4th of July Pictures

Good Morning! I just wanted to make a quick post to share some photos from the 4th of July. Every year in our town everyone gathers around Fountain Lake to watch the beautiful display of fireworks. They shot the fireworks off from the beach, which can be seen all the way around the lake. The lake is only a couple of blocks from our house so we always walk down there and meet up with my parents, have pizza and watch the fireworks. When we were walking down to lake the sunset was so beautiful I just had to stop and take a few pictures. Here's a few pictures from the fireworks.
My little guy--I love how this picture turned out!I was very happily surprised by the next few pictures! At the parade they were giving out special glasses (kind of like 3D glasses) for the kids to wear during the fireworks, they are really fun and have kind of a rainbow effect, like if you were looking through a prism. So I held the glasses up to my camera lens and snapped a few pictures--they turned out amazing!!

I hope you enjoy the pictures from the fireworks. Don't forget you still have a little time to leave a comment on yesterday's post to get your name in for the $30.00 Gift Certificate from Crafty Secrets!! I will be back a little later to post the winner! Good Luck!!!

Smiles!
Heidi

Crafty Secrets DT Challenge-Tutorials and a Crafty Secrets Give-a-way!!

You are in for a real treat today--it's another Crafty Secrets Design Team Challenge and for this month our challenge was to do a tutorial using any of the Crafty Secrets products we would like. I can't wait to see what the other girls have come up with! I'm sure they will all have Fabulous projects to share with you!!

Here is a list of the other Crafty Secrets DT Members and their Blogs

• Sandy Redburn, owner of Crafty Secrets Heartwarming Vintage - Crafty Secrets Blog
• Crafty Secrets Heartwarming Vintage
• Vicki Chrisman - This Art That Makes Me Happy - Design Team Leader
• Anna Wight - Sassy & Sweet Notes
• Heidi Blankenship - Embellished Dreams
• Linda Duke - Linda's Works of the Heart
• Lisa Zappa - Shabbychick Junk
• Marisa Grossman - Marisa-isa
• Melissa Phillips - LilyBean's Paperie
• Michele Kovack - Thoughts of a Cardmaking Scrapbooker
• Michelle Van Etten - Trendy Scrapper
• Pam Hooten - Iris Garden
• Vivian Peters - VivLyn Designs

Also this month is my turn to be able to have a drawing for a $30.00 Gift Certificate that Sandy Redburn, owner of Crafty Secrets is so generously giving away!! All you have to do is leave a comment here on my blog--tell me what you love about Crafty Secrets and if you have any favorite products. You will have until 10am tomorrow and then after that I will pick a winner and post it on my blog. Please make sure in your comment that we will have some way to contact you--Thanks!!

Ok, now on to my tutorial for today. For my project I made a little ensemble that could be used for a wine and cheese party. I made an invitation to the party and a napkin with a glass charm for the party. To make the ensemble I used three stamp sets from Crafty Secrets, Mouse Party, Wine Lovers & Coffee & Tea. I have taken it back to some of the basics and for my tutorial I will be showing you how I did all of the masking to be able to add several images together.I am going to start with the napkin. When stamping on a napkin you want to make sure you place a piece of cardstock under the first layer so the ink won't bleed through. I started out by making a mask for my mouse image.If you have never done masking it is pretty simple but I think the key to having the layers of your images meet right up with each other is to stamp on a very light weight paper (post-it notes work Great!) and to cut the image a little smaller then what it really is. When cutting the image out I try to cut slightly inside the lines. First I stamped the image on the napkin and then I placed the mask on top of it. To get my mask to stay in place I used a little dab of 2-way glue and wait for it to dry. Once it is dry it will be a little sticky (kind of like a post-it note) and the mask will stay in place. Then I stamped the wine glass image.Then I peeled off the mask, stamped a sentiment and colored in the image with Copic markers.Here is the finished napkin. I also inked the edges just to give it a more vintage look.Here is a picture of the card I created. I also did some masking on the card and I will show you all the steps.I started out with a piece of 5-1/2'' x 5-1/2'' white cardstock and I stamped the images of the grapevine of the top and sides.Next I wanted to add the images of the mouse with the cheese. The mouse is one stamp and the piece of cheese is another but for this card I wanted it to appear as though the mouse was carrying three pieces of cheese. To line up the placement for the mouse and the cheese I placed the mouse stamp where I wanted it to be on the paper and then I added a cut out of the cheese. Doing this helps me to see where I will need to stamp the images of the cheese.I start with the top piece of cheese, stamp it and then cover with a mask and then stamp the second piece. Then peel the mask off of the first piece and put it on top of the second piece. Stamp the third piece and then cover with a mask and stamp the mouse image. Here is what the image should look like when you are done.The next image I masked was the lady holding the wine glass. I started by stamping the image of the woman and then covering it with a mask and then stamping the wine glass image.Then I added a few more images towards the bottom.Once I had all of the images on then I colored the entire piece using my Copic markers. These are all of the Copic colors I used for coloring in the images.I wanted to give the card more of a vintage look so I did a little distressing with some inks. The first ink I used was Antique Linen and I covered the entire piece. Next I distressed the edges of the cardstock and then I added the Vintage Photo Ink to the edges and I also crinkled up the edges a little.I wanted to add a little sparkle to the wine glass so I filled in the wine glass with crystal effects and sprinkled on some glitter. I also added glitter to the grapevines. While the glitter and glue were drying I made a tag with the sentiment and inked the edges with Vintage Photo and Dusty Concord Inks. I add some form tape to the back of the tag and did a fun ribbon treatment to the card front.I also made a charm for a wine glass using one of the stamped images from Wine Lovers.Here is a close-up. To make the glass charm I used the Classic Circles, Classic Scalloped Circles and Double Ended Tags die templates from Spellbinders.Supplies~
Paper-WorldWin-Lovely Lilac, Forest Green, Georgia Pacific-White
Stamps-Mouse Party, Wine Lovers, Coffee& Tea
Ink-Tsukineko-Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger-Antique Linen, Vintage Photo, Dusty Concord
Other~Spellbinders-Wizard, Double Ended Tags S3-149, Standard Circles Sm. S4-116, Classic Scalloped Circles Sm. S4-125, Copic -Markers (as shown in the picture), Crystal Effects, Glitter, 2-Way Glue Pen, Foam Tape, Cotton Balls, Purple Ribbon, Brads, Napkin, Wine Glass

Thank you so much for stopping by today!! I hope you enjoyed the tutorial! Don't forget to check out the other Crafty Secrets DT Members Blogs (listed above) and don't forget to leave a comment for your chance to win the $30.00 Crafty Secrets Gift Certificate!!

Hope you have a great day!

Smiles!
Heidi

JustRite Release #1 - New Damask Borders Set & Monogram Cards

Did you happen to see my post from yesterday with the New JustRite Thinking of You stamp set? Have you been checking out the JustRite Blog to see more beautiful samples and a chance to win some blog candy? What do you think of the NEW JustRite stamp sets? Also don't forget to check out all of the links at the bottom of yesterday's post to see even more samples from the JustRite Design Team and I have more links for you today!

I am very excited to be able to share another JustRite Stampers Reveal with you today! Today's Reveal is the NEW Wood Stamper 1-3/16'' with Bonus 60 pt. Font Set & 3 Damask Borders. Some of you might be thinking doesn't JustRite Stampers already have a Damask Borders set and the answer is yes, but now there is a small and large set. How terrific is that! I love this NEW little set! Here is a picture to show you the difference in size. For today's project I am going to be using both the NEW Wood Stamper 1-3/16'' with Bonus 60 pt. Font Set & 3 Damask Borders and Damask Borders Monogram Stamper Kit 1-5/8'' Harmony Classic Circle Stamper I. Here is a set of Monogram note cards that I made for a friend. I was very happy with how these cards turned out and they are quick and easy to make with limited supplies. Each card started out as a white base and as you will be able to see in the pictures two of the cards are stamped and embossed and the other two have been stamped and then I used diecuts to do the layering. Three of the cards have the monogram stamped directly on the card front in the center. Here is a picture showing you how to do this and be able to line up the stamp with the die template. For the picture I have the stamp facing up and you can see how you would line up the stamp. To start use a removable adhesive to tape down your die template. The die template I am using is the NEW Fleur de Lis Pendant S4-204 from Spellbinders. Ink up you stamp and then center it over the opening in the die template and look down towards the bottom of your stamp to line up the points of the stamp with the die template. You might want to practice this on some scrap paper to make sure you are lining it up right before doing this directly on your card front. Now for those of you that might be thinking there is no way I can line that up--no worries--there is always a solution. *wink* If you don't want to try and line up the stamp then just stamp your image on to some cardstock of your choice, line up the die template, emboss and then cut your cardstock to fit the card front and follow the next few steps. **The next step is for embossing only**, After I had the stamping done then I ran the cardstock through the Wizard with the tan embossing mat. By doing this you will emboss all of the beautiful detail into the card front.

For doing this note card set I only used white cardstock. After I had the stamping done I inked the paper with pink and black inks. To do this I use a cotton ball, ink it up and then in a circular motion remove some of the ink on a piece of scrap paper until you get the desired color strength and then continue to work in a circular motion adding the ink to your card stock. My sweet friend Linda Duke gave me this fantastic tip about using the cotton balls. I really like the look from the cotton balls, it's a much smoother and softer look.

Here's a few close-up pictures of the Monogram Cards.

For both of these cards I used the NEW Wood Stamper 1-3/16'' with Bonus 60 pt. Font Set & 3 Damask Borders. Adding the ink really makes the embossing pop. The card on the right is the only one that wasn't stamped directly on to the card front.


Here is the second set, both of these were stamped on the card front using the Damask Borders Monogram Stamper Kit 1-5/8'' Harmony Classic Circle Stamper I. On the cards with the diecuts I also used foam tape to give the cards some dimension. For a finishing touch I also added some bling to each of the cards.

Supplies~
Paper~Georgia Pacific-White
Stamps~JustRite Stampers-NEW Wood Stamper 1-3/16'' with Bonus 60 pt. Font Set & 3 Damask Borders, Damask Borders Monogram Stamper Kit 1-5/8'' Harmony Classic Circle Stamper I
Ink~Tsukineko-Memento tuxedo Black Ink, SU-Pretty In Pink
Other~Spellbinders-Wizard, Fleur de Lis Pendant S4-204, Beacon-GemTac Adhesive, Rhinestones, Cotton Balls, Foam Tape

Be sure to hop on over to the JustRite Blog today for a chance to win this NEW Wood Stamper 1-3/16'' with Bonus 60 pt. Font Set & 3 Damask Borders stamp set. Here are more links to check out with some amazing new designs from the JustRite Design Team--Lisa--Monogram Purse, Thinking of You, Michele Kovack-Mini Damask Monogram, *Michele also has some BLOG Candy!*, Kathy-B&W with a splash of Red Damask, Debbie-JustRite for Sympathy, Sharon Harnist-JustRite City Girl Salsa, Becca-Peace and Comfort.

Thank you so much for stopping by today! I hope you are enjoying all of the Fabulous Reveals from JustRite Stampers!!

Smiles!
Heidi

JustRite-Release #1 Reveal-Thinking of You

Today I have a special reveal for you with the NEW Thinking of You stamp set from JustRite Stampers. This set contains 6 Borders & Centers to be used with the Oval Wood Stamper 2-1/4'' x 3-1/16''. In this set you will find not only wonderful sentiments but also beautiful images that can be colored in. Also you will notice something a little different in the set, 3 of the centers are horizontal and 3 are vertical. The release date for the JustRite Thinking of You stamp set is July 7th--that's just around the corner! Also if you visit the JustRite Blog (a little later this afternoon **Edit Note** the post is up!!) you will be able to see more beautiful samples and have a chance to win some BLOG CANDY!! Click HERE to hop on over to the JustRite Stampers Blog!Here's a picture of the Centers and Borders includes in the Thinking of You JustRite stamp set.
As many of you know I love to trim my JustRite stamps. By trimming the stamps you will have more separate sentiments and images to work with and it will allow you to play mix and match with the stamps. Now here is a picture of the stamp set after I have trimmed it. I left one of the stamps as is because it has a border around it. By trimming the other Centers I now have six separate images and four sentiments to work with. On the card I am sharing with you today I used the little flower cluster image and the beautiful story sentiment in the center. Here is a close-up of the stamps I used for the Center & Border.I started out with stamping the sentiment and image using Memento Rich Cocoa Ink from Tsukineko on white cardstock. Then I colored the image using Copic markers (listed below). After I had the image colored then I used the Wizard and Sm. Classic Oval Nestabilty S4-112 die template from Spellbinders to cut and emboss an oval. I used Antique Linen ink from Ranger with a cotton ball to ink the edges. Then I used the largest die template in the Labels Four S4-190 die template set from Spellbinders to make a label diecut with Light Spring Green cardstock from WorldWin. Before removing the cardstock I inked the inside edges using Vintage Photo Ink from Ranger. Next using my Wizard I cut and embossed a beautiful lace border using the Classic Lace Border Grand S7-014 die template from Spellbinders and Lovely Lilac cardstock from WorldWin. The Grand Borders are 12'' long but you can cut them down to size to fit your cards. I also inked the edges of the of the lace border using Vintage Photo and Dusty Concord Distress Ink from Ranger.Next I went looking through my Designer Paper and found a pretty floral print from Crafty Secrets, Designer Earthy Paper Pad. I inked the edges with Vintage Photo and I added the lace border and ribbon. Then I applied the mat to the card front and added the labels diecut and the center image and sentiment. I added foam tape to both the label and the oval diecuts to give some dimension to the card. For a finishing touch I also added some ivory pearls from Creative Impressions on the lace border and the label.I just love the sentiment with the Thinking of You set and I wanted to add another sentiment to the inside of the card. First I centered my stamp where I wanted to place it on the cardstock and then I stamped the image. Next I place the Sm. Classic Ovals S4-112 die template from Spellbinders over the stamped image and I taped it down using Scotch Double-Sided Removable Scrapbooking Tape . Here is a little tip for you, peel off the top layer of paper on the tape, the tape itself is thin enough to go through the Wizard and not leave an embossed mark. Then I ran the cardstock through the Wizard using the white mats and tan embossing mat to emboss the oval. After I embossed the oval then I used Vintage Photo Distress Ink to ink the inside edges around the die template and then holding the die template in place I removed the tape and then inked the outside edges.

Supplies~
Paper~WorldWin-Light Spring Green, Lovely Lilac, Crafty Secrets-Designer Paper Pad Earthy (Green Floral Print), Georgia Pacific-White
Stamps~JustRite Stampers-Thinking of You, Oval Wood Stamper 2-1/4'' x 3-1/16''
Ink~Tsukineko-Memento Rich Cocoa, Ranger-Distress Inks Vintage Photo, Antique Linen, Dusty Concord
Other~Spellbinders-Wizard, Classic Lace Border Grand S7-014, Classic Ovals Sm. S4-112, Labels Four S4-190, Copic-Y00, Y11, Y15, Y19, YG00, YG63, G24, G40, YR04, V04, V12, V17, BV000, B21, R81, R85, Creative Impressions-Bits of Bling Ivory Pearls, Brown/Gold Ribbon, Scotch Double-Sided Removable Scrapbooking Tape, Foam Tape, Cotton BallsSo what do you think of the NEW Thinking of You stamp set from JustRite Stampers? I think the sentiments are so wonderful and the images are beautiful and fun to color! Don't forget to check out the JustRite Stampers Blog for your chance to win some Blog Candy and see more beautiful samples!! Also if you would like to see more samples from the JustRite Designers with the NEW JustRite stamp sets please check out these links~Michelle- What is in Mish's Mason Jars???, Becca-Great Expectations, Kellie-Thinking of You and Sharon Johnson-When a Sympathy Card Needs to be JustRite.

Thanks so much for stopping by today and I hope you have a Fantastic Day!

Smiles!
Heidi