We are Brave

 Today I am showing off a card that I created using Sassy & Crafty's Free & Brave Stamp Set.  I love these girl power images and the girl with the flag is absolutely amazing. I wanted to alter the flag to represent the Overcoming Disabilities flag since that's something that is really important to me.

I began by stamping onto watercolor paper with Ink On 3's Fade-Out ink. Next, I pulled out my watercolors and used Gansai Tambi Starry Colors paints for the gold on top and bronze on the bottom, the silver in the center is a combination of Spectrum Noir Sparkle Glitter Ink and a white watercolor from my stash. 

Next, I used Nuvo's Hair & Skin Tones Watercolor Pencils for her skin and hair. I struggled with her face and was not able to get the details of her features with the no-line technique so I tried to stamp just her face... unfortunately I did not have the paper lined up correctly and messed up her face and hair. So I restamped the face and hair with Fade Out ink then used a dauber to put VersaFine on just her facial features. In order to save the rest of my work, I just cut the new face out and glued it on to the already completed body. I used watercolor pencils for her shirt and the flag pole as well.

For the card front, I used black cardstock and Cosmic Shimmer Citrus Green Gilding Polish over the Sassy and Crafty Comic Book 2 Stencil. It took several layers of the Gilding Polish but the way it pops off the black was so worth it!

Next up, I used the buildable sentiments from Sassy Girls - Free & Brave to put together the sentiment "We are brave". I stamped it in my MISTI 2.0 using Hero Arts Unicorn White ink topped with a layer of green Opalite Ink to give it a green tint. Had I been more patient, I probably would have chosen to heat emboss the sentiment instead. I finished the card off with some little purple hearts from Queen & Co.

The colors purple and green, that I used on this card, are symbolic of the disabilities that I work hard to overcome each day. Purple represents Fibromyalgia, green represents mental health. There are so many people struggling with invisible disabilities and working to overcome them every day.

I hope that you enjoyed my card and be sure to check out Sassy and Crafty for all sorts of amazing stamps and stencils!

Until next time,

R. Winn

Lighting Up the Sky with Fairy Magic!

Welcome to the Scrappy Tails and Pear Blossom Press Collab Hop!

Today, we’re sharing lots of whimsical cards that will really brighten your day. They feature dreamy new stamps and dies from Scrappy Tails, and with a little help from Pear Blossom Press, they all light up! Be sure to hop along with us for lots of inspiration; our designers have come up with some stunning cards...

Now, for my card! I am so obsessed with this card you guys.

The entire June release from Scrappy Tails is really magical but I selected the Fairy Girl to begin my card with. I stamped her using my MISTI 2.0 onto watercolor paper. I used two different yellows on her hair (these were given to me and I'm not sure of the brand.). For her skin, I used Crayola Colors of the World Markers, I scribbled these on my palette then used them as watercolors. For her wings, I broke out these AMAZING watercolors from HydraColour on Etsy the blue of the wings is Scarab, with a bit of Poseidon over top in certain places, the purplish color is Fantasia. Her shirt is the Purple from HydraColour's Neon Pan Dot Card.

I mixed a few dark blue and dark purple watercolors together and did a quick wash of the color on a sheet of watercolor paper for the background. Next, I used Deco Foil Foam Adhesive and a White Latte Flock Sheet to create the cloud border with Scrappy Tails' Cloud Frame Cover Plate.

I came back to my watercolored indigo background and placed my Fairy Girl and Cloud Frame to see where I wanted my Crescent Moon die (which was an incentive die from the June release). I cut the moon out of the watercolored background, then used a gold cardstock scrap to die cut my moon. To create the holes in the background under the wings, I used a cloud die from the Scrappy Tails' Cloud Frame Cover Plate set that was the perfect size to create a hole that filled most of the center of the wings.

Next, I flipped the card over and backed the hole in vellum. I decided to use 2 EZ-Lights so that each hole had 2 LED lights since they were rather large spaces. I use glue dots to attach the top of the EZ-Light to the back of the card front, then used washi tape to wrangle the wires and position the LEDs. My next task was lining the back of my card front with Crystal Clear Double Thick Foam Tape before I could flip it back over to finish the front.

 

I used a few stars from the Scrappy Tails' Cloud Frame Cover Plate in the gold as the moon for embellishment. The largest star, I wrote "Push" on and placed in the "sweet spot" that if it's pushed on just right will activate both EZ-Lights.

 

Now, I very rarely put sentiments on the inside of my cards, but I just loved this sentiment from Scrappy Tails' Fairy Friends stamp set. I stamped it using Catherine Pooler's Juniper Mist Ink and my MISTI.

This card is honestly one of my new favorites and in the dark it's even more stunning, all lit up.

Here is a little video of it in action!

Be sure to visit are blog to get more inspiration and more entries into the giveaways!

Scrappy Tails

Carol Hintermeier

Jackie Pasko

Rachel Winn (You are here!)

Teresa Plunkett (Your next stop!)

Natasha Davies

Carrie Rhoades

Tanna LoHouse

Ilina Crouse

Pear Blossom Press (Su-Queen Teo)

We’d love to see what you would create with these lovely new products, so we’re giving some away! Scrappy Tails and Pear Blossom Press are each giving away a $25 store credit! Comment on this post by July 9, 2021 to be entered to win. Winners will be announced on July 12th.

Thank you for stopping bye and I will see you soon!

R. Winn

EZ-Lights Creating Bright Days with Catherine Pooler

Hello friends,

Welcome to the Catherine Pooler Designs x Pear Blossom Press Collab Hop! We're sharing fun, interactive cards to brighten your day! They feature awesome new stamps and dies from Catherine Pooler Designs, and with help from Pear Blossom Press, they all really light up! Be sure to hop along with us for loads of inspiration; our designers have come up with some brilliant cards.

We got to play with Pear Blossom Press EZ-Lights with the new Catherine Pooler Bright Days stamp and die set. I think they are a match made in crafty heaven! I created a mini slimline for the hop. I started by stamping the light fixture and light switch out using Midnight Ink on to Catherine Pooler Premium Paper.

Next, I used a Tombow Blender Pen to watercolor the light fixture using Limoncello ink for the light bulb, Cove Blue ink for the top and bottom pieces of the fixture, and Tranquil ink for the glass. The light switch was also colored with a Tombow Blender Pen, for the plate I used Sea Glass ink, for the switch I used Bay Breeze ink. I added some of the illumination lines from the Bright Days stamp to the light bulb and the wall in the Limoncello ink.

I used the light fixture die to cut a hole in the Happy Hearts Patterned Paper that I selected, I wanted it to look like it could be a wall and I thought the pretty diamond grid pattern could be used for that. Once the hole was cut, I fit my colored piece into it and flipped it over to add my EZ-Lights. I used the Narrow Double Thick Foam Tape carried by Pear Blossom Press to create a pocket around the lights (which I gathered at the center of the light bulb) to trap the light in the area I wanted it to be seen. I added the foam tape all over the back of the card, using washi tape to wrangle the wires and glue dots to adhere the lights to the paper.

I added some light blue glittery ribbon to the bottom of the card where I wanted to place my sentiment, then adhered the card front to my card base. Then I got to start building the card front! I added the light switch over the power button for my EZ-Lights, I thought it was clever. The final piece was the sentiment, I selected the yellow hearts Happy Hearts Patterned Paper to stamp on. I love the sentiments in this stamp set and selected the "thank you for brightening my day" to stamp in Bay Breeze ink and used a die cut from my stash to cut in out in a pretty shape. I popped this up on a thin foam tape and centered it over my ribbon.

Here is a short video showing my card "in action".

Every good hop has prizes, right? So Catherine Pooler Designs, and Pear Blossom Press are each giving away a $25 store credit! Comment on this post by June 25, 202 to be entered to win. Winners will be announced on June 28th. Be sure to continue hopping for additional inspiration and entries into the giveaway!

Your next stop on the hop is:

Ilina Crouse

Here is the full line up if you missed anyone:

Catherine Pooler Designs

Cassie Trask

Ashlee McGregor

Laura Volpes

Chrissie Tobas

Marcia Caradinta

Allison Cope

Jen Carter

Rachel Winn (You are here)

Ilina Crouse

Ali Farmer

Karen BakerPear Blossom Press (Mona Toth)

Thank you for stopping by today!

Until next time,

R. Winn

A Whale of a Tale!

Whale Hello!

I'm so excited to share my creation using i-crafter's Box Pops, Whale Done Add-On die set! I have been a sucker for whales since Free Willy came out when I was young, but for my project, instead of an Orca, I modified my whale to create a Minke Whale instead. 

I started my project by using a 3" x 5" Gel Press, 4 shades of blue acrylic paints, and Sassy & Crafty's Mermaid Tails Stencil to create a pretty ocean for my whale to swim in. After I was happy with my print, I used the i-crafter Animalopes die set and cut out the gift card envelope base.

They are similar enough to Orcas that I felt I could use the die, but their dorsal fin sits a bit further back so after I cut my whale out of watercolor paper, I carefully cut the fin off the top. 

 Next, I watercolored the two pieces, being careful to change the pattern of the markings from what is cut with the die to be more in line with what a Minke looks like. Once My watercoloring came out a bit darker than I was wanting, but the light spots are perfect for the dark silvery color that these whales are typically colored. After they finished drying, I glued the dorsal fin on towards the back half of the whale.

For the back of the gift card envelope, there was a bit of a gap where my print ended and the center of the envelope. I used a sponge to fill that space in with the darkest blue. I used another print attempt for the back top flap of the gift card envelope. This was a lighter blue but also used the Sassy & Crafty's Mermaid Tails Stencil. From i-crafter's Box Pops, Whale Done Add-On die set, I also cut out the "Whale Done!" sentiment out of scrap silver mirrored cardstock.

This was my first time using either of these die sets, but I am SO pleased with the results! A gift card fits in perfectly, and I can easily add this into a card or package without adding a bunch of weight.

I hope that you enjoy this project as much as I enjoyed creating it! 

If you’d like to follow me, here is my blog, Instagram, and Facebook page. Be sure to join the i-crafter Facebook Fan Club, then follow us on Instagram, and Pinterest too! We love seeing all of your creations using the i-crafter products so don't forget to tag us or use #icrafter when you share!

Until next time,

Rachel Winn

Kindred Stamps Earth Day Birthday Card!

Hi friends!

I am excited to share my card showing off the new Kindred Stamps Earth Day stamp set. I love these little robots and wanted to let them have a little fun in space for my cards.

I began by coloring them with Copic markers. For the white robot, I used VERY light colors in the Blue and Cool Gray families to create a  light shadow affect for her body. Then I covered her face with Nuvo Crystal Glaze I fussy cut both robots out and used a black water-based marker on the edges.

Next, I created a space background with watercolors, I used a mixture of brands, but was really impressed with the new colors I got recently from HydraColour. I used a mixture of different white watercolors to make some little "clouds" like the yellow robot was being propelled by something. I mounted my watercolored background onto a black card base.

I stamped the binary "happy birthday" and "(Happy Birthday)" sentiments from Earth Day onto the Squiggle Mat Die from Stamp Anniething and trimmed it down to put on the top corner of my watercolored background. I used a black paper and stamped in Hero Arts Unicorn Ink. I was pretty pleased with the way it stamped since this was my first time using this ink.

I popped my robots up on some thin foam tape and placed them on the card. To finish my card off, I added some clear droplet pieces from the Unicorn Legend Shimmerz to embellish the card. It's hard to photograph but the card is covered in a fine shimmer creating a magical affect.

The new Kindred Stamps Earth Day set will probably end up being my favorite stamp set ever! I love these sweet little robots and the sentiments are super fun, I chose the happy birthday sentiments because I seem to always be short on birthday cards. I look forward to see what you create with these cuties when they make it to your craft room.

The entire Kindred Stamps January release will be available Friday, January 29 at 8am PST/11am EST. Be sure to subscribe to the Kindred Stamps blog to see a daily line up of sneak peeks from our amazing Design Team and see the full product release on Friday! Come join the Fan Club and release event to be part of the release fun, and you may just win some Kindred Stamps credit!!

Until next time,

~R. Winn

Chase Your Dreams

Today is the Kindred Stamps June Release! This release has so many amazing things awesome stamp sets, a new die, and fantastic embellishments. The today's card is featuring the Happily Ever After Sentiments Stamp set!

I already had these lovely ladies from Rags to Riches watercolored and cut out, they just needed a card! I kept the card fairly simple with a background from the Day in the Park Paper Pack.

I used a frame die that I cut down to a simple rectangle with the ornate interior cut out and backed that with some shiny, mirrored paper, this was given to me from someone else's stash, I think it may just be shiny gift wrap! Next, I tucked the princess into the mirror so that she was the reflection. 

I added my girl dressed in rags close to the mirror so it looks like she is looking into the mirror. She is on some thin foam tape that I was gifted, giving her just a touch of dimension.

Next, I heat embossed the "Chase Your Dreams" sentiment from the Happily Ever After Sentiment set using Ink on 3's Juicy Ink and Black as Night Embossing Powder.  

I finished the card off with some Crystal Stars, just sprinkled across the front of the card. Hopefully you're inspired to go and grab this beautiful sentiment stamp set for your own stash!

~R. Winn

Villainous Kids!

 Hi again!

I had such a blast making these cards using the new Kindred Stamps set, "Villainous Kids"! My little sister is 12 and she flipped when she saw this set. It's a 4"x6" set, that features some bad kids who are learning to unleash their good side.

I started by watercoloring the kids on Tim Holtz Watercolor Paper, stamping them with Catherine Pooler Midnight ink. I have a few different watercolors and just kinda mixed and matched until I was happy with them.

I chose the four BFFs for the first card. I found these super adorable long and skinny envelopes at Dasio so I cut a base down in Vanilla Card stock from Stampin' Up for them. For the background, I used the Kindred Stamps Distressed Brick Stencil to create a street and brick wall. To give a different texture for the street vs. the wall, I rotated the stencil. I added a few "oil" and "grime" spots to the street with a black marker. Next, I graffiti-ed the wall with the black marker and used a blender pen to kinda blur the graffiti.



I stamped the sentiment on a scrap of white paper then tore the edges to create rough edges. Then I layered the friends and finished the card off.


Next, I had the daughter of a sea witch. I wanted to create a background that looked like water and octopus ink. I created the background with alcohol inks, then die cut it with The Stamp Doctor's new Slanted Blinds Dies. I loved the idea of stamping the sentiment on one of the slanted blinds, so I grabbed a similar color family in solid card stock and die cut the same set of blinds.

I used Catherine Pooler midnight ink again and used the build-able sentiments to create a birthday sentiment. I cut down solid black card stock for a base and layered the alcohol ink background blinds and the solid dies. I popped the blinds up using foam adhesive.



To separate the sea princess from the background, I used some adhesive backed vellum and The Stamp Doctor Circle Dies to give her a spotlight to sit on.  For the finishing touches, I used Tonic Nuvo Cloud Dream Drops to add a few pearls all over the front of the card.

The entire Kindred Stamps January release will be available Friday, January 24th at 8am PST/11am EST. Be sure to subscribe to the Kindred Stamps blog to see a daily line up of sneak peeks from our amazing Design Team and see the full product release on Friday! Come join the Fan Club and release event to be part of the release fun, and you may just win some Kindred Stamps credit!!

I hope you've enjoyed, and can't wait to see how YOU use "Villainous Kids"!

~R. Winn

Merry Whatever...

Season's Greetings!

I don't know about you, but I LOVE Christmas. It's a time where people are more thoughtful, kids behave better, and I get to shop... I like to shop! 😂 So, I've been excited about making some Christmas themed cards and have been having visions on a snow globe card for like 2 years. Well, I finally did it!

The new "Merry Whatever" set from Kindred Stamps felt like the perfect set to make my vision come to life. I began by watercoloring the images and fussy cutting them out. Next, I took watercolor paper and created a blue sky with lots of different blues and trial and error in blending them. After that dried, I took white watercolor paint and splattered it over the blue to create falling snow. 

I used the Jaded Blossom Snow Globe Die set to create my snow globe. After I cut out my sky using the die, I added a layer of snow to the bottom to create a ground for the images to stand on. After that dried, I added them with the dog positioned a bit in front to add some depth!

I built my snow globe then cut out the tag and background layer in a nice bright red cardstock. I took the "Merry Whatever" sentiment and cut the words apart to allow me to fit them on the tag, thankfully my MISTI makes positioning words onto a small tag a breeze. I added small black enamel dots to cover the holes on either side of the tag. 

I layered it all onto a nice mossy green card base to really give it a Christmas feel. I added some small iridescent snowflakes to the sky and some Honey Bee small clear sequins below their feet to really give that snow globe feel. 

My next card using "Merry Whatever" was super quick and easy! I did a "quick" watercolor on these two friends, not stressing so much about lines or adding depth, just laying down the color. I did add a little pink to the green fellow's cheeks to make it appear he was blushing. I also quick watercolored the heart stamp. 

The images I fussy cut with a bit of a border, I didn't want to stress so much about them being perfect and think they came out super cute honestly. I popped the heart onto the green fellow's chest with a foam adhesive square to complete the image.

I recently added the Kindred Stamps Medallion Stencil to my stash and wanted to play with it. I blended Catherine Pooler Rockin' Red Ink over the stencil, adding multiple thick layers. Next, I took Catherine Pooler Icing on The Cake ink and brushed it lightly over the edges of the paper. 

I put the two friends towards the center of the card, the green guy I glued down, the pup I used a foam square for. I stamped the "Holidays are Ruff" sentiment some green paper and just kept it a simple strip popped with foam adhesive.

The entire Kindred Stamps November release will be available Friday, November 29th at 8am PST/11am EST. Be sure to subscribe to the Kindred Stamps blog to see a daily line up of sneak peeks from our amazing Design Team and see the full product release on Friday! Come join the Fan Club and release event to be part of the release fun, and you may just win some Kindred Stamps credit!!

Hopefully, you enjoyed my cards, I would love to hear what kind of cards are your favorite to make? Simple and easy or more complex and time consuming? Leave me your answer and a good email address to be entered into my drawing for a $10 Kindred Stamps Gift Certificate! 

Thank you so much for visiting me, and I hope your holidays are absolutely magical and filled with love!

~R. Winn

Foiling with Ocean Royalty!

Hello all!

I am so excited to share my project for today with you! Our Kindred Stamps team is teaming up with the Therm-O-Web team to show off how beautifully our products work together. I'm showing off the new Kindred Stamps "Ocean Royalty" and using a few different Therm-O-Web products with it.

Now, I don't normally do step-by-step photos, but our fans in the Kindred Stamps Fan Club, said they like the breakdown of how a card is made, so... here's my attempt for you.

I started with the "Long Hair" stencil and the coveted Purple Tape. I love this low tack tape that allows me to position stencils, dies, etc without ruining my projects by tearing the cardstock!

Next, I used the AMAZING Stencil Pal to spread the Deco Foil Transfer Gel over the stencil. Before I move on, I have to tell you, the Stencil Pal is a game changer. I always struggle to get a smooth even coverage with any stencil medium, with some mediums it's not such a problem, but when you're foiling, you want a nice smooth coverage so your foil doesn't pit or look cracked. You use a palette knife to put a little on the edge and then it's easy-peasy form there!

I had already watercolored my characters using a Tombow Blender and Stampin' Up Stamp 'n' Write markers. I wanted to give my mermaid a shiny tale, so I added Ink On 3's Liquid Pixie Dust on a detailing paintbrush to really make her shine.

 While I added that sparkly, I ran my stencil through my laminating machine, covered with the Deco Foil Lapis Watercolor Transfer Sheet and some parchment paper. This is one foil that I have been dying to get my hands on, I loveeee how perfect the blue and silver played with the "Long Hair" stencil from Kindred Stamps.

Now, I wasn't in love with the white behind the foil since I was going for a water scene. I decided to try ink blending over the already foiled stencil. I used Distress Oxide Broken China and a makeup brush, then wiped it down with a microfiber cloth. I'm pleased to say, IT WORKED!

My next step was to create a beach for the gentleman to stand on. I mixed some DecoArt Media Texture Sand Paste with the Deco Foil Mextallix Gel - Champagne Mist. 

I got to see the Metallix Gel at Creativation for the first time, and I LOVE how smooth this product is, but for this project, I just needed it to have a bit more texture. I'm super happy with how well it mixed.

My next step was using the Metallix White Pearl Gel, with a small amount of Pinata Black Alcohol ink. I LOVE the color of the white pearl but I needed a bit of a rock color so I went ahead and mixed it up. 

I used this mix to create a small rock on the left side of the background. I wanted it to be rough looking so I made sure not to smooth it out too much.

Next, I used Ink On 3's Detail Ink to stamp out my sentiment on a scrap of paper. 

I used my Cut A Line from My Sweet Petunia and a Pen Blade to cut it down to a nice size. I love that I can reduce my waste and end up with a nice looking sentiment using the Cut A Line.

Next, I started to build my card. I used Therm-O-Web's Memory Tape Runner XL to add my background to a blue cardstock. I glued the mermaid and prince in place using foam tape on their upper bodies and iCraft Ultra Bond Adhesive on their lower bodies so they stuck to my rock and beach.

I finished the card off by adding my sentiment with a bit of foam tape, and a few shell sequins to the beach using Therm-O-Web Zots Bling. 

I hope that you've enjoyed my process and can't wait to see what YOU make using some Therm-O-Web products and Kindred Stamps! Make sure you check back to the Kindred Stamps Blog each day for more amazing projects from both our team and the Therm-O-Web team.

~R. Winn

Snow Day Card Making!

Hello again friends!

I am super excited to share the card I've made today, my little sister, Addison, asked me to make her a card and "surprise her" with the theme. Normally, I don't get to work with many stamps that aren't for team projects, that doesn't mean that I don't collect other's that I want to eventually work with! Today was a snow day from work, we have a bit of a winter storm going on here in Washington right now. Card making felt like the perfect thing to break up the movies and cleaning that have been running my life the last 4 days!

Addison is obsessed with unicorns, and I have accumulated a ton in my collection. Today, I broke out the "Be a Unicorn" set from The Greeting Farm. I absolutely LOVE the personality on these unicorns. I decided to do a watercolor technique that I learned at Creativation from Catherine Pooler using her ink pads.  On the unicorn on the left, I used All That Jazz and Be Mine, the unicorn on the right is Grape Crush and It's a Girl. I used the opposite color of the body on the girl's horns, then added a touch of Wink of Stella.

For the background, I used Altenew's Kind Confetti that I purchased from Kraftgali.  I stamped the confetti 3 times. I started with Catherine Pooler's Lime Rickey, then Something Borrowed, and finished with Royal Treatment. I love the fun pattern it created.  I went ahead and added the sentiment using silver Encore ink, "Do what makes you sparkle" completely fits my little sister's personality. 

I built off a white card base, then added some pink Mirror Card Stock from The Stamp Doctor. I added a strip of silver sparkly ribbon, then added my stamped base and adorable unicorns!

I hope that you enjoy the card as much as I enjoyed making it! Hopefully, Addison will like it too!

~R. Winn