April Showers Blog Hop

We're so glad you are hopping with us today.
We've got all kinds of great baby and bridal shower related crafts and ideas for you.

You should have arrived here from Amanda.  If you just stopped by, be sure to hop to the Theresa's blog at scrapsbygracie.blogspot.com to get started and not miss any of the great projects.

Now on with the projects.

I love to color digital stamps for cards and either use alcohol markers, chalk, or colored pencils. I used alcohol markers on this spring time gal digital stamp from Bugaboo Stamps. It's a simple card but perfect for a birthday, hello or thank you.

Now on to my newest adventures ... sewing and machine embroidering.

 <Here is the machine embroidery I did on the front side.

Above is the pillow once the hoop is off and it's sewn and full of fluff.

 This is the backside of the pillow. I still have a long way to go but I'm learning and getting a little better each time I do a new project. My mother and grandmother loved to sew when I was growing up and they made it look so easy. It's not but it is rewarding in the end.

Thanks for hopping with us today. Be sure to comment on each blog along the way
to be entered in today's giveaway for a $15 gift certificate to

 

Your next stop is Alicia

Here's today's line up:

Theresa ~ scrapsbygracie.blogspot.com
Card A Day Challenge Blog Design Team ~ cardadaychallenge.blogspot.com
Kim ~ katydidcards.com
Anna ~ http://grumpygrandmacreations.blogspot.com
Sarah ~ www.sarahbiswabic.blogspot.com
Sharon ~ http://piece-ofheart.blogspot.com
Holli ~ Sunflowerholli.blogspot.com
Amanda ~ http://salnclts76.blogspot.com
Jearise ~ http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com
Alicia ~ http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com
Enclade ~ www.nanasscrapspot.com 
Lisa ~ http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com

Welcome to this wonderful Easter themed blog hop. There is a lot of inspiration going on in the blog hop for last minute ideas and ideas for next year. Make sure to visit our hostess' blog for some Easter blog candy - Lisa 

I would like to show my creation to you now. 

I designed and cut out this little fence Easter basket. I decided to make chicks and a cross as decorations for it along with the Easter eggs. You can see that the handle can go in either direction. It's 5 inches long by 3 inches wide by about 1 1/2 inches tall. 

If you've enjoyed this little fence Easter box and would like the file, free of course, please leave your email in the comments below or join my Facebook page titled Lorby's Crating Share. 

Thanks for stopping by today and now it's on to Holli's blog.

Happy Easter Everyone!

1. Lisa ~ http://honeybearzdesigns2011.blogspot.com/
2. Denise ~ http://www.craftconfectionery.com/
3. Kim ~ http://katydidcards.com
4. Jearise ~ http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com
5. Holli ~ http://sunflowerholli.blogspot.com/
6. Barbara ~ http://barbarab3.blogspot.com/
7. Angela ~ http://crazy3monkeys.blogspot.com/
8. Madge ~ http://www.thescrappinlounge.com/blog
9. Miranda ~ www.nanasscrapspot.com
10. Theresa ~ Scrapsbygracie.blogspot.com

A year of Card Techniques - March

This month's technique is inlaid die cutting. It seems hard but once you try it, it's very addictive.  Here are some videos to show you how to do this fun technique:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeNFa0Muo74

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3wMc1Bcdx0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQ9rLPzPUFI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTw3__zx8uk

It's month three of our year long adventure into different card-making techniques, 
folds and paper crafting products.

If you missed January's hop, you can still hop and comment by starting HERE. 
If you missed February's hop, you can still hop and comment by starting HERE.

This month we will be focusing on inlaid die-cutting and you won't want to miss the awesome cards we've got for you today. We really love feedback so please leave a comment on each of the blogs in today's hop. Each comment on the 12 hops throughout the year will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Blitsy.com gift certificate. 

Now on with the projects.
I used my BIGkick die cutting machine for these cards...I had fun using different ways to color the back grounds. I used Tim Holz ink pads, chalk ink, Glimmer Mist, and even a brightly decorated paper. 

I used Glitter Mist under the wings.

Tim Holz Inks under the wings.

Brightly colored paper under the wings.

colored ink with Glimmer Mist spritzed over it under wings.

Thank you so much for stopping by and I look forward to seeing you next month.

Here's today's line-up in case you get lost along the way

Theresa
Lisa

Jearise (You are here)

Go her next >>>Kim

Claudia
Denise
Debbie
Sharon

It's Baby Time!

Wow, the end of 2015 was a busy year for so many of our young friends as family as they started families of their own. It's so wonderful to see all the beautiful new babies and watch them grow. New babies means I get to be busy making congratulations cards and baby gifts.

Here is one of my cards using an adorable Bugaboo digital stamp...

I used my alcohol markers to color the digital stamp and then I used a touch of chalk ink to add some color to the background.

More inspiration and this month's chalk challenge can be found at CHALK N STOCK.

This has been entered in Crafting by Design monthly challenge - anything goes.

Winter Wonderland Blog Hop

Welcome to the....

Today's hop is filled with winter (not holiday) themed projects.

Today's hop sponsored by...

Catherine is giving away a class of the winner's choice from her great offerings 
at Creativity Grows Here. 

To enter the drawing just leave a comment on each of the blogs in today's hop.

Winner will be announced on ScrapsByGracie.blogspot.com on Saturday, 1/30/16. 

Now on with today's projects...

I made this card using pewter embossing powder and an embossing folder. It's a simple technique that leaves beautiful metal like results.

1. In raised area of embossing folder.
2. Run your cardstock through your embossing machine
3. Pour embossing powder over your embossed cardstock
4. Use a small, clean and soft paint brush, brush off any unwanted embossing powder
5. Warm up your heat gun for at least 10 seconds before turning it towards your embossing and then heat up your embossing powder until it melts. Leave on the heat a few extra seconds to give it the uneven metal look

Here is a close up of the area I did. I used colored mist spray to color the snowflakes. I put used cardstock over each area I didn't want spritzed. 

Thanks for stopping by today and since I'm at the end, you need to backtrack and see the other great projects so please start at Theresa's blog here.

Here is the full lineup in case you need to go back and see some of the great projects you missed.

Theresa ~scrapsbygracie.blogspot.com
Connie ~ conniecancrop.blogspot.com
Jessica ~ craftinandstampin.blogspot.com
Alicia ~ goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com
Sarah ~ http://sarahbiswabic.blogspot.com/
Anita ~ Scrappyhappymommy.blogspot.ca
Angela ~ crazy3monkeys.blogspot.com
Miranda ~ nanasscrapspot.com
Haidee ~ created2bunique.blogspot.com
Kim ~ katydidcards.com
Lisa F ~ lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com
Jearise ~ lorbysworld.blogspot.com
Holli ~ sunflowerholli.blogspot.com
Card A Day Challenge DT ~ cardadaychallenge.blogspot.com

A Year of Card Techniques - January

This is the first in a year long series of monthly blog hops focusing on techniques for card makers.
Each month we'll feature a different technique or fold or product.
We've assembled a team of card makers who range from new to advanced so you'll get a great variety of cards and ideas.

This month we will be focusing on emboss resist techniques and WOW have we got
some cool cards for you today. We really love feedback so please leave a comment on each of the blogs in today's hop. Each comment on the 12 hops throughout the year will be entered into a prize drawing for a $25 Blitsy.com gift certificate at the end of the year.
Now on with the projects.

First off, I have to say that I love to heat emboss and have been doing it since I started scrapbooking and card about 10 years ago. I have a draw full of different types of embossing powders and inks. Yes, there are many different embossing powders and they all play an intricate part in making your project beautiful. 

Here is a link to a wonderful page that describes different powders and inks and will help you get started on this new adventure or branch out and try something new. 

(I found this site and it says that I may not reproduce or distribute the information so I am just putting the link for you to go to since it states it is for personal use only.)
http://www.scrapbook.com/classes/stvol1/lessons/print/23.html

My first project takes two types of embossing and combines them. I use an embossing folder and then heat embossing. 

I used Glitter Mist Spray over the top once I was done with the heat embossing to add color to the keys.


I start by putting ink on my embossing folder. Do it lightly so you only get the raised area. I have found that it works best on the background and not the design but you can play with it and hopefully it'll work perfectly for you. :)  

Once I've inked my folder, I slip in my paper and send it through my embossing machine. As soon as I take it out, I add my heat embossing powder. I brush off any powder that might have gotten on the design itself. Then I add my heat and presto!  


Now for my second type of heat of embossing, I used clear embossing powder over words.

I used chalks to add color to the embossing and surrounding area. I just used my finger and rubbed the chalk on and then used a soft cloth to wipe off the excess.

Directions for this:

1. Print out the saying you like
2. Use your heat gun to dry the ink from your printer
3. Use your powder bag to go over the printed words before heat embossing
4.Use a clear ink pad such as an embossing pad or a watermark embossing pad to stamp your image
5. Stamp your image over the printed words
6. Sprinkle on clear embossing powder
7. Clean off excess powder and use a clean soft brush to sweep away any embossing powder not wanted on surface
8. Warm up heat gun and then heat up embossing powder until it melts. Do NOT overheat. Yes, embossing powder will burn or melt into a bubbly mess.

This last card above was done by just stamping a heart image and using clear embossing powder. Once I had heat set it, I went back over the whole area using a Tim Holz ink pad.

I'm the last person in today's line up and I am so happy you have joined us and hopped all the way through. I hope you have learned some new techniques along the way.

If you've happened to start at my blog, you just have to start at the beginning and see all the great cards and ways heat embossing was done.  Click on this link to get you going:
Scrapes by Grace

Last Minute Gifts

Welcome to the

We've got some awesome ideas today to create those last minute holiday gifts.

Each of the bloggers has one or more great idea for fabulous, easy gifts that can be created at the last minute for those holiday gift giving opportunities.

You may want to create a few of them to have on hand in your "Gift Closet."
Doesn't everyone have a gift closet full of gifts ready to give?

We just can't have a hop about gifts and not give a few away, so be sure to hop to
and comment on each of the blogs by Wednesday 12/30/15.

Theresa at ScrapsByGracie will choose 5 winners.

One lucky person will receive a class of their choice from today's hop sponsor

Online Card Classes

Here is a look at the other different prize packages you could win! 

Now on with the projects!

I am in LOVE with these glitter Christmas tree bulbs and they are so easy and fast to make. I made one for a class ornament exchange yesterday and had it ready to go in less than 30 minutes. This one I made for my daughter.

I used white glitter on the inside of the ornament. I found that people use many different things on the inside of the bulb to get the glitter to stick. I tried Pledge Floor Care Finish which I bought from Amazon. Sometimes there is more glitter clinging in one area on the inside of the bulb but it's never that noticeable or noticeable at all once the vinyl is put on.

Remember to cover the total inside and to let the excess drip out before pouring glitter in the bulb. About 5 minutes upside down works.

Another hint I have found out on my own. I bend the prongs of the hanging wire inward before placing the top back on the ornament. I use my hot glue gun to secure it so it doesn't come off. I tried snipping the wire but it's very hard and ruined a pair of my wire cutters so I decided to try bending it enough so it doesn't touch the sides and scrape off the glitter.

I had trouble centering my vinyl on the bulb even though it's a simi flat surface. I asked others how they did it and they measure across and found the center point. I'm too lazy for all that trouble and noticed that at the bottom there is a bump where the middle is. I use that as a guide along with the top of the bulb and my vinyl is pretty centered now. It's not perfect but what is?

Hop on over to Rhonda's blog to see her last minute gift idea.

Don't forget to leave a comment to be entered into the drawing for the 5 great prizes.

Theresa ~ http://scrapsbygracie.blogspot.com

Kim ~ www.katydidcards.com
Jessica ~ www.craftinandstampin.blogspot.com
Charmagne ~ www.sanurascraps.blogspot.com
Barbara ~ http://barbarab3.blogspot.com
Sharondalyn ~ http://clippingsbysharondalyn.blogspot.com
Lisa ~ http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com
Jearise ~ http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com <-- You're here 

Rhonda ~ http://craftingwithblue.blogspot.com <-- Go Here Next! 

Alicia ~  httt://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com