Out of the Mire: August 2014

Thursday, August 28, 2014

082814 August CKC Project #5

Finished my fifth project using my Hot Summer Days August CKC kit.

This time I used a bit of inspiration from a wonderful challenge site:

Archi-scraps!

This blog has the most unique challenge each month.

A photo of some sort of architecture is the inspiration for your page/project!

This month the criteria to include was crenellation -

the bits at the top of the wall that make you think castle or fortress.

Your inspiration can continue with the subject in the photo, the color scheme, etc.

Here is my page:

I have been determined to find a way to use that cute cloud paper from my kit.

When my grandson got on board this month with potty training

I thought the "carefree" rub-on couldn't be more perfect. So proud of him!

Here is one of my crenellated details, the postage stamp punched edge on my title.

It may be subtle but it's there all the same.

I have really enjoyed adding the stitching this month.

When I limit it to small accents it really doesn't take too much time to accomplish.

And the sun rays qualify as another crenellated accent.

Be sure you check in on the first of the month

at Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog for the latest kit inspiration, and

over at Archi-scraps for a new architectural photo to jump start your September crafting!

Sunday, August 24, 2014

082414 CKC August Member's Challenge Blog Hop

It's always fun to take a hop through a group of

just-revealed Counterfeit Kit Challenge projects each month!

This month the challenges were as follows, with active links to the posts:

Challenge #1: One Layer Challenge: No paper layering allowed - just embellishments.
Challenge #2: Sketch Challenge: Stretch this card sketch to suit you.
Challenge #3: Vellum: Incorporate vellum into your project.

Ah, vellum. Most of us have a love/hate relationship with vellum

It's translucent, ethereal... it can veil private journaling or disguise a less-than-perfect photo.
But what a nightmare to adhere to the page!
I have given up & settle for the most subtle touches of adhesive that I can manage...

I can't resist buying printed vellum when I can find it.

But for this challenge I decided to print some myself.

Now, vellum is one of those slick surfaces that won't take just any ink.

Most just lay there on the surface & never dry.

I've used StazOn Timber Brown on orange vellum with a woodgrain mask.

Oooo...yummy!

Can't wait to layer this up over something patterned.

Like this:

Did a little stitching magic, too. The lined paper made it so much easier to line it up nicely.

This boy is SO CUTE, but I almost hesitated to scrap these photos as he looks so snarky, lol :)

Now hop on over to Cindy & see what scrappy goodness is going on over there!

CKCB http://www.counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com

Jemma http://just-jimjams.blogspot.co.uk
Tina http://tinasscrapcorner.blogspot.com
Susanne http://snapsandsnippets.blogspot.com

Elaine http://chidkids26.blogspot.uk

Lesley    http://ohblogitifyoucantbeatthem.blogspot.co.uk
Laura    http://beadsbuttonsandbirds.blogspot.co.uk
Leslie      http://lcsmithsaved-outofthemire.blogspot.com YOU ARE HERE

Cindy      http://www.cindyscreations-cinmfoster.blogspot.com GO HERE NOW
Lisa      http://lisahausmann.blogspot.de
Binty   http://scrappingpluv.blogspot.com
Julene http://julenebydesign.blogspot.com.au

Friday, August 22, 2014

082214 Another CKC August kit page

Oh, how I love having my August CKC kit!

This month's Hot Summer Days kit includes a lot of fun things to play with.

I grabbed the cool The Crafters Workshop USA & Studio 490 Classic Word stencils, my last piece of Heidi Swapp's Champion paper and an adorable photo of my little miss firecracker Chloe.

I added that sweet Basic Gray paper for a photo mat to girlify all that grunge!

Love when I can "let the patterned paper do the work."

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

081214 CKC August Challenge #2 Sketch

The only thing more fun than putting my Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog kit together each month...

...is using it on the three challenges!

Challenge #2: Use this sketch


October Afternoon's Thursday Sketch

I gave it a bit of a squish & a stretch, with a little banner to start your eye off in the right place.

I used that wonderful Heidi Swapp Serendipity "New Day" sunburst paper as a background, with a little white pen work to enhance the sun rays & embellish a few of the circles on the sequined portions.

The other patterned paper is Basic Gray's Nook & Pantry "Placemats".

Next I stenciled stars in place of the chevrons in the sketch.

These areas will anchor my fussy-cut three part title.

More fun adding the bits & bobs that make it complete.

Some products & papers were as old as at least 2011!

Some detail shots from the page.

Had a lot of fun with this one!

Easy-peasy when you build the fun into your kit :~D

Friday, August 8, 2014

080814 August CKC Tutorial

Wowwa.

This was a BIG inspiration kit.


Studio Calico Penny Arcade

Each month the Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog presents it's own unique inspiration.

This month the sheer volume of kit & add-on choices was phenomenal!

My kit actually included 26 pieces of paper! =O

(I got a little carried away...)

Every time I looked I found something else to forge or sub from my stash.

I made my version of the happy little cloud paper.

I still need to find a rub-on sentiment for it.

The feather paper I really loved, but it didn't go well with my kit.

I forged just the feathers for embellis.

The doodled alpha paper was irresistable.

Mine is less elaborate but I feel still a success.

I used a white pen to suggest the outline of the cloud & added chalk to enhance it.

His cute little cheeks were printed using a pencil end eraser - makes a perfect dot!

Found this 2004(!) Making
Memories rub-on sentiment
plus the tiny 2011 Studio
Calico cloud rub-ons

It took me three tries to get this right. I can still use them on the brown side as well.

These alpha stamps were actually quite small so I kept the doodles simple on the letters.

I loved the tissue fringe & remembered that I

have the perfect paper & tools to make this

forgery easy-peasy.

The cloud stencil I have translated into

a vellum overlay.

The adorable printed tissue & fringe scissors accomplished this in a snap.

Punch, punch, punch & done!

This is an ancient wood veneer

tag that I simply punched out.

This was a product I hadn't used before.

They will buff up to more of a shine once dry.

Now it's your turn!

Start your mental wheels turning & please share the results over at Mr. Linky.

Monday, August 4, 2014

080414 CKC Challenge #1

Another card challenge, this month from Hero Arts.


New One Layer Challenge! - The Hero Club Blog

Create a one layer card. Use one piece of cardstock as your card base with no additional paper layers. Sponge, mask, emboss, glitter, and color to your heart’s content — so many techniques lend themselves to one layer cards! Embellishments ARE allowed for this challenge.

My first idea was to do a little chalkboard number
with three layers of stamping...

...but I think I need more practice
at masking the different layers.
I do like how the polka dots look
colored in w/marker, though.

Then I tried a peekaboo card...

...and liked the idea but not the kraft,
so off to troll my kit for inspiration!

I decided to dry emboss the polka dots,
on vellum. I am strictly speaking using one
layer but I get the advantage of a peek at
everything on the inside.

Unfortunately, I first stamped the Hero Arts doily
stamp on the wrong side of the vellum & after wiping
off the ink now the vellum is curling - ugh.

It was a fun experiment, though!
.

Friday, August 1, 2014

080114 August Counterfeit Kit

Entering into the dog days of summer in my part of the globe, I would like to give a warm welcome to our August Guest Designer Sherri Thompson! Be sure you toddle over to her blog if you haven't already hopped there, say hello, & prepare to be inspired.

OODLES of inspiration this month over at the Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog

with this bodacious inspiration kit line, "Penny Arcade" from Studio Calico!