Stamping, Chowder and Friends!

Happy Thursday - I just spent the last two evenings out with some girl friends - a good drink (yes I am a light weight in the drinking department), good food, lots of laughter, the friendship - priceless! So if you are feeling down spend some time with your friends who can fill your world with laughter!

Today is another card using new stamps released from Innovative Stamp Creations - This & That and the butterfly is from Friendship II:

The background stamp is my favorite of the new release - I LOVE background stamps and this is just right up my grungy alley! The background is stamped with Hero Hues white dye ink - WHAT not a Ranger ink pad? Shhhhh don't tell my distress and archival pads they may pack up and leave!- I discovered this ink pad at an Archivers class and I really like it - think a white dye ink pad that you can actually see on craft paper... All is right in my little inky world today!

Off to cut corn off 4 dozen ears and to make Corn Chowder for dinner! Have you ever tried it? I made if for the first time 3 weeks ago and Yummmm... Here's a link to the recipe of you want to give it a try. I sprinkle a little green onion, chopped tomatoes and cheese (well this is just for my DH) on top! Easy and a BIG YUMMMMM!

Spend some time with a friend you love and Happy Creating!

KAT

Stamps - all Innovative Stamp Creations

Is it Fall Already?

Happy Wednesday!

It's feeling pretty crisp here in Ohio - last Saturday, you know 4 days ago, it was 90 and so humid - today the low 60's - what's up with that? I'm not ready for fall but I do love fall colors.

Today how about some poppies in orange?

The flower is from the new stamp set from ISC Friendship Flowers II. The flower is blended with distress ink and some distress stickles in the center. The entire flower is popped up for added dimension.

This card has lots of my favorite things - flowers, basic gray paper, sewing and my Tim Holtz distress inks - sigh - just makes me smile!

Here's a close up:

Still thinking about Christmas - maybe I need to do something Christmas themed?

Have a great day and Happy Creating!

KAT

Stamps - All Innovative Stamp Creations

Thanks Friend

I hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day! We had our family picnic at my house on Sunday and I had a beautiful lazy day on Monday!

Today I wanted to share a tag made from the new ISC Friendship II stamp set:


The entire stamp was used second generation stamping in the background using sepia Archival ink. Then stamped on crap paper using peeled paint distress ink for the sea grass level. The girl was stamped with black archival, hair coffee archival and the dress and hat were paper pieced.

Here is the close up of some of the details:


Here is another sample using the same set. The square was masked off and then blended with Vintage Photo distress ink. The dress and hat were water colored with the same blue in the background panel.


This is actually beautiful IRL - but the photo kept coming up dark for me... Sorry!

Hmm - I find myself thinking about Christmas.... Anyone else thinking about Christmas yet?

Enjoy your Tuesday and Happy Creating!

KAT

Stamps - All Innovative Stamp Creations

Nature's Beauty

Okay - really I am back. Life has been hectic with my Mom but I have figured out a way to carve some time out to create! Over the next several days I will be sharing the Innovative Stamp Creation's August Stamp line release.

Today Natures's Beauty:

I love fall leaves and these detailed leaves in a river bed (that is what I see) are simply beautiful. I water colored the main image using my Distress Ink pads.

Here is a close up so that you can see the glossy accents that I used to highlight the "river bed":

The background panel is the larger image in that stamp set stamped off once. The leaves on the side are from the main image water colored and hand cut out.

The stamps from the August release of ISC are fabulous - take a moment to check them out here!

Have a fabulous Wednesday and Happy Creating!

KAT

Happy Easter!

I hope the Easter Bunny left you your favorite Chocolate Bunny or some of his special jelly beans (have you seen Hop?, if you have you know about his special beans LOL).

Thought I would share two Easter cards full of Tim Holtz and Ranger stuff... (gasp - I cut into my Seasonal Stack!)

Chocolate Bunny:


Side View:


The bunny was molded using Mold and Pour and UTEE from an real chocolate bunny (only a few chocolate bunnies were injured during the making of this card):

This card was inspired by a Make and Take that Tim Holtz did "somewhere" and Mario Tweeted it (he is the king of BTS you know - if you are not aware you should follow him on twitter. He shares what is going on "behind the scenes" with Tim and his love of Starbucks! ).

Vintage Bunny:

Side View:

This one is full of Tim's dies, ink and idea-ology. That awesome bunny I bought at a stamp show last week - it's from 100proofpress (I like that they have unmounted rubber - my fav). I also used some of Tim's Glassine paper on layers of the flower.

I wish you lots of great chocolate today and I also hope that you get to spend today with your family and friends!

Happy Creating!

KAT

The Stuff - Pretty much Tim Holtz and the Vintage bunnies 100proofpress

Life is Good

I found out this week when trying to get my MOJO back that all I need to do is play with new stuff (and yes I am guilty of buying new stuff that I just have to have and some of it never sees the light of day). So more new ISC images, Tim Holtz products and sticky back canvas today!

Life is Good:

The main butterfly image is clear embossed in sticky back canvas using Delicate Swirls Butterfly (butterfly = good) and then colored with Vintage Photo Distress Stain (Distress Stain = good). I removed some of the canvas thread to give the panel a frayed edge (frayed edge = good). The flower and the background panel is from the Crowded Attic paper (new paper = good) and there is a layer of Glassine (Glassine = good) on the flower. Vintage dictionary definition ($1 find at a thrift store = good) and Butterfly fragment charm (charms from stash that never seen the light of day = good). Finally some sewing, inking, more stamping and distressing (that's all = good)!

Side view:

Be sure to visit the other ISC Architect’s blog/gallery:

Kathy Tucker
Julie Warner
Karen Dunbrook

Today = good - last night not so much! My Mom fell twice last night and every time it's a miracle that she has not really hurt herself. Life as a care giver and stroke patient = NOT so good.

Creating = Good! Have a great day!

KAT

The Stuff:
Stamps - all ISC - Delicate Swirls Butterfly, Artful Decor
Other - Tim Holtz and Ranger

ISC April Release - Artful Decor

Hello fellow bloggers and visitors! A long time with no blogging from me - life got in the way in a MAJOR way. My Mom had a stroke in the beginning of January so I've been taking time off to help her recooperate.

So I've picked my rubber and inks back up and I am trying to "get back in the saddle again"! I've discovered it takes a while to get my creative juices flowing! I am glad Innovative Stamp Creations has a new line of images that are butterflies - one of my favorite images to work with!

Artful Décor Stamp Line:

These small-dainty images add a lovely touch to your creation! Here are a few tips to consider:

Ÿ Use a 1 ¼” or 1” circle or square punch

Ÿ Use glossy accents on top of punched image and let dry. Punch holes before you apply the dimensional glue to give them a button effect - then affix on your card

Ÿ Create your own bauble!

Ÿ These images fit nicely in Memory Frames by Ranger

Ÿ Affix with glue on top of flat brads to give your artwork a final touch

Ÿ Affix with glue on a paper clip

My card I used a 1" and 1 1/8" punches to create my Dreams in Black and Cream patchwork card:

All the images are stamped on black and cream patterned paper. The background cream paper was created using Antique Linen Distress Stain.

Here's another angle:

Be sure to visit the other Architect’s blog/gallery:

Kathy Tucker
Julie Warner
Karen Dunbrook

Happy Creating!!!

KAT

The Stuff:

All Stamps by Innovative Stamp Creations

Are you ready Christmas (the most wonderful time of the year)?

Each of the Creative Architects’ for Innovative Stamp Creations were given a different Christmas line to create a card! So I am wondering:

Have you started Christmas shopping yet (me - yes - I actually have a friend who is finished and thinking about starting her wrapping - we can all hate her later okay)?

How many handmade Christmas cards have you created (I am over half way there)?

Do you buy store bought Christmas cards instead (nope it's either handmade or none)?

So I hope my Christmas card will inspire you to either get started or complete your Christmas cards today!

I thought this Angel needed an elegant background so I used the cream, black and gold color palette. The angel was blended with antique linen distress ink and gold stickles applied to her wings. I used a gold dabber on the textured background panel (cuttlebugged) and the bracket panel. Some gold embossing, Krylon Gold paint pen finished the card.

Please be sure to visit our Talented group of Creative Architects’ and become inspired:

1. Kathy Tucker (UR Here)
3. Julie Warner
4. Karen Dunbrook
5. Judi Rose

6. ISC Blog

Happy Creating!
KAT

The Stuff:
All Stamps - Innovative Stamp Creations- Angelic Holidays, Christmas Trinkets, Eclectic Christmas

Celebrate Fall

You may not know this but Betsy, owner of ISC, resides in New England and the inspiration for this Line was from her back yard! She says; “Fall in New England is truly gorgeous, especially further north of Manchester, New Hampshire. “

Celebrate Fall:

I used a markers to color the main image - not something that I use very often but worked out beautifully with the leaves and the tree! The larger leaves were colored using distress inks and then a little cutting therapy! the "C" is a piece of chip board and then a went a little stapler happy with Tim's Tiny Attacher!!!

Please be sure to visit our Talented group of Creative Architects’ and become inspired:

1. Kathy Tucker (UR Here)
3. Julie Warner
4. Karen Dunbrook
5. Judi Rose

6. ISC Blog

Happy Creating!
KAT

The Stuff:
Stamps - All Innovative Stamp Creations - Fall in New England, Autumn Leaves, Scrapbook Words

Fall Foliage

Fall is such a beautiful time of year! Don't you agree? The leave colors are truly mesmerizing and breathtaking?! The fall colors work perfectly with the new fall stamp sheets being released from Innovative Stamp Creations this month - this card uses the new Foliage stamp sheet:



The card was created using the Joseph's Coat technique with a Kaleidacolor pad - I've had this pad for YEARS and just took the plastic off of it for this card! Typically the Joseph's Coat technique is done using black dye ink - I used chocolate chip ink on this one to go with my fall inspiration.


Please be sure to visit our Talented group of Creative Architects’ and become inspired!

1. Kathy Tucker (UR Here)
3. Julie Warner
4. Karen Dunbrook
5. Judi Rose

6. ISC Blog

Happy Creating!
KAT

The Stuff:
Stamps - All Innovative Stamp Creations - Foliage

Another Look

Today is another Sneak Peak of the images being released by Innovative Stamp Creations later this week...

Fall Dreams:

A close up:


I love fall images!

The focal panel was embossed on card stock vellum and then I colored on the back side with permanent makers (slick writer and sharpie) . The side leafs were stamped, hit with just a little color, cut and crumpled. I love the DREAM word!!!

Happy Creating!
KAT

The Stuff:
All Innovative Stamp Creations - Foliage, Fall in New England

Fall Friend

Hello - yes I am alive! I was on vacation in OBX and then had (have) a nasty cold - can we say cough, cough, cough - believe me you don't want to hear me at night!

Today I have a little sneaky peaky for you of an image from Innovative Stamp Creations - Fall in New England.

Fall Friend:

A close up of the main panel:

The main panel was created by blending distress inks and then stamping fall leaves with three color on them. Then I stamped the new image on top. The new release of images will be available this Thursday!

If you'd like to see some more examples using this image click around below:

1. Kathy Tucker (UR Here)
2. Joanne Grzelak
3. Julie Warner
4. Karen Dunbrook
5. Judi Rose

6. ISC Blog

Happy Creating!
KAT

The Stuff: All stamps Innovative Stamp Creations - Fall in New England, Autumn Leaves
Inks- Distress and Archival (Ranger)

Elegant Flourish Anyone?

The second day of Innovative Stamp Creations September release - Today's stamp sheet is Background Series: Flourish. Do you enjoy background stamps? Don’t they add such depth to your card? What’s unique about the variety of background series by ISC is that many come with a few sayings! The background Flourish sheet has a lovely Tag/Label is ideal for that final touch on your project!

Congrats in Black & White:

Honestly I could not help myself and make a black and white card for this flourish - to me it's just so elegant! The black panel behind the Plumeria I stamp with one of the Dimensional Elements: Edges images using Pearl Paint Dabber - I liked the interest this added to an otherwise plain black piece of cardstock.

Want to see what else was created using this Flourish?

1. Kathy Tucker
2. Joanne Grzelak
3. Julie Warner
4. Karen Dunbrook
5. Judi Rose

6. ISC Blog

Happy Creating!
KAT

The Stuff:
All Stamps Innovative Stamp Creations - Background Series: Flourish; Plumeria

Happy Monday

Today is Innovative Stamp Creations first day of their September stamp release. Today's stamp sheet is Dimensional Elements - Edges. The images on this line are truly unique they will accent your card or altered notebook and so much more! Think of these stamps as a diecut or punch! You can create a quick card to more elaborate creations! GO with the flow and have fun! Some of the images on this line: scallop, distressed paper, vintage script, triangle, zig-zag edge and a small label.

Here is the card that I created using the zig-zag edge (had to go with fall colors since it's starting to look like fall here):

Fall Birthday:

I stamped each of the zig-zag edges using distress inks and I stamped over top using the new ISC Flourish that will also be released this week. Then some blending of ink, gluing, sewing and the card is completed!

Take a moment to click around and see what the other ISC creative architects made:

1. Kathy Tucker
2. Joanne Grzelak
3. Julie Warner
4. Karen Dunbrook
5. Judi Rose

6. ISC Blog

Happy Creating!

KAT

The Stuff:
All stamps - Innovative Stamp Creations - Dimensional Elements - Edges; Background Series - Flourish; Autumn Leaves

A Little Sneakie Peakie...

I am actually on vacation this week in the Outer Banks and celebrating my SIL's birthday (she's lucky she gets to celebrate at the beach every year!). While I am gone I have lots of ISC projects to share with you - so even though I am gone I am still updating my blog via the magic of auto posts!

So - don't tell anyone but here is a little sneak peak of Nesting and Dimensional Elements: Edges:

The faux crepe paper is a stamp from the edges collections - I just stamped the image on some old tissue paper and gathered it up. The eggs were stamped on the same tissue paper so that they would match!

Happy Creating (me I'm tanning on the beach!)

KAT

The Stuff:
All previews of Innovative Stamp Creations September release - to be released on Sept 24th...

Diet Coke Meets Chipped Enamel

Interesting title huh....

Well I made this for the Compendium of Curiosities Challenge Series - Chipped Enamel on page 44 of Tim's fabulous book!



I made the sign and the flourish in the upper right hand corner using the technique AND a diet coke can (don't worry the Diet Coke can did not suffer during the making of this art - it was already empty and clean)! Tim's Sizzix dies cut through Diet Coke Cans like they are butter!!!

Close up of the metal sign:

I used alcohol ink (Ginger) to color Tim's Tissue Tape.

Hope you like the card - Life... It's all perspective (isn't that true)!

Happy Creating!

KAT

The Stuff - it's all Tim's (distress inks, Sizzix, tissue tape, stamps)- Oh and the Diet Coke can!

The Dreaded Red

Why the title? Today is Just For Fun color challenge day and one of the colors is RED - I keep telling myself to just embrace the red... embrace the red... embrace the red... (I did peak ahead at the next few color challenges and there is not red in sight - Yippee)

Today's colors are:So red - I looked at my Just for Fun stamps and went for the obvious - Cardinals are red:


I blended the bird with different colors of red distress ink, the flower and leaves are blended with DI also. The background is antique linen ink direct to paper and then corduroy DI on Tim's wood grain texture folder.

I am sure the rest of the design team was much more successful with the red than me - so give them a visit! REMEMBER - play along and you could win a $50 Just For Fun gift certificate, see the blog for more details.

Broni Holcombe
Kat Tucker (UR here)
Sandy Sandrus
Starla Nelson
Terre Fry
Roni Johnson
Glenda Brooks
Beth Moore
Margarita Ybarra

Happy Creating!

KAT

The Stuff:
Stamps - All Just for Fun - Large Cardinal, Brushed Floral, Background Block, Thank You
Other - Tim Holt Sizzix Texture Folder, Ranger Distress and Archival Inks

Daisy vs. the Rose

Happy Thursday and the last day of Innovative Stamp Creations August release! I have two for you today:

Monochromatic Dream:

I just can't help myself - I LOVE black and cream cards! The background image is a large shipping tag that I embossed one side with one of Tim's texture folder and rubbed black ink over. The Daisy from the Nature Silhouette III was stamped in black and I think this really makes the detail pop on the image! The hinge is from one of Tim's Sizzix dies. If you look at the next pic you can see the "Dream" stamp that I am so in love with!!!


Vintage Rose:

The background was created using the large image in the Sketch of Roses II stamp sheet - I inked with Antique Linen ink and then used markers to color some of the background. Since I used the AL distress ink I was able to add some gold embossing powder at the top. The hinge is the faux metal technique.

The Rose is a FABULOUS grunge paper ribbon Rose - can I say easy - here's a link to the tutorial on Lynn's blog - give it a try you'll be surprised how fast you can make these!!! The only thing that I did not like was the added liquid pearls on the rose - I'll skip that step next time!

Take a little to time see the the other designers created:

1. Kathy Tucker (UR here)
2. Joanne Grzelak
3. Julie Warner
4. Karen Dunbrook
5. Judi Rose

6. ISC Blog

Happy Creating!

KAT

The Stuff:
Stamps - all Innovative Stamp Creations - Nature Silhouette III, Sketch of Roses III

Mini Ledger

Day 3 of Innovative Stamp Creations August Release


Mini Ledger

The new Mini Ledger stamp line is ideal for Artist Trading Cards or when you need a quick Mini-Card! Even accents the pages on a small Mini Book too! The tab image is super easy to use as you’ll see in the sample below you can use almost any of the phrases on the inside of the tab to accent your card!

Mini Ledger Trio:

Close Up:

These were all super simple and I love the look of the Ledger "tag" on each of the 3x3 cards!

Go click around to see more fabulous designs (come on you know you want too! :0)

1. Kathy Tucker (UR here)
2. Joanne Grzelak
3. Julie Warner
4. Karen Dunbrook
5. Judi Rose

6. ISC Blog

Happy Creating!
KAT

The Stuff:
Stamps - all Innovative Stamp Creations- Mini Ledger, Nature Silhouette III

Silhouette and Ledger - ISC

Release Day 2 - Innovative Stamp Creations:

Lately have you noticed all the awesome Ledger design paper at your local stamp store? Well, now you can create a ton of backgrounds on your cards and even in a mini book with this lovely Ledger image!

The ISC Creative Architects were challenged to incorporate some of the images from both of these lines on our card. Moreover, Nature Silhouette III bodes well with Nature Silhouette I/II.

A little tip from Betsy: Use caution, but you can cut apart each of the images on the Hollyhock Shadow stamp and place them on your acrylic mount and arrange to your liking, then stamp away!

I used the Hollyhock on this card:

The focal image was clear embossed then over stamped with the small script and finally blended with distress inks. The Ledger was stamped on the pink Basic Grey paper tucked behind the main image. The Hollyhocks were also stamped on the pattern paper in brown.

The DREAM word is one of the stamps on the Nature Silhouette III sheet. I just LOVE this - it looks just like a Dymo Label but you can make it any color that you want!!!! Score!

Make a few clicks and see how the other Creative Architects interpreted this challenge:

1. Kathy Tucker (UR here)
2. Joanne Grzelak
3. Julie Warner
4. Karen Dunbrook
5. Judi Rose

6. ISC Blog

Happy Creating!

KAT

The Stuff:
Stamps - all Innovated Stamp Creations - Background Series: Ledger/Nature Silhouette III
Paper - Basic Grey