XOXO

Hi again, Crafty Friends!!

I think it's pretty clear that February is the month of Love. And I'm back again with Fleurette Bloom Stamps... whom has just asked me to be a part of their Design Team!!! Eeeeeek!! How cool is that??!!

I don't know about you but hearing great news like that always make me feel loved! And I've been in a very lovey-dovey type of mood lately... lots of warm fuzzies!

And what says love better than red roses...I think roses are very romantic, by the way!

 So, I made this simple, elegant, and "tres romantique" card using...

Roses in Bloom

Other Supplies Used

Clean Color Real Brush 60ct (Kuretake/ Zig)

Momento Tuxedo Black Ink (Imagine Crafts/ Tsukineko)

 Mixed Media Paper (Strathmore)

Hello Darlin Stack (DCWV Inc.)

Chalk Cardstock (DCWV Inc.)

Mega Runner (Xyron)

Stitched Circle Dies (Pink and Main)

Stitched Rounded Rectangle Dies (Pink and Main)

Whimsy Embossing Folders (We R Memory Keepers)

Moxie Font Dies (Quickutz/ Lifestyle Crafts)

Fishtail Flag STAX (My Favorite Things)

White Gel Pen (Sakura)

Fabric Tac

Heart Cabochon 

I started by stamping my image with Momento Tuxedo Black ink, a total of three times. 

Next, I colored them using Kuretake's Clean Color Real Brush Pens and I added highlights using a white gel pen.

I cut out two of the images by hand, and the third I die cut using a stitched circle die. Then embossed the die cut with an embossing folder.

I added foam adhesive to the back of the flowers and layered them onto each other for more dimension and removed one of the flowers for the very top layer.

I used this light green paper from the Hello Darlin Stack by DCWV and created a A7 (5"x 7" folded) sized card base.

Then die cut printed text paper from the same stack using a stitched rectangle die. You can hardly see it but the print has lots of inspirational sayings and phrases.

I used my Xyron Mega Runner to attach my rectangle to the front of my card base.

I used the same circle die from earlier and traced around the outside diameter of the die as a template. Then hand cut out the traced shape and layered it under my paper pieced roses.

I added foam tape under the circle for more dimension then adhered it to my card front.

I die cut a pennant and the letters XOXO and adhered the little flag to the card, slightly tucking it behind the circle.

Lastly, I added a heart shaped cabochon using a clear quick dry adhesive.

You can really see all the added dimension with all the different layers (above picture).

Finished Card

I really hope you enjoyed my project for today and that it filled you with 

a bit of love, a little romance, or even some heartfelt inspiration.

XOXO,

Mitsy

More Christmas Inspiration

Hello Again Crafty Friends!!

Hope everyone is having a HOLLY JOLLY Christmas!!Are you in need of some last minute holiday mojo?? Well, I have a little Christmas inspiration for ya!!

I made this card using FB Stamps' Let it Snow stamps set!!

I love how elegant the Merry Christmas sentiment is in this set!! I love it so much I made it the focal point for my card!!

Other Supplies Used

Christmas Plaid Stack (DCWV)

Reds Family (Core'dinations)

Mega Runner (Xyron)

Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers (Zig / Kuretake)

VersaFine Onyx Black Ink Pad (Tsukineko/ Imagine Crafts)

Classic Oval Dies (Spellbinders)

Floral Oval Dies (Spellbinders)

Scroll Border Die- Lace Trimmings (Anna Griffin)

Briar Rose Holiday Mix (Petaloo)

Velvet Holly Leaves (Petaloo)

Berry Stems (Dollar Tree)

Glossy Accents (Ranger)

I stamped this image with an VersaFine Onyx Black ink and colored in the image with my Zig Kuretake Clean Color Real Brush Markers.

Then die cut the image with an oval die and layered it onto ornate oval die to frame it.

Adhered my card layers together using my Xyron Mega Runner.

The scroll borders were aso die cuts. I cut out 2 pieces then I attached them together using a glue pen. Then, I attached the joined piece onto the card with clear liquid adhesive.

I added Petaloo flowers & holly leaves. I also added berries I purchased from Dollar Tree. I used a thick clear adhesive to attach the bigger embellishments to the card. You could also use hot glue for this.

Here is a close-up of my finished card...

Hope you all enjoyed today's holiday inspiration!!

Happy Crafting, Friends!!

~ DT Mitsy

Quick & easy eBrush HACK

My latest craze and adventure has been this little machine... It's called the eBrush and is made by Craftwell. It is a airbrush system that utilizes most craft markers on the market. Most... is the key word there. The system comes with 6 adapters. These adapters work with the following markers: Tombow, Spectrum Noir, Prismacolor, Sharpie Fine, Copic Sketch, and Chartpak.

A lot of these markers are very pricey. And, if you are like me and don't have bottomless pocket book you might wanna pay close attention... because I've hacked my eBrush!!

Yes, I don't own most of the brands mentioned above... even with a craft store coupon it is still way out of my priec range. Copics tend to run about $8 a pen. That's right, A PEN!! And a set of 6 can easily set you back $50... YIKES!! Let's not forget that copics come in over 300 colors!

let's do some quick math:

$8 x 300= $2400

Um, yeah... how about NOOOOO!

 I maybe have a handful of Copics (if even that) and I bought them about 10 yrs ago. hey, don't judge, they still work! I do, however, have a pack of sharpies. Walmart had a pack of 12 for $5.97. Now that is an easier bullet to bite.

 I also have in my possession,  markers that I thought were Tombow... Well, it turned out they weren't. They are Marvy Uchida's Le Plume II. Which coincidentally looks a lot like the Tombows... except they are thinner. 

And, guess what, they did not fit in any of the adapters... at first. Here's my hack...

You know those foam/ cushion sleeves/ grips ( whatever you wanna call them)... you know those thingies you slip on your pencils and pens to cushion your fingers... Yeah, those things. Well, it turns out they make awesome adapters for your adapters!!

I found some on my pencils I had for years... removed them from the pencils. Then I cut them into about 1/4" pieces. You can cut several from one sleeve. As you can see I can get about 5 or 6 from this one.

I slipped it onto my marker.

Then slid it into the adapter. For the Marvy's I used the Sharpie adapter. 

Adjust as needed and test the airflow over the marker tip.

While the air is activated, adjust the position till the ink is released in a continuously smooth spray. It should look like a fine mist. That is what's called the "SWEET SPOT". You may have to move your marker further in or further out of the adapter to find it. Still can't find it? Try tilting the tip up or down. 

And there you have it. 

Try the wonderful and inexpensive alternative to buying pricey markers... your wallet may thank you for it!

Stay tuned for upcoming projects made with the eBrush... I'm gonna be trying out for their upcoming eBrush design team... Wish me LUCK!!

Happy Crafting Everyone!