I didn’t get the video done on the flower….duh! I was working on my Christmas cards for this year. Yeah, I know but I’m going to submit it to a magazine and see if I get published.

I thought I would give you a little teaser on the next flower video that I’m in the process of making.

Again, this is using the TH Alterations Tattered Floral die cut.  This is a combination of distressed inks and Copic Markers along with some pattern card stock.

So stay tuned, I’ll try to get this video up this weekend.

Here is where we left off yesterday.

I entered all of my stamp ink pads into excel (by their actual names) then I sorted them alphabetically.  Then I numbered them.  What I don’t have a picture to show is the sheets that I made with 3 large rectangles across and 8 rectangles down the page.

Next with gloves on I slowly but surely, took the coffee filter flowers and inked them and then placed them on the page and numbered them according to their name.

I took re-positionable tape and taped it down to the square and then wrote in the corresponding number to the ink pad name.  This way I could get all of the flowers inked and tape down with the right number so they could dry.  For example the blue flower with a #1 in the square was Ballet Blue.

I let them dry overnight and then I cut each square out.  I then took the colors by groups, i.e. pinks, greens, yellows, etc.

Within each group I lined the up from light to dark.

I then went back to the computer and keyed in each name corresponding with the numbers of each group (going from light to dark in each color group) and glued each flower into the appropriate named box.

I started with the blue violet, then moved into the pinks, then reds, then orange, then yellow, then greens and then blues.  I also did the browns and blacks just so I would have an inventory of all the ink pads.   Click on the pictures to get a close up of the names.

Now when I get ready to make my flowers or when I need to match an ink pad to some pattern paper it can easily be done by just going to these inventory sheets and see what I have on hand.  I know it is a lot of work but it’s one of those you do a lot now to save you some time later.  I keep it attached to my bulletin board next to my Copic Marker chart.  Both of them right at my finger tips when I start combining colors for flowers.

I thought I would show you my stamp ink pad inventory.  When I’m making the coffee filter flowers I was having difficulty with blending some colors together.  One of the areas you have to deal with when using coffee filters is the ink looks darker when you first ink everything and because it is so porous it soaks up a lot of ink.

I decided to make an inventory sheet (or should I say sheets) so I could see what the colors looked like on the coffee filter petals when they were dry.

Using the TH Alterations Tattered Floral die cut is where I started.  I’ve found using the die cut to cut the coffee filters works the best.

I’ve tired using a punch but it didn’t cut as well.  I didn’t try the Cricut but figured the coffee filter would be to fragile to pull off the mat without tearing.

This is a great die cut and it is a must have to make all kinds of flowers.  This is a thick die and it can work in your CB.  I use a B plate (one the I use to cut), the die cut, the paper and then another B plate.  It will cut through 8 layers of coffee filter without any issues.

I fold the coffee filter in half.

Then half again (this makes 4 flowers at this point).

And half again.

Find the flower on the die cut and place it in the area, then place the B plate (the B plate I use for cutting) to hold it in place.  This B plate is not my cutting plate but I wanted you to see how I placed it on the die cut.

Run the sandwich through CB and it cuts right through every layer.  You can see in this picture that my B plate that I use for cutting is very scarred and has lots of cuts.  This is ok, they are designed to get scarred up and eventually they will break.  At that point get yourself another B plate and keep going!

If you are real careful you can get two cuts out of your coffee filter on the small flower.

I need a bunch of these (I’m ink pad poor), so I tried to get as many cuts out of one coffee filter as I possibly could.

Next, I used Excel and listed all the names of my ink pads.  Once I had them listed I sorted them alphabetically and then numbered them.

I probably could have just taken a flower at this point and inked it up and slapped it on a page but I wanted to be able to color coordinate the pages (light color to dark color) and in the same order as I keep my Copic Markers.

I know what you are thinking, and yes it was a lot of work but I’m really glad I did it because it makes pulling colors together for flowers a lot easier.  Tune in tomorrow when I finish up this project.  I needed to break this post up so it would not be so long.

Hi Everyone!  Here is the next video in my home made flowers series.  I love making these flowers and I love how simple they are.  So enjoy!

Here is a picture so you can see up close.  Oops!  Looks like I didn’t get the glass bead set in the center correctly.  Oh well, I can add some glitter and make that look right.

These are really fun to make and they have such a soft look.  Let me know if you try any and how they came out!

I could not help myself!  I visited a website called Waltzing Mouse Stamps and absolutely fell in loved her Claire’s work.

This stamp set is called Vintage Circles Small.

You can find her here.   This is her blog but from there you can venture on over to her store.

All of the  stamp sets I’m showing  are designed to use with Spellbinders Nestibilities.  Now for the added bonus…..Claire and her team then shows you how they use them with the Nestibilities.

This is called Vintage Labels 2.

There are so many stamps on each sheet and they add so much to the Nestibilites.

This one is called Vintage Labels 1

Claire’s attention to detail is awesome and that is the reason it was so hard to only choose a few.  Alright, a lot!

This is called Vintage Label 3.

Take a close look at the border.  This border stamp is 8″ long!

The circle stamp is so beautiful.

This one is called Victorian Frippery.

This group of stamps have little tag toppers….so versatile.

This one is called Vintage Label 4.  Hey I think I’m beginning to see a pattern!

This is the last one I got.

I love the designs absolutely blows me away.

This is Vintage Labels 5.

I know you are thinking what spurred this massive buy of clear stamps?  A couple of things, I’ve been gradually building my Nestibilites as HL has their 40% off sales and then I got an e-mail from Claire about a new release and that she was offering free shipping.  Well, once in her shop and seeing all the beautiful things I couldn’t help but want the stamps that matched the Nestibilities that I own.  Now, all I have to to is get busy and start making some things.  Claire makes it look so easy, we will see.  I’ve got my eye on her stamps that makes a plaid pattern next.

Again, I do not get compensated for mentioning these products or her website, I just like what I saw and it only took about 8 days for it to get from across the pond to excited me, right here in Texas.

Not long ago I bought this cute $1 stamp at M’s of these flip-flops and I decided I needed to make a card.

I was bound and determined to use the paper and items for this card out of what I had on hand.

To challenge myself I decided I would use the vellum to stamp the flip-flops on and color them with Copic markers.

Memento ink is the best ink to use with Copics, it does not smear when you color over it.

Here are the colors I used on the 3 sets of flip-flops.

When using vellum and Copic markers you would stamp on the front and then color from the back.  This gives a very muted coloring when complete.  The reason you do that is because the Copics will sit on top of the vellum and not soak into the paper.  However, I didn’t like the look and did both, I colored on the back and on the front.

I left the straps uncolored because I was going to use a new product I got at the Arlington Craft show several months ago.

This is called Write & Rub Foiling Pen and it is made by Tonertex Foils Ltd.  You can find them at www.tonertex.com.  They are located in the UK.  When you open this pen it looks like a regular ballpoint pen; however, what comes out is an acid free, water based glue.

You put the glue where you want it on your project and let it dry.  It stays tacky after it is dry and then you can take foil or powdered glitter and rub across it and it sticks.  No mess at all.

These are the powdered glitter that you use with this pen and the colors are so vibrant.

All you have to do is stick your finger in the powered glitter and then rub it on the area where you put the Write & Rub glue.

The glitter comes off your finger and sticks.

I did it over a coffee filter and this is how much mess or left over glitter that came off my finger.

Sweeeeeeet!

How cute are these flip-flops.  Summer is computer printed and I attached the vellum to the card stock with a couple of brads.

Here is what I did for the inside and my sentiment on the inside is going to be “It’s all about the flip-flops”.  I had a friend introduce me to Yellow Box shoes and since I tried my first pair that is the only brand of flip-flops I buy.  They are so comfortable and cute too boot!

I think I’m going to send her this card and tell her thanks!

I also used a little green Stickles on the flip-flops on the paper inside.

I used various ribbons I had in my stash and the colors of the card makes me smile.

The punch is a EK punch that I modified and there is a little stitching.  With just $1 stamp and a little imagination you can get a cute card…..don’t you think?

Ok, just to clarify I do not get paid to make any reviews or endorsements for the products used in this card or post.

I love this little bunny stamp relaxing in the hot tub.

I have colored this using the Magic Color Pencil Technique (a.k.a. MCPT).  This technique can be found in this earlier post.

These are the colors I used for the hot tub.  I’m also coloring on a shimmer paper and because it has a coating on it the Copic markers sit on top of the paper and when you look the coloring up close it will look a little blotchy; however, when on a card or layout at the regular distance they look blended.

I used E00 first and colored the hot tub all over, then with E11, I started building my shading.  Following the shading that came with the stamp.

I used E33 next and then followed again with E00.  Next comes E37 and E09, then blending with E00 again.  I used E09 on the bands to give the hot tub a little definition so all the wood would not look the same.

I decided to color the bunny in shades of gray so she wouldn’t blend in with the hot tub.

W1, W3 and W7 are a warm shade of gray and this compliments the warm brown shades I used on the hot tub.

Use W1 all over the bunnies body and then start building the depth with W3.  The W7 is used sparingly because it is really dark, but it enhances the areas like the inner ear and under the neck, along the upper tummy and where the feet overlap.

R81 and R85 are the final colors that I used to enhance the checks, ear, tummy and nose.

I first used R81 to color the areas and then used R85 sparingly to add a little depth.

I took a multi-liner and drew in the mouth and gave her some eyelashes.

Oh, I think she is relaxing and you know that hot tub is just the right temperature.

I needed to make another Jumbo Clothes Pen for work.  The new employee was a man so I wanted to be sure and not make it girly.

The pen is red and I actually got the paper at M’s at $.59.  Since we use these for messages I thought the finger point to the end that would hold the message was appropriate.

I had a Texas stamp so I cut that out and used glossy accents to give it a little body and then added a red star approximately where our office is located.

Some ivory twill ribbon and believe it or not that is the tab from a soda can that I took my Copic marker to and made it red.

I think the tab from the soda can makes a great buckle and since Copics color everything you can have them in whatever color you need.

Look pretty manly to me.

I found the Jumbo Clothes Pens at M’s in their $10 for $10 spot.  If you want to see the other pens I did you can see them here.  These can be dressed up so cute for a little of nothing.  What a great way to use your scraps and who doesn’t need a message holder.  I could see letting the kids make there own and standing them up to hold messages.