The Happy Room

Who thought nail polish was only for your nails????

This card was made with the "Nail Polish Backgrounds", a great technique I learned years ago at Technique Junkies.

My friend came over to craft the other day and she brought with her 3 bottles of blue/green/teal nail polishes. I couldn't wait to dig into them and start playing. So, this is the first card that I created.

I didn't stop with just making backgrounds. I figured out that painting the half circular plastic beads that I purchased at Michael's ($6 for a bag of 1,000 in the floral section) made for some spectacular opaque Faux Dew Drops. Woot!! And it's wonderful to be able to make them to MATCH the project.

After making the background, I Cuttlebug'd the piece of cardstock. I loved it so much I didn't want to put a single thing on it to cover up one little inch of the background.

UPDATE: A few papercrafter's have asked me how I painted such a small object. Easy! I put two sided tape on a piece of scratch paper. Then, I placed the drops onto the tape and painted them. Let them dry and when you're ready to use them, they easily come off the tape.

Hope you enjoyed the project and thanks for stopping by today!! If you haven't signed my Guestbook, please do!! I love to see all of your comments and smiling faces!

~Kathie

I made this card for someone dear to me who lost her husband recently. I used some lovely background paper that was a gift from a friend. Same friend gave me the peach/gold swiss dotted paper that coordinated nicely. (Gotta love great friends who give paper as gifts!)The design was case'd from one of my stamping heroes, Tosh Leyendecker of Stamp Talk With Tosh. Her blog is so fabulous!! You can see Tosh's card HERE.

I added the stitching with my Janome Sew Mini sewing machine. The die cuts are all from Spellbinders, the flowers and lace are all from a local mill ends fabric store.

Thank you for stopping by!!

~Kathie

This is a fun little card I made using three different techniques that I learned from the Technique Junkies group. I loved it because the sketch (also from the TJ group) helped me use up so many of my scraps that I'd been saving for years (packrat alert!).

The image is from Taylored Artwork, a fabulous stamp company that's right here in AZ!

Hope you enjoy the card! Happy Super Bowl Sunday!!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Kathie

I used some of my favorite products on this "Faux Torquoise Stone" card. The technique is something that I used for the entire background/base of the card; I learned it over at the Technique Junkies group.

I added some Flower Soft to the trees, some Dew Drops to the corners and the little leaf (might be hard to see) is an embellishment that I picked up at Michael's in the jewelry section.

Hope you enjoy my "Faux Torquoise Stone" card and thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Stampin' Up!/Stampendous
Punches: Martha Stewart, Marvy
Dew Drops: Michael's Clear Drop, in the floral section. I colored them with Alcohol Inks.

~Kathie

Hello Blog Hoppers!! Weren't Judy and Vada's projects full of inspiration? (If you didn't arrive here from the Technique Junkie blog, you don't want to miss what our whole DT has in store for you! The Technique By Design Challenge starts HERE, so be sure to go back and start from the beginning).

I hope you like the card I created especially for this hop. It uses two techniques: Starch Smoosh and Brayered Brilliance. Both fast and easy techiques with some eye popping results. The center flower was made from scrap cardstock; the silver flourishes are from a Sizzix die cut. The material used for those flourishes was an ice tea can! Recycling!! Woot!

Now, let's move on to the exciting new challenge that we've created for you!!

Here's how the "Technique By Design Challenge/Contest works:

You can have an opportunity to BECOME A JUNKIE FOR LIFE!
Here is how:


1. Follow the sketch...The sketch uses Six 1-1/2" pieces; three sets of two different techniques or cardstock pieces. This is a great way to incorporate technique backgrounds into your cards. Just make sure the colors coordinate and you can mix and match different techniques on your card with a stunning effect! If you make extra backgrounds when trying out the techniques, you will love being able to use them here. Note: in order to qualify for the drawing, at least two different TJ techniques must be used on the card, and one of those two techniques must be used on the squares.
2. Post a link to Pat's Blog
3. The deadline to the challenge is March 15th.

We hope that all of you join us in our first challenge of this kind!! This was such a fun project for all of us on the design team. We want you to have some too, so come and join us!!

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to stop and see the next fabulous TJ Designer, Jane Bosi HERE

Make these "Top Note Die" boxes as seen on 3TV's "Your Life A to Z" in Phoenix!

Here's how:

SUPPLIES
Top Note Die (or other die shape of your choice)
Die Cutting Machine
2 pieces of cardstock measuring 4 1/4" X 5 1/2"
Scoring tool to score cardstock
Glue or tape
Chipboard
Pattern Paper
Scissors
Any other embellishments for top of box

Step 1: With the die and a die cutter, cut 2 chipboard shapes. (Be green and recycle old cereal boxes or other containers! And it's FREE!)

Step 2: Die cut two pieces of patterned paper.

Step 3: Glue each piece of patterned paper to the chipboard shapes.

Step 4: Cut two pieces of cardstock 4 1/4" X 5 1/2"

Step 5: Score at 1" all the way around on one piece of the cardstock.

Step 6: Score at 1 1/16" all the way around on the second piece of cardstock.

Step 7: Cut the two score lines on each of the short ends on both of the cardstock
pieces.

Step 8: Fold and glue the ends to create the box top. Repeat the same steps on the second piece of cardstock to form the box bottom.

Step 9: Attach the box TOP to the die cut shape (attach on the chipboard side).

Step 10: Attach the box BOTTOM to the die cut shape (attach on the patterned paper side).

Step 11: Embellish as desired and enjoy!!!

NOTE: If you don't have a die and a die cutting machine, the box can still easily be created by cutting a piece of chipboard to 3 1/4" X 4 1/4". Then, just follow the rest of the easy steps!

I hope you enjoy making these delightfully easy gift boxes!

Thanks for stopping by!

I found this incredible Christmas Ornament project on Yvonne's blog and couldn't wait to try it. I made it for a VERY special friend~hope she likes it. The link to the blog will take you to a picture tutorial; I found it pretty easy to follow!

I used a medallion stamp from I Brake For Stamps and colored it with SU markers. Pearls (small) are from my stash; the large pearl brad is from Wilton (in the wedding section of Michael's). All of the die cuts used in making the ornament at Spellbinder's Nestabilities.

Looks like the holidays are upon us~I'm already excited about all the fabulous papercrafting possibilities!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Kathie

This card features the ever popular floating re-inker technique which I LOVE!! I stamped the image onto SU's Shimmery White cardstock and painted away with some reinkers and an aqua pen. Sheer delight!!

The mirrored background behind the rose is one of those finds that I can't trace. When I subscribed to Vamp Stamp News, I received a sheet of it inside one of my magazines. I hoarded it (like I do with many things) and recently ran across it, so I decided to die cut it with my SU Top Note Die cut and place it behind my rose image.

The die cuts are miscellaneous cuts from my stash, the fern is a Martha Stewart punch. I stitched around the layer with my Janome Mini sewing machine.

This card is dear to me, as I made it for a very special friend of mine in the stamping world. I'm glad you love it Bonnie!!! Visit Bonnie's blog HERE for some incredible eye candy!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

~Kathie

CLICK ON THE PHOTO FOR A LARGER VIEW


This is my entry for an Asian card challenge over at the Michael Strong Yahoo Group.
My card base is the ever popular Tri Shutter Card design. I used several Michael Strong Stamps in my design. They are:Cloisonne' Fan, the Cloisonne' Triangle and the Cloisonne' Circle both from the Cloisonne' Elements Collection
HERE IS HOW I MADE THE CARD:

I stamped the fan image 3 times with VersaMark ink onto black cardstock and embossed with PSX Gold embossing powder. I left the first fan intact as one piece, but cut the other two images apart and layered and curled each piece for dimension, adding foam mounting tape. I added a gold brad at the base and cut small pieces of gold cord which are glued under the brad.

The outer panels are a beautiful red cardstock purchased from a local paper store. It has small gold specs embedded into the paper. I ran those through a Cuttlebug to give it some texture and used a Marvy Corner Scallop punch on each corner.

The left panel addtionally has 4 small triangle images pieced together on top of the red cardstock. I made the "stick" by wrapping the multicolored red/black/gold cardstock around a wooden bamboo skewer, then glueing it with Aleen's Tacky Glue. Then, I wrapped gold cord around the stick, securing it on each end with the same glue.

All else is basic stamping/embossing/cuttlebugging, etc with the exception of the "kite". It features the 2 triangle images again with a kite tail made from the same red/black/gold paper. I cut a thin strip of the paper and wound it around a BBQ skewer. Then, I sprayed the paper with a light mist of water and dried it with my heat tool. I slid the skewer out and had a wonderful curly piece of paper that I added to the triangle. An asian kite!!!

The final element is the beaded fringe which I purchased and glued to the top strip of the card. The beads show up a little better in real life~they add so much character to any project!!

I hope you've enjoyed it and thanks for looking!!

Kathie

Hey Blog Hoppers! Welcome my blog stop on the Technique Junkies Design Team Treasure Hunt. Weren't Judy and Vada's projects fabulous?? Now, if you didn't see their creations, hop on over HERE to begin. By starting there, you'll be able to have a full tour and see all the fabulous designs that our Design Team has in store for you!! Plus, it will tell you all about the Treasure Hunt!! Our fearless leader, Pat Huntoon, has prepared a prize through a drawing that just might be yours if you qualify to win! She "leaked" the information to the design team a day or two ago. WOW~it's a doozie and WELL worth your time!!

Here's how it works: Start at the TJ blog to collect your first clue. At each stop, you'll find another clue. At the end of the treasure hunt, you'll have all the clues which will enable you to put them all together to spell the secret message. Leave a comment on the TJ website (your last stop on the tour)~you won't be able to see your comments, but don't worry. They're there, just moderated so others can't see your answers!! On or after August 3rd, Pat will select a winner from those who provided the correct answer to the treasure hunt mystery. Fun, huh??

All of our designs are "sneek peeks" into the August issue of the Technique Junkies newsletter! And we'll have another Treasure Hunt next month! So let's get going with another clue to help you enter to win..............

This technique is called Starch & Smoosh. It's fast, it's easy, and it's spectacular!! My friend and I spent a joyous afternoon making dozens of these backgrounds. They are beautiful enough to use "as is", but I like to add to them! So versatile!

I hope you enjoy the project. And your reward for looking is the letter U. And don't stop here, because our very talented designer Lisa Sommerville, has a great technique and project for you! Click HERE to visit her on your next stop. Happy Hunting!!
~Kathie

CLICK ON THIS PHOTO FOR A LARGER VIEW!!!!

This was such a fun project! I love the Michael Strong images for intricate cards because each image adds so much elegance and flair.

This is the oh-so-popular Tri Shutter Card. I found some great directions on Bonnie's blog HERE that made my project so easy!! Just a few scores and straight cuts and Voila! Instant beauty!!

I used Bazzill Boyzenberry cardstock for my base and some miscellaneous background papers for the layering. I knew that a Michael Strong image would be the perfect addition to this card. WOW! I'm so happy that I had this assortment of his Cloisonne' images in my stamp collection because it was the exact look I was going for.

The Cloisonne' squares and circles adorn the outer panel of this card. I punched larger circles and squares from some gold cardstock scraps I had on hand to frame each image. The smaller inside panels are decorated with the Cloisonne' leaf. I gently curled the leaves and shaped them by hand and added them to the panels with foam dimensional tape. (All of these images were stamped with VersaMark ink and embossed with Stampendous PearLustre Gold Embossing Powder). The layer below the leaves is the same scrapbook paper flipped over (it's two sided) and I edged each side with a Gold Foil Pen. AND......each layer of scrapbook paper was punched with my Marvy Scallop punch. I LOVE THAT THING!!

The center panel boasts the ever popular Michael Strong Dragonfly image that you see in SO many of my projects. It's the perfect size and shape for so many of my creations. I stamped it in VersaMark and embossed with Stampendous' PearLustre Garnet Embossing Powder.

The four small panels are background paper which I edged with a technique called Drywall Stitching. What in the world is that???? I learned it at Technique Junkies!!

The small hanging beads are from Dollar Tree.

I hope you've enjoyed the project and thanks for stopping by!!!!

Kathie

BE SURE TO CLICK ON THIS PICTURE FOR A NICE LARGE VIEW!!!

I made this card for a friend who is ill. I thought a bright and cheery card with a loving christian theme and message was a wonderful way to let her know that I was praying for her recovery. It's great to be able to create something beautiful for someone else that's suffering in hopes to brighten their day, right? Although this card was time consuming, I used the time to pray for my friend as I created and to send prayers of thanksgiving to God for all the blessings in my life.

This card is called a "Tri Shutter Card". I found some wonderful directions on Bonnies' blog HERE. I love the fact that the design gives so many little places to create! I used Stampin' Up's Tempting Torquoise cardstock for the base and some white scrapbook paper (which already had the thread running through it) for the outside panels. The black and white paper is velvet flocked (which came that way) and the black panels are plain black cardstock which I embossed in silver.

The white flowers are from Michael's in the wedding section. I added the silver metal studs and the torquoise gems to them. The hanging beads are from a fabric store; the little crystal cross is from Michael's.

Since the praying hands stamp is directional, I decided to stamp it on acetate with Black Staz-On ink so I could flip one of the images over, making them both face inward. I used a technique called "Metallic Echo" behind the hands. The technique is from Technique Junkies, a wonderful technique group that I couldn't do without!

And lastly, the main image is stamped and embossed.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you've enjoyed this project!!