SCACD Digital Stamps Release Blog Hop!!!

SCACD is celebrating 10 newly released exclusive digital stamps and I'm thrilled to be a part of this Hop.  There are some adorable new animal stacks (think kittens, puppies, birds) as well as some Steampunk additions and more!  So check out the collection, as these are really cute, fun and unique.  SCACD Artist Carmen Medlin and Susana Collaborated on the images and we are happy to be showing them to you now.

Available NOW in the USA HERE.
All our EU International friends can purchase them HERE.
If you are a non EU country you can purchase direct from SCACD HERE.  

You should have arrived from Alex's Blog where I'm sure she wowed you with her fabulous creations. 

I'm thrilled to be showcasing the brand new Steampunk Penguin and Flaming Heart.

Don'tcha just LOVE penguins?  And this guy is such a dapper gent.  I couldn't resist decking him out in Christmas colors and adding him to a die cut Steampunk wreath, to which I've added a few snowflakes.  He's colored with Copics with some Stickles brightening up his lightbulbs, then fussy cut and popped with foam for dimension.  There's a few flat backed silver beads adorning his gear, as well.  He'd also be great for a guy card any time of year. Check him out HERE.

I'm adding this to the Outlaw Friday Coloring ATG/ Christmas Challenge.

I did something a little different with Flaming Heart.  The design is derived from the Sacred Heart symbolism in characteristic in some Christian denominations. It has become a popular as a symbol for expressing love and passion, as well as the love and compassion for all humanity. These days the non-religious use of this symbol includes giving them as gifts to loved ones, decorative uses, ornaments and keepsakes.  In Mexico and other Latin countries, they are often cast or pressed from metal so I decided to try that with this fabulous design to decorate a leather box that originally housed a nice fountain pen.

I flipped the design in my printing program and printed it on regular copy paper. (This gives the best impression when tracing the design, but if you have to go over it too many times it will tear, so be careful.) Then I taped it to the back of some colored sheet metal.  I hoped I had just plain silver, but I could only find red in my stash.  I wasn't sure if I could color the red, as easily, but it was worth a try.  (Yeah I do see that the back of this red sheet is silver, DUH! but it was the wee hours of the morning and obviously I wasn't thinking too clearly. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it, and in the end, I was really glad I used the red side.)  

I laid the metal on a foam piercing mat and traced the flames and heart shape with a small stylus and bumped out the heart with a metal working tool.  Then I went back and traced the vines and thorns.  I have some inexpensive permanent Bic markers (what they called "fine" which is similar to what Sharpie calls "fine".  Hardly, but...  I took a vibrant yellow and started to color in the flames between the embossed outlines, and miraculously, the pen removed the red coating and colored it in yellow.  (I did have to wipe the tip regularly to get off the red gook, but hey, I was thrilled.)  For the fine details, I used a .05 Micron pen.  The metal cuts easily with scissors and, after fussy cutting, I used Glue Dots (the dimensional ones inside the bumped out heart and regular ones for the flames) to adhere it to the box top.  I finished it off with gold filigree stickers, et VOILA!  Gotta say I really, really, REALLY love how it came out. Such a cool image, I've got lots more plans for it.

Thanks for hanging in there with me.  You should be going next to Kathi.  I'm sure she has something fabulous to show you.  If you want to make sure you see all of the the Designers showcasing the stamps, then head back to the SCACD Store Blog HERE for there list.

Also, please note that SCACD is having a SALE (WooHoo!) so check it out HERE.

Cave of Skulls, Lair of the Sea Witch

Today, I'm posting on Airless Chambers, the RSD MFA darker Blog.  This is the place to go for inspiration from the EDT using the images a bit too scary for Sparkle and Glitter.  I've created an underwater scene using Cave of Skulls and Lair of the Sea Witch. The cave is actually one of the scenes Rick created for the Carnival De la Nuit, but I thought it made a perfect hideaway for the terrifying Sea Witch, don't you?  The rest of the Carnival De la Nuit stamps are fabulous as well, so be sure to check that category from the pull down menu top left in Rick's Zibbet shop. 

I kept the scene very dark with die cuts in black of Memory Box Oceana Corner and Poppy Seed Stamps Weeping Willow Branches (that I turned upside down to make kelp) against the dark teal gauze paper from DCWV.   I got both of those dies at the fabulous summer sale now going on at SCACD.  Check it out!   I've added mica flakes to the floor and skittles (remember those, I've still got a TON!) as rising air bubbles.  "The Deep" is done with Label Letters from Tim Holtz.

Here's a closeup of the Sea Witch.  Both she and the Cave were colored with Copics in a monochromatic palette and fussy cut.  I left a white border on Sea Witch and then backed her in black and fussy cut again to help make her stand out a bit more in the dark scene.

Here's the dimensional shot.  The cave was printed twice and the top portion was popped.  The kelp was also popped and the final layer is the witch herself. If you look closely, you can see some of the fab texture from the gauze paper. The photos don't really do it justice, but I think you can still get the dark and foreboding feeling I was after.

And by the way, there's still time to enter the 2nd half of the May/June Progressive challenge on SNG, even if you didn't join in in May.  Mr. Tea is now available HERE in Rick's Zibbet shop where there are well over 1000 images, for every taste, with more arriving nearly every day.  Hope to see you there.

Here are all of the important links:

Sparkle and Glitter

Airless Chambers

RSD MFA Blog

RSD How2 Tutorial Blog

Rick's Zibbet Shop

Rick's Etsy Shop

FB Fans and Friends

I'm entering this in Left of Center Challenge under the LOC theme, That Craft Place Layers, the Corrosive Challenge Leave a Little Sparkle (mica flakes and skittles), Brown Sugar Monochromatic Challenge, Crafty Catz Different Colored Hair, Create and Inspire ATG, Smudgy Antics ATG with Only 3 Colors, Dream in Darkness June ATG and Inspiration Destination ATG.

SCACD Eclectic Sea Rubber Stamp Release

I'm so excited to be participating in an exciting Blog Hop for SCACD.  We celebrate today a newly released exclusive rubber stamp set, Eclectic Sea (9 rubber stamps all together).  The Eclectic Sea is a twist of sorts in how something land bound might be seen in the ocean; for example a Sunflower that is now a Coral Sea Flower and vice versa.  So check out the collection as these are really unique and elegant.  SCACD artist Carmen Medlin and Susana collaborated on the images and we are so happy to be showcasing them to you now.

Now available for purchase in the USA HERE for the Eclectic Sea collection.
Our International Friends, if interested can email Susana.

I'm thrilled to be showcasing the beautiful Steampunk Siren's Call.  Top of the page you can see her after coloring, fussy cutting and laying on a piece of DP awaiting her undersea shell throne and she looked so pretty, I just had to snap a pic.  Above you see her in all her glory.  I've glued 3 shells together on a card stock base and added gorgeous Steampunk die cuts, Alice's Clock, only one of the exclusive SCACD dies behind her.

Again, a closeup of this beauty.  She's colored with Copics, Prisamcolor pencils and gel pens.  And for those of you who prefer digital stamps, there's a slightly different digital stamp available HERE.

Finally, here's a side view of the shell throne.  The netting is actually a knotted portion of a produce bag that I thought made a lovely backdrop.  

You should be going next to the mega talented Kathi who I'm sure has something wonderful featuring another stamp from the fabulous Eclectic Sea release.  If you get lost please visit the SCACD Store Blog for the full list of participants.

SCACD Brave Hearts and Eclectic 2 Rubber Stamp Release Blog Hop

Today SCACD celebrates 2 NEW recently released exclusive rubber stamp sets. They are the Brave Hearts (a group of 4 empowered gals) and Eclectic 2 (a combo of 6 steampunk and ethereal stamps).  With the Eclectic 2 collection, if you buy the entire set, you get 4 FREE date stamp words.  SCACD artist, Carmen Medlin, and Susana collaborated on these images and we're so happy to be showcasing them to you now. :D

They're available for purchase in the USA HERE. (for the Brave hearts and Eclectic 2 sets).

Our international friends can purchase them from Quixotic Paperie HERE.

SCACD digital stamps for both USA and International can always be found HERE.

My project is an art journal page (that I liked so much I tore it out and matted it) using the fabulous new Steampunk Sea Turtle Pair from the Eclectic Collection 2 (also available individually).  They were stamped with Memento Ink, colored with Copics, fussy cut and popped atop a watercolor paper background created by mopping up sprays from my craft mat.  The metal swirls are supposed to be steampunky bubbles.  LOL

I used the Kelp Forest stencil (also designed by Carmen Medlin) and Modeling Paste to further build the scene.  Once the paste was dry, I replaced the stencil and sponged Distress Ink in Peeled Paint over the raised areas for color.  I've finished off with some die cut gears from Tim Holtz and Memory Box that I enhanced with Rub 'n Buff and Frantage.

Your next stop should be Nikki and if you get lost along the way, head back to the SCACD Store Blog HERE.  Happy hopping.

I'm entering this in the Simon Says Monday No Rules(ATG) Challenge and the Outlawz Twisted Thursday ATG challenge.

SCACD Holiday Inspiration Day!

Welcome to the SCACD Holiday Inspiration Day!  Members of the DT and Friends are getting together to showcase some of the fabulous stamps available exclusively at SCACD for your holiday projects.  This is not really a Hop, but you're gonna want to see them all, so please visit the SCACD Blog for the entire list of participants.  I am showcasing the adorable Celestial Cat, by Carmen Medlin, just one of the fabby felines available in the Animals, Plants, Holiday, Skellies and All Other Digi Section of the store.  They're colored with Copics to match my last piece of hoarded DP (so old I'm not even sure who it's by any more, Cosmo Cricket, maybe?) fussy cut and popped a top a layered and embossed Christmas Tree. Looks like their feline frolic may be getting a bit out of hand.  LOL

And inside...oh,oh!  I'm sure all the cat owners out there can relate.  The sentiment is computer generated and the broken bauble is a Spellbinders die that met with my mean pair of scissors.  Susanna laughed and seemed a bit puzzled when I told her which stamp I was using, but tell me he doesn't look like a Christmas kitty with that stocking cap on (and a naughty one, at that!). Hee Hee!

Although the inside of the card is flat, here's the dimensional shot.  They're literally leaping off the page and into your heart, well mine, anyway.  I sure do love me some kitties!  Now hurry off to the SCACD Blog for a full list of those posting today.  They're sure to get your holiday mojo going.  

I'm adding this to the Unruly Paper Arts 12 Days of Christmas Linky Party (Day 4), A Song in My He{art} "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"  (probably my all time fave! Inspired by the lyrics "Hang a shining star upon the highest bough".), Crafting by Designs All Things Christmas, Crafting for All Seasons 'Tis the Season, Simon Says Monday Holiday Cards, Simon Says Wednesday Christmas /Holidays,  Eureka Stamps Celebration challenge, Crafty Sentiments ATG, Papertake Weekly ATG, Animal Friends December Challenge ATG with an Animal,  the Outlawz Twisted Thursday ATG/Christmas Magic and the DLArt December Linky Challenge.

Steampunk Bookmark

I love books.  REAL books.  There's nothing like the feel and smell of a book and they make such fabulous gifts.  For years at Christmas I received one of the "Oz" series and I couldn't wait to crack it open and dive in.  I still own them all and the memories of getting lost in that magical world still thrill me to this day. So despite technology, I plan to give real books this Christmas with a little something extra, like this homemade Steampunk bookmark.

Again I've used the new release Steampunk Hummingbird from SCACD (also available in rubber HERE) but this time colored him almost entirely with metallic gel pens to give it a more masculine feel.  (Scroll down to see my feminine version of this stamp).  He's fussy cut, but not popped as I think when it comes to bookmarks, the flatter the better.  The DP is Crafty Chaos (unfortunately no longer in business).

I've cut the gears from several different Memory Box dies for the top and bottom (The bottom ones looked like funky Steampunk glasses to me, don'tcha think?)  This gorgeous Alice's Clock die is an SCACD exclusive.  I was basically thinking "Time flies with a good book".  Ain't it the truth?

I'm entering this in the Simon Says Wednesday ATG Challenge.

So Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving to all who are celebrating today.  Even with all the cooking and festivities, I couldn't let the day go by without saying thank you to my friends and followers.  I am truly thankful for the ability to share my creative endeavors with you and all the love and support I receive from you each and every day. In celebration, I've made a Thanksgiving wall hanging in the Steampunk style using the fabulous new Steampunk Hummingbird and Steampunk Flower designed by Carmen Medlin, exclusively for SCACD.

I know some people are not fans of the Steampunk style, saying it's too dark or industrial, or whatever, but I'm here to show you the bright and whimsical side, easily brought out by Carmen's creative genius.  I've used the digital stamps for my project, merging the png images (you get BOTH jpg AND png) and coloring them with Copics and metallic gel pens to match the Graphic 45 DP.  You can see more of Carmen's Steampunk digis HERE and if you prefer rubber, check out the fab New Steampunk Rubber Release.

The hanging itself was cut with my Spellbinders Grand Labels Four with the sentiment from Stampin'Up.  Underneath I couldn't resist layering the fabulous Steampunk Wings to mimic the cool wings on the hummingbird.  This pair is an SCACD exclusive and I'd say a "must have" for Steampunk fans.  You can see more of the SCACD Exclusive dies HERE.  Also available  in the UK at Quixotic Paperie.  Finally, I've added Tim Holtz mini metal gears and a ball chain hanger strung through metal hinge clips keeping with the Steampunk vibe.

I'm entering this in the Corrosive "Happy Everything" Challenge, the Crafty Little Fairies Not a Square, TTRCD Nov 25-Dec 1 ATG, the Outlawz Monday Greetings Challenge ATG, DLArt Thankful Thursday Any Winter Holiday/...alternative Thank You, Fab 'n Funky ATG w/Die Cuts, Fresh Brewed Designs Give Thanks, Crafty Sentiments Use Die Cuts, Going Grey with Scrap-Creations Give Thanks, PTT ATG, the Digi Sketch Challenge Die Cuts or Punches, Simon Says Wed. ATG  and the Paper Shelter Metal Somewhere.

FIESTA!!!!

Well, if you've been following me for awhile, you know I LOVE Dia de los Muertos and was thrilled when I found these fun skellies at SCACD.  Without going into the full explanation about the holiday, Day of the Dead is celebrated in Latin cultures, and is a day of honoring and celebrating the life of departed loved ones.  It is a happy, not morbid occasion, with bright colors and banners, so I've made a fun greeting card, or perhaps party invitation. (If I get my act together. LOL)  Sentiment is done with Alpha Beads on the layered banner and the fab DP is BoBunny.
  

First meet Mr. Bones.  Isn't he fun!?  He's new as a digital and can also be found in rubber HERE.  He's colored with Copics, fussy cut and popped.  The enlarged head made me think of a bobble head, so you know what's coming, don't you? 

But first, may I introduce his lovely wife, Mrs. Bones.  In digi she comes with a fun girly sentiment and she is also available in rubber HERE.  Also a special deal if you want them BOTH in rubber HERE.  Again, she's colored with Copics and I've added Glossy Accents to both their eyes to make them shine.  Each head was cut separate from the body so I could add an Action Wobble. 

I wanted them both to bobble but not butt heads (unlike most married couples, LOL) so I added a piece of foam to Mr. Bones' Action Wobble to pop his head up more.  And speaking of married couples, wouldn't they make a great anniversary card?

Here's my attempt to capture them in action.  No, I don't have a smart phone, and yes, I know I'm about the only person on earth over the age of 5 who can say that, but you get the idea.  They totally crack me up.  I suspect you can find me playing with them the rest of the afternoon.  And just so you know, there are more fabulous sugar skull stamps by Carmen Medlin also available In the digi section HERE.  Also, a number of my UK buddies were commenting on the fab Steampunk Wings die from yesterday's post.  Quixotic Paperie is your connection for SCACD Rubber Stamps and Dies in the UK/Europe.

I'm entering this in Left of Center using the LOC theme, Simply Create Too Halloween or Use Lots of Orange, the Outlawz Friday Coloring Challenge, Doodle Pantry Any Digi Goes, the Oddball Art Halloween/Spooky/Creepy challenge, Mema's Crafts October Tic Tac Toe Challenge using Die cut or Punches, Pearls or Bling (her earrings and necklace) and Rubber or Digital Stamp, TTRCD ATG Oct 14-20, Aud Sentiments ATG, and Crafty Little Fairies Only One DP.

Happy "Owl" Hallows Eve

I seem to be in a tag mode and found some adorable Steampunk digi stamps at SCACD.  I immediately fell in love with Victorian Steampunk Owl by Carmen Medlin and thought she (or he? the owl, not Carmen  LOL) would be fun for Halloween.  The clockwork DP is from Graphic 45 Steampunk Spells.

I colored Victorian Steampunk Owl with Copics and gel pens and fussy cut and popped her atop a Memory Box Gear Assembly die.  Added round epoxy stickers to her eyes and light bulb tummy to make them shine.  I can totally see this stamp in other colorways, for various occasions, but if you'e into owls, there is a whole collection of owl digi stamps  at SCACD.

Although the Memory Box Gear Assembly is now sold out, SCACD has a bunch of fab dies,  even some exclusives, like this Steampunk Wings Pair.  Don't they make a great tag topper?   I've use my Spellbinders Postage Stamp die and  a Tim Holtz metal gear to reinforce the hole on top.  Ribbon is from my stash.

Finally, I've added a Tim Holtz monocle and attached it to the die cut with a fastener to capture the sentiment done with stickers from Authentique.  Some mini gears complete the Steampunk theme.

I'm entering my tag in the Simon Says Monday "O" is for (owl) Challenge, Crafty Sentiments Things That Start with "G" (gears) Challenge, Outlawz Twisted Thursday ATG/Favorite Technique Challenge (fussy cutting and die cuts), Papertake Weekly Superfly, the Fitztown Challenge Halloween using Digital Elements, Melonheadz Friends Lots of Layers, Marker Pop Challenge #54 Halloween, Through the Purple Haze Wings and Bling, and the Corrosive  October Halloween Challenge and the Simply Steampunk October Color Challenge Black/Cream/ and Orange.