Here comes the cupcake tower..

Greetings craftites!

Today, I wanted to share a card I made with the new Hampton Arts Clear Happy Birthday stamp set.  I stamped the image with Memento Black Ink onto regular Neenah 110 lb index paper (this is not the same as the solar white Neenah).  I then, using a Spellbinder die, created the frame, measured the inside dimensions, and cut the cupcake tower to fit ontop the lattice frame but appear to be within it.  I colored using Spectrum Noir alcohol markers and finished up with Glossy Accents on the icing, and fruit.  At the end, I used Tonic Nuvo drops at the frame intersections to simulate pearls.  Here is the completed card:

As always, I love your feedback to help me better my card making abilities.
Have a crafty day!

Mike

Clowning Around Part II

Hello fellow craftites!  I am in love with this MFT Stamps Clowning Around stamp and had to share another card I made for my beautiful niece.

I started with Canson XL watercolor paper, and stamped with GinaK Black Ink.  I learned to allow the ink to dry at least an hour and it is fine for either watercoloring or Spectrum Noir Alcohol markers.

Using Spectrum Noir markers, I colored our clown stamp.  Once dry, I used liberal amounts of Spectrum Noir clear sparkle and then used a touch of Glossy Accents on the nose, bowtie, buttons, and flower.

I decided to finally use a Sizzix die in a large label type shape and well, you can see the results below:

Thanks for looking and I wish you well.  Have a crafty day!

Mike

Here kitty kitty, here kitty kitty...Laurel Birch is in the house

Hello fellow craftities.  Today I want to share with you two cards I made from the Stampendous Laurel Birch cling stamp set.  My wife loves cats, all kinds of cats, and when we saw these stamps at a recent stamp show, I saw them fly into the basket faster than you could blink your eye from cat dander...

With zig markers in the house now, this was the perfect opportunity to practice using Bristol smooth paper.  I have a lot of learning to do but I hope you enjoy my first attempts.

Thanks for looking and as always, I welcome your feedback to become a better crafter.

Happy crafting.

Mike

Clowning Around

Greeting my fellow craftites!

Today, I want to share a card made with the exciting (for me at least) MFT Pure Innocence Clowning Around stampset.

I colored the clown with Spectrum Noir alcohol pens and used Spectrum Noir glitter pens on the hat, bow-tie, suspenders, gloves and balloons.  It is a bit busy, but I think it conveys a fun busy.  The card front is attached to purple card stock, also from MFT.

Thanks for looking and as always, I appreciate your feedback.

Happy crafting.

Mike

Happiest of Peonies by The Ton Stamps

Hello fellow craftites!

It has been a while since my last post and a lot has happened.  The Easter bunny brought me a set of Zig Clean Markers and I have been playing.  As a result, I want to share my latest cards.

I decided to create a quartet of cards featuring the Happiest of Peonies stamp set made by the amazing Effie Cho.  Using watercolor paper (smooth side) each card was stamped with Versamark Embossing Ink and then embossed with Rose Gold embossing powder by The Ton Stamps. The peonies were colored with the Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers in purple, light pink, dark pink, and yellow. I then used Tumbled Glass distress ink for the background.  Since I was not sure how these would be used, I created three sentiments for each card to be applied as desired.

Hope you like them.

All in all, it was a very pleasurable and fun project.  Thanks and have an amazing day!

Garden Fresh - Is it spring already?

Fellow craftites!  Good morning again.  The other day I broke out the Wendy Vecchi Stamp-It Stencil-It set Garden Fresh that I picked up at Stampfest last month.  I must say I really like to vintage feel and look to this stamp set.

Using Ranger Archival Ink, I stamped the flower on some Bristol Smooth paper (I planned to water color the stamp).   The 2 cards below were water colored with  Kuratake Gansai Tambi Watercolor Paints and then framed with a new frame die from Gina Marie Designs.

The next card, I used the included stencils and with distress inks, colored the flowers in about three minutes in total.  Talk about knocking out a pretty card quickly!

I finished off the cards with some Nuvo drops. (I need to work on my alignment, that is for sure-lol).  Thanks for  looking and I hope you enjoy.

Happy Crafting!

Mike

Lawn Fawn Happy 7th Birthday

Hello fellow craftites!  Today I wanted to share a simple but fun card using the new Lawn Fawn Year 7 Birthday stamp set.

I started out by cutting two circles of different sizes.  On the smaller circle, I took the three piece candy stamp and stamped in red, yellow and green Memento inks.  I stamped the Pinata on some Neenah 110 lb Index Card stock (this is thinner than the Solar White 110 lb card stock but also much cheaper).  I wanted to go festive so I used the fluorescent colors from Spectrum Noir, BP5, FL2, and FL3.  I die cut the pinata out and mounted with foam squares on the small circle.  I then mounted the small circle onto the larger circle with foam tape squares also.

Then I stamped the year 7's greeting- hope your birthday is a SMASH!  I love this greeting.  Using Tombow mono multi glue, I added the large circle to the card base and attached some sequins with Ranger Matte glue.  The card looked okay at this point and I realized it needed balloons. I stamped from balloons from the Lawn Fawn Party Animal set and colored them the same as the pinata and attached.

Last but not least, I covered the pinata and balloons with a Spectrum Noir clear glitter pen.  I hope you enjoy it.  A simple but fun card.  I plan to make some more for my birthday card stash!

Happy crafting to you!
Mike

Dogwood Flowers Prayer Card

Greeting fellow craftites!

Today I wanted to share a card made with the new Heartfelt Creations Dogwood Flowers stamp and the Hero Arts/SSS Prayers stamp and die set.

I stamped all the various dogwood flowers using Tsukineko Brillance Pearlescent Coral and then cut them out using the matching dies.  I then used some green watercolor inks from Local King Rubber Stamps for the leave stamp and also cut out with the matching dies.

Using a finger dauber, I dipped into the Pearlescent Coral and did the edges of the flowers.  I then dipped another dauber in Tsukineko Brillance Crimson Copper and touched the tips of the flowers.  I used a tool kit to round the flowers and then touched some white glue to the tips and added a touch of iridescent glitter.  I then finished each flower with some Simple Simon Says seed beeds in a golden finish.

I stamped the card using a sentiment from the Hero Arts Prayers and Hugs set and finished the card with a pink ribbon and a few Nuvo pink glitter dots.

The card was a lot more complicated for me but I truly enjoyed the task and am appreciating the Heartfelt Creation stamps.
 As always, I welcome your feedback to continue to make better cards.

Hugs to all and keep crafting.
Mike

Poppy Love with The Ton

Greetings fellow crafters.  It has been too long.  I received the new Poppy Garden Cling Background Stamp a couple of weeks ago and wanted to share this amazing stamp! (Like all of Effie's stamps, especially background stamps, the end result is always one of beauty).

For both cards, I stamped in Versamark on Bristol Smooth cardstock and used the Rose Gold Embossing Powder.  I was wowed!  Videos just do not do it justice.

I then used Akashiya Sai watercolor pens and a waterbrush to move the color. For the banner, I had leftover paper and colored it to match the card and stamped Happy Birthday with Versamark and then used the Rose Gold Embossing Powder from The Ton.

For the second card, I repeated the process but focused on the orange pen.

For both cards, I finished with Nuvo Moonstone drops.  They look like gentle kisses of dew on the poppy petals.  If I can create cards list his,  just imagine what you could do!

Thank you for looking at my blog today and I cannot wait to share my next project, Dogwood Flowers!  Oh yeah!

Mike.

A-Moose-ing isn't it

Greetings fellow crafters.  Today, I want to share a card I made using the new Dad + me stamp set from Lawn Fawn.  This is such a fun set and I plan on using it for lots of cards.

I started by stamping on Neenah Exact 110 Lb, Index card stock.  I colored the critters with Spectrum Noir pens and stamps the lake and stream with Hero Arts blue dye ink.  Using the dies, I cut out the shapes.

For the background, I used distress inks (Mowed Lawn and Shutters on the bottom and Tumbles Glass on the top with Squeezed Lemondade in the center to look like a setting sun).  I spritzed on some large water drops, waited about 20 seconds and then gently dabbed the background.  I mounted all the characters with Tombow Mono Glue.   I used the new Elizabeth Craft Scalloped Point dies for the frame.  Here is the card.

Hope you enjoy.  Have a great day!

Mike

(Entered in Lawnscaping Distress Ink Challenge)

Bunny Birthday Hop

Greetings fellow crafters.  I made a card for my niece's birthday this week and used some old and tried techniques for the first time.  Here is the card.

I used a BeBunny stamp from Crafter's Companian that I had in the package for almost two years and finally broke it out.  I used my embossing magic pad on the paper and then stamped the bunny with Versamark Clear embossing ink.  I then covered it with Ranger Black embossing powder.  I love the raised black embossing.  It is so pretty up close.

I then colored the bunny with Akashiya Sai Watercolor pens.  For the background, I wiped the light blue pen on an acrylic block and used a pentel water pen to color it.  I die cut the image using an oval stitched die and placed it on a piece of Lawn Fawn Polka in the Dark paper.  I realized the oval seemed a bit too empty and I stamps some accessories (maybe too many..) from the Lawn Fawn Party Animals stamp set and then colored them in.

I finished off the card with the Happy Birthday sentiment form the LF Party Animals set and an embellishment that I got from EBay that was about the size of a balloon.  Voila, a BeBunny Happy Birthday card.  Busy? Yes, but I know my niece will love it.

I hope you enjoy this.
Have a wonderful day!

Mike

Thanks a bunch!

Greetings fellow crafters.

Today I wanted to share a card I made last evening as a thank you to a co-worker who brought in some locally grown baby bananas from his banana tree.  They were the best bananas I have eaten.  Sweet and finished with the most awesome touch of tartness at the end.  Wow.  Anyway here is the card.

I used the Lawn Fawn Critters in the Jungle stamp set to create the card.  I stamped on 110 lb white Neena Exact paper with Momento Tuxedo Black ink.  I then colored with Spectrum Noir pens.  After that, I used the Lawn Fawn die cuts and cut out all the stamped pieces.

I used distress inks on the background and did a slight spray with water, waited 30 seconds and blotted off for the distressed look.  I then used the first and second largest dies from the Lawn Fawn Stitched Rectangles set (I lined them up to be equidistant all around and then used washi tape on each side to keep the distance even) to create a border from green card stock.

I then assembled the card with my favorite adhesive, Tombow Mono Multiliquid glue.  I used the new Spectrum Noir clear sparkle pen on the parrot, bananas and serpent's tongue.  I hope you enjoy.

Have a wonderful day!

The Magical Funghi

Greetings fellow crafters.  I have been working on some cards and wanted to share one with you today.  Scrapbook.com gave away a free Lawn Fawn stamp, Happy Funghi, with every purchase during National Scrapbooking Day and if you do not know, I really love Lawn Fawn stamps (and dies).  So I had to get this stamp.  On the way home from work Wednesday evening, I had an idea for the stamp.  Some may get it, others might not  (I was born in the 60s).  I used the Happy Funghi stamp,  masked it and used the two mushroom stamps from Gleeful Gardens, and a favorite greeting from Fairy Friends.  The background was painted using distress inks on Carson XL cold press and a Pentel waterpen.  I hope you enjoy it.

Peace out, Girl Scout!  :-)

Mike

The Ton Floral Borders

Greeting fellow cardmakers.  Today I wanted to share a couple of cards made using Effie Cho's new Floral Border red rubber stamp by The Ton.  Taking black cardstock, I used Versamark Ink and Ranger Gold Embossing powder.  I heated the cardstock and got the most beautiful embossed image!  I then used the SOA Young At Heart Birthday Diecuts to create greetings for both cards (I used Glitter Card Stock for the die cut).  I did try to place a white shadow behind Happy Birthday but was not as successful and I would like.

Thank you for looking and have an awesome day!  Mike

Lawn Fawn Chirpy Chirp Chirp

Good morning fellow crafters!  Today I want to share some cards I have made over the last week.  These are made using the new Lawn Fawn Chirpy Chirp Chirp stamp set, Meadow Borders Die Set and Stitched Rectangle Frame dies.

The above used the new die I got from Laurel Beard.  Thank you Laurel.  I really love the Peek a Boo look.

Papers are from the new Lawn Fawn paper series 'Let's Polka in the Meadow' and 'Perfectly Plaid'.  They are beautiful.

Have a Blessed Easter to all!

Mike

Good day fellow crafters.  Today I want to share a card using what I call the recycled ink on stencil method. I used a chevron stencil with Distress Inks to make a background on cardstock, and then took the stencil, spritzed it with water and flipped it and rubbed it on card stock.  The card below is the result of the process.  I really like the distressed visual interest.  The die cut is from the recent issue of Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine.  I hope you like it.

Have a great day!

SOA Happy Birthday

Today is a card I made using the stamps and dies from the first quarter Stamps of Approval kit.  I used distress inks to create the background and then spritzed some water on it and took that up after 20 seconds with a paper towel to give a distressed look.  I then used the various stamps and die cuts to create this fun card.  The cake is raised with foam squares.   I hope you enjoy it.

If you missed the kit, the separate components will be available in the near future.

Happy Birthday LawnScaping Challenge

Good day my crafty friends. I am entering the Lawnscaping Challenge #124.

My entry was made using Distress Inks over an awesome stencil and then using elements from the Lawn Fawn Party Animals set.  I used the new Spectrum Noir glitter pen over the cake and party hats.

I had lots of fun making this and hope you enjoy it.

Stamp of Approval Young at Heart

Good morning.  I wanted to share a card I made with Catherine Pooler's awesome Stamp of Approval Young at Heart Birthday stamp and die collection.

Using the Ring in the Celebration stamp set, I stamped regular Neenah White 140 lb. card stock with Tim Holtz Distress Inks (love the wilted violet!. This did give a lightly distressed look to the entire card.  I then embossed a piece of Core'dinations Color cardstock for a textured mat to co-ordinate with the inks.

I hope you enjoy it. Have a great day.

Mike

SOA and SSS

This card was made using the Winnie and Walter stencil from SOA release 1 and the Simon Says Stamp heart from last year.  I hope you like it.  Watercolors used on the embossed heart.

Lawn Fawn Little Stinker

Here are a couple of cards using the new Lawn Fawn Little Stinkers stamp (special Black Friday deal).  I hope you like.  They were a lot of fun to make.

Lawn Fawn and SOA cards

Greetings to all.  Today, I want to share some cards I made using an SOA stencil from release 1 Winnie and Walter and the new Lawn Fawn lightbulb stamp set.

Enjoy.

Working with Stamps of Approval Kit #1

Greetings to all my fellow crafties!  During this weekend's World Card Making Day (weekend for me), I had the chance to relax and explore the beautiful stamps and stencils on the Stamps of Approval First Editions Kit.  I normally shy away from the more feminine orientated stamps with 'girlfriend' type sentiments, but with the holidays approaching soon and requests for some card sets, I realized this set is a blessing in disguise and will be perfect for the recipient to use.  Focusing on Eva's Favorite Flowers and the awesome circle stencil, here are some of my creations.  For those who have interest, the Second Edition Kit will be offered very soon.  You can visit here to be notified of the next kit.

The possibilities of these stamps are unlimited.  I will be using these for many projects.  Thank you Catherine Pooler for such an awesome kit!

Have a great day everyone and thanks for visiting!

Winners for Laura's Shop and Hop

Good morning fellow craftys!  Today is the announcement of the winners for last week's Laura's Shop and Hop blog contest.
Please visit Laura at noon eastern time today to claim your prize.

1st prize winner is Sara Schumann.

2nd prize winner is Mary Borg.

Thank you.

Sponsored by http://www.lauralscott.com/

My card for the day is below:

The card was made with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers. I used Stampin' Up card stock. Hope you enjoy it.

Laura's Shop and Hop

Welcome to today's post in honor of Laura's Shop & Hop!

Today I am hopping with Laura over at Laura's Loft for the Grand Opening of her shop and First Blog Hop. We have some wonderful talent gathered today and I am sure you will love what they have created.

There will be prizes awarded and I will have that information below.

In honor of today's hop, I made a very simple card using the new Fuse Tool available at Laura's shop.  I created a background using some wonderful ColorBursts and let them dry.  I took a balloon die and die cut it from some printed card stock.  I then took a sheet protector (very inexpensive) and laid the balloon die on it. After ensuring the Fuse Tool was hot, I slowly moved the tool outside the die leaving the top uncompleted. I filled in a multitude of sequins and beads to match the card stock and background and then placed the die back on top and finished sealing the sheet protector.  I did a careful cut around the perimeter of the sheet and then using glue sealed it inside the front cardstock.  Then I sealed that to the background page and then placed that on an A2 card stock cut out of Neenah 110 lb. card stock.  The Fuse Tool is amazing and I look forward to creating many cards with it.  It is available at Laura's.

First Prize:  $30 Gift Certificate at Laura's Shop

To Enter

1. Hoppers must Follow Laura's blog and/or subscribe to her mailing list
2. Follow Laura on Instagram
3. Comment on Laura's blog

Second and Smaller Prize

$10 Gift Certificate to Laura's shop

To Enter:

Follow the hop and comment on each stop.

To Choose the winner, Laura will be using Random.org and verify the winner has visited and commented on each of the blogs

Prizes will be drawn on Wednesday the 30th. 

Please visit our members below:

Laura's Loft 

Deana Benson

Melissa Nash Oeters

Ellen Haxelmans

Kristy Dalman

Mike Bakeler-You are here

Thank you for looking and have fun!

Mike

LawnFawn Oh Snap!

It is that time of new stamps and even fresher ideas.  I received the awesome Lawn Fawn Oh Snap stamps and dies last week.  Last evening, while resting after a long day at work, a light bulb popped off in my head on how to use the stamp set.  Below is the result of that light bulb.

I used the Lawn Fawn Sweet Christmas stamp and die set.  I stamped out two houses and eight candy canes.  I colored the house with Spectrum Noir markers to match my own house on one set and only the rafters from the second set and die cut them.  I then fussy cut the second set that resemble lights. I attached the half of lights over the house and then let the second half hang as if dropped.  I then used the candy canes to create a ladder.  I then used the Lawn Fawn Oh Snap stamp and die set and stamped with Versamark on brown kraft paper and used Hero Arts white embossing powder.  I used the matching dies to cut out the pieces.  I used distress inks (Broken China and Mowed Lawn) on a piece of card stock to prepare for the background and then die cut it and the kraft brown card stock using Lawn Fawn Stitched Rectangle dies.  I die cut some grass and a rolling hill and assembled the card.   I stamped the sentiments using the Oh Snap stamp and the Get Well Soon stamp from the Lawn Fawn Get Well Soon stamp set,  I finished up with a few sequins to givee the allusion of snow flurries.  It may be wrong but I just had to do it.
Have a great day!