Sew Glad...

Hi All!!  I hope you're all ready to have a wonderful day!!  Today I'm bringing you a sneak peek of the upcoming new set from Paper and Such called Heart Strings.  For any of your out there who cross stitch, this is THE set for you!

 I inked the sewing hoop three times.  Once for the background fabric panel, then again on plain white so that I could color the wooden part of the hoop with my Copics and then again for the innermost circle of fabric where my sentiment is.  I popped up the top two layers onto foam dots to give it some yummy dimension.

I added a soft, felt heart to the panel for added texture and had a blast sprinkling my stickyback pearls all around.  All designer papers are from MME.

Thanks for coming by today!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Snips, Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

Greetings friends!!  Today begins a new challenge at the Paper and Such Challenge Blog!  We are challenging you to create using the theme "Snips, Snails and Puppy Dog Tails".  Lots of room for interpretation and so many possibilities!!

Today I'm using the newly released Melvin and Susie stamp set.  I inked Melvin with black Colorbox ink and heat set him with black embossing powder onto heavy watercolor paper.  I then painted him with Crushed Olive, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint and Peacock Distress Inks.  When I was done painting I sprayed my image with three or four generous mists of pearlized water.

I then stitched and layered with a simple yet fun paper from Amy Tangerine.  I kept my design CAS adding some simple stitching, some glass-looking bubble stickers and a couple of ribbon loops. 

I do hope you join us for this fun challenge!!  Come along and visit us right here!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Birds Of A Feather...

Greetings Paper and Such Friends!!  Today at Paper and Such we are showcasing a true classic set called A Song In My Heart.  It is such a sweet set and super versatile.  I've used my Distress Inks to watercolor the birds who were inked onto watercolor paper with Brilliance Coffee Bean Ink and heat set using clear embossing powder.

I used chocolate felt and two different rolled rose Die-namics to create the flowery grouping in the top right. 

 I used a combination of chocolate grosgrain ribbon, gold baker's twine and a tiny little charm that is a pair of binoculars.  I thought it would go perfectly for a anyone who is a bird enthusiast!!  I added a few silver brads and finished it all off with a wonderful sentiment from the newly released Melvin and Susie set.  

I hope you've enjoyed and been inspired to create something fabulous!!  

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Snail Mail! A Sneak Peek!

Good Morning Everyone!!  Today is a fun and special sneaky peeky of the upcoming new release at Paper and Such!  The new set is super cute and very fun for all sorts of occasions!  Especially for sweet summer cards.  My creation today sneaks cute Susie Snail and one of my favorite phrases "snail mail".

I inked Susie in Momento ink and colored her with my Copics.  I blended a lot of my oranges and reds for the body - using the dotty pixelation technique and greys, neutrals and blacks for the shell.  I added some fun red dots on her shell glazing everything up - including her luscious lips with Glossy Accents.

I pulled oranges and greys for my papers - a mish mash of scraps stitching everything together and tying all up with a fluffy, satin taupe bow. 

I used some MFT dies - Dizzy Doily and Mini-Tabs to compliment the layout which is also an older MFT sketch. 

I finished everything off with some blingy flourishes and punchinella for an added pop!!

See you soon on June 9th for the full release of this sweet set!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Paper and Such - New Release!

Good Morning Paper and Such Fans and Friends!!  How are you?  I'm great and thrilled that today is a new release day at Paper and Such!!  We are mixing it up a bit and have one new set to show you and we are re-releasing an older set just in time to start making those fabulous masculine cards for Father's Day!

I hope you have come here via my friend Kim's blog!  If not, make sure you start at the beginning of this fun hop so that you don't miss one fabulous creation!! 

My creation today uses the new and so pretty Strawberry set!

Here is the set in it's entirety:

 I started by inking the main strawberry plant image onto Xpress blending cardstock and coloring it in with these Copics:  (and you'll notice a couple of very OLD Pantone markers in the mix)

I then cut it out using my Spellbinders circles.  I matted it with bright yellow cardstock and stitched a portion of the edge.  If you've been reading my blog you know that I am very consciously trying to adopt the "use what I have" mentality.  (go ahead...laugh...I do every time I write those words!)  But I try and try and try.   So the papers used in this creation came out of my scrap bin and if memory serves they are from Bazzill, SU! and MME.  I did a bunch of fun stitching, added brads to the top corners and added a distressed, manila tag to the background.  

I used some delicious May Arts chevron ribbon to finish the front off and you'll notice an actual Bingo sheet layered in there as well!

My interior uses more of my scraps and a sweet sentiment and single stamp from the above set. 

Paper and Such's Deer Dad set is being re-released today and would be absolutely perfect for any woodsy man in your life!!  I love it because the sentiment words are all separate allowing you to customize your creation for your needs! 

That's all for me today!!  Off you scoot to see what wonderful creation Mindy has in store for you today!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Paper and Such Release Day!!

Greetings Paper and Such Fans!  Today is a fabulous day because it's new release day!!  WOO HOO!  Julie has two amazingly fun new sets being released today.

But first, you should be arriving from the fabulous Kendra's blog where I know she has something amazing to show you.

However, if you did not start at the beginning please head on over to the Paper and Such blog so you don't miss any of the fun along the way! 

Today I've created a card using the sweet new Patriot and Friends stamp set.

I know, right?  Soooooooooo cute!!  I've used the sweet 'I'm about to pounce kitty' in the lower left hand corner of the preview image above:

All papers are from Authentique. (I'm totally loving this pack!)  I couldn't help but paper piece this sweetie!!!  I know he has cupcakes all over him which is why I then stamped his head on vanilla cardstock and popped it up so that it looked more 'realistic'.  I did some shading with his sweet face, ears and body.

I have to tell you, I LOVE the font used in this set and there are five amazingly versatile sentiments that come with the set to tailor your creation for any pet lover in your life.

I created a sweet butterfly embellishment to go along with this darling little kitty.

I used some floral wire to wrap around the multi-layered butterfly to give an added element of dimension.  I used some basic white yarn, a tiny Tim Holtz paper clip and a few pearls as my added embellishments.

Thanks for being here with me today!  Have fun on the rest of the hop!!  Off you scoot now to my wonderful fellow Paper and Such teammate Stephanie's blog to see what gorgeousness she's prepared for you today!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Paper and Such Spring Challenge!

Good Morning!!  Welcome to another fabulous challenge over at the Paper and Such challenge blog!  Our newest challenge is anything Springy!  For my project, I've used the newly released Sweet Chickie digital image. 

 

I printed her three times.  Once on X-press blending cardstock then two more times on patterned paper so that I could paper piece her dress.  

I colored her with my Copics and then pieced her dress.  I did the front of her dress, apron style, then the back (the part she's sitting on) to make it look like she was wearing a full front apron.  I've used papers from Authentique - Splendid.  I used my MFT Chat Bubbles to house my sentiment, which is from the beautiful Paper and Such Wild Rose Set. 

I added chocolate stitching to my layers, a bit of scalloping, and a large, fluffy teal bow to finish it off. 

I do hope you come join us right here at the P&S Challenge Blog for a chance to win a $15 Gift Certificate to the Paper and Such Store!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Paper and Such Sketch Challenge

Hi Friends!!  Today starts a new challenge at the Paper and Such Challenge Blog.  This time we have a super easy sketch challenge for you! 

And here's my interpretation using the newly released Daisy set.

I stamped my image twice allowing me to pop up a second layer of some of the petals. I used my Copics to haphazardly color the edges of the petals to add a bit of shading.  I used some subtle buttons and baker's twine in the center of the flowers.  I used the smaller of the two daisy images that are included in the set to create my background using Versamark and clear embossing powder.

I added a small rosette in the lower right hand corner altering it a bit from the sketch as that is how it was working best for my design.

I hope you come play with us right here at the Paper and Such Challenge Blog!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Paper and Such New Release!

Greetings Paper and Such Friends!  Thanks for being here with us today on this great blog hop as we release two fabulous new sets!  May I introduce you to "Get Well Chick" and "Daisy".  They are both sweet, versatile and very easy to color and/or paper piece!

But before I show you the sets...you should have arrived here from my friend Kendra's blog.  If you did not, you will definitely want to start hopping HERE! 

My first creation features the new Daisy set:

 

I used the larger bunch of Daises as you can see above and one of five available sentiments.

 I stamped my image on watercolor paper, heat embossed and then painted with Distress Inks and Pearlized Water.  (a tutorial will come...I promise!)

I then coated only some of the petals with Glossy Accents for added dimension and texture. 

I went a bit shabby chic with my scrappy elements of corrugated cardboard coated with ink and heat embossed, ruffled and a bit tattered rolled flowers, monopoly money (hiding under the flowers), some die cut leafy flourishes, lots of stitching and some seam binding.   

My second creation simply makes me giggle.  The image is entirely too sweet but could go to the land of "snarky-ville" should you choose to head there!  (wink!)

Here's the full set called "Get Well Chick".

Here's my creation which I kept very CAS (for me at least! ;)

I inked the image with Momento ink and colored everything with my Copics.  I then cut the image out with a tag shaped die, coated it with Versamark Ink, clear embossing powder and heat set the entire thing making it look psuedo-laminated.  I LOVE the texture this treatment adds!

I then added some zig zag stitching with red thread and added some black and white gingham ribbon.  Very "farmy" I thought.  A few resin flowers (if you're a regular here at Paper Canteen you know I have a growing obsession with these!), some more stitching and a fabulous sentiment and I was happy! 

I hope you've enjoyed my creations using these fantastic new sets that are available now at the Paper and Such Store along with SO much more!  Dies, twine, paper, OH MY!  Head on over and shop shop shop!!

Now off you hop to the lovely Stephanie's blog to see what lovely creations she's got in store for you!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Paper and Such Design Challenge

Good morning friends!!  Today over at the Paper and Such Challenge blog we have a fabulous themed challenge for Valentine's Day!!  Use the above photo for your inspiration and have fun creating!!  I definitely veered from the photo but sometimes that's how inspiration works!  Here's what I came up with:

I worked a bit of the ivory, vintage vibe in with the bingo paper and painted, crackled fancy brackets.  I used the same Distress Ink painting and masking techniques on the heart balloons that I used on my Daffodil and You Lift Me up creations here.  Don't worry, a tutorial is coming, promise!! I've used one of the newest released sets from Paper and Such's Giggle Bunch - You Lift Me Up. 

I painted my balloons and used this sketch as my muse.  I did some fun stitching and made sure to pop my main panel up on foam adhesive. 

As you can see, when you paint with the pearlized water you get a super fabulous iridescent shimmer quality that is just so rich and beautiful!  The brackets were cut using my Cricut, painted with my Ranger Acrylic white paint dabber then coated in Crackle Accents and set to dry overnight.

For my interior, which I have recently decided that if left blank then my creation just isn't complete, I used the full image of the sweet little girl and her balloon purposefully leaving it in simple black and white.  I used another fantastic P&S sentiment from the awesome Just Sayin' set nestled inside of a fabulous oval MFT die cut doily.

I hope you have enjoyed my creation and will come play and create with us right here! 

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

P&S - New Releases

Greetings everyone!!  Today is a wonderful as it's new release day over at Paper and Such Stamps!!  I have three creations to show you today using different techniques to highlight all of the great new sets being released.  But first, I hope you've come hopping from my dear friend Kendra's blog!  If not, please come hop with us starting at the Paper and Such Design Team Blog!

I inked the gorgeous daffodils onto really good quality watercolor paper using Colorbox ink in black.  I then heat set them using black embossing powder.  I took my Distress Ink pads, face down on my Ranger Craft Sheet and got ink on one side of my mat.  I then misted my colors with my pearlized water and began to paint the image in as if I was watercoloring.  It's super pearly and shiny because I kept adding more pearlized water (a mix of water and Perfect Pearls powder in a spritz bottle).  I kept painting and moving the color around until I was happy.  I then used Ouchless Cardboard and a variety of papers that I had brought together from my scrap bin to pull the rest of the creation together.  I used my TH rosette die, another stamp from the set, some twine and a button to bring a beautiful cluster together in the lower right hand corner.  I used my MS butterfly punch, layered 6 times (being held together with Glossy Accents) and embellished with some black and white baker's twine for antennae. 

My second creation features Your Love Lifts Me Up.  Isn't she THE SWEETEST???  I inked her in Tuxedo Black Momento ink and colored her with my Copics.  I then paper pieced her dress making sure to piece the sleeve of her dress separately along with her arm to ensure the proper perspective and dimension. 

 

I paper pieced her balloon as well as the two balloons around here which I stamped by masking off the girl holding them with a sticky note.  I stamped the sentiment onto self-adhesive canvas which adds a great textural touch.  I am entering this particular card into ISpy Sketches challenge - ISSC01.  It's a great sketch and one I couldn't pass up!

My next creation uses one of the three basic and lovely sentiments that everyone should have in their stampy arsenal.  I chose to use the sentiment Love You; stamping in black, sponging with Old Paper Distress Ink, coating in Versamark and heat setting with clear embossing powder. 

My card is small (4x4) and dressed up very sweetly.  I wanted a rustic and vintage vibe so I've used scraps that were on my desk combined with a true vintage ledger pad (background most paper with writing on it) that I picked up at a wonderful Antique store in Maine for one dollar. Love that.  

I added some resin flowers (I'm addicted) and a few cuts with some of my favorite dies, a bit of stitching, a melon ribbon and called it a day!  =)  

I hope you've enjoyed my tiny peeks through this week and have enjoyed seeing the full views!  Come by the P&S store and check out the full line of stamps, amazingly fabulous new MME and more papers in the store as well as the fabby new twine colors!! 

Off you hop now to my friend Stephanie's blog to see what she's come up with for this great release!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Paper and Such Tiny Sneak Peek!!

Once again, I know it's not so tiny!  LOL!  Here is another peek of one of the sweetest images being released tomorrow from Paper and Such!  You will see the full view of this as well as the daffodil image that I sneaked yesterday during tomorrow's Paper and Such New Release Blog Hop! 

Till then!!

Crafty Hugs Friends!
Meredith

Paper and Such Tiny Sneak Peek!!

Ok well it's not SO tiny!  LOL! Here is a peek of one of the beautiful upcoming new releases of Paper and Such Stamps!  It's a beautiful group of stamps and I can't wait to show you the entire set!! 

But you will have to wait until Thursday for the full view of this creation as well as the release of this and two other great Paper and Such Stamps!

See you tomorrow for another tiny sneak!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Paper and Such Design Challenge

Hello Friends!!  Welcome to another awesome Paper and Such challenge.  For this week's challenge we are sponsoring The Ribbon Carousel!  That's right, double sponsorship for this challenge!  There is a P&S Gift Certificate for one lucky winner!

We are challenging you to create a Valentine with non-traditional colors.  Think it's easy?  Well...I know that I definitely struggled a bit with this one!  I went to my mix and match scrap bin, as opposed to going to the scrap bins that I have organized by color, and just stuck my hand in and pulled something out.  

Here is my creation using the random scrap that I started with:

The sparkly plaid is the piece that I grabbed at random.  So I started with that as my jumping off point.  But before I continue, I must say that my inspiration for this card shape as well as the circular layer came from my darling friend Joanne.  She's a constant source of inspiration for me and many others.  

I used corrugated cardboard to add to my circular layer and then a bit of zig zag stitching underneath the beautiful sentiment from THIS set.  It's one of my very favorite quotes of all time.  I stamped it on watercolor paper with black Momento ink.  

I layered the background papers, stitched around the edges and added corner brads.  I chose a piece of chipboard, coated it in Brilliance Rocket Red ink - which actually looks orange/gold when inked, coated in clear embossing powder and heat set.  I added some Tim Holtz tape onto some light blue cardstock and backed my chipboard panel for added dimension. 

To my main panel, I added a dangling, metal rimmed tag onto which I added a steampunk-esque metal embellishment with a copper brad.  Lastly I added three loops of Grosgrain light blue ribbon to my main layer and adhered it on with three dimensional foam adhesive. 

To complete the interior, I used more random scraps combined with my Sweet Stack Die from MFT.  I used my Wild Rose stamp to embellish my center panel.  

I anchored the sides with two tiny copper brads.  I stitched the edges and adhered everything down.

I do hope you come join us for this super fun challenge!!  Thanks so much for popping by today!! 

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Paper and Such Challenge

Greetings Friends!  I'm here with you today with a new Paper and Such challenge.  This week it's an Inspiration Color challenge based on this photo:

Here is my interpretation:

As you can see I've used the newly released Wild Rose set.  I used my Spellbinders and MFT Die-namics to cut my oval layer as well as the oval doily behind my main image - which is cut using corrugated cardboard.  I stamped the image using Momento ink.  I then went in with my Sage Shadow SU! ink and double stamped the interior of the flowers twice.  I then colored the rest of the image with my Copics.  I used Glossy Accents over my second set of flowers and let it dry overnight.  I then trimmed it out and popped it up using foam adhesive.  

The rest of the exterior of my card was created using one of my favorite G45 paper packs - ABC Primer.  I added flowers that I made using PTI felt, MM brads and MFT Die-namics.  

I kept my interior simple with enough room for a message to be written.  I hope you come join us over at Paper and Such for this beautiful inspiration challenge.  If you play along you have the chance to win a $10 P&S gift card!  See you there!  

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith