Peachy Keen Stamps Guest Designer – Day 1

Good morning and welcome to Polka Dot Gypsy.  As you know today begins my week as Guest Designer for Peachy Keen Stamps. I am so excited to be sharing with you all the fun projects that I've been working on. If you've never visited my blog before I hope you will take some time to look around. I'm still new to this but am learning with each new post. My background is in teaching quilting, crafting and paper crafting. Unfortunately I had to give up the quiting because of time issues So, I mainly focus on paper crafting. This weeks posts will mainly showcase the projects that I have been doing with Peachy Keen Stamps. I'll share some tips and special techniques that I have used. I hope you enjoy your visit at Polka Dot Gypsy and will return often. So, let's get started!!!

Tissue Cover

My first project is a decorative cover for the square box of facial tissue. Please note that because of the size of the scarecrow image I had to turn the box on its side. If using a smaller image, the box can be placed in it's normal, upright position. The cover was made with kraft paper used for mailing packages. The tissue box was wrapped and then tied with a ribbon made of brown tulle. The kraft paper was not attached to the box so that replacement boxes can slide easily in and out. Spider web edges were created using the Martha Stewart Spider Web punch. However, the spider web edging has a tendency to catch on the box flaps. So, caution is needed when changing boxes. Below is a photo of the side opening of the tissue cover. You can see how the pointy edges can catch on the tissue box.

For the front panel I stamped the "Happy Scarecrow" image from Peachy Keen Stamps. The image was colored with Copic Sketch markers.

I wanted the scarecrow panel to be the focal point of this project. So, I choose a more plain, patchwork type of panel for the top. I used the Nestabilities Pumpkin die and the Cuttlebug to create this cute polka dot pumpkin. A simple circle punch was used to create the moon and Vintage Photo Distress Ink was used around the edges to add a little dimension to it. I found this cute little bat punch from Studio g. It made the perfect accent for the harvest moon. The final accent is a ribbon tied around the fall paper.

Tools & Supplies

Copic Markers

Ranger Distress Inks

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink

Studio g Bat Punch

Martha Stewart Spider Web Edge Punch

1 1/4" Circle Punch

Nestabilities Pumpkin Die

Cuttlebug

1/4" Off White Ribbon

Strip of Brown Tulle

Kraft paper used for mailing packages

Various solids and patterns of cardstock and paper

Happy Scarecrow Variations

For this card I used the Pumpkin Nestabilities die to cut out the Happy Scarecrow image. For the rick rack I used the Rick Rack die cut from Cottage Cutz.

I used a lot of layers for this card and added some faux stitching around the center panel. The added bow embellishment was made from raffia.

For the final card I machine stitched around the edges of the center panel. The rosette was made using the Tim Holtz Mini Paper Rosette die. The rosette was added to fix a blending experiment gone bad.

Copic Tips

I always loved the results that other crafters were getting using Copic markers and I just had to give it a try. I've been using them for a few years now and still consider myself a beginner. I know the basics and can use them, but alas I am a rebel and tend to break the rules. Sometimes that gets me into trouble. In the case of Copics, I blend colors not in the same family. Most, no probably all, of the blending that I did on this project is outside the blending families. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't. So, here are a couple things that I do to help me when I am using my Copics.

Before I start a new project I like to warm up a little before coloring my actual image, especially if I haven't colored for a while. To do this I use what I refer to as a test card. To make test cards, I stamp a simple image multiple times on a piece of the cardstock recommended for coloring with Copics. I position them in an area about the size of a baseball card and cut apart, allowing room for notes. While working on projects I keep a card near me to practice, test color combinations, experiment with shading as well as testing for streaking or any color irregularities. Notes are written on it so that I can refer to it when working on other projects. The cards are stored on a ring to be kept as a resource for future projects. Below is a sample of my test cards. And yes, Patty Cake makes the perfect image for this.

When I stamp the image for my project, I stamp the image several times onto one page, leaving enough room to cut out the project and allowing for a panel or a scallop circle if needed. If I mess one up beyond repair, I have extras. If all goes well I can spend a quiet evening in front of the TV coloring the remaining images for other projects.

And now for the goodies! Peachy Keen Stamps has generously donated the "In Stitches Face Assortment" for some lucky winner. What do you have to do? Just leave a comment at the bottom of my post here. I'd love to know what method you use to color your images. So, in today's comments for my blog please share with me your favorite method of coloring (Copics, chalk, ink, etc). Next hop on over to Peachy Keen Stamps blog, and leave a comment on my post there too. On Saturday someone will win this fabulous assortment of faces. Will it be you?

Wow, that was quick. My first day over already. I hope you have enjoyed my projects for my first day as a Guest Designer for Peachy Keen Stamps. It's been a privilege to share them with you and I hope that you will return tomorrow to see what other projects I have to share.

Have a wonderful day and I'll see you all tomorrow when I'll reveal my card for the PKS sketch challenge.

Jane - The Polka Dot Gypsy

Wow! Another post. Can you believe it? Today's card was made for the Tuesday Sketch Challenge with a Twist at Peachy Keen Stamps. The sketch is pictured below, and the twist is to use buttons somewhere on the project.

I created this cute Mickey Mouse themed card using the Patty Cake Jr stamp. This time Patty Cake is a Mousekateer wishing that special someone a "Happy Birthday".

I stamped Patty Cake Jr from Peachy Keen Stamps on Cryogen white cardstock and colored the image using Copic Markers, E00 - E13 - E15 - R20. Then, I cut out the image and set it aside. For the dress I decided to do a little paper piecing. So, I stamped a second image onto the polka dot cardstock and cut out the dress and bow. I inked the edges of the dress and bow with Distress Ink and attached them to the colored image. I used the tiny Mickey Mouse punch to make a button embellishment for her dress.

Next, I assembled the panels of the card front using solid red and black cardstock. The large mouse heads were cut with the Cricut, embossed with the Cuttlebug using the Swiss Dots embossing folder and layered onto the card front. Patty Cake was attached to the card front with foam squares to give her a little dimension.

I used the Tim Holtz Mini Rosette Die to make the rosette from polka dot cardstock. A red and white print cardstock from Stampin' Up! was used for the Scallop Circle layer. Happy Birthday was printed on white cardstock using the computer and punched out with the 1 1/4" Circle Punch to make the top layer. This was attached to a larger black circle for contrast. I added small red buttons to create the mouse head image on the top of the rosette and finished it off with a tiny bow.

 

I made a dimensional border strip along the bottom of the card using the same printed papers cut with the the rosette die. A large and small strip was layered, fan folded and attached to the card with glue. I added black ribbon to the layered strip for contrast. Once the fan folded strip was in place I attached the the rosette to the card front.

Supplies for this Project

Patty Cake Jr (PK-401) from Peachy Keen Stamps.

Black 6" Square Card (Folded)

Red Cardstock - 5" X 5 3/8"

Black Cardstock - 4 3/4" X 5 1/4" 

4" Red  Mouse Head

3 3/4" White Mouse Head

1 1/4" White Circle

1 3/8" Black Circle

Polka Dot Cardstock - Dress, Bow, One Large & One Small Rosette Strip

Red Print Cardsock from Stampin' Up! - Scallop Circle & Large Rosette Strip

Vintage Photo Distress Ink

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Copic Markers

Red Buttons - 1 large and 2 small
1/8" Black Ribbon

Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

Tim Holtz Mini Rosette Die

Tiny Mickey Mouse Punch

Circle Punches - 1 1/4" & 1 3/8"

Cuttlebug & Cricut

I am really enjoying making these wonderful rosettes. I hope you are inspired to make one for your next card. And don't forget how versatile the Patty Cake stamp is. So far she has been a rabbit and a Mousekateer. You'll want to be here in September for my Guest Designer week with Peachy Keen Stamps. I promise you, you'll see her again. Wishing everyone a creative week of card making! - Jane, the Polka Dot Gypsy.

Fun "Fifty with Wings" Card

Hi Everyone! I am so sorry to have disappeared over the past couple of months. Summertime is a very busy time for my husband and me. We like to travel to local fairs, festivals, races and concerts. And to add to our busy summer we decided to build a house. Something we said we would never do. But we jumped right in. Besides visiting our future home and taking lots of pictures for our “New Home” scrapbook, I’ve been designing a new stamp room. I’ve spent long hours visiting blogs and websites looking for ideas. Then, we head to auctions, garage sales and consignment shops trying to find the perfect pieces to make my room a fun place to create in. I have a lot of stamp room ideas that I will be sharing with you on my blog. But I want to keep them all a secret until the house is finished and I start moving my treasures in. My vision for my stamp room is to have everything work in such a way that I can create projects quickly and share them with you here at Polka Dot Gypsy.

Today I’m excited to share with you this card for the Color Me Creative Challenge Group featuring an image with “wings”.  I love this color combo and use it a lot. It reminds me of the fifties. So, I made a card for everyone turning 50 this year. May your fiftieth be filled with lots of fun filled memories.

Digital Image
Fairy Emma from The Paper Shelter.

Paper

Stampin’ Up, October Afternoon and DCWV

Tools & Supplies
Computer & Printer

1 3/8” Circle Punch & Scallop Circle Punch

Scor-Buddy

Cricut

Cuttlebug

Sizzix “Vine” Die

Nestabilities Oval Die

Mini Rosette Sizzlit Die from Tim Holtz

Pearl Glimmer Mist from Tattered Angels

Broken China Distress Ink.

Copic Markers E00, E11, E33, E53, E29, R20, R22, R24, R27, BG10, BG13, BG18, Y11, Y17, YR20 and YR14.

Instructions for Creating “Fifty with Wings” Card

Step One – Cutting

Cut paper as described below except for the white oval. After the pieces have been cut set them aside to be assembled later.

(C-1) 6” Square Card

(C-2) 5 ¾” Square Dark Mat

(C-3) 5 ½” Square Print Background

(C-4) 2 ¼” X 5 ½ Striped Side Panel

(O-1) 5” Dark Oval

(O-2) 4 ¾” Red Oval

(0-3) 4 ½” White Oval (Cut after image is printed on 8 ½” X 11” cardstock)

(V-1) Green Vine (Cut with the Sizzix die)

(R-1) Red Polka Dot Rosette Strip (Cut from the Mini Rosette Sizzlit)

(R-2) White Scallop Circle

(R-3) 1 ½” Dark Circle

(R-4) Two 1 3/8” Light Circles

(R-5) Number “50” (Cut with Cricut)

Step Two – Print, Cut and Color the Digital Image

Print the digital image on white cardstock and color with Copics. Digital images are so versatile. They can be resized, flipped and layered with other images to make a complete scene. For this project I filled the 8 ½” X 11” cardstock with multiple images, leaving a generous amount of space between each image. The Nestabilities Oval die was used to cut the image, centered within the oval. Once the image is colored and cut, set aside.

Step Three – Create the Rosette

I used the Tim Holtz Mini Rosette Sizzlit strip and followed his instructions found here. The rosette went together very quickly and easy. Once the rosette strip has been cut and folded, layer the rosette as follows: R4 – R1 – R2 – R3 – R4 – R5 – R6. Set the rosette aside. The “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” greeting was printed out on cardstock from my computer and punched out using the 1 3/8” Circle Punch.

Step Four – Layer the Card and Oval Sections

Layer card: C1 – C2 – C3 – C4

Layer Oval: O1 – O2 – O3

Step Five – Assemble Completed Sections
Assemble all the completed sections: card base, oval, rosette and vine. Attach the vine to the left edge of card and the layered oval to the right edge. Let the vine wrap over the top of the lower portion of the oval. Attach the rosette to the upper left area of the card. Embellish as desired. I added three pearls to add a little interest.

I hope you enjoy this card and will join me again for more fun projects. And if you have a stamp room tip for organization or ways to create cards quickly, please feel free to share them in the comments section. I always appreciate and enjoy reading your comments.

Don’t forget! During the week of September 19th – 23rd I will be a Guest Designer for Peachy Keen Stamps. I hope you will join me during the whole week because I am going to have a new card or project to share with you every day. And at the end of the week I will have a Peachy Keen Stamp set to give away to some lucky crafter. And it could be you! Thank you for joining me today on my paper journey – Jane, the Polka Dot Gypsy!