Baby Blog Hop

I'm so happy to be participating in a blog hop today to celebrate the birth of Danielle Walls' new little girl Everly.

I thought I would pull out my On the Corner set for this one, and I went very girly.




Soft papers, a bit of doily, stitching, and sequins, sweet and girly.



I'm so excited for Danielle, she's got two little ones already, so motherhood isn't new to her, but girls are fun in so many different ways and I know she's going to have a blast spoiling this little one.

I should also mention that I made this a while back, before I had my hands on the new On the Corner die....if you're not a fan of fussy cutting it's now available in the Neat & Tangled store, and we had a hop yesterday to celebrate the release of that die and the A Lot to Say die.  I'm giving one of the dies away and so is Danielle, so be sure and swing by yesterday's post if you want to enter.

I am the last stop on the hop, but I have the full list below in case you get turned around.

Neat and Tangled 
Amy Kolling
Jessica Pascarella
Evgenia Petzer
Ashley Marcu
Yana Smakula
Linda Trace
June Houck
Betty J.
Amy Trustee
Anna Kossakovskaya
Barb Murphy
Tracy Ercole
Mary Dawn Quirindongo
Heather Ruwe
Mayuri
Christine Drogt
Ren-Yi Lo
Me

Have a wonderful day (and if you haven't voted in the final round of the Gallery Idol competition yet, there's a link at the top right)!

Supplies Used
Paper/Cardstock:  BasicGrey - True Love Collection; Teresa Collins - You Are My Happy 6x6 pad; PTI - Kraft cardstock; CTMH - White Daisy and Colonial White Cardstock
Stamps:  Neat & Tangled - On the Corner and On the Corner Additions
Ink:  Hero Arts - Wet Cement
Other:  Punky Sprouts - Doily; Neat & Tangled - Clear and Pearlescent sequins; Misc Washi; Tombow - Mono Adhesive

Neat & Tangled Dies Blog Hop

I'm so excited about today's big announcement at Neat & Tangled.  There are now dies!!!!  And I'm so thankful that one of the first dies to release is the street sign from On the Corner.  Danielle is also releasing a speech bubble die that coordinates with the A Lot to Say set.

  

To celebrate, we're having a blog hop!  Be sure to leave comments along the way as Danielle will be picking one random commenter to win their choice of the new dies.  I had to get in on the action too, so I'll be picking one random commenter from my blog to win an On the Corner die.

You should have arrived here from Christine Drogt's blog.

I was looking back at my On the Corner projects and realized that I fussy cut the street sign on at least 85% of the projects I've made.  Needless to say this new die is going to save me a lot of time, and allow me to do something I really haven't contemplated until now:  mass produce with the On the Corner set.

To illustrate I thought I would create some tags to go along with the girls' end of year teacher gifts.



These really came together so quickly.  The tag bases were cut with my Cricut and Art Philosophy cartridge.  Then I just layered some black cardstock with patterned paper and the street sign, and sentiment strip.



For those of you who already own the set this is a must have, and for those of you who thought it might be a lot of work to fussy cut....no longer!  Don't forget to leave a comment for your chance to win a die from me, and be sure to keep hopping because there are some gorgeous projects to be seen. Your next stop is Anna Kassakovsk, but I have the full blog hop listed below for you.  

Danielle - Neat andTangled Blog

Yana Smakula http://www.zrobysama.com.ua/?lang=en

Christine Drogt http://kartenchaos.blogspot.de

Miriam Prantner http://mprantner.blogspot.com

Anna Kossakovsk http://creativity-mango.blogspot.com

Taheerah Atchia http://littlemisst-papercraft.blogspot.com

Jocelyn Olson http://redballooncards.blogspot.com

Joni Andaya http://jonininaandaya.blogspot.com

Mayuri http://candlesinthegarden.wordpress.com

Kristen Foreman http://kristenforemandesigns.blogspot.com

Amy Tsuruta http://tsurutadesigns.blogspot.com

You have until Friday evening to comment, winners will be announced on Saturday.

Thanks for coming by!  Come back this afternoon when I'll be revealing my final Gallery Idol card!

Supplies Used

Paper/Cardstock:  CTMH - White Daisy and Colonial White cardstock; PTI - True Black cardstock; MME - On the Bright Side 6x6 pad

Stamps:  Neat & Tangled - On the Corner and On the Corner Additions

Ink:  Versafine; Versamark

Other:  Stampendous - White Detail Embossing Powder; American Crafts - This to That Round Foam Adhesive; Tombow - Mono Adhesive; May Arts - Black Burlap String; Corner Rounder

Gallery Idol Round 3 - Stencils

Hey everyone!  I was pretty excited about the challenge for this round of Gallery Idol, if you've followed me for a while, you know that I am a huge stencil fan.

I decided to use Ronda Palazzari's Citygrid stencil for The Crafter's Workshop to create my background.  This is a very simple, but time consuming process.  I laid the stencil over a panel of watercolor paper and then lightly traced around each opening with pencil.  Then I removed the stencil and watercolored each of the spaces.  I actually only used three colors:  Evergreen Bough and Iced Spruce distress ink, and Black ink from CTMH.  Black is tricky as the colors tend to separate in water, so that ended up looking more brown than black, but I actually love the shade that came out.  I ended up with a few dusty blue type spaces and that's when I knew I needed to change/clean out my water.

Here's what the watercolored stencil panel looked like when I was done, you can see that I didn't watercolor evenly, I wanted there to be a graduation in color in each of the spaces.




I thought long and hard about the sentiment, originally leaning towards using a travel theme, but in the end decided that my On the Corner set was too perfect a pairing to pass up.  Sometimes stamped lines seem very stark/hard in comparison, and I wanted to echo the watercoloring/painting in the background, so I ended up compromising.  I stamped the street sign/sentiments in a very light ink, and then traced over the lines with a VERY fine brush and some more of that 'black' ink.




I managed to not take a picture when I was doing it, but here's what it looks like.



To anchor the card, I cut another strip of the watercolor paper and clear embossed the sentiment.  Then I painted that 'black' ink over top until I got the darkness that I wanted.  Finally, the embossing was removed by placing a piece of copy paper over top and ironing it.



Lots of dimension on this one. I popped up the stenciled panel as well as the street sign and sentiment strip.  I love this one and I hope you do too!  And if you do, please head over to the Gallery and vote for me (entry #5), I'd love to get to the next round!

Supplies Used
Paper/Cardstock:  Canson - Watercolor Paper; Avery Elle - Truffle
Stamps:  Neat & Tangled - On the Corner and On the Corner Additions
Ink:  Ranger - Evergreen Bough and Iced Spruce Distress Ink; CTMH - Black and Parchment ink; Versamark
Other:  The Crafter's Workshop - Mini Citygrid Stencil; CTMH - Clear Embossing Powder and Dimensional Foam Tape; American Crafts - This and That Foam Adhesive

On the Corner Additions

Hey everyone!  Today Danielle is revealing one of my new sets, On the Corner Additions at Neat & Tangled.  When I designed On the Corner, I had a LONG list of sign pairings that I wanted to include, but we were space constrained, so I narrowed it down to my favorites.  I'm so excited to be able to bring you some expanded possibilities for the set.  The additions add versatility, flexibility, and they will carry you through a lot of holidays as well.

I created a couple new cards showcasing some of the new sentiments.



One of the things I love about the set is that it works so well for guys, so I wanted to be sure to have some additions that worked for them too.  For this card I used Fancy Pants' Swagger collection, don't you love those ephemera pieces?

This next card has a Thanksgiving theme, and I used Echo Park's Reflections Fall collection as well as one of my all time favorite N&T sets, Kindness Matters.  Here's a little tip.  If you're in a hurry and you don't read the labels on your embossing powder, never fear, you can totally emboss white over clear!



Ok, that's all for today.  Be sure to stop over at Neat & Tangled to see what the DT has created and enter to win an additions set there.  And remember, I'm giving away one of my new sets here this week too, winner's choice.  Just leave a comment on any of the release posts.  To find out what the other set is, come back tomorrow!

Supplies Used
Handsome/Charming
Paper/Cardstock:  Fancy Pants - Swagger Collection; Bazzill - Peanut Cluster Card Shoppe Cardstock
Stamps:  Neat & Tangled - On the Corner, On the Corner Additions
Ink:  Memento - Tuxedo Black
Other:  Fancy Pants - Swagger Clips and Ephemera Pack; Tombow - Mono Adhesive; CTMH - Dimensional Foam Tape
Generous/Gracious
Paper/Cardstock:  Echo Park - Reflections Fall Collection; Avery Elle - Silver Fox Cardstock
Stamps:  Neat & Tangled - On the Corner, On the Corner Additions, Kindness Matters
Ink:  Memento - Tuxedo Black; Versamark
Other:  CTMH - White (and Clear) Embossing Powder, Dimensional Foam Tape; Tombow - Mono Adhesive

On The Corner Blog Hop

Hey everyone!  I'm so excited because today Danielle at Neat & Tangled and a bunch of my crafty friends and I are holding a blog hop featuring my On the Corner stamp set.

On the Corner has been out of stock for several weeks, but expect to see it back on the shelf at Neat & Tangled very soon, like by the end of the week soon.

The hop starts at Neat & Tangled, so if you are just starting here you'll want to make sure to swing back to N&T to see what Danielle created.

Of course there are prizes.  Danielle and I are both offering up an On the Corner set, so that's two chances to win.  Winners will be randomly chosen from comments left on each of the hop stops.  Comments close on Saturday, and winners will be posted Monday.

There were no rules for the hop, just make something amazing, and I just know that these ladies are going to knock it out of the park!

For my card I wanted something very bold and graphic with an almost comic book type styling.  I used one of my Crafter's Workshop stencils to create that bold print piece.  First I blended ink onto some white cardstock and then I placed the stencil over top and used a sponge dauber to add the black.

The sentiment makes me giggle a little.  I kind of love this sentiment pairing and I'm pretty sure we all know someone this card would be perfect for.

I decided to make a second card with one of the journaling cards I created during release week.

Just a very CAS design.  The image was stamped in Versamark and colored with distress inks and a water brush, and I used Lawn Fawn alpha dies, but Thickers would be another great way to go on something like this.

Thanks so much for coming by!  Your next stop is Elena, and here's the hop order in case you get turned around.

Danielle/N&T (http://www.neatandtangled.blogspot.com/)
Me (http://mprantner.blogspot.com)

Elena (http://justmeprints.blogspot.com/)

Jingle (http://justjingle.blogspot.com/)
JJ (http://www.jjbolton.org/)

Jocelyn (http://www.redballooncards.blogspot.com/)
Joscie (http://www.cutchens.com/)
Nina (http://waffleflower.com/tag/neat-and-tangled/)
Wida (http://beachorado.blogspot.com/)

Na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na BATMAN!

Today is the day!  On the Corner is officially available in the Neat & Tangled store! 

I have one more release week card to share with you.  This one was so much fun to put together!  I used two Silhouette cuts, for the skyline and bat symbol. With a little masking and a sponge dauber I created the Bat signal.

You'll notice the sign post is longer than in the stamp.  Easy to do, I didn't ink up the whole stamp/bottom of the pole when I stamped it.  Then I used a pencil to extend the lines, colored it and then used a journaling pen to trace around the extended portion.  A little fussy cutting, a little foam tape, and that's all she wrote.

I thought about adding some color, but I like the black and white more comic book style feel to it.

Having a blast sharing this set with you guys!  Thanks so much for all the kind words!  And don't forget that you still have a chance to win a set on this post.

Supplies Used
Paper/Cardstock:  Crafter's Companion - White Cardstock; Recollections - Black cardstock
Stamps:  Neat & Tangled - On the Corner
Ink:  Memento - Tuxedo Black
Other:  Silhouette Studio - #29830 and #31727; Spectrum Noir - Cool Gray markers; Tombow - Mono Adhesive; CTMH - Dimensional Foam Tape, Sponge Dauber

On the Corner for Project Life/Scrapbooking

I wanted to show you guys how versatile On the Corner is.

I created a set of journaling cards today.  I don't do Project Life myself (yet), but I do scrapbook, and I've been known to utilize journaling cards on greeting cards as well as for lunchbox notes.

I created 3x4 as well as 4x6 cards in both landscape and portrait to give you a sense of how easy it is to incorporate this set.  I love that you can stamp it so just one of the street signs shows, like in the 'You Are Fantastic' card.

All the coloring on these was done with distress inks and a water brush.  Quick and easy!

Come back tomorrow for another On the Corner project!

And don't forget Danielle is giving away a set at Neat & Tangled, and I'm giving a set away here. 

Supplies Used
Paper/Cardstock:  CTMH - White Daisy cardstock; American Crafts - Green cardstock; Scrap paper
Stamps:  Neat & Tangled - On the Corner
Ink:  Versafine; Distress Ink - Iced Spruce, Mowed Lawn
Other:  Ranger - Water Brush; CM - Corner Rounder

CRAZY INSANE!

I am officially a stamp illustrator today.  Crazy AND insane, right?

You can't see me, but I am grinning from ear to ear.  :)

Today Danielle at Neat & Tangled is revealing my stamp set:  On the Corner.

I've had this concept kicking around in my head for just about a year now, and after some fits and starts, and points where I thought it would never happen, it has.

It is such a thrill to see my design finally come to life!  I have to thank Danielle for believing in me and in this set.  She has been wonderful to work with, and I couldn't be happier that my stamps are now part of the Neat & Tangled family.

Be sure to head over to the Neat & Tangled blog to check out what the Design Team has created.  You can enter to win a set there, and I'm also giving one away here.  All you have to do is  leave a comment.  If you're a follower, leave an extra comment for an extra chance.  The giveaway here will remain open through Sunday evening and I'll announce the winner on Monday (to win over at Neat & Tangled, you need to leave a comment there by Thursday night).

I'll have more On the Corner of projects to share with you the rest of this week leading up to the official release on Friday.

Off to pinch myself again....

Supplies Used
Paper/Cardstock: CTMH - Black, White Daisy and Holiday Red cardstock; Basic Grey - Clippings 6x6 pad
Stamps:  Neat & Tangled - On the Corner
Ink:  Memento - Tuxedo Black
Other:  Spectrum Noir Markers (Cool Grays); CTMH - Dimensional Foam Tape; Tombow - Mono Adhesive