in various papercrafted projects!   We also have a new Design Team Coordinator, Kimber McGray, so I hope you will stop by the Hampton Art Blog and extend all the new folks a warm welcome!

As the title states, we have a blog hop for you today.  It’s short but sweet.  All you need to do for a chance to win either a stamp prize from Hampton Art or one of three collection kits from Echo Park Paper is stop by both manufacturer blogs where you will see all of our projects and leave a comment on both blogs.  Winners will be selected and announced both on the Echo Park Paper and Hampton Art blogs on Monday, April 29th. All comments are due by Sunday, April 28th at midnight EDT to qualify.

Here is the blog hop list:

Echo Park Paper

Hampton Art

This is my project that you will see at Hampton Art today along with crafts from the rest of our talented team.

Mine is entirely stamped using the Hampton Art/Echo Park “Oh Snap” #SC0529 Clear Stamp Set and treated with some of the mixed media that I love so dearly.  Here are some detail shots.

Lots of heat embossing.

A light touch of fibers and bling.  This Hampton Art stamp set has a lovely combination of delicate and bold, which is why I had to have it!

And one of the misting techniques I’ve been sharing on my youtube channel as of late.  Isn’t it dreamy?!  If you are curious about how I achieved this result, check out some of my most recent videos.  This card was misted entirely with SMOOCH Spritzes from Clearsnap.

Happy Hopping!

-Vivian