Variations Week: Holley's View

Here's my view on the stunning stamp chosen for variation's week.  This stamp is called Dreaming of Aquamarine Tides from artist Katerina Koukiotis.  What a beautiful stamp.  I paired it with a wonderful saying from Plate #33.  I think that saying is just perfect with her expression.

Be sure and check out all of Katerina Koukiotis' designs at the Sweet Pea store.  She has some really stunning creations.  Be sure and join in the Sweet Pea blog hop today, drop by the entire team's blogs and leave a comment on each member's blog during the hop.  Check back Monday and see who wins.

 

Have a very crafty weekend!

 

Cheers, Holley

Santa's Bag

This is my favorite image - from the ching chou kuik collection it is titled Puppet Angel in the Circus and is currently priced at only $2! Seeing it just makes me think about all the wonderful toys you may find in Santa's Bag soon and I just wanted to show how versatile this stamp really is!

The papers are Vintage Christmas themed from the blog Far Far Hill.

Angel paperdoll

Hope you've had a fantastic new year, all ready for more inspiration and new releases from sweetpea stamps. This time I have gone all out, hoping to get your crafty fingers itching. Time to long for spring :)

The stamps I have used are from ching chou kuik plate 33. Sayings for the arms and legs are from different sheets. The images are colored with promarkers and watercolor pencils. The edges are inked with different distress inks. The doll is cut out in white paper and heavier designer papers for the back and wings. The images for the skirt are masked. I made the pattern for the doll myself. For the top and skirtpart I used 3D tape - thicker for the skirt. The joints of the legs and arms are attached with brads. I made sure the back was as beautiful as the front in case it would hang in a window or similar so I added matching little flowers for the joint's backs. I also added some pretty organza ribbon for the hem and top of the dress.

The doll is about 10" (25cm) tall and you can bend the joints. Hope you liked it!

Ching-Chou Kuik's Masked Fairy in Green...and Black and White...

AND... a little bit of pink.This image is on sale now at the Sweet Pea store for $2.63!!! how can you go wrong! If you have Sweet pea stamps, this is a wonderful addition to your collection. if you don't have any... this lovely image is a great place to start... and what a great deal too!

  I LOVE the banner on our blog, the greyscale inspired me to try and color an image that way myself! I did use the Mardi gras colors of green, purple and gold... the mask made me do it! and then i followed a sketch On SCS. and here is my creation. I added some twiggy things in the background with copic markers and then I outlined them with a skinny black marker. I added the flowers and viola... here she is!

Be sure to check out the Sweet Pea store as there are some amazing deals in the store right now and some AWESOME new artists! 

Here is a close up of the image... well... how did I do? Does it look like the banner! Thanks for stopping in! 

Puppet Angel

This image is ©ching-chou kuik's Puppet Angel in the Circus.  It is one of the images that I found a bit more difficult to decide how to color, but I absolutely LOVE the end result.  I will be honest and admit that even after it was colored, it didn't really come alive until I was making up the card.

I did the face just a touch different than the body thinking about the old porcelain dolls and how they were often made of different materials and didn't quite match.  The papers are a combination of Basic Grey and Pink Paisley with everything mounted on black cardstock to set it all off.  ©ching-chou kuik's Puppet Angel in the Circus is one of the many images currently in the sale section.  I hope you love her too.  She is easy to add to your collection.

Masked Fairy

Hi everyone :) I hope you are all having a wonderful week. Thanks so much for stopping by the Sweet Pea DT blog today. I have a card to share with you using one of my favorite images. This one is called Masked Fairy in Green and you can find her HERE (Sheet 9, Plate 33). I colored the image with copics and then sponged around the image with SU's Pretty in Pink ink. I added glitter and pearls to the image. Next I created my card base out of SU cardstock. The design paper is from K&Co. I added a ribbon and bow, flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts, and a hat pin for some finishing touches. The sentiment is also from Sweet Pea stamps. What do you think?

Thanks again so much for stopping by. Have a wonderful day!

Hugs, Christine

Hey You Hoo!!

One of the sets of images that I have just loved from Artist Elaine Cox is the owls!! I am sharing cards I did with a couple of them here! These images are so adorable. I love their sweet faces and huge eyes. I must say I have been walking my neighborhood at nights (when I get a chance now) and the other night I actually saw an owl! A tiny owl!! Now, some of you probably think that's common to see or funny to be something I so remember, but I live in a large city and can't say I have ever seen owls in the city, so it was a real treat to see one. It makes me think of the one in this card.

For the above card I used Copic markers to color the image and Colorbox chalk edging on the card, American Traditional matching buttons and Bazzill papers. This stamp comes from Elaine Cox Sheet 3 (Plate 40) or it can be purchased individually as "Little Oak tree Owl".

This card also uses images from Elaine's Owls sheet and I have made the card a large 6" size and added a saying from ching chou kuik's Fantasy Art Collect Plate #33. The name of the owl stamp on this image is Owl Pals. I decorated the image with cute Prima flowers and mini sized buttons.

Hope you also love the Owls. Elaine Cox's collection also have several stamps that include wonderful stamps with girls and owls and other fun owl sayings. I hope to post some cards featuring these soon!

Have a great day! Hooty hoo owl lovers!

Holley

Carnival mask

I'm finally back with a project that I'm over the moon about. I got the idea as soon as I saw masked fairy in green. She is holding a mask which I thought would be wonderful for this project.

This is my first try to decorate something that isn't too flat. I'll share my tips with you so you can do the same. It's not that difficult, but the result is stunning.

Here's what I used:
a plain white mask - I got mine in a hobby store for $3
some kind of ink or paint - I used distress ink in green, blue and red
a selection of stamps and thin paper (like the one you use to gift wrap)
decoupage glue
black ink + colouring medium - I used promarkers
glue
ribbons and bling
my sewing machine to attach ribbon to the rubber band (optional)

Start by inking the edges of your mask. Don't ink the mask itself unless you know exactly where your images will go. After making the left side I thought I was done so I inked the right side with bright red. Then I realized I wanted another image to be the focal point. Unfortunately when I glued her on, the bright red shone through. That's why the fairy on the right is so red around her face. So learn from my mistakes :)

Set the mask aside to dry and stamp up your images on the paper (I only had light pink, a packaging from a gift, but if you want your colouring to be more accurate you should use white. I used what I had). I tried to stamp where there were no creases to get a good impression. I also tried to choose stamps that could easily be cut out with no tiny details. Colour them and cut out.

Now for the fun, and scary part! Gluing them on. DO NOT put the decoupage glue on the images. Since the paper is so thin it will rip. Put the glue on the mask instead and the image on top. If you have slightly more glue you will be able to smooth the image out properly. Put the images so they go outside the edges. Cut away so there is about 1/2 inch or less and fold it around the edges.

Work this way one image at a time. Don't be afraid to use parts of an image to cover up any white parts. I used a wing to cover up a spot on the top.

When you're happy with the result fill in any white parts with ink or paint. When it's dry, brush on some decoupage glue over the whole mask to seal it and make it more durable (we wouldn't want the mask to get ruined in the champagne rain, right?)
Now the only thing left to do is to decorate the mask even more. I thought it looked great as it was, but something was still missing. I inked the rubber band, but didn't think it looked elegant enough, so I tried with different ribbons and lace I had until I found the best combo.

The trims I used were stretchy which was perfect for the rubber band/neck holder. It doesn't have to be perfect, just needs to stick.  If you don't have any stretchy trims you could cut away the rubber band and attach long silky ribbon that you tie at the back of your head. Didn't think of it until now. I sewed mine on with a seam made for stretchy fabrics. Another solution is to pull the rubber band while you sew. This will make the ribbon you use to scrunch up when the rubber band goes to its original form.

When you're happy with that attach some trims around the edges. I found these mini-clasps a tremendous help while waiting for the glue to dry. Just make sure you don't leave them over night as they will glue to the mask!

Finally glue on some bling around one of the eyes.
Tadaa! You have the most wonderful (if slightly itchy around the forehead) mask on the whole carnival.

Here's a tip when working with the images: If you want to use an image and a side is "chopped off" so to speak, you can either put that side close to an edge OR do like I did with the image above. If you have an eye for details you will notice that the wings are not really hers. I used a wing from  midnight waiting, stamped it twice and coloured one from the front and one on the back of the paper to make it mirrored. Then they are cut out and aligned so the main stamp image can be put on top without the edges showing through - because they do. Another reason that this stamp was so great - her straps on her shoulders cover up the edges.

Stamps used for this project:
Masked fairy in green
Moonlight whispering
Love is gone
Midnight waiting
Forest blue
Time flies

Hope you've gotten inspired to use your Sweet Pea images for other than just flat items. If you do, make sure to let us know so we can take a look.

/Katarina

Masked Fairy Plate 33

Hi everyone, Micki here.

I went to my 'colored, but don't like' box to see what images I needed to finish and my eye came across Ching-Chou Kuik's 'Masked Fairy in Green' from Plate #33 which I had put aside because I wasn't happy with the wings.

I don't know what I was thinking using those colors, I guess I was just playing around with my copic colors. Anyway, I was really happy with the way the skirt turned out and decided to finish coloring this image. I also wasn't too concerned about matching copic colors with paper. I also used a silk flower on the card. I'm still trying to get the 'knack' of adding embellishments (aka silk flowers) and have it look right. Sigh, work in progress, lol. But what the hey, right? With everything going on, no one needs more stress... keep it fun.

Thanks so much for stopping by and definitely head over to the shop and remember.... we want to see YOUR creations. Happy stamping!

Cards of Late....

Today I would like to share some of the cards I have made with a few different plates lately, I hope you enjoy them.

This is one of my favorite images - ching chou kuik's Sunflower Angel from plate 33:

ching chou kuik's Full Moon from plate 47:

Lisa Victoria's Storytime:

ching chou kuik's Blue Eye Fairy from plate 28 :

Paris Collage from plate 19:

Puppet Angel in the Circus

This beautiful stamp comes from ching chou kuik's fantasy art collection plate #33, called Puppet Angel in the Circus. I used a color combination of browns to complete this card with copic markers with a mute color of grey in the background. I love the look of this stamp. I added the saying that comes on plate #28.

I added a small accent off to the left by using a border punch made by EK Success and added some bling to that. This sheet can be colored in so many different ways, you should look at the other samples that the design team has made with this sheet.

Cheers, Holley

Sunflower Angel

Sweet Pea Stamps has such a variety of images. I took out Sunflower Angel, who I haven't worked with before, and played. This was SO fun! and I just love the end result.

Sunflower Angel is part of ching-chou kuiks Fantasy Art collection at Sweet Pea Stamps. Even better- she is on SALE!!! You should keep an eye on the SALE pages at Sweet Pea Stamps. Not only does Lynette discount new releases initially (YES-CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?) she also has a rotating overstock that gets discounted. I am often in AWE at what is on SALE! Check it out!!!

5 Cards from my blog candy giveaways

I wanted to share with you the cards I created to go with my 5 days of Blog Candy Giveaways. The first was was created with Masked Fairy In Green by ching-chou kuiks plate #33.

The 2nd card was created with Merry Season by ching-chou kuiks plate#20.

For my 3rd card I used Rising Flame ching-chou Kuiks Plate #24.

I used September Rhythm ching-chou kuiks Plate#25.

And for my last card I used Fantasy Easter Ocean ching-chou kuiks Plate#30. You can find all these images here on the Sweet Pea Stamps Store.

Masked Fairy

This is the Masked Fairy in Green - only rebel me I didn't do her in green. As you can plainly see, I focused on purple with some pink thrown in for good measure :). While making this card I precolored multiples of this image. It is a fun one to color and looks great in anything. I love a versatile gal. I really like the mask- it makes me think of Mardi Gras and New Orleans. I have never been to New Orleans during Mardi Gras, but I have visited New Orleans and loved every second of it. I really, really want to go back and spend more time there. I digress, but would love to see your creations with this, or any of the Sweet Pea Stamps, images!

A Lot of Fluff

 

Today I wish to share with you a tip for creating a type of flocking for your creations. It is really simple and fun to do and will open up new ways to embellish your artwork without a lot of expense.

Fluff

Supplies:
    Styrofoam Balls (Unknown)
    Snack Bags (Ziploc)
    Inks

Directions:
Working over a clean surface, rub the two styrofoam balls against each other to turn them into a dust like consistency. I worked over a zipper style sandwich bag so all the fluff could be caught without a big mess. A cheese grater with a fine tooth could also be used but I am all for what is quick and easy.

To color -
Place the dust into a snack bag. Add a drop of ink and toss the dust until well covered, adding more ink as needed. Allow to dry before using.

For my fluff I experiemented with three different forms of color, I found the Lumiere to produce results I liked the best. Being an acrylic paint it dried a lot quicker, however it did not cover as well as the dye ink. The spray covered quickly and pretty good but was slow to dry. The dye ink, which is the recommended way of coloring the fluff dried slowly but provided the most complete coverage in color. I recommend experimented with the inks you have at home to discover which way is the best for your projects.

For the wings on this card I went with a plain white. Attach the fluff with a wet glue, I used Diamond Glaze, I love the stuff, but I have heard Zip Dry works well also.

Hope you have fun fluffing it up!

Masked Fairy in Green (Or Rust and Brown!)....

Hello! Today I have made a card using the gorgeous Masked Fairy in Green from ching-chou kuiks Fantasy Art Collection (sheet 9 plate 33). I have colored her with Copics and given her a little sparkle on her wings with a Clear Spica glitter pen, on her jewelry with a Gold Spica glitter pen, and on her mask with Stardust Stickles. I did a little ink distressing around the edges of the Designer Paper and added some faux stitching. For the final touch I used Golden Brown Scribbles 3D paint to make little faux pearls around the edges of the picture. The Scribbles paint did not settle into as pretty of a pearl shape as Liquid Pearls seems to, but it's what I had in brown! One trick I have learned is to tap the underside of your cardstock after you apply paint to be faux pearls. It helps it "settle" so you don't have those Dairy Queen ice cream cone tops on the tip!

The Details:
Stamp: Masked Fairy In Green - ching-chou Kuik's Fantasy Art Collection - Sweet Pea Stamps
Paper: My Mind's Eye, Dark Chocolate, White (Paper Trey Ink)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Walnut Stain Distress Ink
Copics:
Skin: R00,E00,E11,E13,R20
Hair:E02,E07,E08,E18
Dress:R02,R05,R08,E07,E44,E47,E49
Wings: Y17,YR15,YR16,YR18,E07
Mask and Background: YG21,YG23,YG25,BG10,BG11,BG32,BG13
Misc: Spellbinders Nestabilities Scalloped Rectangle, Golden Brown Scribbles 3D Paint, Atyou Spica glitter pens in Clear and Gold, Stardust Stickles.

I hope you have a Magical Day!
:-)Traci

Customer Gallery Submission: Jean Blenkhorn

A current Smeared and Smudged design team member, Jean Blenkhorn shares her awesome creations.
 
Midnight Waiting:

Masked Fairy in Green:

 

Forest Blue and Puppet Angel in the Circus ,sheet #9/Plate #33

Today I have 2 cards to show you that I made with the newest ching-chou kuiks images on sale now at Sweet Pea Stamps. The first card I used Forest Blue Sheet #9/ Plate #33. I just love her blue hair.
Here is a close up of Forest Blue.
Supplies used on 1st card:
Stamps: Forest Blue by ching-chou kuiks fantasy art collection sheet #9/Plate #33 at Sweet
Pea Stamps. The sentiment is also from the same sheet.
Ink: Memento Tuxedo
Paper: Basic Grey, Blue and black CS DCWV, image stamped on Paper Trey Ink White CS
Accessories: Spellbinders Pendant Die, Green Bling (Me and My Big Ideas), Twinkling H20's over sentiment and edge of card, before added the Twinkling H20's to around the card I used some white acrylic paint(Making Memories in Spotlight) that I applied with a foam brush.
Copics:
Skin: E50, E51, E00, E11, W1, R20
Hair: B000, B00,B01, B12, B05, B06, B16, B23, B32,B34, B37, BG11, BG13 ( I used alot of blues until I got the look I wanted)
Wings: B63, B60, BV13, RV000, Twinkling H2o's on wings
Background: E50,Y00,YR31, B60, B34, B32, B23, Boo, Boo0, BG10,RV000

For the 2nd card I used Puppet Angel in the Circus. She is also from the same sheet.

I distressed the edges of the image and around the mat with a distressing tool. And aged around the papers with some Tim Holtz Ranger Distressing ink in Vintage Photo.

I hope you all like these new images and they are on sale now over at the Sweet Pea Stamps store.

Stamps: Puppet Angel in the Circus by ching-chou kuiks fantasy art collection at Sweet Pea Stamps sheet #9/ Plate#33, the sentiment is also from the same sheet.

Ink: Memento Tuxedo, Tim Holtz Ranger Distressing Ink in Vintage Photo

Paper: DP/ DCWV, Green DP/ Creative Memories, green CS/ MM, image was stamped on PTI white CS

Accessories: Twine, Fiskars circle punch, dark green bling, foam tape

Copics:

Tile checkered Background: Goooo, G00, G02, G21, G94, BG96, BG93

Hair: E47, E57, E77, E30, C-9

Skin/Wood body: E33, E31, E30, E40, E41, E11, R20,RV02, B003

Wings: BV04,BV13,BV02, B63

Others: B05, B02, Y00, Y11, RV02,RV09, R29,R22,Yr09, YR04,V04,V09,V15,V12, E30,E40,E41,W-1

If Alice were a Fairy....

I was working on this gorgeous new image by Ching-Chou Kuik: "Forest Blue" for a Tinkerbell challenge. Once I started coloring her, she kind of reminded me of Alice. And with the whole Alice and Wonderland vibe going on in blogland, it got me to thinking of a fun theme...What if Alice were a fairy...or a mermaid!?!? Well, there's definitely a lot of Ching-Chou images to inspire, so don't be surprised if you see more of my 'Fantasy Alice' creations.

Of course, next time I'd probably give her a blue outfit rather than the Tinkerbell green.

Stamps: "Forest Blue" Ching-Chou Kuik's Fantasy Art Collection sheet 9, "Alice" Alice Sentiments

Supplies: Copic markers; Wings - Sakura Stardust Clear; Moon - Ice Stickles Coffee; Background strip is purple cardstock embossed in Ranger Copper EP and sprayed with Tattered Angels glimmer mist in Marshmallow; Pearls/bling - Prima

A little bit of scramping...

 

This is a scrap book page created with Black Rose Fairy and  Forest Blue. The images were colored with Copics, the flowers are Prima and the papers are DCWV, the teardrops are Robin's Nest Dew Drops and pearls are from Queen & Co.