CASology #4

CASology #4, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

It's Tuesday and that means a new challenge over on CASology! This week's cue word is BIRD.

I totally went a different way than I had originally planned....but I like the outcome! ;-)

I pulled out a seldom-used tree set by Inkadinkado. It's such a fun little set!

I stuck a sticky note on the side to mask off the edge of the card blank, then stamped the trunk and branches, added the grass, nest, eggs and bird, then stamped leaves everywhere.

Stamping leaves is very soothing.

Ink....stamp. Ink...stamp. Ink...stamp.

And repeat like 500 times.

See? Soothing, I tell you.

Then I grabbed a cool little set by Hero Arts for the sentiment.

Done.



Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (white card blank)
Stamps: Inkadinkado (Trees set); Hero Arts (Classic Messages set)
Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Gathered Twigs, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Faded Jeans) and Distress Marker (Tumbled Glass)



If you've got a minute, come join us over at CASology. And it only takes a minute because it's CAS, right?

Well, if you don't stamp 500 leaves, it will only take a minute...

=D


~Cynthia

Hanging' Out With Stephanie Ackerman (OK not really)

Hanging' Out With Stephanie Ackerman (OK not really), a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

Actually, I've been hanging out on Stephanie's blog site. Which is probably about as close to Stephanie as I'm ever gonna get....but, whoah is she an amazing artist!!

I absolutely LOVE her style! You know, cuz it's all TIM HOLTZ and all! ;-)

Anyway, I decided to make a few things a la Stephanie and this is what I came up with.

On the left is a simple kraft tag. I ran it through the Cuttlebug, distressed it; cut a wonky heart from Sticky Back Canvas, distressed it; ripped some lines from a book and distressed it. (If you can't see the words, they say: "Live close to the soil and live close to the sky!")

And then sprayed the whole thing with my brand new Biscotti Perfect Pearls Mist.

On the right is a piece of junk wood. I followed Stephanie's tutorial for this one.

I glued on some Tim Holtz paper and tissue tape, some 7 Gypsies paper (the bird and the numbers at the top), and a tag from those one-serving coffee bags (the sunrise). Between all that, I distressed and distressed and distressed some more.

I'm REALLY loving this.

Yes I am.

I will have to open an Etsy shop and sell stuff to pay for my latest addiction.



Happy Monday!! =D


~Cynthia

CASEing Stevens89

CASEing Stevens89, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

OK, so many things to say about this one....

First, apologies for the odd glare on the photo on the page. Not real sure what happened there. I will blame it on Operator Error. Heh.

Second, I got the grid idea from Stevens89 in the Two Peas in a Bucket Gallery. That place is so awesome for inspiration! :-)

Third, funny story about the grid papers. I ordered something from my LSS and they sorta kinda took a bit too long to get it in, so I went to my Not So Local Scrap Store and bought it. On sale even! And then, of course, two weeks later my LSS called and said it was in.

Humph.

So....the LSS felt kinda sorta bad about taking so long so they gave me this card making kit for free. You know, the kind you buy for a class?? With all the parts in a bag, the papers already trimmed, the embellishments already made, the images already stamped, with photos and instructions too.

That was very sweet of them of course, but I lean toward the CAS style of card making.

So I chopped up the bits and made this scrapbook page instead! =D

Ergo, I have no idea who made the pretty patterned paper. The solid cardstock is from Bazzill and the backing paper is from My Mind's Eye.

And (deep breath here and bless you if you are still reading...)

...Fourth, this page came about because Shimelle Laine hosted a challenge a while back to scrap a crappy photo. (OK, I may have paraphrased the "crappy" part a bit.)

This photo of Fort Federica in Georgia (USA) has been sitting in my castoffs album because it's...well, pretty crappy. I *think* I was trying to get a shot of the flag flapping in the wind, but my timing was off.

And I was too far away.

And it looks like a photo of a tree now.

And the tree looks like some kind of Easter Island statue.

But I took a nod from Shimelle and scrapped it anyway.

So there.



Thanks for reading all that! ;-)

~Cynthia

CASology #3

CASology #3, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

This week's cue word on the CASology challenge is FRUIT.

I needed a new home card so I went with the very traditional pineapple. Here in the Southeast corner of the US, the pineapple has long been the symbol of welcoming someone to your home. You'll find pineapples everywhere here--on flags, stepping stones, and mailboxes. I thought it would be perfect for a new home card! ;-)

I stamped the pineapple twice--once on the card blank and then again on a piece of scrap card blank. I cut out the second one and adhered it to the card blank image. I off-set the leaves just a bit to make them appear fuller and I popped the pineapple part up for some dimension.

Because I don't seem to have a new home stamp (THE HORRORS), I used some dollar alpha stamps for my sentiment.


Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (ivory card blanks)
Stamps: Hero Arts (Simply the Best set); Studio G (Alphabet Stamps)
Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Markers (Rusty Hinge, Peeled Paint) and Distress Ink (Peeled Paint)
ETC: EK Success (Pop Dots); Glue Glider Pro



Go check out CASology! The challenges are such fun and the cards provide tons of inspiration! Play along with us this week!! =D

~Cynthia

Grunge Paper Couture

Grunge Paper Couture, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

Oooooo, this is so COOL!

And I can totally say that because it wasn't my idea!! LOL!

I saw a mention of this on Tim Holtz's Twitter feed and went over to the Studio L3 site to check out Linda Ledbetter's tutorial for a Funky Grungeboard and Word Band Bracelet.

Seriously. Go there now. I'll wait....


What did I tell you? COOL, NO?? =D

Linda got the idea from Beate Johns over on SplitcoastStampers. Check out the original tutorial here.

So I had been hoarding an entire package of Grunge Paper and decided to go for it!

((Grunge Paper is thinner and more pliable than Grunge Board. I have the Paper so I used that instead of the Board.))

I cut a two-inch-wide (or so) strip of the Grunge, then rounded the corners. I distressed the heck out of it using various brown Distress Stains.

Then I ran it through the Cuttlebug using the Script embossing folder. I had to vary Linda's directions a bit because I wanted my script embossed and not debossed. So in the end, I brushed the raised letters on the Grunge Paper with a Pitch Black Dabber and that worked fine. (Linda painted the inside of the embossing folder to create a different look.)

Then I sanded it a bit and then ran more Distress Stains over it.

It looks like leather...or maybe even grunged up cork.

So cool.

Linda used some huge snaps, which I don't have--so I just used a brad. I can squeeze my fingers inside the bracelet to push the brad arms straight to remove the brad and thus remove the bracelet. But use whatever you have. I was experimenting! :-)

I did heat set this baby, but as Tim says...be careful going outside--you don't want to look like a walking Skittle. All that Distress goodness will react to water or rain. ;-)



Supplies:
Paper: Tim Holtz Idea-ology (Grunge Paper)
Colorants: Tim Holtz Distress Stains (Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain, Frayed Burlap, Brushed Corduroy); Adirondack/Ranger (Pitch Black Dabber acrylic paint)
ETC: Cuttlebug (Script embossing folder); The Paper Studio (brad); WeRMemory Keepers (Corner Chomper); 1/8-in hole punch



Thanks so much for stopping in today! Happy Monday! =D


~Cynthia

CASEing Serious Play

CASEing Serious Play, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

I've been following Cindy on her Serious Play blog for a while now and I absolutely love her style! I decided to shamelessly copy this scrapbook page because it's gorgeous!!

I totally started out wanting to use Cindy's color scheme--all pales and lights and dreaminess.

And then I took a left turn into dark and bold and...er...pumpkin pie-ness.

That's totally a word.

I used that deep burnt orange because it brought out the stripes in the lighthouse.

And yes, Morris Island Lighthouse is currently sitting in the middle of the ocean. Well not quite the middle, but IN IT. It used to be on an island, but that has been eroded over the past few hundred years and now Morris Island stands in the water. When the tide is out you can barely see the tiny sand bar that holds the lighthouse upright.

I digress.

I ended up really liking the page. The shattered look behind the photo is cool. And I like the paint splats too.

Thanks for the inspiration, Cindy!!! =D



Supplies:
Paper: Bazzill (pumpkin cardstock); The Paper Studio (script paper); BoBunny (mat paper); Stash (flags and banners)
ETC: Tim Holtz (Tissue Tape); The Paper Studio (letter stickers); homemade color spray (acrylic paint + water); Glue Glider Pro




I do apologize for the horrid photo. The sun was my enemy today--there really aren't ghost-like flashes all over the picture. Just squint a bit and pretend you can't see them! ;-)


~Cynthia

CASology #2: HAPPY

CASology #2: Happy, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

This little guy not only makes me smile every time I see him, he also makes me just plain HAPPY!

Conveniently, that's this week's challenge over on CASology where the cue word is HAPPY!

I stamped the gnome using Distress Markers (HAPPY) to color him then stamped the sentiment in black ink. I like how he's sitting right on the word too! HAPPY.

For a bit of shine, I dotted his eyes and colored his buckle with a sparkly gel pen. More HAPPY.


Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (white card blank)
Stamps: Rubber Soul (gnome); Hero Arts (Thinking of You set)
Inks: Memento (Tuxedo Blank ink); Tim Holtz Distress Markers (Black Soot, Barn Door, Chipped Sapphire)
ETC: Sakura (glitter pen)




Have a HAPPY day and thanks for stopping by!! =D


~Cynthia

Tim Holtz-flavored Anniversary Card

Tim Holtz-flavored Anniversary Card, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

I made this anniversary card for my parents. I knew my mom would get a kick out of it because it's sooooooooo Tim Holtz.

Seriously. I distressed this card to the max.

I would probably not ever make a card like this for anyone else. Not everyone appreciates a distressed, black and brown anniversary card.

You know what I mean? ;-)

The letters, numbers, blocks and heart are all Grunge Paper. I used Tim's technique of making printer's block-type numbers for the '45' and then just grunged up the word 'years' and the little red heart with a bit of Distress Ink.

I even wrote in the inside of the card with a Distress Marker.

Tim would be so proud. ;-)


Supplies:
Paper: Pop*Tone (Black Licorice Plain Card); Tim Holtz Idea-ology (Grunge Blocks, Grungeboard Basics)
Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Walnut Stain, Barn Door); Distress Markers (Vintage Photo)
ETC: Ranger (Adirondack Pitch Black Paint Dabber, Glossy Accents)


Thanks for visiting today!

~Cynthia

OLW96: (Not a) Birthday Blings

OLW96: (Not a) Birthday Blings, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

The mojo was waning a bit when I saw the latest One Layer Wednesday challenge. But I thought...I can do that. It's one layer! What could go wrong??

*sigh*

Turns out, many things.

The OLW challenge was to use bling...rhinestones, glitter, shiny things.

Easy.

I stamped this sweet flowers-in-a-jar stamp then looked for some blingy stuff for the flower centers.

Nothing matched.

Nothing looked right.

No problema. I own Alcohol Inks. I can make anything any color.

Oh yes I can.

So I grabbed the Salmon Alcohol Ink and dabbed it on some pearly dot blingy things.

Turns out, Alcohol Ink eats the pearly finish off of pearly dot blingy things.

No problema.

They were bling to begin with and bling they will remain.

Turns out, Alcohol Inks also eat the sticky glue stuff off the backs of pearly dot blingy things.

So *now* I'm all like ticked off and stuff.

I smooshed the pearly dot blingy things onto my card....and willed them to stick with all the Jedi mind force I could muster.

No problema.

Then I stamped my little 'hello' stamp.

So cute.

And sooooo crooked.

I stamped it two more times to make it look all artsy and stuff.

Not bad.

It looks like I used an actual typewriter and it came out all crooked and artsy on purpose.

I'm kinda liking it.

It was *then* that I realized that the OLW challenge specifically said BIRTHDAY Blings.

Not HELLO Blings.

Oh, fer cryin' out loud!

*pounds head on craft table*





Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (white card blank)
Stamps: Endless Creations (flower jar and hello stamps)
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Pumice Stone)
ETC: Ranger/Tim Holtz (Alcohol Ink--Salmon); Recollections (Rhinestone Stickers)



All I got to say is...Thank Goodness It's Friday. Have a great weekend!


~Cynthia ;-)

CASology Week #1

CASology Week #1, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

Hey, there's a new CAS challenge in town! CASology started their brand-spankin'-new Clean And Simple card challenge yesterday. Every Tuesday they'll be posting a cue card with one word on it and it's up to you on how you interpret that word! This week's word is SUN.

I used one of my absolute favorite stamps on this one. I stamped the sun with VersaMark, then embossed it with Tinsel Gold embossing powder. I tried to get a picture of the sparklies, but with our current overcast, gray weather, I just couldn't get the lighting to work. Pretend it sparkles like the sun, OK?? ;-D

I went looking for a different 'hello' stamp and ran into this one--perfect!

Clean And Simple and full of SUN!


Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (white card blank)
Stamps: Rubber Stampede (Soleil); Hero Arts (Sending Happy)
ETC: VersaMark; Stamp-n Stuff (Embossing Tinsel Gold Opaque Powder)


Thanks so much for dropping by today!

~Cynthia

Starting Point

Starting Point, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

Monday means Scrapbook Starting Points over on Shimelle Laine's blog. She has a beautiful page and layout for this week. I took lots of inspiration from it, changing the layout to fit my never ending supply of panoramic photos.

I really was going to go the red-and-black route, as Shimelle did, but that color combination made for an odd Christmas looking page.

I went with this crazy mix of lime green, butter yellow, gray and pink instead.

So there.

I used Shimelle's ideas of washi tape and stripes along the bottom. I didn't add any journaling because the story is actually in another scrapbook, where all the "regular" sized photos are. I think it's a pretty enough picture to stand by itself.

The photo was taken in 2004. Oddly, I just noticed I wrote 2014 on the date.

I'm like a time-traveling scrapbooker.

*sigh*



~Cynthia ;-)

More Panoramic Fun

More Panoramic Fun, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

The other day I found a sad little tacky plastic frame with two photos in it. Both of the photos are panoramic sized. I scrapped the other one here and now I've got the second one done.

This was a hard one to scrap. The panoramic is angled--I had a lot of difficulty photographing the falls because of where I was standing and the size of the falls. Ergo, the entire page layout had to go a bit funky.

I'm not all that excited about this page, I'm just glad that it's done. Is that bad to say? No, no it's not.  ;-)

I used the same papers I used on the previous photo layout because they face each other in my scrap book. It's all My Mind's Eye: Penny Lane (Free Bird.) Oh, except for the glittery letters. They're by Dear Lizzy/American Crafts (Chipboard Letters: Sparkling.)

I die cut the leaves (Sizzix), punched out the circles from more MME paper and made a funky button with the same MME paper.

And then called it DONE. ;-)



Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!!


~Cynthia

A little Panoramic Love

A little Panoramic Love, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

I have a lot of panoramic photos running around.

A lot.

I never know quite what to do with them.

I had two of them stuck in this tacky plastic frame thing and decided the other day that it was time the tacky plastic frame thing went bye-bye.

So then I had two panoramic photos sitting on a bookshelf.

And then I decided that THIS was the day that I scrapbook those panoramic photos.

**cue stirring, triumphant music!!!!**

I went searching for help and landed on a Two Peas in the Bucket Gallery. Marcibun (heh heh, that makes me laugh just typing it!) had a great idea for a panoramic photo layout, so I used her recipe and got this page! WOOT!!

All of the papers and embellishments (minus the letters) are from an old My Mind's Eye collection which I had horded for just the right moment.

That moment is NOW, crafting friends!! I UNHORDED some paper!!! I destashed! I scrapped a panoramic photo!!!!!!!!!!!

WOOOO HOOOOOOOO!!!




Supplies:
Paper: My Mind's Eye (Penny Lane: Free Bird)
Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Markers (Vintage Photo) and Distress Ink (Gathered Twigs); Adirondack Color Wash (Espresso)
ETC: The Paper Studio (brown sticker letters); Authentique (tiny salmon sticker letters)
ETC: EK Success (Pop Dots); Glue Glider Pro



This photo is from the Segars-McKinnon Heritage Preserve in Hartsville, South Carolina. It's an absolutely gorgeous place with an absolutely awesome boardwalk through deep, dark, dense forest. Very cool.



Have a lovely day and thanks so much for stopping in! AND....if I don't see you tomorrow...Happy Fourth of July to you!!!!


~Cynthia

Tim's July Tag

Tim's July Tag, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

It's the beginning of the month so you know what that means, right?? TIM TAG TIME!!! Wooo hooooooo!!!!!!!!!

I had a BLAST making this tag!! The Alcohol Ink technique Tim Holtz demonstrated was SO. MUCH. FUN. Check it out here!

I basically followed Tim's recipe. I just used different colors and stamps. For the "metal" tags and embellishments, I just made the darn things because I don't have any! =D Check out that technique too!

Here's a rundown of all the stuff I used...in no particular order:

Alcohol Inks, Dabber Paints, Lumiere Paints, Memento Ink, Distress Stains, die cuts, corner rounder, twine, stamps, seam binding, paper distresser, VersaMark, embossing powder, glossy paper, cardstock, a tag and my trusty GlueGlider Pro.


I had stamped a tiny outline heart on the round embellishment and grabbed the heat gun to heat up the embossing powder...only to discover my faithful heat gun had died. I was so sad. So imagine the tiny heart up there and when I get a new gun, I'll put the tiny heart back on there, OK? ;-)



Peace, love, and Alcohol Ink happiness to you!

~Cynthia