OWH Tutorial: Tea Staining

Tea dyed fabric is not new to me, but the idea of tea staining paper is a new and intriguing so I decided to try it.  I was lucky enough to have some round tea bags in my stash that were very easy to work with.  I found that less water was better and created a "marbled" background by using an up and down motion.  One of my favorite teas (which I am currently out of) is Passion and has a great rose tint that would be perfect to use for this technique.  The paper did curl so I took an iron to the backside...I was thinking a watercolor paper might work a little better.  Overall I really like the effect!!!

I was in need of a sympathy card for my DH to take to work for the group to sign for a co-worker who lost their parent.  This is my new stamp that I had recently purchased for sympathy cards, because I can see the need.  I love the quote as well as the font mix.

OWH MWT: Kid's Cards

I recently discovered Dearie Dolls Digi Stamps.  Mary Ellen has both colored and uncolored free digis here: http://deariedollsdigis.blog.com.  I found this one and he was too darn cute not to use for this week's challenge!

OWH Sketch #132



1st Attempt



2nd Attempt

  I am really loving this sketch...it's kinda an "art bit".  I thought my first attempt card was okay...had started with the papers.  Because of the shortened diagonal strip I placed the sentiment vertically which is always awkward to me.  My second attempt at this sketch is better even with no sentiment.  I only used part of the stamp...I really just wanted trees.  A little sewing for some added umph along with three metal colored brads for that added guy bling.  A side note to check out Sybrina's blog regarding a super secret nomination (well as secret as posting on a blog can be)...definitely do not tell Ciara...she cannot keep a secret!  Here's the link:  http://scrappingwithpurpose.blogspot.com/

OWH ODBD Challenge: Masculine

Don't you love a great free digi!  I was super excited when I saw this one designed by Matt.  I knew it would make a really cool card that would be perfect for OWH.  If you want more information, please see this post here:  http://www.papercraftsconnection.com/blog/2012/07/it%e2%80%99s-a-bird-it%e2%80%99s-a-plane-it%e2%80%99s-super-lone-design-man-with-a-free-download/.  While I made several versions of this card...this is my favorite and I am linking it to the August Our Daily Bread Designs Challenge which can be found here:  http://operationwritehome.org/our-daily-bread-designs-august-challenge/.  When we link up 50 great cards they donate money to ship 2 boxes each month.  That is pretty cool as well!

SSC: Books & Text

It's Saturday which means a new challenge has been posted on the Sweet Stampin Challenge Blog and it can be found here:   http://sweetstampinchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2012/08/books-text.htm.  I did not have anything that really fit so I went and searched the Free Digital Stamps Blog.  Those ladies who keep that blog going are amazing!  The image comes either colored or not  and can be found here:  http://cruzines.blogspot.com/2012/05/crudoodle-her-nose-in-book-digital.html.  I really loved the colored version so I downloaded that one.  Thanks Toni B!!!  I printed out the "read" on some slightly printed texture paper.  I will end up sending this card to OWH so the embellishments need to be fairly flat.

My friends make fun of how much I like to keep my work straight but I have been on a real "tilty" kick of images and sentiments lately.  I am not sure what that means...

What Up?

I had a piece of paper that I decided it was time to use...which led me to this skater stamp.  I made 6 of these (each a little different) for my OWH box which I am trying to fill quickly with quality cards. 

The image is distressed with two colors (black & orange).  Sentiment is computer generated. Definitely a "guy" card with some attitude.

OWH MWT: Any Hero Cards & A Fix

My first card will be an Any Hero Card as soon as I write a note inside.  I was inspired by a card by Tina at KittyKat Cards.  It is not really a CASE because they are different in too many ways to mention.  I decided to not go patriotic this time just because...

On my second card I fixed what I considered to be a small quandary with a big impact: her eyes.  Before they were a little scary...but now they are not.