Let's make a Circus Card (and dig out some old tools too!)

Howdy Friends!  There is nothing like cleaning the old craft room to remind you of all the forgotten favorites! I rekindled my love for crepe paper, stencils (it never really left) and moldable foam making this card:

It is a real cheap and easy card to make too! I used the Bubble Background and Circus Dogs stamps from Lost Coast Designs and it only took 15 minutes to make! Come stamp with me!

I hope that video urged YOU to dig out some old supplies and have a play! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Red Gingham 50's Girl

Hello All,
Here is my second version of the new Lost Coast Designs stamp 50's Girl.  This time I used lots of red Gingham ribbon and added some Distress inks.

Other Lost Coast Design Stamps Used on this project: Rulers Background and Party Words.

Check out the full post on my blog Dreaming and Creating for more pics and instructions.  Have a great day!
Karen McAlpine

Turquoise and Pink 50's Girl

Hello Coasties!
Have you seen the new stamp from Lost Coast Designs --50's Girl?  It is really fun to work with.  I made two projects with the new stamp.  I will share the second project in a few days.  Today's card is in a very fifties color scheme--turquoise and pink.

I also used the following stamps on this projects: Circle Frame (in the background) and  the Party Words Set.

Check out all the materials and instructions for this sassy card on my blog, Dreaming and Creating.
Hope you are having a great day!  Soon you in a few days for the second project using 50's Girl.
Karen McAlpine

DIY Roltap tool! {let's make a mini brayer!}

Howdy friends! The other day I shared a project using a Colorbox Roltap mini brayer. Well, they are nearly impossible to find because they have been discontinued but have no fear, today I'll show you how to make your own:

Best of all you can make them for pennies and have one for each color of ink you like! Have fun and happy crafting!

"Kitty in a Garden Breeze" Winner of Perfect Tears Card Contest and live from CHA on Create & Craft TV!

Hello Friends!

I'm so excited to announce that this card of mine won the card category in Perfect Paper Craftings' Brand Ambassador Perfect Tears Contest and will be shown on their CHA TV segment live from Las Vegas on Create and Craft on Wednesday July 24!  Create and Craft is a UK crafting channel which you can watch on their website at Create and Craft TV.  

My card features two of Lost Coast Designs stamps:

Flourish - Long Swirl and Floppy Ear Cat

Perfect Layers, Perfect Tears and Perfect Squares are the most awesome 'you can not live without' tools for scrapbookers and paper crafters!  For more info about Perfect Paper Craftings' products please visit my Ambassador page and use my special code Leigh5% at checkout to get 5% off your entire order :0)

More info about how I made my winning card will be up on my blog at Leigh SB Designs later this week so please stop by and check it out :0)

Leigh S-B

THE SHARPIE DOMINO QUEEN

Leigh S-B Designs Blog

Velvet Paw Creations

Crafty Fun with Can-Can Girls!

Hello Friends! I had such a fun time in my studio today working with the Can-Can Girls stamp from Lost Coast Designs! I filmed a couple short tutorials for you. For the first one all you need is cardstock, scissors, a pencil and a ruler. A 45 degree angle is handy too if you have one, if not take a paper square and cut it from corner to corner and you are in business! Let's make a lattice edge card:

Well, that was easy huh? I got rummaging around, as I often do, in my studio drawers and came across a tool I got years ago called a Roltap. It is like a tiny sponge brayer and I used it to do some nifty techniques, watch as I finish this card! I also dusted off the color dusters, stencil brushes and chalk!

So, then I got to thinking, I wonder if Colorbox still makes Roltaps because now I see how cool it is I want more so I have one head for each color family. No such luck, I guess I'll have to come up with a frugal replacement...I'll keep you posted! That's it for me. If you have any questions on anything I posted today feel free to leave a comment, thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Steampunk Balloons or Montgolfières!

Hello Dear Stamper Friends:

HERE BIBIANA!...
Today I would like to share these 2 cards that I made using the same "Lost Coast Designs" stamp but but with two different looks......"The Steampunk Balloons Guys" stamp!

This first card was stamped on glossy paper. Sponged with inks and then all the stamps were inked with various colors of Archival inks, a technique that I leanrt from Tim Holtz (of course!)...the effect is quite nice...

The balloons/Montgolfières, (as they are also known), are so "French" !! This image is a vintage reproduction!...
The stamp on the corner in pink ink is a somewhat reproduction of the ID card for French citizens...that is how they used to look, more or less!

CURIOUS NOTE: did you know that the "Montgolfière - style/hot air balloon" was invented by 2 French Brothers "The Montgolfière's", back in the 18th century? This stamp here (only the balloon)  is the "exact" reproduction of that first model that the brothers flew at "Versailles" in front of the King Louis the XVI and Marie Antoinette!!! and since then the hot air balloons are also know as "Montgolfières" in honor of their inventors!

In this second card, The sentiment/banner is so appropriate..it is as well a "reproduction" of what you might find in the "old" prints on the back of the French/Canadian old postcards...

The background was first sponged with inks, then dry embossed, add gold embossing powder and last sponged more on the top with black ink ...all these steps to create this "patina" look!

If you are into French stuff, into vintage and old reproductions these stamps are for you then...I really like them and that is why I use them...they "mean" something to me, specially, teaching French and  living so many years over there ... I have always said that my "soul" belongs  to France!
and anyways I found them pretty and this particular one is perfect for cards for men!

I really encourage you to have a pick at the online catalogue!

Ok hope you have a lovely day and keep on stamping! bye for now...

SUPPLIES:
Stamps used: Steampunk balloon guys , travel stuff set (for the ID stamp), Pencils background, Concentric cicles;

Dreamy Framed Cosmos Collage

Hi Coasties!
I have been stamping again and made another card with the Cosmos Collage Stamp.  For this card, I added some die cut frames and pretty DP.  The image is stamped with Black Archival ink on blue CS.

For more pics and instructions, click over to my blog, Dreaming and Creating.  Hope you are having a great weekend.
Karen McAlpine