TAWS post #46 - New Release Blog Hop!

Hello my friends!! SO glad you are here today for The Alley Way's new release blog hop!!  You should be arriving here from my fellow design teammate Marina's blog!

Today I'm sharing a project that I made using the AWESOME new set Splat along with this month's 'free with $40 product purchase' Express Yourself.  I made this card for my darling sister's recent birthday.  She loves purple and turquoise so this was perfect for her!  When planning this card I actually made an entire 8.5 x 11" sheet of paper using this set and cut it down to the size I needed.  This way I have extra and can make more cards!

I used a combination of Hero Arts and Distress inks to create this fun and funky panel.  When creating an entire panel like this I like to start with the bigger stamps and then fill in the little spaces with the smaller stamps.  There are many large, medium and small little stamps in this set.  It's FANTASTIC!!  I then went totally opposite on the color wheel to make the banner for my sentiment.  I put together the sentiment from the Express Yourself letter set along with the two little stars on either end.  I then stitched a couple of rows above the sentiment for added texture.  I matted everything on amazing and oh so yummy glitter cardstock from the open stock paper area at Michael's.

This was a super fun card to make and I love how it turned out!  

Thanks so much for coming by today!!  Off you to go my teammate N@Ali's blog!!  

If you get lost along the way here is the entire hop list for you!

Chrissie 

Angel

Archana
Dana

Emily

Heather

Holly

Jeni
Lexa

Lisa

Marina

Meredith

N@Ali
Simonne

Tanja

Yuki

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

TAWS post #45 - Sneak Peek Time - You've Got This!

Greetings Alley Way Friends!  I cannot believe it's THAT time again!  Release time!!  WOO HOO!! An entire new fabulous batch of stamps is almost out and ready for purchase!  This month's sets are totally adorable!!  Today I'm sneak peeking you a set called Old School.  If you like to play games this is the set for you!!  

I've used the old school game piece in my pattern repeating on watercolor paper.  I used my Distress Markers and Inktense watercolor pencils to lay down my color.  I used my Perfect Pearls water in a mister bottle to wiggle the color around a bit.  Once the color was done I stitched around my panel and used some fabulous papers from Studio Calico to build the rest of my creation.

I used some MFT rolled flower Die-namics for the flower cluster.  I used my circle punch to create sparkly leaves that are tucked behind the flowers.  This is a fantastic trick I learned from Jennifer McGuire.  You punch a circle with any circle punch.  You then put only a part of the punched circle back into the circle punch and punch again which then creates a wonderful leaf shape!  Simple and brilliant!

Thanks SO much for coming by today!!  See you for tomorrow's new release blog hop!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

TAWS post #44 - Dad

Hi Alley Way Friends!!  I'm here today with a fun and CAS design that I made for my father for Father's Day.  I used the awesome set Mustache Mania to create this quirky panel for my project.

I used Hero Arts, Distress and SU! inks in a variety of browns to add the fun and funky mustaches.  I used my T-ruler to line everything up perfectly.  My sentiment is simple and to the point!  =)

I stitched around the perimeter to give it a bit more texture but left it alone after that.  I SO wanted to add more but my Dad is a simple guy so I left it as it was.

Thanks so much for coming by today!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

TAWS post #43 - Father's Day

Hi Friends!  Popping in today with a super simple card that I made for Father's Day.  I'm using the Alley Way set called Tie One On.

I started by stamping my pattern onto Spectrum Noir paper.  It's a nice smooth paper, great for stamping.  I find that it holds ink very well.  I stamped my check pattern using Navy Hero Arts Dye Ink,  There are 3 different 'tie' patterns that come with the set.  I then stamped my tie image over the top of the check pattern and fussy cut it out.

I adhered it to my kraft card base leaving the bottom of the tie without adhesive so it would pop up just a tiny bit.

I added my sentiment to the bottom using Hero Arts black ink.

Hope you have a fantastic day!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

TAWS post #42 - Sweet Wishes

Hi Alley Way Friends!  I'm here today with a VERY simple yet summery creation featuring the new Alley Way set called Slurp.  I fussy cut out my image which had been water colored previously.  I then coated it up with a think layer of Glossy Accents.

I used an older sketch from MFT to layer and stitch my paper.  I added my sentiment which is also from this set and a few Theresa Collins sparkly heart stickers for some added dimension.  As you can see in the photo below I used 3D foam adhesive to add my image.  I love the little touch of depth this step lends to a project.

Thanks so much for coming by!!

See you again soon!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

TAWS post #41 - Summer treats

Greetings Friends!!  I'm here today to bring you a yummy card using the new set Slurp!  I'm also using the "free with $40 in product" purchase this month's set called Brain Freeze.  It's a super cute mini set and I LOVE this sentiment!

I started by coloring the popsicles using my Copic markers.  Due to my crazy life (homeschooling my 2 older kiddos with my 2 year old running around constantly) I'd tucked my Copics away a couple of years ago and have regularly used my water colors and colored pencils to color images.  But I've missed the different looks you can get with Copic markers so for these simple shapes I brought them out.  I chose three different colors - a light, medium and dark, for each of the pops.  I started with my darkest at the bottom of the image.  I laid down a bit of color then progressed to the middle range color.  I colored this over the existing dark color with the medium color and then moved up the image slightly.  I did the same process with the lighter color and fiddled around a little bit going in between dark, medium, and light until I was happy with how they looked.

I then went in and added a generous coating of Glossy Accents and let them dry overnight.  Once they were dry, I fussy cut them out and added them to my card which I created using an older sketch from MFT.  I used foam adhesive to pop them up to give them a fun 3-D look.

Thanks so much for coming by today!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

TAWS post #40 - It was a treat...

Hi TAWS friends!!  I'm here today with a treat filled card to share!  I'm using this month's awesome set called Slurp!  I've also used this month's 'free with $40 in product purchase' set called Brain Freeze for my sentiment.  Lastly, I pulled out one of my favorite older Alley Way sets called Line Upon Line for my background.  This is a FANTASTICALLY versatile background set that is perfect for so many techniques.

I started by pre-coloring my ice cream image on water color paper.  I do this in advance so that when I have a moment to create the images are ready when I need them.  I colored the image with my Kurtake Gansai Tambi Watercolor paints.  I fussy cut my image out and added a very generous coating of Glossy Accents onto the ice cream.  I set it to dry overnight.

I stamped my background onto watercolor paper to give it that splotchy look.  I used Hero Arts ink in Butter Bar as I wanted it to be a very summery yellow.  Lastly I stamped my sentiment.  I used my very favorite glitter cardstock from Michael's as a matte for my panel.  Sometimes I'll cut small strips and adhere them to either side of the panel but this time I used a full piece as it lends itself to a different look.

I added both of these layers to a card base using kraft cardstock.  It's simple and fun!

Thanks for coming by today!

See you soon!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

TAWS post #39 - #LOVE U

Good morning crafty friends!!   Thanks for joining me today as I share my watercolor end creation using The Alley Way sets Tickle Me Happy and a new set called Lite Brite.  I sat down when I had a few minutes and made a bunch of panels using the beautiful feathers from the Tickle Me Happy set.  I kept each panel simple using a monochromatic scheme, this card in different shades of orange with my Distress Inks.  Once the color was down, I sprayed my panel with pearlized water in a mini mister   bottle.

I added my sentiment using the set Lite Brite using my Hero Arts ink in purple.  I added some enamel dots and attached my panel to an orange card base.

Simple and beautiful!  And an easy way to create many cards at once!

Thanks for joining me today!

See you soon!

Crafty Hugs-
Meredirh

TAWS post #38 - Hello

Greetings Friends!  I'm here today bringing you a Distress Inked rainbow creation using one of The Alley Way's newly release sets called Lite Brite.  This is a super simple project.  Sometimes I have the time to create lengthy pieces and other times it has to be quick as we homeschool our now 3rd and 5th grader and I also have a 2 year old so crafty time is beyond limited.

Anyway, for this I pulled out my Distress Inks using Festive Berries, Ripe Persimmon, Squeezed Lemonade, Mowed Lawn, Salty Ocean and Seedless Preserves.  I then misted them a few times with my Perfect Pearls water and let them sit to dry.  I love the natural effect of the blurred edges that you get from this technique.

I then adhered my panel to black cardstock and then to my green card base.  I added some glittery washi tape and purple sequins as an added embellished touch.

Thanks so much for coming by today!

See you soon!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

TAWS New Release Blog Hop - June 2015 - #WISHBIG

Good Morning TAWS friends!!  I'm so happy to be here with today's new release blog hop!!  You should be arriving via my fellow TAWS friend Marina's blog.  

Today my creation features the new set Lite Brite!  It's the cutest throw back set...especially those of us who are 'children of the 80's!!'  I also used an older TAWS set called Tickle Me Happy to create my feathery background.  I used a few different color Distress Inks for the background misting my stamped images generously with my perfect pearl water (white Perfect Pearls Pigment Powder - say THAT 3 times fast mixed in a mister with regular water) to create the blurry look.  I then took my Lite Brite set and using some Hero Arts Dye Ink in charcoal I stamped my bold sentiment.  

I added some sticky back gems scattered throughout the card and I used a wafer thin die to cut out the small and large butterflies from open stock glitter paper from Michael's.  I used some colored twine to create the butterfly body and antennas.  

I matted my panel on some dark grey Bazzill cardstock and then onto my card base.  

Thanks SO much for coming by today!  I love sharing my projects!  Your next stop is fellow team mate N@Ali's blog!!

Hope you have a marvelously crafty day!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

TAWS New Release Peek Day #2 - Sweet Wishes!

Greetings TAWS friends!!  SO glad you're here with me today to check out my sneak peek for this month's amazing release!!  Today I'm sneaking the new set called SLURP!  I ADORE this set and I know you will, too!  It's perfect for summer!

Today I've busted my Copics out of 'storage' just for this!  I usually watercolor my images but these Popsicles were just calling out to be colored with markers!  I went with an ombre look using 3 different markers a dark, medium and light for each image.  I added a thick layer of Glossy Accents to them when I was finished and let them dry overnight.  I then cut them out and layered them on my panel with 3-D adhesive dots.  I stamped the sentiment over and over using a rainbow assortment of my Hero Arts inks.

I stitched around the edge and adhered my panel to my card base.

Thanks SO much for coming by today!!  See you soon for The Alley Way new release blog hop!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

TAWS post #37 - You Make My Day Sparkle

Hi Friends!  Thanks for popping by today to check out my masked card using Alley Way Stamp Set 'Say It Don't Spray It'!  I used a SSS balloon die to create my mask and chose 3 of my favorite Hero Arts Dye Inks to combine for this fun and bright combination.  This stamp set has many awesome sentiments that are unique and versatile for many situations!  The set also comes with adorable tiny flowers - both outline and interior of the flowers are available for different types of inking techniques.  I also love the tiny petals and heart stamp that are wonderful for filling in small little areas like these between my flowers in the masked balloon.

I added some die cut stars that I cut out of glitter paper and heat embossed my sentiment with Versamark Ink and Liquid Platinum Embossing Powder.

Thanks for coming by today!

See you next time!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

TAWS post #36 - Thinking Of You

Hi TAWS friends!  I'm  here today with a very simple and quiet water colored card using two of my favorite Alley Way sets called Jibber Jabber and Tickle Me Happy.

I used my Distress Inks in Chipped Sapphire, Salty Ocean, Broken China, Tumbled Glass and Peacock Feathers.  I stamped them all on the right hand side of my panel (I eyeballed it but you could draw a light pencil line if you are worried about lining it all up and then erase it later).  Once I had stamped all of my feathers, I generously misted them with about 6 sprays of pearlized water.  This is a mixture of Perfect Pearls pigment powder and water in a mister bottle.  I spray it just until I see the lines of the images start to blur and then I set it aside and let it air dry.

Once everything was dry I added my sentiment and the tiny little heart using Hero Arts Black Dye Ink and SU! Real Red ink for the heart.  I added just a few frosted blue pearls and adhered it to a light blue notecard.

Until next time!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

TAWS post #35 - Hooked On You

Hi Friends!  I'm here today bringing you a water colored creation that I made using one of the newest Alley Way stamp sets called Gill Friend.  The Gill Friend set is available this month for free when you purchase $40 or more in product from Alley Way!

I started by cutting my panel out of good quality watercolor paper.  I then used my Kurtake Gansai Tambi water colors and quickly laid down a good bit of color and walked away quickly.  I have a tendency to linger too long poking and prodding at it until I don't like it anymore so I've learned to walk away.  When that was dry, I added my sentiment and the little hook, a strip of patterend paper and some sequins and voila!  Done.  Quick, simple and happy!

Thanks for coming by today!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

TAWS post #34 - Watercolor Happiness

Hi TAWS friends!!  Today my creation features two of my very favorite Alley Way sets called Flower Doodles and Words to Live By.

I started my creation by creating a large watercolored sheet.  No rhyme or reason, I just let the paint go wherever it wanted to.

I LOVE painting like this as it's very freeing, easy and relaxing!  Once it was all dry I cut the paper into panels for my cards.  For this card I used Flower Doodles with my favorite Hero Arts black dye ink to add the stamped images randomly placed ~sort of~ so that my background had a bit of rhythm to it.

I used Words to Live By for my sentiment which I heat embossed using Liquid Platinum embossing powder onto a scrap of teal Bazzill Basics cardstock.  I used Teresa Collins heart stickers for some minor embellishing.

Thanks for coming by today!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Inspired by Andy Goldsworthy

We love art in our house.  Painting, coloring, drawing, mixed media, 3-D, collage, stamping, sewing, photography, you name it...we love it.  Today we tried something new thanks to my wonderful MIL.

Grandma Sue is a lover of Andy Goldsworthy's art.  She recently loaned Tyler a book of his and he LOVES looking through it.  We're all amazed as his sculptures and went outside today to try our hand at it!

The first piece of the project was to gather like objects.  I told them it could be anything in nature.  Rocks, leaves, flower petals, stones, sticks, grass, anything!  They went to forage.  Kendall decided upon acorns, Tyler rocks and I used Dandelions.  I know most people don't like them because they are weeds but I LOVE them.  In all honesty, Kendall did the foraging for me and found a huge bunch of them for me as I was with Ari.  We don't have any dandelions at our house so she rode her bike up the street a bit to where we'd seen some on our walk earlier today.  She has a fantastic bike basket so she loaded it up with Dandelions just for me!

Once they had their materials they worked quietly and meticulously until they were happy with their placement.  I love watching their process.  They were very happy with their creations!

Kendall's process:

Tyler's process:

My Dandelion creation:

And a little bit of cuteness!