Easy Craft projects to make

Just-Because Card | Tombow Irojiten Colored Pencils & Sand Eraser

| marialrussell

After unpacking my suitcases and doing a load of endless laundry, I needed some “me-time” to relax and one way of achieving this is to color stamp images. I have recently received the pack of Vivid Irojiten Colored Pencils from Tombow USA and so I decided to test them out.

The package comes with a sand eraser and a sharpener. I have wanted to try the mono-sand eraser for quite sometime now so this will also be a review of the eraser. When you open the package, you will have to sharpen all of the pencils. The pencils glided on so smoothly and I was able to sharpen all of them in no time.

I stamped my image using My Favorite Things Hybrid Licorice Black Ink on 80 lb. Neenah Solar White card stock. As you can see on the photo, I had a little accident with my stamp. I used the Tombow Mono Sand Eraser to try and fix my mistake. It worked so well and I was able to save my piece.

 

 

I started coloring the image using the brown colored pencil. I tend to be heavy-handed with my colored pencils and I was immediately impressed with the lead core because it was really strong and it didn’t break at all during my coloring process. I was also able to color the small lines without any issues.

Using my Gamsol, I started blending the color as you see on the photo above. Technically, I was quite happy without even using the Gamsol, but I wanted my colors to have a smooth finish. You can see the difference between blending it with Gamsol and leaving it as-is.

Here is my card. I love how it turned out.  I also used Ranger’s Glossy Accents to highlight the cat’s eyeglasses.  I know you can barely see it on the photo but in real life, it really is amazing!

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I am so happy with the pencils and the sand eraser. I love it so much that I decided to order the set of Tranquil Irojiten Colored Pencils. I particularly prefer the soft pastel colors and I cannot wait to receive my order.

These colored pencils are available at http://www.tombowusa.com. Please let me know if you have tried them.

Have an amazing week!

MFT Stamps Sketch Challenge #275

| marialrussell

While waiting for my MFT Order from the April release, I am once again joining MFT Stamps Sketch Challenge No. 275 this week.  Here is a photo of the sketch challenge.

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I used two stamp sets for the card that you see below. The cat images are from the “I Knead You stamp set” and the cute cat “bed” is from the “You Make my Tail Wag”.   Aren’t the cat images adorable?  Here are the materials that I’ve used:

 

Recollections 110 lb. white Card Stock

I Knead You Stamp Set and Coordinating Dies

You Make My Tail Wag Stamp Set and Coordinating Dies

Stiched Arch Stax Dienamics

Doubly Amazing Dienamics

DCWV Pastel Glittered Card Stock & Silver Card Stock

Barb-wire cutting die

Little Meow A5 Paper Pad

Tombow Mono Liquid Adhesive

Scotch Foam Adhesive

Pearl Gem Stone

Copic Markers – W0, W2, W4, W6 and R00, R20

Sakura Black Gel Pen

Sakura White Gel Pen

Exacto Knife

 

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I hope you like the card that I created. Have a great weekend!

 

 

JLO Stamps 11th Anniversary-My Designing Process

| marialrussell

Hello stampers and crafters! Today is my turn to showcase my all-time favorite Brentwood stamp from www.jessicalynnoriginal.com. It is also JLO’s 11th year anniversary. Today’s post will be a little different. I will not be showing you a ton of card samples. My blog post will be all about my designing process. A little disclaimer, I am still a novice in card making. The tips I am sharing with you today are some of the things I have learned along the way being a paper crafter. I am still learning and trying to improve. However this is my own designing process so I hope you enjoy. I would love to receive your comment as well on what is yours.  What inspires you to create cards or scrapbook layouts? Some of you guys are visual learners and would probably like to see some of it in action, so here’s a little YouTube video that I filmed and posted on my channel.  This is my “happy” place.

First thing that I do is to make a good cup of coffee for myself. I then turn my iPod on to my favorite playlist so that I can play my favorite music while I work on the card. Lighting a great scented candle is always my go-to. I know that’s too much for some people but that is what I do for myself.  I like to work in a peaceful and beautiful environment.   Once the room is completely how I like it, I then start gathering my supplies.

If I am using a clear stamp, my favorite tool to use for stamping is my MISTI or my stampoholic-Nano. This tool makes lining up the sentiments and stamping the images so much easier. If you didn’t stamp it correctly, you can always go back and stamp it again and make it look as perfect as you want it to be. However for the two cards you see below, I used my all-time favorite digital stamp from JLO and the free anniversary digital stamp now available for download until the end of this month. Here’s the link http://www.jessicalynnoriginal.com/limited-edition-instant-download-jessicalynnoriginal-coms-brentwood-owl-singing-in-the-rain-celebrating-our-11th-anniversary-digital-rubber-stamp/

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From my experience, stamping the image a couple of times is always a good idea because if you somehow mess up the coloring on one image, then you can color another without having to go back and stamp again and again. Trust me, it will save you so much time! I use Memento Tuxedo black ink for Copic markers, or MFT Stamps Black Hybrid Ink. Now, Simon Says Stamp made the Intense Black Ink that is both good for Copic markers or watercolors. I switch between the three!

Before I die-cut the stamped images, I like to clean my stamps by using my all-time favorite cleaner, water and a chamois.  Yes, a chamois!  You know, the stuff that you use to wipe your car with?  You can purchase one inexpensively at an auto-supply store, or order one from Amazon (where I got mine).  You can reuse this a hundred times and it will clean the stamps nicely.  I used to use baby wipes but they sometimes left some fibers on my stamps.  I got this tip from a fellow stamper months ago at a Facebook group called Stamping Enablers.  Lawn Fawn now has a stamp Shammy that they also sell in their online store.

Once the images are colored, I proceed to die-cut the images with the coordinating dies but if I don’t, I fuzzy-cut the image using my favorite Fiskars cutter-bee scissors. I also die-cut everything else that I need for my card.  I like to use post-it tape to hold my dies in it’s place so it doesn’t shift when I run it through my die-cutting machine. The supplies you see on the photos are all of my favorite supplies in card making. One helpful TIP: I try to use as few colors as possible and also try to coordinate my patterned paper or card stock with the color of the images that I’m using for my card.

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Have you ever noticed that popular card-makers always somehow create the most beautiful cards? Aside from using some great tools, this is the main reason why! However, this doesn’t always work for me. Sometimes, I don’t have the coordinating patterned paper or card stock but I try to minimize the colors that I use. At times, I get carried away over-embellishing my cards but then that’s what card-making is all about. Isn’t it? Sometimes I like to create simple cards, sometimes I don’t. It depends on my mood, I guess!

Once I finish the card, I then proceed to take a final photo so I can post it on my social media accounts, like Instagram, post on my Blog or use it as a thumbnail for my YouTube videos.

Another great tip: Lighting is the key to great photographs. I know it doesn’t always work but I will teach you a trick on how to edit your lighting! YOU DON’T NEED EXPENSIVE LIGHT BOXES TO MAKE THEM LOOK PROFESSIONAL!

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For my cards, I use a white poster board that I lined up with a neutral patterned paper. Having a neutral color background will always make your images pop. I use a frog pin (purchased from a craft store) to hold my cards up. Once I am satisfied with the position, I take a few photos using my iPhone 6S.

If my lighting is really bad and the sun doesn’t want to cooperate, I use a photo-editor app to fix my lighting (Layout, RealBokeh, or Adobe Photoshop).  However, there are a ton of free photo apps out there that can do this for you. You just need to find whatever works for you. Once I am happy with the lighting, I then use another app to put a watermark on my photos (Phonto). I started doing this now because I found that some of my card photos before were (stolen and) used to submit photos for an application to be published at a magazine.   Yes, I know it is horrible and I really do not want to specify anymore because I try not to dwell on things and just move forward.  I have learned my lesson the hard way. This is why I always have my watermark on my finished cards.

So I hope you guys found these tips and tricks very helpful. I would like to know your designing process and would be really grateful if you share your tips with me as well.

Here are my cards to celebrate Jessica Lynn Original’s 11th year anniversary! Please celebrate with us by going to Jessica’s Blog for more details; she will be giving away a HUGE prize at the end of the week.  To participate, download the free digi-stamp and post your link at Jessica’s Blog.  Here’s Jessica’s link: http://jessicalynnoriginalstamps.blogspot.com/2016/04/happy-11th-anniversary.html

Have an amazing week!

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MFT Stamps Sketch Challenge 274 – Entry 2

| marialrussell

The April release from MFT Stamps has inspired me to play with my I Knead You stamp set and dies. This card will be another entry for the MFT Sketch Challenge No. 274.   It is obvious that I love MFT, and this adorable cat stamp set is a must-have.

 

The supplies I have used for this card:

 

MFT Stamps – I Knead You Stamp Set

MFT Stamps – I Knead You Dienamics

MFT Stamps – Stitched Arch Stax Dienamics

MFT Stamps – Hot Cocoa Cups Dienamics (the small heart with the kitty)

MFT Stamps – Lucky Prints Paper Pad

Copic Markers – E33, E35, E37, W0, W1, W3, R00 and BV02

Stampin Up Bow Die

Little Meow Paper Pad

Tombow Mono-Adhesive Tape Runner

Scotch Foam Adhesive

Recollections A2 size Card Base

Lawn Fawn Stitched Rectangle Dies

 

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I hope you like my card today. Have a wonderful week and happy crafting!

MFT Stamps Sketch Challenge 274

| marialrussell

It has been a very busy week for me so far but one of the things that always relax me is to go to my craft room and create something beautiful. On today’s blog post, I decided to join MFT Stamps Sketch Challenge for the first time.   Here is the photo of Sketch Challenge No. 274.

 

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And here is my rendition for the challenge.

 

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I have used MFT Stamps Adorable Elephants (one of my favorites), with the LJD All Heart stamp set and my new favorite, the Tag Builder Blueprints #5. I just absolutely love the color combination that I used for this card. The pink and gold color combo is very popular these days but to tune it down a little, I used gray card stock for my banner and for my card base.

 

I hope you like this card. Happy crafting!

 

The Love of a Cat by JessicaLynnOriginal

| marialrussell

I finally had the time to sit down and write this Blog post.  I am so excited to share with you all today the release of this new stamp set called “The Love of a Cat” by http://www.jessicalynnoriginal.com.  This stamp set is filled with cute images but my favorite one is the cat sitting inside the box (photo below).  Isn’t she adorable?

 

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I have a persian cat named Chloe, and the image below looks like her.  Chloe is now 13 years old and loves to sleep almost all day long.  She is my constant companion when I create cards and scrapbook layouts in my craft room.  There is something about a sleeping cat right next to me that keeps me calm, especially on days where I just can’t get creative.  Chloe has certainly left a paw print on my heart.

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Fairy Friends with Tombow Dot Runner Adhesive

| marialrussell

I recently ordered some very cute stamp sets from Lawn Fawn and I have been dying to play around with them before I travel in the next few days. I also received the new Tombow Dot Runner Adhesive. I have never used this adhesive before so I thought this Blog post will also serve as a review on how the adhesive worked.

I first stamped my images and colored them using my markers. I then lined up my images with the coordinating dies and run it through my die-cutting machine. Since I have made hundreds of these box cards, that you see on the photo below, I was able to put the box together in less than a minute, because I even have the dimensions memorized. (Note to self, I need to get a life)  I know that sounds really weird but it’s true! I wanted to create a cute scene for my fairies and so I also had to die-cut some grass to create my garden.

I used the Tombow Dot Stamp Runner for the first time to adhere all of my die-cut pieces and let me just tell you, I just fell in love with this adhesive.  It was sliding through so smoothly on the card stock and I didn’t have any issues at all!  Since it is also a dot-adhesive, I was able to reposition my die-cut pieces without tearing the paper but once you press it on, it adheres really well.

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Now comes the part where I have to use an acetate sheet to make one of my fairies look like she’s floating in the air. I normally use a mini-glue dot for this task but I decided to use the “stamp runner”. Holding it down and stamping it to the acetate, I was able to put enough adhesive to adhere my fairy.

I think the photos are self-explanatory so I will leave you all to enjoy looking at the photos. Overall, I’M IN LOVE WITH THE TOMBOW DOT RUNNER ADHESIVE!  I can say that this is now my all-time favorite tape runner and will purchase more in the future.

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I hope you like this project and have an amazing day!

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Brentwood Spring Chicken Stamp Set

| marialrussell

Todays marks the day that we launch this cute Easter/Spring stamp set from www.jessicalynnoriginal.com called Brentwood Spring chicken. While there are no specific deals with this stamp set, Jessica is offering a “free shipping” code today for members of JLO’s Facebook group called JLOcraftcreateshare. She is always giving away stamp sets and announcing deals and specials so I encourage you all to join this Facebook group. Here is the link (https://www.facebook.com/groups/JLOcraftcreateshare/)

I am the second person on this hop and if you came from Jessica’s Blog, you’re in the right place. The next person after me, is Jeanette (http://www.creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com). Please give her some love by checking the beautiful cards that she created for this event. We love to hear from you, and we love to know your opinion.

I love spring! I love spring colors and so the first card that you see here is one of my favorite. I have made a similar card to this a year ago and posted the video tutorial on my YouTube channel. I love making interactive cards and the colors I used on this blended so well. To go with this card, I created the small treat bag to house some Easter treats! What do you think?

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If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I like to stretch my stamps and dies and one example is the card below. I used the image to create a Father’s Day card.

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I hope you like what I created and have an amazing weekend!