Just For You–MCT Sneak Peek Day #4

Hello crafty peeps! I’m back with a quick note card set using Card Sentiments and the new note card die.

It would be dishonest if I didn’t fully disclose that I love my A2 cards. That’s just my preferred size, and I usually cut them in portrait orientation. Occasionally , I will stray from that formula, but I know what I like, because I have a certain style of card making. I’m all about my layers and stuff. I think I mentioned this before, but my sister calls it, “pomp and circumstance.”

Initially, I started making the note cards way too elaborate. So, I had to step back and reevaluate and I decided that a simple embossed note card with a vellum envelope was the way to go. I diecut five note cards from Soft Stone cardstock and embossed the top flap with the Perfectly Paisley Cuttlebug folder. It’s one of my favorites. Somewhere in the middle of diecutting the cards and envelopes, I decided that I NEED to invest in a Vagabond. I use a lot of dies and that whole crank handle thing is, as they say, for the birds. Plus, my Cuttlebug is kind of sickly. I digress!

I stamped the sentiment from Card Sentiments with Versafine Onyx Black ink right above the score line on all of the cards. I wanted to package the set in my clear boxes, but they were too big and I didn’t like the presentation. Now, I’m thinking that it would be a great idea to go ahead and adhere the envelopes; then, tie them together, and package everything in a Kraft or glassine bag. Simple, yet classy – totally my style!

That’s all for me today! Thanks for stopping by, and I wish you a blessed day!

Stars and Stripes

Hello Friends! I am here with another card to usher in the weekend, AND I have an announcement. A little less than a month ago, I received an email from a dear friend that wanted to know if I was available for a design team position. So, just to cut to the chase, I am now a member of the Platinum Scraps Design Team!

I think my readers that have connected with me through Facebook or from the Cricut board know that I am not your mainstream paper crafter. I am male, which is rare, but I am also African American, which is basically a double whammy in the paper world! Platinum Scraps is a team of African American scrappers and card makers. My thought is that maybe there is another African American, male crafter waiting to be inspired, so it is with great pleasure that I join the team.

Now, for today’s card! I think for the first time, I made a card based on a sketch – maybe the second time. It’s not generally how I go about creating, but nonetheless, I tried to put my own spin on it! You can see the sketch an get all of the details by going over to the Platinum Scraps blog.

I’m calling my card Stars and Stripes – the design evolved kind of effortlessly. I even glittered the rosette without making a gigantic mess! I know that when I first got into crafting, glitter was one of my first purchases. I think I have maybe 6 colors, but they rarely see the light of day. I will admit that I am quite partial to the Martha Stewart Crafts glitter. I dare say it is the best on the market. I digress!

My card base is Soft Stone from Papertrey Ink. Until they release a medium toned gray, this is my absolute favorite. I used my Distress Stripes Cuttlebug embossing folder to give my Spring Rain layer texture, and to embody the stripes of the flag. From there, I selected some patterned papers. The antiqued book print is from an oldie, but a goodie, Lost & Found Portobello Road by My Mind’s Eye. I used some Tsukineko Gold Shimmer Spritz and water so I could ball and crinkle the paper. I dried it with my heat tool and ripped the bottom edge. I also did a bit of inking with my Antique Linen Distress ink. I adhered it to my card and did a bit of stitching with some red thread.

Next, I adhered another pattern from the Portobello Road pad. I rounded the corners with my Corner Chomper. The ribbon is gold satin from Offray. The Distressed Stars and Handkerchief (the rosette) are from Hobby Lobby. I added the postage stamp border for two reasons: first and foremost, I like the way it looks, and second, it’s thin paper. I also did a bit more stitching.

I used my Martha Stewart Scoring Board to make the rosette. I cut two 1.25” x 11” strips and scored them at every half inch. I glittered it with Jasper glitter, again from Martha Stewart. It’s a beautiful deep red that has incredible depth. It’s dark, but there is definitely a lot of glimmer as well.

My sentiment is from Here’s Lookin’ at You, from My Creative Time. I absolutely love the font combination that Emma used in this set. I used my Versamark Dazzle Frost ink to stamp my sentiment and I embossed it with Gold Metallic Zing embossing powder from American Crafts. I am happy to add that I finally have an embossing buddy! No more dryer sheets!

Thanks for stopping by. Have an amazing weekend (I’ll be working.)!! And, have the most blessed day!

My Creative Time March Release–Day #3

Hey everyone! I know it’s been forever since I’ve made a post, but I’ve been kind of busy with work. Anyway, I hope you’re all excited about this month’s release. I know I am! I had to chase down my mailman to get my DT package!

Today the team is showcasing, You Are Perk-fect. If you’re a coffee drinker, then this is the set for you. I drink multiple cups a day. My coffee maker gets a lot of love.

I started with a Vintage Cream A2 card base. I cut a 4” x 5.25” mat from Dark Chocolate and dry embossed it with the Swiss Dot Cuttlebug folder. To infuse a little color and pattern, I cut a 1.750” strip of Berry Sorbet cardstock and stamped the argyle background stamp from Coffee Backgrounds in Calypso Coral ink from Stampin Up. Initially, I used the background stamp on the Dark Chocolate mat and heat embossed it, but I felt like the card was getting too busy and I was really trying to make something simple. Instead of cutting the end into a banner, I decided to invert it because I know I was going to do that for the sentiment.

I die cut the XL Label die from Vintage cream and stamped the solid coordinating border from the XL Label Borders set. Next, I stamped the coffee cup from You Are Perk-fect twice with Chocolate Chip ink. I then stamped the polka dot sleeve in Crumb Cake ink. 

I adhered the Berry Sorbet strip on the Dark Chocolate mat and I then adhered that to the card base. I used some Berry Sorbet grosgrain to tie a bow. I used a vintage Dark Chocolate button and brown bakers twine from Martha Stewart to dress it up a little bit. I used some dimensional adhesive to adhered to XL Label to the card. To complete the card, I stamped my sentiment in Chocolate Chip ink and adhered it to the card with dimensional adhesive as well.

Sneak Peek Giveaway Time!
With all of our Sneak Peek weeks, Emma likes to do some FUN giveaways!

All you have to do is leave comments on our blogs! You do NOT have to comment on every blog, BUT if you do, you will just have more chances to win!

SPREAD THE WORD TO THE WORD ON FACEBOOK about this release & whatever connections you may have! Let us know on "My Creative Time's" FB page here http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/My-Creative-Time/364568506334 that you did so! OR you can just tag me in your post!

Emma will randomly pick & announce all winners on Friday, March 16th during the blog hop release happening @ 12:01am PST in her video! GOOD LUCK!

Log onto to your Facebook now & let start spreading word!;)

That’s all for me today! I will be back tomorrow with the entire team. Have a blessed day!

No Peeking!–MCT 12 Days of Christmas ~ Day #3

Hello everyone! If you arrived here from Tracy’s blog, you’re on the right track. If not, start at Emma’s blog here: My Creative Time.

Today’s card utilizes something that I know we ALL have, scraps! I have NEVER made a card as fast as I made this one. Probably would have made it faster had I not been totally screwing up some Destiny’s Child songs. If there was a secret to coming up with ideas, I think it would be pop music. I make my best stuff when I’m listening to music and singing terribly. My mom asked if I was trying for a Grammy last night. She has jokes. Moving on!

The only full sheet of cardstock that I used to make this card was for the card base. Everything was cut from the same 4 scraps. Granted, the brown was a big scrap. I know it’s hard to tell, but most of the strips are embossed with either the, “Seeing Spots,” or, “Candy Cane Stripes,” Cuttlebug folder. Tip, emboss the cardstock before you cut your strips. That was a lesson learned. The strips range from .25” to 1” in size. I started off thinking that I would use only red and green 1” strips, but it wasn’t looking like I wanted. My card was actually inspired by the sentiment that I used. I wanted to create a card that looked like a present. The sentiment comes from “All Around Christmas.” And I used the, “Scallop and Stitched Circle Die set,” again. It’s REALLY useful. Love it.

I don’t think this needs directions, but if by some chance you need clarification let me know in your comment. I read them all and I REALLY appreciate it.

***12 Days of Christmas Give Away Alert***

To qualify for ALL the AMAZING giveaways for the next 12 days, you must comment on every blog in this hop! You will have until Tues, Dec 13th @ midnight to have all of your comments in! VERY IMPORTANT, PLEASE LEAVE A WAY FOR US TO CONTACT YOU IF YOU ARE ONE OF THE WINNER'S!

There are some AMAZING giveaways for this special 12 day event & some SURPRISES to help celebrate "My Creative Time's" One Year Anniversary! Yep, Emma released her 1st set of stamps one year ago! So make sure you are tuned in because this is ONE hop you do NOT want to miss!;)

Blog Hop Line-up:

Emma

Cassandra

Cathryn

Cindy

Jeanne

Katie

Leanne

Linsey

Liz

Nancy

Nikki

Ruthie

Shar

Tracy

Trell (you’re here)

Veronica

Thanks again for coming by! I hope everyone has a awesome and blessed weekend!

Everyone Loves Red Velvet, Right?

 

So, I don’t know exactly how to explain this, but something about seeing everyone’s Valentine’s Day projects has made me want to join in. Personally, I’m kind of anti-Valentine’s – I think it’s way too commercial and that we have 365 days to tell people close to us that we love them. I suppose I’m going soft . . .

 

Fenton Hobnail Milk Glass Cake Stand

 

I’ve been planning to use my From the Kitchen cartridge since I bought it last week, and thankfully, Robyn over at My Pink Stamper gave me a reason. Her challenge was to make something, “yummy.” In addition to wanting to use my FTK cart, I wanted to make a more elegant card and I wanted it to be appropriate for Valentine’s Day. I immediately knew I wanted to make a red velvet cake. I’m a diehard traditionalist and I love vintage hobnail milk glass. All of these ideas evolved into my inspiration for this card.

This card took very little time and was extremely easy to make.
Here are the details, or the “recipe,” if you will:

Cardstock: Paper Company Vintage Fashion Colors Red for the 5”x7” Card base; tan mat is 4.75” x 6.75”.
Patterned Paper: K.I. Memories Classic Print Paper Pad; the mat is cut at 4.5” x 6.5”.
The cake plate and cake were cut at 4” and the plate was embossed with the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder.
Stamp: TPC Studio Greetings.
Ink: Studio G.
Adhesives: ZIg 2 Way and Glue Glider Pro.

I know it looks extremely simple, but I think that’s what makes it great. Nothing says I love you like a red velvet cake!

Have a Blessed Day!