Monday, April 30, 2012

Prize Winner


Well, the odds were great as only 5 people left a comment to win this little prize package:
Clear stamp set "Cherrywood Lane" from Heidi Grace and
40 yards of hemp cord in four colors from Fashion Naturals.
The Winner is...
Who said... "I think your blog is great - I love reading it"
Glennis, please email me your address (creative@avci.net) and I'll get it out in the mail to you.
Thanks again to everyone who took the time to leave a comment! 
Looking ahead...I'll be the guest designer over at http://www.cardadayblog.blogspot.com/ on Wednesday so tomorrow is a sneak peek at that card.
Then on Wednesday I'll be kicking off 10 great days of Scrapbooking!

Friday, April 27, 2012

Whoo Hoo!! 400 + Followers

Over 400 followers! 
Who would have thunk it when I put together this blog not even a year and a half ago. 
So "THANK YOU" dear followers for joining me on my creative journey.
I've had a lot of fun creating for it and sharing with you all.  It's all been good!
But a great blog gives it's readers what they want to see.  And that is what I'm striving for.
So I want to know what YOU would like to see on this Blog going forward.
Do you want more projects?  Less card samples?  Particular SVG files?  Whatever your thoughts are, positive or negative, I want to hear them.  Please leave a comment with any suggestions, thoughts or ideas for the Blog.
And to reward your participation, I'll choose one commenter on Monday to receive a little prize package.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Umbrella SVG Freebie

Just getting under the "April Showers" deadline with this cute little umbrella freebie SVG.  You can get the file HERE.
If you'd like some "May Flowers" to go with that umbrella, I also have this new file.
You can get it HERE.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

"Congrats!" Graduation Card

Creative Team member Vicki over at PAPER SQUIRREL used an image from my
I think she did an awesome job and if you click over to her blog, you will see all the great design details.  As for myself, I have a few more Graduation cards I need to get made soon!  If you do too, you'll find eight different graduation themed sets.  And if you're still scrapping LAST year's grad, I have dated files still available for 2011.  Just click HERE to see my complete catalog of SVG files.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Crafting at Sea

If you've ever been on a cruise, you understand why "Days At Sea" can be so much fun.  There are lots of activities to keep cruisers busy in case they don't want to lay out by the pool or hit the buffet!  On the cruise I went on last month, one of the activities was card making.  I had to laugh when the young lady who was in charge of it stated she knew nothing about crafting!  Luckily all the ladies there were rabid crafters (after all, who'd give up the sun and food to craft on vacation?!!) and had no problem diving into making cards.  A large selection of prefolded card bases and lots of precut scraps of paper and ribbon plus flowers and brads were spread out for everyone to choose from.  We collected the pieces we wanted to use and sat down for about 45 minutes to put together our cards.  It was a lot of fun seeing just how different all our cards looked even though we used the same elements.  And I have to say it was challenging to use just scissors and a tape runner to put them all together too.  (Missed my ruler, punches and white pen!) 
Above are the three cards I made on my wonderful vacation.   I was pleased when I unpacked them to find that they made the trip home without a wrinkle or an element missing!  Now to stamp some sentiments on them...

I think that this would be a great "activity" for a shower.  For example, instead of playing Bingo or some other game, put out a good supply of precut scrap elements and let the ladies make a card or two.  Even those who claim "they aren't crafty" could easily put something together if you ad a few samples to show.  And everyone would get a "prize"--some cards to take home.  

Friday, April 20, 2012

"Tent Topper" Graduation Card

Have you tried a "Tent Topper" card yet? 
Of course, I had to do mine a little different.  I like the look of a rounded top on a card and by modifying the traditional "Tent Topper" style I created my version.  Here's the side view:
The plain black cardstock oval (cut with my beloved and no longer made Coluzzle) is glued to the back of the black striped paper.  Then the joined pieces were attached to the front of the card base.  The smaller oval "Typewriter Alphabet" paper  (from The Paper Studio) is glued to the front and ties the layers together.  The mortarboard hat is a diecut from my SVG set GRADUATION SET TWO.  I lifted the hat off the card with pop dots.  Black Soot Distress Stickles were added around just the bottom portion of the Typewriter Alphabet paper as this made a nice border.  I stamped the sentiment on a strip of scrap white cardstock and hand cut the "vee".  I added ribbons, cut to different lengths and "veed", above and below the sentiment strip.
TIP:
After graduation season, look for big discounts on the specialty 2012 ribbon.  I got this set super CHEAP because it was from 2008.  Guess what?  I used that "2008" ribbon on the card above....I just turned it over!
This card has been entered into the following Challenges:

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Canvas Resist Technique on Mother's Day Card

This is a clean and simple card that features a fun technique as the focal point:  Canvas Resist.  If you've never tried Canvas Resist, you'll be hooked once you do. 
Here are the simple steps:
1.  Choose the stamp(s) you want for your design. 
2.  Ink the stamps up with Versamark and stamp on sticky-back canvas
3.  Heat emboss with white embossing powder.
4.  Using Distress Inks, apply liberally on the canvas (I use three to four colors, pressing the pads right on the canvas)
5.  Spritz with water and let the magic happen as the DIs wick out and blend!
To make the simple card, just choose coordinating designer paper and a ribbon and put them together.  Easy Peasy and very special! 

This card is entered into the following Challenges:
Let's Ink It Up---#22 Distressing
Totally Papercrafts--#112 Things With Wings
Crafty Ribbons Challenge--#17 Things With Wings

Monday, April 16, 2012

Faux Enamel Tile Project

It's been a while since I gave you a complete project, so today I'm sharing my "Faux Enamel Tile".  I know others have played with using alcohol inks on tiles, but this is what I came up with through trial and error.  I think it looks pretty cool....hope you like it too!  Supply list at bottom of post.

FAUX ENAMEL TILE
(c) 2012 Cindy Pointe
Instructions:
1.  Clean tile with rubbing alcohol on a paper towel and allow to air dry.
2.  Using blending tool with felt pad, apply alcohol ink (Denim & Sailboat Blue) and blending solution to the pad.  Pounce and swirl tool to cover the entire tile.
3.  Using various stamps, arrange into a pleasing design.  (I used my Fiskars Stamp Press to arrange them, but you could do a sample design on a scrap piece of paper and then follow that)  Stamp with embossing ink then heat emboss with white embossing powder.
4. With alcohol ink, add color to each flower using a paint brush.  (I squirt the AIs out on my craft mat and pick up from there.  I will also add blending solution to the AI as needed to keep it flowing.)
(NOTE: If you're using ink darker than the background, just go right over it.  If you want to use a lighter color, like the bottom yellow flower, use blending solution on the paint brush to "lift" off the background first.)
5.  Go back with the blending tool and more background ink/blending solution to pounce a darker area where the sentiment will be placed. (I do this after all the other inking is done so that I don't wipe it off by holding the tile.  Also, sometimes I change my mind on where I want the sentiment to go once all the other stamping is done)
6.  Stamp sentiment the same way the flowers were applied.  Using a paint brush and more of the background AI colors/blending solution, pounce around the area to blend the light and dark areas together.
7.  Heat set the inks using heat gun then spray with multiple thin layers of sealer.  (NOTE:  Other sealers MAY work but all the others I tried made the AI bleed.  For best results use the recommended spray.  However, if you want to try what you have on hand, do a sample tile.  Don't risk ruining all your work!  On the other hand, if you don't like what you have done, it's easy to remove using blending solution and a razor.  Just be sure to change it BEFORE you seal!)
I have mine displayed on a little easel but you could use strong adhesive
to apply a hanger to the back.

Supply List:
*White glazed tile--6" x 8" (available at Lowe's or Home Depot)
*Adirondack Alcohol Inks:  Cranberry, Eggplant, Sunshine Yellow, Purple Twilight, Lettuce, Denim, Sailboat Blue.
*Adirondack Alcohol Blending Solution
*Stamps:  Scrappy Cat "Sunny Days" and "Flower Sketch", Chatterbox "Fabulous", Tim Holtz sentiment
*Distress Embossing Ink
*White Embossing Powder
*Sealer:  Tree House Studio Clear Acrylic Gloss Coating (available at Hobby Lobby)
*Misc:  rubbing alcohol, Ranger Ink Blending Tool with felt pad, craft mat (optional), Fiskars Stamp Press (optional), heat gun, paint brush, paper towels

Entering this tile into the following Challenges:

Saturday, April 14, 2012

SVG Store Updates and Price Reductions

Graduation time is right around the corner so I updated all the Graduation SVG files in the store to 2012.  Don't worry if you're a little behind and still need files with 2011---those are still up.  I also permanently 
REDUCED THE PRICE ON OVER 30 SVG FILES/SETS
I offer 87 SVG files/sets for sale. 
I hope you'll check out all my SVG electronic cutter files at
Get this file HERE
Get this file HERE 
 Get this file HERE
 Get this file HERE
 Get this file HERE
Get this file HERE

Friday, April 13, 2012

I'm a Graduate!

It's official...I'm a new Grad!!  It's been a few years since I was able to say that!  lol
I was finally able to finish last month's "Creative Chemistry 101", the on line class with Tim Holtz.
He shared so many great things...from how to use your tools and supplies to the properties of products to actual finished samples...and it was AWESOME!!  I learned a TON of things and over the next few months, I'm sure I will be sharing my own take on them.  However, if you are interested in learning from the master himself, you can still take the class as "Independent Study"...which is basically what I did as most of the class was going on while I was on vacation.  
If you're interested in checking the class out, click HERE.
I'm not affiliated with On Line Card Classes in any way, just sharing something I thing is a good thing.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Mother's Day Card

The theme this week over at CARD A DAY BLOG is Mother's Day.
As today's featured designer, I created a vintage looking card for my Mom.

I stamped the images in one pass using my Fiskars Stamp Press.  By using the grid on the press, I could lay the three stamps out in a pleasing and nicely spaced design (and it's easy to stamp multiples using the press). 
I colored the image using watercolor pencils that complimented my paper choices.  After I was done coloring, I went over it all with the waterpen to soften and blend the colors. 
I placed a layer of Glossy Accents over the "Mother" stamp.  This gives it some nice dimension.  I also attached the lace and ribbon using GA.  This way nothing is sticky through the lace.  The ribbon was bright but I was able to tone it down using Vintage Photo DI. 
The corsage pin had a white pearl top.  I changed that to match the card using alcohol ink.  The beads were added using GA.  I stuck the end of the pin into the paper so that the sharp end wasn't exposed.

Supplies List
Paper:
8.5" x 11" white cardstock, folded and trimmed to fit
5.5" x 7.75" and 7" x 7" (cut into bracket frame) of designer paper (K & Company SW Nature)
3.5" x 6" brown cardstock
3" x 5" white cardstock
Stamps:
Hero Arts (Demo), Hot off the Press (Vintage Ladies), 7 Gypsies (Ink Family)
Inks:
Archival Ink (Sepia), Distress Ink (Wild Honey, Vintage Photo, Alcohol Ink (Caramel)
Embellishments:
Antique Lace, Ribbon, Pearl Corsage Pin, Beads, Lock Charm
Misc:  Watercolor Pencils, Waterpen, Glossy Accents, Martha Stewart Border Punch, Adhesives
I've entered this card into the following Challenges:

Monday, April 9, 2012

Craft Pick Tip

Two tools I've been using a lot of lately are the Tim Holtz craft pick and his ruler.  The ruler has evenly spaced holes in the bottom and by using the craft pick in these, I can easily mark on my paper where I want to make punches, place eyelets, brads and more.












One dilemma was what to place the ruler and paper on so that the pick could easily (and safely) be pushed through.  The self healing cutting mat worked okay but the pick would get stuck in it.  I discovered a great solution when I recycled the foam "mat" that is placed into a new Kindle or IPad case.  This works perfectly and is just the right size to keep out on my work station.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Happy Easter!

HE IS RISEN!!
Wishing you and your family all the blessings of this Easter Season.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Free SVG: Easter Egg


The Easter Bully came early and left you another free SVG file!
You can get it HERE.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Free SVG: Easter Bunny

It's time for an Easter Freebie!
You can grab this file HERE.
Plus check out these other NEW Easter Files!
 Easter Bunny Set Available HERE.
 Easter Egg Set Available HERE.
I also have EASTER HEADINGS and EASTER CROSSES Sets Available.


Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Bejeweled Bird

This fun and funky piece came about because I wanted to use some of the jewelry bits and pieces I'd been collecting.  When I found a bag of metal clip candle holders, I got to thinking of what I could do to combine them.  And I was curious to see if Glossy Accents could hold them all together.  The result was this blingy bird! 

The head is a washer with an earring attached for the eye.  The beak is the earring back.  The beads are glued to pieces of wire.
The body is the candle holder base.  I cut off the clip (which half of became the tail) and bent down the "petals" of the holder.  I attached a gold earring as the wing. 
Curled wires with feather charms accent the tail.  The legs are wire and the base is a wooden block covered with designer paper and distressed.  And yes, Glossy Accents worked beautifully to hold this all together!!
This is my last submission as a Design Team member for The Cheerful Stamp Pad's biweekly Challenge.  I've had a lot of fun playing with Vicki and the gals over there and hopefully can rejoin them sometime in the future!

This piece is entered into the following Challenges:

Monday, April 2, 2012

Shopping Alert!


Tim Holtz's "Compendium of Curiosities II" is available now at

 

"Thanks Teacher" Card

Yes the school year will be over soon so the designers over at Card A Day Blog are showing "Teacher Appreciation" cards all this week.  Today my card is featured. 

Base:  Kraft Cardstock (4.25" x 11")
Digital Image:  "School Girl" from Paper Squirrel
Scraps:  Red  (3.5" x 3.5") and Blue (1" x 4")
Ribbon:  Ruler (3")
Die Cuts:  My Minds Eye
Misc:  Scrap Kraft Cardstock, Letter Stickers, Eyelets, Water Color Pencils, Water Pen, Adhesives

I printed the digital stamp onto a scrap piece of Kraft, colored with watercolor pencils/water pen and cut out.  Next I adhered all the elements to the card base as shown. 
Tip:  the ribbon was a scrap (love to use up my scraps!) which I trimmed on the card edge.  To keep it from fraying, I ran a thin bead of Glossy Accents along the cut edge.
Finally I placed the lettering and eyelets.


This card is entered into the following Challenges:

Sunday, April 1, 2012

March Blog Candy Winner!

Are you a follower?  If you are, you were entered into the monthly Blog Candy Giveaway.
The March winner of the
Hampton Arts Mini Flip Flops Clear Stamps
"Whoo Says"
is:
Kristina, Stina, wwotbt
 Kristina, please email me with your address before April 9th to claim your prize:

Now for the April Blog Candy
Tim Holtz Crushed Olive Distress Ink