He Heals the Broken

Hello Friends, today's card features one of my favorite stamps to use on sympathy cards. I did it up in neutral tones, adding just a touch of light blue and lavender to match the ombre ribbon from Cropstop.

Supplies and tools:

Chiro Embossing Folder (Couture Creations)

All Things are Possible Stamp Set (Heartfelt Creations)

Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Blossom Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Distress Embossing Ink (Ranger)

Distress Ink in these colors: Salty Ocean/ Shaded Lilac/Hickory Smoke

Sponge Daubers

Black Embossing Powder

Petaloo Flowers

Scotch Foam Mounting Tape

Sheer Ombre Ribbon - Lavender/Blue

Cuttlebug

I'd love to see what you've been creating, so stop by the  last link party and showoff any creation that includes a product or two from one of the companies carried in the Cropstop store. 

Guest Designer - Amy Brown

Welcome to Guest Designer Friday. This month we have another "new to Cropstop" guest designer --- Amy Brown from Brite Designs Studio. Amy created a super cute (and FUN) scrapbook page layout to inspire you --- What better way to showcase all those photos you took over the Christmas holidays?!

Here's what Amy says:

"I cut strips of the patterned Christmas Town paper into various sizes, tearing the edges of some and fringing others to give the page some fun texture and detail. I stitched each to the page with my sewing machine using white thread in zigzag and straight stitches. I then splattered metallic watercolors over the page, and set to work on the main photo. I backed the photo with some vellum and Scotch foam tape. After the watercolor splatters dried I adhered the photo and embellished the page with Doodlebug Christmas ephemera, stickers, and paper flowers."

Supplies used: 

Doddlebug Christmas Town paper pack (6x6)

Michael's paper flowers

Doodlebug Christmas ephemera (not sure of the exact pack, they are from last year, sorry!)

K&Company Very Merry embossed stickers

Metallic watercolors

Scotch foam tape

Why not show us what you've been working on of late....stop by our FINAL LINK PARTY and show off any project that includes a product or two from companies carried in the Cropstop store. 

November Link Party - # 45

Hello crafty friends! It's time for another link party here on the Cropstop blog. Today I'm sharing an autumn window card I created with a floral embellishment. For a mini tutorial on creating the sunflower visit this post from several weeks ago. (This card uses one each of the two smallest sizes.)

To create the background I scored a piece of kraft cardstock every 3/4 of an inch and swiped my walnut stain distress oxide across it. I die cut and distressed the window using the same ink. I also sponged all of the leaves with coordinating colors to add more depth and interest to them.

Supplies and Tools:

• Scoring Board
• Sunflower Stamp Set (Heartfelt Creations)
• Meadowbird Branch Die Set (Memory Box)
• Window Two Die (Spellbinders)
• Fall Folliage (Tim Holtz)
• Frond Punch (Martha Stewart)
• Burlap String
• Sponge Daubers
• Instant Coffee
• Distress Ink in these colors
• Gathered Twigs 
• Mustard Seed
• Fossilized Amber
• Spiced Marmalade
• Mowed Lawn
• Distress Oxide (Ranger) in these colors
• Walnut Stain
• Peeled Paint
• Squeezed Lemonade
• Wild Honey
• Cuttlebug
• ATG gun

 Now it’s your turn to share the projects you’ve been working on! As always our link party is "Anything Goes" with these few simple rules

1. Create ANY new project using a product or two from one of the companies CropStop carries in the store. (It’s ok if you didn’t buy it from us, and also fine if it’s a product we don’t currently have it in stock as long as it’s from one of the companies we carry!)
2. Please, no back-linking old projects
3. Limit 5 entries per challenge
4. Link your project here, link back to this post, and mention the CropStop Challenge in your post.

We’ll choose one random Winner who will receive a prize from the CropStop Store! (100 or more links = two winners and two prizes!) Thanks so much for linking up with us, we look forward to seeing all your great entries this month. Grab our badge and help us spread the word that CropStop is a great place to play along!

Optional Twist for November:

Create a project that includes fall leaves and I'll enter your name twice in the random draw.

Distress Spray Stain

Today's card features Antique Linen Distress Spray Stain on nearly all the elements. You can see by the different shades on this card that I started with several different paper colors (white, cream, manila) and applied more or less to achieve different tones.The background (manila) has a heavier layer and looks vintage and stained while the the tag is lightly spritzed white paper and looks totally different! Click here to check out the Distress Stains Cropstop currently has in stock!

 To create the background I:

• spritzed a piece of manila card stock with Antique Linen Distress Spray Stain and heat set
• stamped the Music Notes Background Stamp (Heidi Swapp) in Ground Espresso Distress Ink (Ranger)
• inked the edges with Ground Espresso using Sponge Daubers

The front panel is another take on Coloring Gesso with Distress Crayons (picture tutorial here)

• I added White Gesso through the  Floral Stencil (Tim Holtz) using the Dina Wakley Pallet Knife
• Then I removed the stencil and washed it
• I heat set my panel and then laid the stencil back over it adding Distress Crayons (Spun Sugar/Festive Berries/Twisted Citron/Pine Needles)
• I removed the stencil and spritzed over the panel with Antique Linen Distress Spray Stain
• I cut it into 3/4 inch strips and distressed the edges before adhering them to a piece of cardstock and adding a lace border punched with the Eyelet Lace border punch (Martha Stewart)

To finish of the card I:

•  Die cut a paper doily from Brown Card Stock using the Hello Doily Die set from Sizzix
• Cut a tag from White Card Stock, Spritzed it with Antique Linen Distress Spray Stain and stamped a sentiment from the All Things Are Possible Stamp Set (Heartfelt)
• added a bit of natural burlap string to the tag 

• Die cut flowers using the Tattered Florals (Tim Holtz)
• Added Spun Sugar/Festive Berries Distress Crayon to the flowers, and rubbed it in with a slightly damp finger
•  lightly prayed the flowers with  Antique Linen Distress Spray Stain and crumpled them to give them a more distressed look
• created a 3D rose using the 3D flower die from Sizzix, spritzed it heavily with Antique Linen Distress Spray Stain and added a large pearl to the center before gluing it to the center of my large daisy

• die cut a swirl from the Romantic Vines die set (Spellbinders), and some foliage from Tim Holtz's Fall Foliage die set

 I would love to see the ways you use Distress Stains so stop by the current link party and showoff any creation that includes a product or two from one of the companies Cropstop carries in the store.

Guest Designer - Darlene Pavlick

Hello blog friends - it's time for another Guest Designer Friday! Today we're sharing the work of one of my talented friends, Darlene Pavlick of Dar's Crafty Creations. Darlene is one of those sweet people who has offered to guest design here on Cropstop whenever I have an empty space to fill! More than once she's been a "lifesaver" when I needed someone, and always a creates the most beautiful cards to share with you! For this post she also included a picture tutorial for you...So without further ado here's what Darlene says:

"Happy Friday Everyone!

I'm  so excited today!  

I've once again been asked to guest design for the CropStop Blog.  YEAH!!

Here's what I've created using products they carry in their store.

It all began by creating my focus flower which is 'Daisy Delight' by Memory Box.

I've die cut it twice from white card stock then colored the popped out pieces of the one panel using Spectrum Noir alcohol Marker CT4 and then colored second panel which will be my outline piece using Spectrum Noir alcohol Marker JG1.

 After coloring, I die cut my framing panels using the 'Wrapped Stitched Frames' also by Memory Box.  I've used the largest frame for my actual frame but used the next size down 'inset' to adhere my flower to.  Once I had the outline adhered I then pieced in the yellow flower petals.

 Next came my background panel.  I wanted to use coordinating colors with my focus flower so I used Tim Holtz distress oxide inks and watercolor paper.  I actually used Lucky Clover & Amber but as you can see where the green & yellow combined, I ended up with blue!  It happens!  Duh!  LOL

I used Scotch ATG adhesive to adhere my background panel to my white card base.  

Then, started building my layers.  Next came the large frame  ...

Then my focus flower panel which was popped up using mounting tape for added dimension.

Lastly, I added this adorable little 'Bee' by Elizabeth Craft.

It too was popped up using mounting tape."

Thanks Darlene for filling in today -- You did a fabulous job!

Now it's YOUR turn!! Stop by our CURRENT LINK PARTY and showoff the projects you've been working on that include a product or two from one of the companies carried in the Cropstop store. I hope to see you there!

Guest Desinger - Karen Letchworth

Hello blog friends, welcome back for another Guest Designer Friday! Today we're excited to be sharing a beautiful card created by Karen Letchworth of My Cup Runneth Over. Karen is no stranger to Cropstop regulars, and we're happy she agreed to share this lovely card in her distinctive style! Not only did she create a gorgeous card to share with us today, but she also walks us through the creative process step by step - with photos!!

Here's what Karen says about putting this sweet card together:

"This card started with a piece of Ivory Bazzill card stock that I used to create a textured background.  I used a plastic Tool (similar to this, but you can use a plastic knife) to place Prima Gesso on the card stock by laying a circle patterned Stencil on the paper and spreading the Prima Gesso.  Using a Sponge Dauber is another great way to add color to just about anything, and CropStop carries just about every shade of the fabulous Tim Holtz inks/paints to make all your projects pop.  Using some more Stencils, I took the Sponge Dauber and applied some color to the background including Tim Holtz Spun Sugar Distress Ink, Tim Holtz Marmalade Distress Ink and Tim Holtz Dusty Concord.  I also used Tim Holtz Twisted Citron Distress Ink to stamp some swirls.

Next, I die-cut a "chicken wire" piece for the back drop using a Darice Embossing Die.  I used only a portion of this die-cut in the lower right corner of my card.  This completed the background I wanted, and now it was time to add a sentiment and some embellishments.  I started by cutting some greenery (branches) using a Creative Expressions by Sue Wilson branch die-cut, and I placed them strategically in the lower right corner.  To that, I added a length of bundled Ivory Burlap String and topped that with some gorgeous Petaloo Flowers and leaves.

All that was left was my sentiment, so I grabbed my Tim Holtz Black Soot Distress Ink to stamp my sentiment on a Spellbinders die.  I inked it with some Tim Holtz Forest Moss Distress Ink, and added some Ivory Burlap String, Olive Burlap String, a flower and some sequins.

I encourage you to try something new.  I'm trying to step out of my comfort zone as well.  Perhaps picking up some Gesso and giving the textured background a try, or getting some new die-cuts.  CropStop has so many FABULOUS products as well as a fun monthly challenge on the CropStop Blog.  Be sure to stop by and check out everything CropStop has to offer."

 

Thanks for sharing your talent with us today, Karen! It's always a pleasure to showcase your work! 

Now it's YOUR turn! Stop by our CURRENT LINK PARTY and showoff any project that includes a product or two from one of the companies Cropstop carries in the store! I'll be looking for YOUR name in the link gallery!

Embossing Fun

Hello friends! I'm back today to share some embossing fun with you. Today I have a "peachy-pink" card that features both dry and wet embossing.  Let's get to it....

To create this card I:

• Inked up one side of my Tim Holtz Alterations Roses embossing folder (Sizzix) with Versamark Watermark Ink
• Placed a piece of light pink card stock in the folder and ran it through my Cuttlebug
• Sprinkled Brilliant Sparkle Gold Embossing Powder (Cosmic Shimmer) over the card stock and heat set
• I matted the pink piece on kraft card stock and set it aside
• Next I, cut three Small Billow Flowers (Memory Box) from white card stock
• I inked these with Versamark Watermark Ink, dipped them in Brilliant Sparkle Gold Embossing Powder (Cosmic Shimmer), and heat set them
• I added a piece of pink card stock behind two of them and left one see through

• Using the Hello Doily die set (Sizzix) I cut a paper doily from white card stock
• I also cut a kraft sentiment using a Stamplorations die
• To create my crinkle ribbon, I inked up some Hug Snug seam binding with Tattered Rose Distress Oxide (Ranger), spritzed it with water, balled it up, and dried it with my heat gun
• Inside I added a strip of punched lace (Martha Stewart border punch) and one more billow flower 

Now it's your turn to share the projects you've been working on. Please stop by our CURRENT CHALLENGE and link up any project that includes a product or two from companies Cropstop carries in the store. I hope to see you there!

Guest Designer -- Donna Phelan

On today's "Guest Designer Friday" I get to share yet another beautiful card created by our talented guest designer, Donna Phelan of Crafting By The Beach. Donna is sharing another great tutorial with our blog readers that includes lots of photos! Here's what Donna says about putting her pretty floral card together:

"Good Morning!

I am happy to be back as a Guest Designing on the CropStop Blog.

No sentiment, just a pretty all occasion card! 

Here's how I created it!

I layered 2 of the My Favorite Things Cross Stitched Rectangles together, die cutting in White card stock.  This creates an easy and decorative frame.

I die cut the Memory Box Distress Windham Collage from White card stock and topped it with my pretty Cross Stitched Rectangle frame.  I then layered a piece of pretty Violet card stock behind that.  Adhering a piece of Fun Foam using Scor Tape to the back of all of those layers.  The Fun Foam gives this panel a nice sturdy feel.  

Next I cut the pretty Dogwood Blossom Corner die by Poppy Stamps

from Violet and Green card stock.  I cropped the flowers from the Violet piece and layered them on to the Green vine.  Topped with Adhesive Pearls.

My butterfly is from the Memory Box Butterfly Exhibit die.  I just snipped the largest butterfly from the die cut and again backed it with the pretty Violet card stock.  
It just POPS! 

Added one more Adhesive Pearl.

As always, a little bit of dimension.  I flipped up the butterfly wings a bit.

I stamped a wee little butterfly on the inside as well as a little vine.

Sending Love Stamps by Gina K Designs.

Inks in Rich Razzleberry and Wild Wasabi."

Thanks for sharing your talent with us again this week, Donna!
Now it's your turn....stop by our CURRENT LINK PARTY and showoff any projects that include a few products from companies Cropstop carries in the store! I'll look forward to seeing your work appear in the gallery!

June Link Party - #40

It's time for another link party here on the Cropstop blog! Today I'm sharing a different kind of inspiration with you -- it's a page out of my new art journal! I've been admiring the work of several ladies on different design teams with me, and finally took the plunge and started an Art Journal myself.

Here's how I created my page:

• I started by painting my page with a layer of clear Gesso
• Using Sponge Daubers,  I added some distress oxide in the following colors:
• Broken China ~ Faded Jeans ~ Peeled Paint ~ Frayed Burlap ~ Walnut Stain
•  I wet my ink, moved it around with a paint brush, and reapplied ink till I reach a desired color pattern
• I spritzed the ink with water and heat set
• In the upper right corner I added a torn piece of an old sewing pattern using  clear Gesso as my adhesive
• To the right I applied white Gesso through the Measured stencil from Tim Holtz and heat set
• I stamped the Seamstress stamp from Prima in Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko)
• I stamped one of the Julie Nutting dolls (from Holiday Bliss) on an old dictionary page in Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko)
• I restamped her dress, hair, and shoes on various pieces of card stock, fussy cut them, and added them over the original doll
• I colored her flesh with a Touch Five marker
• Behind the doll I added some Prairie Thistle die cuts from Memory Box/Poppystamps

• I added some Washi Tape strips along the bottom center of my page
• To the left I stamped the plaid background stamp from Impression Obsession in Faded Jeans Distress Oxide
• Over top I added two Repeat Impressions flowers, stamped on watercolor paper in Versamark Watermark ink and embossed with black embossing powder
• They were colored with Sonnet Watercolors and fussy cut
•  I also added a piece of greenery cut with the Fall Folliage dies (Sizzix) and a tiny wire hanger from my stash
• The sentiment was computer generated, printed on white card stock, inked with  distress oxides, and stamped with the plaid background stamp from Impression Obsessionin Brilliance Moonlight White Ink from Tsukineko
• I die cut an embroidery hoop from Waffle Flower and added it around the largest word 

Now it’s your turn to share the projects you’ve been working on! As always our link party is "Anything Goes" with these few simple rules:

1. Create ANY new project using a product or two from one of the companies CropStop carries in the store. (It’s ok if you didn’t buy it from us, and also fine if it’s a product we don’t currently have it in stock as long as it’s from one of the companies we carry!)
2. Please, no back-linking old projects
3. Limit 5 entries per challenge
4. Link your project here, link back to this post, and mention the CropStop Challenge in your post.

We’ll choose one random Winner who will receive a prize from the CropStop Store! (100 or more links = two winners and two prizes!) Thanks so much for linking up with us, we look forward to seeing all your great entries this month. Grab our badge and help us spread the word that CropStop is a great place to play along!

OPTIONAL TWIST FOR JUNE:

If you enter an ART JOURNAL PAGE this month,  I'll enter your name twice (for each project linked) in the random draw!

Guest Desinger - Donna Phelan

Welcome to another "Guest Designer Friday!" Today I'm sharing a beautiful card created by the winner of the April Link Party...Donna Phelan of Crafting By the Beach. Donna not only created a gorgeous interactive card to share with us today, but also included a mini tutorial with LOTS of photos! Let's get right to it...Donna says,

"Good Morning!

I am sharing a little interactive card with you today.  I was inspired by Dawn's Stamping Thoughts, her Hubby designed this particular sketch.

Top Folding A-2 Card.

Black card base, 4 1/4 x 11 inches, scored at 5 1/2 inches.

White layering weight card stock, 4 1/8 inches x 5 1/4 inches

Polka Dot Designer Paper, 3 7/8 inches x 5 1/8 inches.

Using the Memory Box Sideshow Tickets I die cut once from Black card stock and Floral Designer Paper.  Adhered with Scotch ATG Adhesive.

I added  Fun Foam to the back of my panel using Scor Tape.  This creates a nice 'channel' for my smaller Memory Box Sideshow Tickets which is cut in White card stock, layered with a Red Memory Box Row Of Poppies cropped die cut.  Ribbon added for the pull tab.

Sentiment panel Folk Filigree and Happy Spring stamp sets, by Gina K Designs.

Raven Black ink.

Spellbinders Standard Classic, Heart, and Scallop Circles die cuts.

Red and White Gingham Ribbon.

Black Ribbon Tab.

Foam Dots.

A hidden surprise inside.

A little bit of dimension.

Classic Black and White with a POP of Red."

Thanks for sharing your talent with us Donna! You have inspired me to do something interactive and fun!  Now it's YOUR turn! Stop by our CURRENT LINK PARTY and show off any project that includes a product or two from companies Cropstop carries in the store!