SIP Challenge 78 - Winter Holiday with Unity Stamps

Hello everyone!  Wow....this month is just flying by and it seems that I have no time to do anything for fun!! How is everyone doing with their holiday shopping? Anyone finished yet?  Since it's summer here we are off to the beach for a few days and will enjoy seeing Santa on the sand!!  Honestly, I do miss this time of year in NYC with all the decorations hanging in the streets, the Christmas windows at Saks, Lord & Taylor, Macy's....Christmas music everywhere, bells ringing and all the holiday fairs. But.....I do NOT miss the cold weather!  

This week over at the Stamp Ink Paper Challenge Blog they are having SIP Challenge No. 78 - Winter Holiday - 

And I made two Christmas cards out of one main image.  I know that the phrase "I Am More Than What You See" does not seem "Christmasy" and was not created for this.  What I am trying to get across here is that Christmas is "more than just what you see".  By using it with half of the "snowflake" with the word "believe", I hope that people will look beyond the decorations, etc. to see the real meaning of Christmas.  Sound corny??  Tell me the truth!!  LOL

I started by stamping the image from Magical Days (Unity Stamp Co.) on to a piece of white cardstock.  Then I carefully cut it in half.

Next I placed the second to largest Stitched Square die (Gina Marie) over the image, secured it with painter's tape, and die cut it.  Then I took this image and placed it (temporarily) on a piece of red cardstock, positioned the largest of the Stitched Square dies so that there would be a small border, removed the white cardstock, and then die cut the red cardstock.  

I did this with the other half of the image also so that I would get two cards out of this one image.

Next, using the largest die from the Pierced Rectangle STAX (MFT), I die cut a piece of white cardstock.    I stamped the phrase "I Am More" on to my stamp positioner.  Using the piece of red cardstock as a guide I figured out where I wanted to stamp the phrase and drew a light pencil line.  Then I went and stamped the image using black ink. I heat set the image and then erased the pencil line.  I did this so that the image would line up perfectly with the phrase. 

After I colored in my image, I adhered it to the piece of red cardstock, which I then adhered next to the phrase.  I then cut a piece of white fun foam, adhered this to the back of the cardstock with the images and then adhered this to the card front.  I also adhered some crystals to the image.

Here is the second card using the other side of the image.

You will have to tell me what you think of these cards.  I LOVE this phrase by Donna Downey.  And although this stamp is geared more towards a woman to be used with some of the other images on the site, I think this phrase pertains to ALL of us. We are ALL more than what we see at a first glance.  No?  Please, tell me what you think!  

I hope to have another card or two done before Christmas.  So, until next time - 

Hugs from Brasil - 

Michael

The Easiest Christmas Card for Dog Lovers

Hello everyone and Happy Saturday!!  Just wanted to pop in and share with you guys a really really really simple Christmas card.  I am going to call this card "the easiest Christmas card to make for dog lovers" card.  LOL.  

I was actually searching for this stamp last week to enter into the CAS on Sunday challenge blog for their pet challenge. But I couldn't find it.  Then, yesterday, while cleaning out a drawer, guess what I found?  Yes...this stamp of Archie the Holiday Dog, which I picked up last year at Paper Source.  At least now I can enter this card into the CAS on Sunday Challenge #97, which is Christmas.  

I started by cutting a piece of white cardstock 4" x 5.25".  Then I stamped Archie on the card front in Onyx Black Versafine ink.  I then stamped the phrase "warm wishes" from Word Critters - Winter Birds set by Your Next Stamp, in Satin Red Versafine ink. 

I then cut a top folding A2 card out of textured white cardstock and adhered the piece to the card front.  I colored in the hat with Rambunctious Red Bic Marker, adhered 3 red sequins to the card front and then adhered some Polar White Flower Soft to the hat using matte medium and set it aside to dry.

That's it.  Quite easy if I say so myself.  And talk about clean and simple.  LOL. I hope you guys liked this quick and easy card.  I have the same image of Archie but without the Santa hat and will have to put some ideas together.  Enjoy the rest of your Saturday and weekend everyone!!  Until next time - 

Hugs from Brasil - 

Michael

A StenDoodled Birthday Card For My Brother!!

Good morning everyone.  I hope everyone survived their Thanksgiving (if they celebrated) and their Black Friday shopping (if they did any).  We normally do some sort of Thanksgiving dinner here with friends but this year it was just a pizza with hopes of a turkey dinner with all the fixings soon.  

As for Black Friday, you cannot beat the 30% off that Simon Says Stamp gave on Thursday and was able to finally get 1 die and 3 stamp sets that I have had on my wish list. On Friday (at 6am my time) Ellen Hutson had a great sale and I was able to add some Inchie Arts products and 2 WPlus9 sets I have been wanting.  There was plenty more that I wanted but I kept my wallet in check. What bargains or deals did you find?  I'd love to know!

Now for today's card.  It seems my parents scheduled the arrival of their children around major holidays.  LOL.  My birthday is Christmas Eve and my brother's is Thanksgiving.  Of course he always got birthday gifts and Hanukkah gifts and I always got 1 gift for both celebrations.  I know.  Unfair.  But therapy helped.  Kidding!!!  Last year I made a card for my bro (HERE) but he never received it (thanks to the Brasilian post office).  So this year I decided to make a StenDoodled birthday card for him that he will have to enjoy online until I see him in person!!  Whatcha think bro??

I started by stamping this Happy Birthday image on a piece of white cardstock with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink.  I am 99.999% sure that this stamp, although retired, was made by DRS Designs.

You can also use letter stencils and spell out whatever word you wish to use this way. 

The next thing you need to do is fill in each letter with a different stencil design (otherwise it would not be a StenDoodle. Right?)  Because these letters are about 1" tall, the perfect stencil to use is the Doodle It Inchie Stencil by Maria McGuire from StencilGirl Products.  

This stencil has a bunch of different designs and I tried to use a different one in each of the letters.  Place the design you want to use over the letter and trace the design with a Copic Multiliner or Micron pen, making sure you do NOT go out of the lines of the letter.  You can also trace with a pencil and then go back with your marker. 

 Here is the card front after all the designs were in each letter.

Next I used the Cake! set by Jane's Doodles.   Using a stamp positioner I stamped the cake and the candles so they were sitting on top of the image.  

Next I colored in the whole image using a variety of Copic markers.  I also trimmed the white cardstock to 3 1/2" x 6 1/4" and adhered it to a piece of black cardstock.

The last things I did was to adhere this to a Kraft card 3 3/4" x 6 3/4", applied some yellow Stickles to the candles and Espresso Dimensional Pearls to the cake as frosting and set aside to fully dry.  

Done!!  I love love love using stencils inside of open letters like this image or within open stencil letters.  Each card becomes unique to the person you are making it for or for the occasion.  I hope you enjoyed this idea of a StenDoodled birthday card.  Let me know by leaving a comment below!  Until next time - 

Hugs from Brasil - 

Michael

More Coffee Please!!

Hello again everyone.  Yes, two posts in one day and both are coffee related.  I actually started this idea late last night for National Espresso Day and did not think I would have enough time today to finish it.  But, since the car had to be taken to the mechanic, I found the time!  I just love this smiling Lady Liberty holding up her large coffee for the whole city to see. Hope you do too!

I started with a piece of white cardstock, 4" x 5.25".  Then I stamped the Liberty Balloon Holder (Eureka Stamps) with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored her with Copic markers. 

Next, using a piece of black cardstock and a piece of grey textured cardstock I cut the City Landscape Layers die (Impression Obsession) and adhered them to the card front so it looks like Lady Liberty is behind the city.

Next I stamped the phrase next to Lady Liberty using Coffee Town by Sweet Stamp Shop and adhered it to a top folding A2 card base of Kraft cardstock.  I stamped and fussy cut the coffee cup (also from Coffee Town), colored the word "coffee" and the coffee cup with Fluorescent Copic markers, and then pop dotted the cup in Lady Liberty's hand.  The last thing I did was to adhere a few sequins in the same colors to the card front.

Done!!  I promise this is the last project for today!  And I also think this woudl be a great card for a Starbuck gift card.  Hmmmmm.  Hope you enjoyed this quick card also.  Until next time - 

Hugs from Brasil  -

Michael

Happy National Espresso Day!!

Hello everyone!!  Today, November 23rd, is National Espresso Day so allow me to take a moment to wish everyone a Happy National Espresso Day!!  LOL!!  You can learn more about espresso and this holiday by clicking HERE.  Since I am a huge coffee lover and live in coffee country I love making coffee related projects when I can.  I wanted to share one of those projects with you today - a wall hanging stack of coffee cups.  

I started with a "stack of cups" digi image that I found on Carmen's Place, a fun store on Etsy that sells digi images.  You can find the digi image I used HERE and another one with several coffee related images HERE.    

I sized and printed the digi image on a full A4 sheet of white cardstock. Because I wanted an easy watercolor effect I colored the image with a water brush and several Tombow markers.  You can also use distress inks.

I decided that I can get two projects from this image so I fussy cut the stack of cups and then trimmed across the 3rd cup from the bottom.  Because I wanted to protect the image for any liquids I rubbed MicroGlaze by JudiKins over the whole piece.  

Next I stamped, die cut, and colored the Flower Bouquet by Donna Salazar for Spellbinders, also with a waterbrush and Tombow markers.  I did fussy cut the bottom of the flowers so there was no white border.  Below are both pieces fully colored.

Now, because my cups are so bright (like most of my work) I needed to mount them on paper that would tone them down a bit.  Coffee/brown hued papers would work perfect.  I started with a base piece of cardstock 4 5/8" x 7 1/8".  I then found a piece of decorative paper with a "newsprint" type of look in my stash and cut a piece 4 1/8" x 6 3/4", which I mounted on a piece of black cardstock, which was then mounted to the center of the base paper. 

Then I adhered some pop dots behind my cups and the flowers and adhered them to the front of the wall hanging.  I also applied some Stickles to parts of the cups and flowers to give a shimmer.  I also adhered a piece of ribbon on the back so that the piece could hang on the wall.

The Stack of Cups hanging on the wall.

And that's it.  I'd love to know what you think of this piece.  I'll have more coffee related projects coming up and more with these digi images from Carmen.  Enjoy the rest of your day and go have an espresso!!  Until next time - 

Hugs from Brasil - 

Michael

Prozac, Schmozac....Give Me A Martini

Good morning everyone!  I wanted to share a few cards I made using a digi image called JJ Christmas Cheers by Bugaboo Stamps.  Each card has a different sentiment.  These cards were all made in jest and I hope no one takes offense to them.

Also, while working on the card at the top yesterday I saw on Facebook that my friend Karen will be having some surgery. She loves a good martini and is always joking about it.  Karen, even though we don't talk often, I do think about you a lot and am dedicating this card to you with hope for a speedy recovery and that you will be able to kick Harvey out the door!!  

It's a very simple card to make.  I started by printing out the digi on white cardstock and colored it in with a few Copic markers.  I then stamped the sentiment called Prozac (244-01) by Rubbernecker Stamps under the image with Onyx Black Versafine ink and then heat dried.  I then cut the image out using the large stitched rectangle die from the Bundle of Stitched Shapes set by Simon Says Stamp.  Lastly, I adhered it to a top folding A2 card, applied some stickles to her boots, the martini, and the leaves and a little crystal in her bow.

For my 2nd card - 

This is pretty much the same idea as the first card.  The only differences are (1) I changed the sentiment, which is called Dirty Martini (244-04) also by Rubbernecker Stamps and (2) I cut a piece of fun foam and adhered it to the back of the image before adhering to the card front.  This way it is raised off the front.  and (3) I added red half pearls to the corners of the card. 

And the 3rd card - 

Again the same image.  I changed the coloring around a bit.  I added a speech bubble with the the words Ho Ho Ho and a few red sequins.  

1 image but 3 different and funny (or punny) ways to use it.  Let me know which card you like best.  Tomorrow is National Espresso Day and I will have a really interesting "coffee" post on my blog.  Hope you'll stop by.  Until then - 

Hugs from Brasil  - 

Michael 

Colorful Tangled Leaf Card with Donna Downy Images from Unity Stamp Co.

Happy Monday everyone.  I hope your weekend was great.  Yesterday we went with our friends Baron and Cris explored a town about 45 minutes from us called Piracicaba.  One of the oldest areas this city is called Monte Alegre and was home to a huge sugarcane plantation (Usina) that closed in 1981.  At its height the area had over 5,000 people.  The area is now being renovated and renewed. I will do a separate blog post on the adventure but here are a few interesting photos.

The Usina (or factory) in complete disrepair.

Another photo of the Usina.

Old windows to be used in a new restaurant opening in a few weeks.

Now to share a quick card I made for Day 19 of The Daily Marker's 30 Day Coloring Challenge using two of Donna Downey's images from Unity Stamp Co.  

I started by stamping the Tangled Leaf Background image with Jet Black Archival Ink (Ranger) on white cardstock.  Then I colored in each part of the image using a waterbrush with distress inks (Ranger) and used a heat gun to fully dry the inks.  

I then stamped the phrase "inspiration is everywhere" from the Art & Possibility set on another piece of white cardstock, traced around the phrase with a black marker, cut it out and then adhered it to a piece of black cardstock, which I then adhered to the card front.  Then I went over the whole leaf with a Clear Wink of Stella Brush pen to give it a shimmer, put a dot of white in each of the little circles on the leaves with a White Pen by Uni-ball.

Next I layered the cardstock on a piece of black cardstock, which I then adhered to the card front and, lastly, adhered a few sequins around the card front. 

Done!!  I have to tell you - I love this image.  I have a few other projects in mind using this same image and will share them with you as soon as I get them out of my head.  LOL.  Please let me know what you think of this card by leaving a comment below. 

Enjoy the rest of your day and, until next time - 

Hugs from Brasil - 

Michael

JOY = Gratitude with Emma the Rag Doll and Clear & Simple Stamps

Hello everyone!  Hope your weekend has started off well.  I am hoping to work in the garden this morning and make some sense of all the plants that have decided to take root!  They are calling for rain today and I am hoping they are wrong.  

Today I wanted to share a card I made yesterday for The Daily Marker's 30 Day Coloring Challenge.  I used several stamp sets from Clear & Simple Stamps.  I really love their whole Rag Doll line as they are so unique and different and I will need to add a few new ones to my collection soon.  Every year they send a free gift to everyone that has purchased from them during the year and the phrases on this card was one I got - I think two years ago - and I just love love love this phrase.  It needs to be made into a permanent stamp.  

I started with a top folding A2 card of white cardstock.  I adhered a piece of Christmas themed paper to the card front. Then I cut a piece of white cardstock, 3 7/8" x 5 1/8", and stamped the word JOY with Rhubarb Stalk Memento Ink and the 2nd phrase underneath in Tuxedo Black Memento Ink. Next I stamped the tree stump from the Rag Doll: Scenes 3 set with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and colored it with some Copic Markers.  I then adhered the white cardstock to a piece of red cardstock and adhered both to the card front.

Up next was some paper piercing - I stamped Rag Doll Emma with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink, colored in her skin and hair, and then fussy cut her out.  I then stamped one of her coats from Rag Doll: Coats 1 on to a piece of white cardstock and on two pieces of decorative papers using Tuxedo Black Memento Ink, and then I fussy cut them.  I adhered both pieces of her outfit on to the white cardstock outfit and then adhered this on to Rag Doll Emma.  

Can you say CUTE???

Next I put some pop dots behind Emma and adhered her to the card front so that she is standing on the tree stump leaning against the word JOY.  

I wanted it to look as if she was screaming it to the hills or to all the animals in the forest!!

I also added some Frosted Lace Stickles by Ranger to her coat and adhered a heart gem to the tree stump in place of coloring it in.

The last thing was to add 3 red sequins to the card front.  Here is how the final card looks - 

Well I hope you guys enjoyed this not unconventional Christmas card.  I love this phrase and will have to try and use it a bit more!  Let me know what you think of this card and of Emma, the Rag Doll.  Until next time - 

Hugs from Brasil -

Michael

SIP Challenge 74 - Clean & Simple Christmas Card with IO Stamps

TGIF everyone!!!  Man, today took forever to get here.  This was a crazy week - filled with more clouds and rain than I ever wanted - and I am shocked I actually got this card done in time.  This week's challenge over at Stamp Ink Paper Challenge is Challenge No. 74 - Clean & Simple Christmas - 

To make my card I started with a top folding A2 card base of white cardstock. To the front I adhered a piece of decorative paper with a Christmas feel to it.  Then I cut a piece of red cardstock, 4" x 5.25", which I adhered to the card front.

Next I cut a piece of white cardstock 3.75" x 5".  Using the Round Ornaments 2 set by Impression Obsession, I stamped one of the ornaments with Warm Red Chalk ink by ColorBox (my favorite) and then I embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I then stamped the string the ornament hangs on, also in the Warm Red Chalk ink.  Next I stamped the Happy Holidays To You phrase, also by Impression Obsession, with Jet Black Archival ink by Ranger Inc.  I then adhered this to the red cardstock on the card front.

Next, using the Round Ornament Die by Impression Obsession, I cut the bow out of red cardstock, which I adhered to the top of the ornament.  And the last thing I did was to adhere crystals to the center of the flowers and in the center of the bow.  

Here is a close up of the card front - 

Done!!  I hope this card is CAS enough for the Stamp Ink Paper Challenge.  I think it is.  If you want to upload your own project for the challenge, just click HERE to be taken right over to the page.  

Hope you enjoyed this card!!  Until next time - 

Hugs from Brasil - 

Michael

Being Thankful with Retro Rubber Challenge No. 51

Hello everyone!  Although I have been really busy it seems I cannot get anything done!  Ever have one of those weeks? LOL.  I wanted to share some photos I took last Saturday of a farm Ruy and I went to explore with hopes of taking photos there of the Super Moon.  But it rained both days and it was a total bust.  But it was a fun day trip.  

First we got a bit lost on one of the sugarcane plantations.  So I got out to take a panorama photo.  

  

We were in total cow, horse, mule, bull country!! (I know my friend Toniann will like this photo).

I also got some other cool photos of textures, etc.  But I am still working on them and will share soon. Now for today's card.  Over at the Retro Rubber Challenge Blog they are having Challenge No. 51, which is all about Being Grateful with a photo for inspiration - 

I started with a beautiful background stamp that I have owned for YEARS! Crazy, I know.  It's called Oak Leaf Background (retired) by Heartfelt Creations. Because it's a large stamp, I put it in my Misti and stamped it with Archival Black ink by Ranger on to regular white cardstock.  I then trimmed the image to 4" x 5.25".

Then I pulled out a few Distress Inks - Mustard Seed, Fossilized Amber, Scattered Straw, Spiced Marmalade, and Seedless Preserves.  I applied each of the colors to a clear block and then, using a waterbrush, colored in all the leaves.  I would start with one color, heat set it, and then go back with a darker color, heat set again, and then blend.  

Once it was all colored in and dry I adhered it to a piece of black cardstock, which I then adhered to the front of my A2 sized card cut from Kraft cardstock. Then I stamped the phrase called Many Blessings by Stampendous (retired) on to a piece of Kraft cardstock, adhered it to a piece of black cardstock, and then adhered this to the card front.  The  final step was to lightly brush the leaves with Gold Stickles and allow it to dry.   Done!!

I really like how these Distress Inks worked on this card.  I hope you guys do too.  If you want to enter a project in the Retro Rubber Challenge just click HERE to be taken right to the challenge page.  Until next time - 

Hugs from Brasil - 

Michael