Marker Madness

When Heart2Heart decided on this Mad about Markers Challenge, I'll admit I was stumped for a bit. Then I decided that the easiest, most straightforward idea was probably the best. I altered pre-patterned paper using three markers. This is the Falling For You paper as it comes

And here's how I altered it using a green, yellow, and red marker.

Now you might be looking at that ribbon and thinking, "I didn't know CTMH sold red ribbon with that gold center stripe." We don't. I altered that using the same red marker just by coloring on both sides. (Please note: use gloves or don't plan on going outside until it no longer looks like your fingers are dipped in blood.)

The tag is the second smallest in the die-cut set stamped with a sentiment from Short & Sweet in black.

Although coloring pre-printed paper and ribbon to achieve a different look is a simple technique, I don't use it very often. It's good to be reminded that, just because something comes a certain way, it can be altered to fit what you want.

In writing new, I just got back from the American Christian Fiction Writers conference. Five years ago, I was there as a Genesis Finalist in the Historical Romance category. It's amazing to me how far I've come since 2012. What a delight to renew friendships, make new ones, and be refreshed both spiritually and creatively.

Until next time,
Becca

Leaving on a Jet Plane

The annual American Christian Fiction Writers Conference begins tomorrow. I'm leaving for the airport in a couple minutes. So excited!! As with stamping and paper crafting, it's good when people who share your passion congregate. I'm looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones. I hope to post pictures, but if you don't see me for a while, I'll be back soon.

Until next time,
Becca

Heart2Heart Goes Negative

Negative implies something bad, but this week at Heart2Heart we're showing you how to use negative space in positive ways.

I used a circle die cut from My Favorite Things for the stitched edge, but you can use any circle die or a die cutting machine like a Cricut to create the same effect.

Here's a close-up on the flowers. (Remember, this set is only available until the end of the month. Shopping link below.) I stamped them with all three layers then used the stamped images as guides for adding color with pencils and a white gel pen. I used a white colored pencil quite a bit, too, as you can see on the tops of the leaves. It didn't show up as much on the flowers which is why I went back over them with the gel pen.

CAS on Sunday's weekly challenge is "Color Me Pretty with Pencils or Markers" so I'm linking this card to them.

I cut the flowers and leaves out and layered them both over and under the circle cut. The center front flower was added using foam tape for even more dimension.

After the centers were colored, I added dots with a black pen.

The inside of the card is lined with a 4 x 5.25 piece of patterned paper from the Enchantment Fundamentals Paper Pack. This is the Pomegranate color.

Once the card was basically done, I closed it up to eye where I wanted the sentiment to go and stamped with Eggplant ink.

As you are reading this, I'm probably hunkered down while Irma does whatever damage she's going to do here in South Carolina. I wrote this post on Friday before she hit Florida. The latest models show her heading away from where I live, but it's been difficult to concentrate on much of anything while waiting for this monster. I've never been in the path of a hurricane, and it looks like there's never been one like this. Go big or go home, I guess.

Until next time,
Becca

Shopping List:

• From the Heart Nt'l Stamping Month Special (stamps only)
• From the Heart Nt'l Stamping Month Special (stamps and pop up card bases)
• Bashful Ink
• Pixie Ink
• Blossom Ink
• Sweet Leaf Ink
• Willow Ink
• PrismaColor Pencils (no link)
• White Gel Pen (no link)
• White Daisy Cardstock
• Enchantment Fundamentals Paper Pack
• Micro-tip Scissors
• Foam Tape
• Glue Pen
• MFT Inside&Out Stitched Circle Dies (2.75" diameter)

N'tl Stamping Month - From the Heart

September is National Stamping Month. Yep...a whole month just for stamping! And every year Close to My Heart does something to celebrate.  This year, they've released a double stamp set which might be my favorite stamp set ever.  I paired it with the Flower Market Cricut Cartridge to cut the basket for this Card Concept inspired card.

I used a whole host of ink pads (shopping links below), most of which are self-explanatory. I did, however, want to mention that, for the yellow flowers, I stamped the final layer in White Daisy to give the petals that subtle texture. Because this is a pigment ink, give it plenty of time to dry before handling the flowers for cutting. I waited about ten or fifteen minutes.

The laundry basket is a Flower Market Cricut cartridge cut. In the original, the blanket inside the basket doesn't quite fill the bottom. To make it do so, I ungrouped the image, stretched the blanket a bit, then cut. Both layers were cut using the lighter side of Toffee paper. I stamped using the stripe background that comes with Flower Market vertically and horizontally in Toffee ink then added some more sponging to the edges for a little more dimension. I left my cut on the mat while I stamped and sponged to give this delicate cut a little more stability while sponging the edges.

In order to get my background flowers placed as I wanted, I laid down my basket and flowers without gluing and then snapped a picture using my phone so I could have it for future reference. Without moving the basket or flowers, I stamped just the petals of the background trio of red flowers. Then I removed the basket and flowers and filled in with the rest of the background images.

The background panes were cut using a retired MFT Blueprint die set (#20). Once all the layers were assembled, I embellished with pearls and a twine bow. No sentiment on the front as I need some generic cards.

As I write this, Hurricane Irma is approaching Florida. Her path shifted taking us out of the direct line, but we are still expecting heavy wind, rain, and possible flooding from her outer rim. CTMH has created a special stamp set to aid the many victims of this summer's multiple, devastating disasters. All proceeds will go to The Red Cross as they assist fire victims in the west and Hurricane victims all along the Gulf Coast.  I love the sayings in this set as they apply to all kinds of tough situations. (Shopping link below)

And don't forget the September Stamp of the Month, another wonderful set which is only $5 with a $50 order or $17.95 regular price. There's a link on the sidebar to order this stamp set, and I've included it in the shopping links below.

In writing news, I am almost done with my final deadline for the year. I really need to finish in the next day or two in case Irma knocks out our power for days. I've never been in the path of a hurricane before, and I gotta say...not liking this much. At ALL.

Until next time,
Becca



Shopping Links:

• From the Heart stamp set (stamps only)
• From the Heart stamps and interactive card bases
• Canary Ink
• Saffron Ink
• White Daisy Ink
• Poppy Ink
• Ruby Ink
• Fern Ink
• New England Ivy Ink
• Toffee Ink
• Canary cardstock
• White Daisy cardstock
• Toffee cardstock
• Flower Market Cricut bundle (digital only - available for use with Cricut Explore™, Cricut Explore Air™, and Cricut Explore Air™ 2)
• Flower Market Cricut bundle (physical cartridge and booklet)
• Micro-tip scissors
• Glue pen
• Sponge Daubers
• White Pearls
• White twine
• Stronger Together (disaster relief) stamp set

Stronger Together

Close to My Heart has designed a stamp set specifically to help with the numerous and ongoing disaster relief efforts.

This set is available for order HERE.

We ARE Stronger Together!