Ink Swatches

 

I am working on some stamping projects and decided to swatch my stamping ink colors to see what I had and how they stamp. I came across Jennifer McGuire's blog, she had a video on how to swatch your colors. She even has a printable downloadable chart. I found a solid circle stamp I had in my stash to stamp with and I got started. I plan to take them with me when I go to buy more colors. I did, however decide that I will now have to buy ink pad with re-inkers. Really what's the point to buying ink pads, if you can't reuse them when the ink drys out?  I have also see someone on the internet, I think she goes by the frugal crafter. She uses glycerin to juice up pads that are drying out.

Here are my swatch samples.

I used the back of my card stock too, so some of my red came through a little.  I have alot of cheap inks and I intend to eventually upgrade to better inks. This will eliminate some of my stamping frustrations with some of those. For now I just need to know what I have. Plus if I like a color and want to replace it with a better quality ink, I'll know what color I am going to replace.

The three whites that I have I decided to stamp on black card stock and adhere it to this chart. As you can see Colorbox has a nice white.

Sorry about the fuzzy picture, I hadn't realized that my camera did that, but you can still see the names and colors of my blacks. I have to say my favorite for sentiments is Versafine- Onyx Black it always does a great job! I hope this helps you in figuring out how to do your own swatches. I think it'll be very helpful in my projects and in buying inks in the future.

Christmas Tags

I had decided to make some Christmas tags for one of my friends this year. She loves owls and I just had to make her a set. These are cut files from http://www.misskatecuttables.com/ They are inexpensive and she shares one freebie a day! Below is how cute they came out!

Stamped Enamel Dots

I saw this Idea and wanted to share it, I have seen beads being melted down to make enamel dots both on the internet and on YouTube and thought I would try it. My dots came out great! Then I thought they are cute, but kinda plain and decided to use my nail stamps to make them pop! That is what you see below. I have not seen anyone do this yet. I just got the idea as I stared at my little plain dots.

Sewing Projects

Fall is finally here and with that it always makes me want to sew, for some reason. Last week I started sewing some projects I had since the summer. One of them was a really cute apron. I bought the fabric at Beverly's fabric and I decided to back it with a coordinating fabric. It was super easy and I even made a paper pattern from it, for the future.

The next project is sewing little girls dresses for the dress a girl around the world project. I pick up the kits at my church and make the dress and drop off the sewn dress the following Sunday. It's a lot of fun and makes my heart happy to serve the Lord!

FALL NAILS

I decided it was time to post a Fall Nails post. I was watching one of my Youtube girls video. Her name is Raquel and Her Vlog on Youtube is Love4nails. She always does an amazing job. If you love nail art, you should check her Youtube channel out.
Now I was inspired by a set of nailart she had done on herself, but I wanted to do a more fall theme, so here is my version.
Here are the colors I used:

I used these 2 acrylic paints, although I don't think they show up very well.

And Finally, I used these Amber gemstones from Sally's

Now for my Nails

I am not crazy about Gold or Yellow, so I will only wear these for a week. I was really going for a more bronze look, but got Gold. I am still happy with the design, just not crazy about the color. I am trying to get all my nails the same length, but can't bring myself to cut my longer nails down, yet. Hope you guys like my share today.

Cinnamon Roll Scones

The other day I found a recipe that made a cinnamon roll with that scone texture. I found it at http://joyofbaking.com/breakfast/CinnamonRollSconesRecipe.html
Who doesn't love Scones and Cinnamon rolls? This recipe turned out really well. I used my food processor for the dough . You can do this as long as you don't over process the dough, just do it until it comes together.
Last week I bought Keifer: Keifer is a cultured milk with high protein. I personally wouldn't drink it, but some do. It reminds me of buttermilk in the flavor. I decided to use it in the scones because the recipe called for a cup of buttermilk. I researched and found that I could substitute Keifer for buttermilk. The Scones are moist inside with a nice flakiness to them.

This is my messy kitchen, as I just finished putting the rolls into the oven. Looks messy, but it actually was a super easy clean up. 

In the oven they go at 400 Degrees for 18-20 min. 

and 20 minutes later

 5 minutes later!

















I hope you enjoyed today's blog and I hope you try the Cinnamon Roll Scones!

Nails Nails Nails!

Today I thought I would post on some really cool nail designs and  products.
I've been playing around a lot with nail stamping and with water slip decals.
They just give nails that extra pizazz.  So let's get right to it.
The Nail Stamps I use are from all over the place, Born Pretty, Bundle Monster and Gals.

This color is Go Girl by Gelish and topped with Light Elegant by Gelish.
The Flower Water slip decals are by Born Pretty and this set is BPS012. You'll find a 10% off coupon for Born Pretty Store below.

Aren't these pretty soft decals? I love the mix between the soft pink in the polish and the sweetness of the flower.

There are several designs on a sheet. You get 20 decals on a sheet and they are really cheap Inexpensive, lol.

And this is the final Picture of this type. I have some other really cute decals just waiting to be used, but since they are Easter I have to wait.
Here is the coupon if you would like to use it.











http://www.bornprettystore.com

This color is Flashy Fushcia by Sally Hansen's insta dri. I Stamped my nails with Gals Stamps.

I think that my index finger was stamped with a New bundle monster stamp.
The index was stamped with Konad's white polish and the others with Sally Hansen's "White On" Polish.

Here I used Sinful Polish in a Red it's called Sugar Sugar. and I used a heart Stamp by Gal. I think...

Any way I am growing out my nails and am using "Nail tech II" I apply it everyday and use gloves ...if I can remember to use them as often as my hands are in water.
Here they are naked, LOL

I will keep you updated on my progress as I continue to add designs.
Have a Great Day! and Thank you for visiting my Blog!

Paper Bag Album

Today I am sharing a paper bag album. I have been holding on to this until the recipient of the album received it. I didn't want to spoil it for them. I the picture before the last you see a yellow tag sticking out of a pocket. That is a pocket for a gift card.

Checkbook Cover Tutorial

I wanted to share a checkbook cover tutorial that I had made awhile back.

Birthday Card

I made a birthday card for my friend's birthday and wanted to share it with all of you. It took me a long time to do some special touches, but she is very special to me, so it was worth it.

 I tea dyed the tag, refer to my post on tea dying to learn how to do this really cool technique.











This tag was 1st stamped with versafine and then Tea dyed, it left an amazing background image.

 This is the Birthday Card. I used a really pretty bronze glitter tape on the tag. I stamped Happy Birthday on the tea dyed tag. The flower on the top right with the white center was hand stained with a bronze metallic paint that I made a wash with. It came out a perfect tan/taupe color.

I antiqued the card by using a sponge dauber and brown distressing ink. The paper on the right is the newspaper I tea dyed and stamped.

 I made a special box card for the chunky card

In Order from left to right
Amanda, Cindi, Julie (me), Gayle (Birthday Girl)