"Brrrrr" Chalkboard Technique card

Hello Crafty Friends!

Today I would like to share a quick and fun chalkboard winter card using the oh-so-cool 'Brrrr' die designed by Suzanne Cannon. It is a card that kids and kids at heart will love to make and give to family and friends. So...let's get to it!Instructions:

1. Die cut a piece of white card stock using the Brrr die. Keep both the die cut and the negative piece of card stock. Secure the negative piece to a black card stock (larger than 4.25 x 5.5") using washi tape.
   
   
2. Dab Distress Paint onto exposed area of the negative die cut.
   
   
3. Remove white negative card stock and either air dry or use a heat tool to dry the paint.
   
   
4. Die cut black card stock using Stitched Rectangles die. Die cut a piece of white card stock using Dotted Scallop Rectangles die. Mount onto blue top-fold 4.25 x 5.5" card base using double faced adhesive tape.
5. Die cut white card stock using snowflakes. Lay out Brrr and snowflake die cuts to determine locations of snowflakes. Dab Distress Paint onto black background where you wish the snowflakes to be located. Air dry.
   
   
6. Die cut 1/8" thick white foam using Brrr die. Mount onto black background using liquid adhesive glue. Mount die cut Brrr from white card stock onto foam using liquid adhesive. Adhere snowflakes using liquid adhesive. Trim snowflakes at edges of the card as needed so they don't extend past the black rectangle. Accent the center of each snowflake with a light blue gem.

Elizabeth Craft Designs supplies:

• Brrrr die
• Stitched Rectangles die
• Dotted Scallop die
• Clear double sided adhesive tape

Other supplies:

• Distress Paint (Broken China)
• Black and white card stock
• 1/8" white craft foam
• Liquid adhesive
• light blue gems

Thank you for stopping by!  I do hope you enjoyed the chalkboard card.

Have a happy, crafty day.

Big Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenge:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday, Christmas to Die for

Sentiments of the Season Blog Hop- Tutorial and Giveaway

Welcome to the Quietfire Sentiments of the Season Blog Hop! We’re celebrating the season with projects using our favorite Quietfire sentiment stamps and dies. We have some great ideas to share with you!

We’re giving away a prize on each of the Sentiments of the Season blog posts. The posts will be on Designers’ personal blogs and one on Quietfire Creations. All you have to do is leave a comment on the Sentiments of the Season blog posts and you will be entered for a chance to win a Quietfire stamp or die from that blog. Each designer will randomly choose the winner from their comments.

Here is our schedule: 

Day 1- Monday November 23 : Teresa and Yogi
Day 2 -Tuesday November 24: KathyJo and Judi Kauffman
Day 3 - Wednesday November 25: Wanda and Yvonne
Day 4 - Thursday November 26: Robyn and Selma
Day 5 - Friday November 27: Diana and Suzanne

The deadline for leaving comments is Sunday November 29, 2015 at midnight PST. Winners will be posted shortly afterwards here on Quietfire Creations. Good luck and have fun!

For the Blog Hop I thought I would share some new techniques for your dies. As many of you know, I am a huge die junkie. Dies are so fun to use and sometimes I spend hours just running dies through my machine to try out new materials or layouts.

Today I want to share die techniques that do not involve embossing or cutting, but how to use your dies as stamps. Quietfire dies are so beautiful…why limit them to only die cutting and embossing? This post is a long one so grab a cup of tea and enjoy!

Before we start:
* Make sure your die is clean and all paper tidbits are removed from the die.
* It is best to work with thinner, flexible papers- card board and heavy weight paper (such as 110lb) may be too heavy. Textured surfaces should be avoided. When in doubt, test it out.
* Place your material on a flexible stamping mat. Stamps are flexible to help with stamping- dies are stiff and need flex under the paper.
* Remember to clean your die after stamping. You don’t want to ruin future die cut items by covering them with ink.
* Although dies can be “stamped”, you will not have lovely fine details like you would from an actual stamp. Keep that in mind when designing your project.

Die stamp setup:
You do not want your die permanently attached to a stamping block so only use a small amount of removable tape on the back of your die. Here was my initial setup:

I placed my die on a block with removable tack tape. My whole block was covered with the tape so it was removable…but was very tricky to get off one time. I do not recommend using this setup if your block is super tacky.

Just to re-iterate: You want to avoid bending your die so limit the amount of removable tape used. A small amount of removable tape will make the removal process easier and will protect your die.

Die Stamping- Vellum:
Just like with a stamp, Archival Ink works well on vellum. Apply the Archival Ink onto the die stamp setup. Test the image on a scrap piece of paper. You may want to test a few times to figure out your pressure required. After stamping on the vellum you may notice some ink transferred in addition to your die lines. Use a Q-tip and some stamp cleaner solution on the vellum to remove the stray ink. Dry with a heat gun.

You could just leave the image as is but I chose to emboss on the back side of the vellum. It created a nice embossed image with a black outline.

Die stamping- Chalkboard:
The Quietfire dies work perfectly for your chalkboard paper project. After cleaning the die, heavily apply Versamark. Stamp the die on black paper and heat emboss using white embossing powder. The letters on my example were scribbled in with Sakura’s Souffle gel pens:

I really liked the way the chalkboard style turned out. The partially filled in letters look very cool against the black background. (Please note that if you are looking for stamps in the same style, check out Quietfire’s Fill 'er-up series.)

A peek at the inside- more of the patterned papers and "Merry Christmas" Quietfire stamped sentiment.

Die Stamping- Watercolor:
The chalkboard style was awesome but watercoloring turned out to be my favorite style for die stamping. After playing for some time with the watercolor technique, I decided to mix up my stamping. For the below card I created a watercolor background using Barn Door, applied a wee bit of water in the center (to lighten the watercolor) and then heat dried. Next I applied Archival Ink in Coffee onto the die, stamped and then heat dried. Merry Christmas was stamped over the Believe using Jet Black Archival Ink and heat dried. Note that I stamped the Believe and Merry Christmas over the lighter colored red area for emphasis. On a craft mat, mix Barn Door, Vintage Photo and water. Apply the watercolor mix inside the Believe letters.

The seam binding was dyed using the leftover ink from mixture above. My hands were an inky mess at this point but I did not care because I having a blast playing in the craft room!

I do hope you liked the die stamping exploration…I know I enjoyed playing with the dies! If you do make a project using the above techniques, please link back to this post. I will make sure to leave some love on your blog, too. Talking about leaving love, don’t forget to leave a comment for your chance to win a new stamp or die from Quietfire Design. Your next stop on this hop is the ever so talented Judi Kauffman.

Thanks for stopping by! Good luck!
Big Crafty Hugs,
Kathy Jo

The cards above are entered into the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday, Christmas
613 Avenue Create, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG

Tidings of Comfort and Joy chalkboard card- Sisterhood of Crafters guest Step Sister!

Happy Wednesday!

Today I am excited to say that I am a guest Step Sister at The Sisterhood of Crafters!  Woot-woot!  The new challenge at The Sisterhood is "Name that tune...Christmas Carol".

For my card I used the festive Tidings of Comfort and Joy from Quietfire Design:

It was stamped and heat embossed on chalkboard paper and then die cut using Spelbinders A2 Modern Stationary.  A frame was made using Graphic 45's paper from Twelve Days of Christmas.  It was adhered using foam squares.  Poinsettias were fussy cut from the same paper, Wink of Stella and Stickles were applied.

The doily was die cut from a Cheery Lynn Kiwi Spirit doily die and the very cool background paper was from Kaisercraft's Basecoat Christmas.  The card follows a sketch from the Sugar Sketch Challenge (from October):

Thanks so much to The Sisterhood of Crafters!  I do hope you can play in their challenge this fortnight!

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Cheery Lynn, Red & Green
613 Avenue Create, AG
Craftin Desert Divas, AG Christmas
Loves Rubber Stamps, AG Christmas or Winter
Cuttlebugmania, AG Christmas
Crafty Creations, to die for
Crafter's Cafe, Christmas/Holiday Season

I love that you will Always be my friend...

Hello!  Just popping in to share another card using Quietfire's Always be my friend stamp set.  It is a chalkboard style card using more of Graphic 45's Secret Garden paper.  

This is a closeup of the front of the card.  

For more details hop on over to the Quietfire post.  It lists all of the materials used.  :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

Merry Christmas chalkboard card using Graphic 45, Quietfire and Spellbinders

Happy Tuesday!

Popping in to share another Christmas card.  The card used the Merry Christmas stamp from Quietfire's Christmas set "Merry Christmas Sentiments".  Below is the stamp set:

It was heat embossed in white on black chalkboard paper.  Then it was die cut using Spellbinders Labels Nine.  Wood grain paper was die cut using Spellbinders Decorative Labels Twenty-Eight.  Graphic 45 paper (Nutcracker- a hoarded sheet!) was die cut using 5x7 Enchanted Labels.  Kraft paper was matted under the stack.  Distress Ink in Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain was applied on all edges. The poinsettias (Spellbinders die set) was cut from some hoarded velvet ribbon.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Have a great Tuesday!  :)
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Craft Hoarders, Flowers
Craft-Dee BowZ, September
Word Art Wednesday, AG
613 Avenue Create, AG
MelonHeadz, 2 or more dies
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday, AG

Chalkboard Thinking of You page

Well, I hope you are all sitting down when you hopped to this entry.  Another scrapbook page!  Holy smokes!  As you can see, I am still trying to figure out the best way to photograph a scrapbook page so please pardon the poor quality.

The sketch is as per Canadian Scrapbookers August Sketch challenge:

The materials used are Quietfire's Thinking of You stamp, Spellbinders dies from Mystical Embrace and Venetian Motifs, and My Mind's Eye Chalk Studio paper.

Honestly, if feels weird to do scrapbook pages again and I have a feeling it will take a while to get used to working on such a grand scale.  Hopefully the pages will start to look better, too!  However, I still had fun making it and I am happy to have finally documented one of my favorite time of day: watching Ella taking her dip in the dog park lake.

Have a good day and thanks for stopping by!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

New Quietfire Stamp Blog Hop: Thanks, Fill'er Up T stamp

Hello Crafters!

Today is a fun filled day for the Quietfire Design: we are celebrating the release of a new stamp, Thanks Fill'er Up T.  Isn't it cool?  So many possibilities to fill in that T and the Quietfire Team is showing some of their ideas...it is well worth hopping over to see the fun ideas!

For my card I wanted to do a cheerful chalkboard design for the T.  I used the new Prima paper pad "The Optimist" and picked out the happiest sheet for the background.  The doily was die cut using Couture Creations' Lily G.  TH distress inks were applied as shown:

The focal point is the Thanks stamp used on more of the Prima paper.  I just love the way it stands out on the paper!  I fussy cut three flowers from my scrap paper and used them to fill in the T.  Of course I applied Stickles to add even more emphasis on the fill.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Hope you enjoyed the card made with the Thanks stamp...I know I enjoyed using it!
Have a great day!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

Challkboard Birthday card

Hello Crafters!

Just a quick post to share a card I made for the current challenge at JustRite: Chalkboard Birthday.

The base was made from chalkboard paper die cut using Spellbinders' Reflective Moment.  I think this may perhaps be my favorite new Spellbinders set...just can't get enough of that large die!  The background was made using JustRite's Diamond Filigree Background Stamp.  Next is white paper die cut with Spellbinders' Mystical Embrace.  Finally, the sentiment (from JustRite set Birthday Vintage Labels Four) was stamped on chalkboard paper die cut with Opulent Ovals.  Added black lace, ribbon, a bow, bling and a button then...voila!  The card is complete.

That was it.  Told you it was a quick post.  :)

Have a great day and thanks so much for stopping by!
Hugs!
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:


JustRite, Chalkboard Birthday
Word Art Wednesday, AG
613 Avenue Create, AG- using the optional twist: sentiment, shaped, embossing powder, bling, lace
Jo's Scrap Shack, Shaped Card
DL Art, AG

Grunge Thank you card

Finally...the weekend!  

You know what I like about weekends in the winter?  Crafting.  :)

Just a quick post sharing a manly thank you card.  I decided to go grunge and use some paper a good friend of mine so kindly gave me: Tim Holtz' Destinations.  The card uses one of the pages as the card base, two more patterned sheets were distressed and adhered as shown.  

I fussy cut a car from one of the other sheets in the same paper pad.  I applied Ranger's Glossy Accents to the car to add depth and make it look like an actual toy card.  The bling was purchased at Michaels (do not recall the brand).

The chalkboard sentiment "Thank you so much" is from Me & My Big Ideas, Cards in an Instant package.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a good weekend!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Hiding in my Craft Room, three patterned papers
Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper Challenge
613 Avenue Create, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG
Card Makin Mamas, Stack it up!
Sister Act, AG

"Have a Lovely Day" Chalkboard card

Happy Sunday All!

Just a quick post to share my first chalkboard card.  :)

The My Mind's Eye Chalk Studio paper pads were on my wish list for a while and I finally picked all three of them up at Winner's recently!  What a great find!  The papers are so cute and are great for girl or guy cards.

The happy sentiment is from JustRite's Birthday Vintage Labels Four stamp set.  The chalkboard paper was cut using Spellbinders Labels Thirty One and under the label is a piece of vellum die cut from Spellbinders Floral Ovals.  The sweet doily is Cheery Lynn's French Pastry.  The pink banner was embossed using a Lifestyle Crafts embossing folder.

The card has the MME paper on all four sides and it looks great.  (I really need to get in the habit of applying paper, or die cuts or embellishments on on four sides).  The inside is another die cut from Spellbinders Thirty One and stamped swirls from the JR birthday set.  All background paper was die cut using Spellbinders A2 Matting Basics A.

Before I go, I would like to give a huge kudos to Spellbinders for their matting dies.  When I first saw the matting sets I wondered why I would buy a set of matting dies when I can just cut rectangular paper easily on a cutter.  Eventually, I ended up getting a set to try out and I am now using it all of the time.  My matting paper is always cut perfectly, no measuring, no mistakes and it cut down on my cutting time.  Fabulous idea, Spellbinders!  

Thanks so much for stopping by!  "Have a Lovely Day"!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
613 Avenue Create, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG