Sweet

Blue Ribbon #5     BABY CATEGORY

The layout on this one was greatly inspired by the packaging for the heart and onesie die set . . .

Baby cards don’t always have to be done in pink, blue, or yellow . . . I think Kraft and cream do the job nicely!

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, Strathmore #100 Bristol Vellum   

Stamps:       Cloud 9 Baby Sweet

Inks:             Distress Brushed Corduroy

Emb Pwdr:   Vippies Transcendence

Dies:            TEMU Baby Love, Top Dog Baby on Board, Arich 

Rounded Corners Stitched Rectangles             

Emb Fldr:     TEMU Dream Grass Pattern

Doo Dads:    May Arts Jute         

Sweet Beginnings

BLUE RIBBON #5

I love using a mattress ticking image for wallpaper – it gives a timeless classic look that goes with almost any design. . .

I decided that this year’s baby card submission would be for a girl – next year I’ll do one for a boy . . .

Cardstock:   Strathmore #100 Bristol Smooth  

Stamps:       Hero Large Canvas Stripes, Designer Woodgrain, 

Cloud 9 Stamp Baby: “. . . Sweet Beginnings”

Inks:             Distress Victorian Velvet, Brushed Corduroy, Gina K 

Charcoal Brown, Pilot Marker Silver

Dies:            Qianziqianse Baby Carriage Stroller, DieNamics 

Stitched Mini Scalloped Rectangle, Glitz Cartoon

Clothes Hanger (just the rattle)            

Baby

Baby Category – Blue Ribbon

Baby Sweet Pea . . . what an enchanting image!

The white stitched edging was a favorite hand-drawn trim of stamper Kristina Werner for many years and I decided to give it a try.  I like the handmade look it gives . . .

Cardstock:   Bazzill Rainforest, Leapfrog, Pear, Scrap 

Chocolate Brown, Marco’s Cougar White

Stamps:       Cloud Nine text, Lockhart Sweet Pea in a Pod, 

Stampin’ Up Itty Bitty Background

Inks:            ColorBox Black, Archival Jet Black, Gelly Roll Clear

Star, White pens

Emb Pwdr:   Judikins Detail Black

Pencils:        Prisma Apple Green, Kelly Green, Peach, Canary

Dies:            Quickutz Scroll Tree, Spellbinders Petite Scalloped

Oval Small, Long Classic Scalloped Rectangle

Doo Dads:    Silver Floss

Baby

FAIR TIME!  Yep, the NJ State Fair has rolled around once again and I shall share my entries with you throughout the month of September, with a final post to start off the month of October.  The Fair organizers list eight categories we are allowed to submit cards for:  Birthday, Holiday, Wedding, Anniversary, Baby, Art, Get Well, and Other.  There is also a Decorative Recipe Card category you can enter in case you have time left over after putting together eight cards.  I actually did, so I shall finish off this series with my recipe card.  Let’s get started!

 Baby Category – Blue Ribbon #1

For the Baby category, I opted to use the Mini Slimline size – perfect for such a small creature about to make an appearance into the world, I thought . . .

 My collection of alphabet beads has never been used and so it was time to put a few of them to work. The white die cut layer looked like a cute little embroidered receiving blanket to me and it fit the theme nicely.  The buttons that anchor the flourishes are there to cover up oozed liquid dimensional dots that decided to spread beyond their planned-for territory after I added them.  I love how this hobby provides so many ways to hide boo boos!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Splash, Wisteria, Stedner Bright White  

Stamps:       Studio G 9 Months

Inks:             ColorBox Black, Distress Milled Lavender

Emb Pwdr:   Judikins Detail Black

Dies:            Kat Scrappiness Mini Slimline Double Stitched, Frantic

Stamper Slimline Frames, DieNamics Scrolled Flourishes,

Memory Box Stitched Buttons, EK Success Scalloped

Corner Punch

 Doo Dads:   Baby beads, Inkssentials Enamel Accents Black, Wink of

Stella Clear  

Cute

 Blue Ribbon #5  BABY category 

This mini slimline entry turned out to be one of my favorite cards.  The image of the dancing bears just grabbed my heart and Fun Fact:  the trouble I used to have with intricate background die cutting is now solved . . .

The intricate background die grid used on this card left sporadic areas where the design didn’t cut through.  I have experimented with a metal plate, all kinds of paper shims, and have done multiple pass-throughs to no avail.  This time, I used a piece of foam packaging placed against the back of the cardstock I was cutting.  You may get even better results if you flip the sandwich so that the blades are up instead of down.  The foam is the kind that comes in sheet form and is used to wrap around fragile items to cushion them for mailing.  It worked perfectly in one pass-through!  This will now be my go-to for every balky die I have . . .

 

Cardstock:   Nicole #140 Premiere watercolor 

Stamps:        All Night Media Teddy Bear Trio, Catslife Press Boy

Definition, Cloud Nine Stamp Baby: “Cute”, Purple

Daisy Sand

Inks:             Distress Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tea Dye,

Antique Linen, ColorBox Black, Cream White,

Hero Black

Emb Pwdr:   Judikins Detail Black, Stamp ‘n Stuff Ivory Pearl

Dies:              Cottage Cuts Nested Stitched Scalloped Square,

Scastoe Grid, Mama Elephant Bold Banner,

InLoveArtShop English Letters: “Boy”                   

Christening Day

 Blue Ribbon #5

I made a really happy discovery with the background on this card . . . 

Very simply, I painted the area with Distress Stain and went over the color with my waterbrush.  It was easy to get a mottled look which I enhanced by adding some water drops and then blotting.  Lovely soft results . . . so easy!

Cardstock:   Strathmore #90 Mixed Media       

Stamps:       Northwoods “On your baby’s Christening Day”

Inks:             ColorBox Black, Distress Tumbled Glass, Rusty Hinge,

                     Weathered Wood (Stain), Copic RV10 Pale Pink, E000

                     Pale Fruit Pink

Waterclrs:    FineTec Inca Gold

Emb Pwdr:  Judikins Detail Black

Dies:            Impression Obsession All in One Frames: Rectangle,

                     Gina Marie Stitched Rounded Squares, DieNamics

                     Horizontal Stitched Strips           

Doo Dads:    Smooch Pearlized Ink, Want 2 Scrap pearls     

Sweet Beginnings

Blue Ribbon #5

I thought this fluffy baby owl perched in a tangle of pine branches would look nice resting on a quilt-look background . . .

With some more fluff coming from the fibers tied to the fold, this new little one should feel comfy and cozy right from the start . . .

Cardstock:   Bazzill Turquoise, Aquarelle Watercolor paper            

Stamps:       Impression Obsession Feathery Owl, Cloud 9 Stamp Baby

Inks:             ColorBox Frost White, Distress Dusty Concord, Faded

                     Jeans, Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Brushed Corduroy

Emb Pwdr:   Judikins Opaque White

Dies:            Frantic Stamper Striped Frame & Insert, E-Scenery

                     Idyllic, Cheery Lynn Pine Branches

Doo Dads:    Eyelash fibers

Little One

Blue Ribbon Award Winner #7

I had such  a good time with this card . . .

Lots of texture, even some mesh fabric to suggest curtains.  While I don't usually use Kraft cardstock for a baby card, I thought it would set off the colorful mobile rather well.

Cardstock:   Bazzill Cocoa, Marcos Jute, Strathmore Ultimate White,

                        Neenah Quest Ivory        

Stamps:       Impression Obsession Rolling Waves

Inks:             VersaMark

Emb Powder:  WOW Clear Matte Dull

Colorants:    Copic YR04 Chrome Orange, Y17 Golden Yellow,

                        B26 Cobalt Blue, B21 Baby Blue, R29 Lipstick Red,

                        R17 Lipstick Orange, Galaxy Mercury Silver, Wink of

                        Stella Silver

Dies:            Glitz Cartoon Clothes Hanger, DieNamics Pierced

                        Square Frames              

Emb Folder:  Spellbinders Brick and Bark: Design B, Memory Box

                        Hip Little One

Doo Dads:    Ivory mesh fabric     

Sweet Baby

Although I've had my MISTI for well over a year, I've never given it a really serious try until now.  I'm an instant convert and will remain a huge fan for the rest of my days. 

Getting all of those word stamps to stamp in precisely the right spots would have been impossible for me.  Mostly because the cardstock is textured and I knew each word would require multiple stampings in order to make solid impressions.  With the MISTI, this was a totally stress-free cinch.  Without it, forget it.

Cardstock:   Bazzill Lima, Strathmore Soft White

Stamps:        Verve “Precious little one”, “Welcome baby”, “Bundle of joy”; 

                           all other text by Cloud 9 Design Baby set, Paper Smooches

                           Scripty Sayings: Solid Heart, Outlines Bits & Pieces Set Two

                           Small Star, Kaisercraft Marble

Inks:               Distress Scattered Straw, Fossilized Amber, Wild Honey,

                           Hero Black, VersaMark

Emb Powder:   WOW Clear Matte Dull 

Dies:              DieVersions Onesie, DieNamics Mini Scalloped Rectangle

Doo Dads:    Black metal hanger, Wink of Stella Gold

Too Cute

When one of our parishioners had her first baby recently, this was the card I sent . . .

It will be a good while before Baby Alexa will be jumping rope like the little golden charm girl is doing, but she's definitely on her way!

Cardstock:   Coordinations Just Peachy, Champion Snow Day, Strathmore

                           Ultimate White

Stamps:        Stampendous Baby Girl Block, Studio G Too Cute

Inks:               ColorBox Black

Emb Powder:   Judikins Detail Black

Dies:              Lawn Fawn Say Cheese, DieVersions Hint of Lime (“Alexa”),

                           Tim Holtz Labels

Watercolors:     Zig Clean Color Light Pink, Yellow

Doo Dads:    White paper lace trim, gold charm, Stickles Buttercup

Sweet

Blue Ribbon Winner #3

I've had sticky-back canvas in my stash for a good while and decided it was time to trot it out and give it a try . . .

I was going for subtle, and as fabric is voraciously thirsty, the ink got really sucked up big-time.  I sailed right past subtle and barely saw it in my rearview mirror.  I can foresee more practice lying just up ahead . . .

Cardstock:   Bazzill Lagoon, Ranger Sticky Back Canvas

Stamps:        Inkadinkado Baby Carriage, Cloud Nine Baby: “Sweet”,

                           “Babies touch the world . . .”, Impression Obsession

                           Chalk Streamer

Inks:               Distress Stain Weathered Wood, Distress Paint Picket

                           Fence, Papertrey Ink Fresh Snow, Uni Posca pen White,

                           ColorBox Black

Pencils:         Inktense Scarlet Pink, Sicilian Yellow

Emb Powder:   WOW! Seafoam, Black Puff

Dies:              Lil Inker Stitched Mats Squares, Tim Holtz 

                          Tattered Banners

Too Cute

This is the second of my two posts using the Reverse Ink Smooshing technique.

Scroll down for last week's sample, and a link to a one minute video showing you how easy this is to do . . .

On this one, I wanted to keep the stamped image lighter than the surrounding area.  I didn't mind a little color encroachment but I wanted some white areas showing.  So I put the acetate over the image and drew the rectangular shape on the acetate with a black Sharpie.  That gave me a guideline for smooshing.  After turning the acetate over, I used mini ink pads and put down the lightest color around the rectangle.  Then came the medium color after which I edged with the darkest.

As before, I misted the image and then laid the smooshed acetate down on top of it.  After heat drying, I laid down the acetate a second time – you'll find that there's plenty of ink left on the acetate for 2^nd and even 3^rd applications. 

It's these 2^nd and 3^rd applications that give you those lovely random droplets and shading, so don't stint on these!  Be sure to heat dry between each app . . .

TIP:  Sharpie's black ink is zippy-quick and easy to remove with a spritz of alcohol.

Cardstock:   Bazzill Ocean, Champion Snow Day, Tim Holtz Watercolor

Stamps:        Stampendous Baby Boy Block, Cloud 9 Stamp Baby:

                           Safety Pins, Studio G “Too Cute”

Inks:               ColorBox Black, Distress Tumbled Glass, Faded Jeans,

                        Chipped Sapphire

Emb Powder:   Judikins Detail Black

Dies:              Lil Inker Stitched Mats: Rectangles

Doo Dads:    Sally Hanson Nail Studs Black

Baby

We're in the process of welcoming our fourth great grandchild to the family . . .

 . . . so a bright and sunny greeting with a little tasseled fanfare is certainly in order, don't you think?

Cardstock:   Bazzill Intense Yellow, Strathmore Bright White

Stamps:        Hero Striped B, Dotted A, Plaid B, Striped Y, Cat’s Life

                           Press Baby Flower Face

Inks:               ColorBox Black, Distress Spun Sugar

Emb Powder:   Judikins Detail Black

Dies:              Spellbinders Victorian Tassels, Lil Inker Dual Stitched

                           Rectangles, Mama Elephant Dainty Bow

Watercolors:     Peerless Jackqueminot Red, Hunter’s Green, Marigold

                                Yellow, Cobalt Blue

Markers:        Pitt Artist Pen India Ink Blue 110, Zig Brushables Spring

                           Green, Apricot, Pure Pink

Emb Folder: Sizzix Dots and Flowers Set        

Doo Dads:    Glossy Accents

New Arrival

Blue Ribbon Winner #4:

This image of a flower-faced baby went straight to my heart . . .

I fussy cut the baby and the large sunflower and it went quickly as all of the cuts were pretty much straight ones . . .

  

Cardstock:   Bazzill Rain Forest, Beckett Iceberg, Generic Pumpkin

Stamps:        Cat’s Life Press Baby Flower Face, Stamp La Jolla Bette’s

                           Sunflower, Stampin’ Up “On your new arrival”

Inks:               Hero Black, Distress Spiced Marmalade, Mustard Seed,

                           Peeled Paint

Dies:              Paper Shapers Label, DieNamics Grassy Edges

Emb Folder: Darice Basket Weave Background 

Doo Dads:    ¼ “ Green gingham ribbon

Such a Miracle

As the winner of a blue ribbon plus the Best in Show award, the card below is the Grand Finale to my Fair Series this year.  This brings to a close my barely disguised exercise in crowing.  Thanks to all of you who have shared in my annual satin ribbon romp via the NJ State Fair of 2014!

Hard to beat black and white paired with bright pops of happy color . . .

. . . this was my first attempt at coloring with a Dove Blender pen and markers.  The method I read said to color with the markers first and then blend with the Dove blender.  I didn’t get such good results with that:  some color moved but not enough. 

So I tried using the blender first and then going over it with the markers.  Yowza!  After using the markers, you can use the blender pen again to blend and lighten the color a little, or use a Fantastix coloring tool to blend and keep the same color intensity.  Either way works beautifully, depending on the effect you’re after . . .

Cardstock:   Bazzill Black, PaperCut Matte White

Stamps:        Goddess Designs Mother and Child, Little Yellow Bicycle,

                           Baby Girl set: “Such a miracle”, Artful Stamper Field

                           Flower, Stampin’ Up Bitty Backgrounds

Inks:               ColorBox Black, Frost White, Sakura Brush pens: Red,

                          Blue, Green, Orange, Purple, Dove Blender pen

Emb Powder:  Judikins Detail Black, Opaque White

Dies:              Lil’ Inkers Stitched Rectangles

Too Cute

This one also got First Prize at the NJ State Fair:  Jennifer McGuire recently offered some good advice on dealing with a creative slump.  When this happens to her, she goes back into her own stash of completed cards and uses them to give her a jumpstart.  She says that as her work will obviously be her style, this shortcuts the creative process and gets her back on track sooner rather than later.  So I decided to do the same thing . . .
  

 . . . one of the categories for this year’s Fair submissions was “Baby” and my collection of suitable images on this subject is very much on the thin side.  So I dipped into my blog from last September, kept the bones of the layout I put together then, and had fun with some variations.

Lots of dimension on this one, folks . . .

 Cardstock:                      Bazzill Rain Forest, Marcos Brown Bag, Beckett Iceberg

Stamps:                           Lockhart Sweet Pea, Studio G “Too Cute”
Inks:                                 ColorBox Black, Distress Markers Spun Sugar, Peeled Paint,
                                           Shabby Shutters, Picket Fence, Brushed Corduroy, Ancient
                                           Page Coal                   
Emb Powder:                Judikins Detail Black

Dies/Punches:              Memory Box Bird Huddle, Impression Obsession Branch,

                                          Spellbinders Labels Twenty, 1/8” corner rounder
Doo Dads:                     Distress Brushed Corduroy Stickles, Gelly Roll White pen,
                                             tan raffia knot

Family

It’s hard to come up with more endearingly whimsical images than those produced by the fine folks at the Lockhart Stamp Company  . . .

 . . . if you roll the curser over their stamp images, they come to life with suggested coloring.  This really helps you to see how good they’ll look when they leave your own hands. 

I can’t wait for somebody – anybody – to have a baby so that I can give them this card!  Cute is not normally my style, but when it comes to babies, all bets are off.  Hope the camera picks up the little glints of sparkle here and there . . .

Cardstock:         Bazzill Rainforest, Leapfrog, Sprout, generic Chocolate Brown, Marco’s Cougar

                             White

Stamps:              Stamp Camp ‘Family’ text, Lockhart Sweet Pea in a Pod, Stampin’ Up Itty Bitty

                                 Background

Inks:                    ColorBox Black, Archival Jet Black, Gelly Roll Clear Star, White pens

Emb Powder:    Judikins Detail Black

Colored Pencils: Prisma Apple Green, Kelly Green, Peach, Canary

Dies/Punches:   Quickutz Scroll Tree, Spellbinders Petite Scalloped Oval Small, Long Classic

                              Scalloped Rectangle

Doo Dads:          Distress Brushed Corduroy Stickles, Silver Floss