Thursday, June 29, 2017

June tag with Clear Scraps!

Hi, Connie here with my June tag using acrylic and a bunch of cute embellishments by Clear Scraps.  The embellishments are made using stencils by Clear Scraps. So easy!! Just stencil on white cardstock and trim out. Add dimensional adhesive to pop them up and super cute!!!

Acrylic tag_clear scraps_june tag_c. mercer
The background is created using  the 6" Anchor and Helm stencil with StazOn ink.  The acrylic tag was sanded first, giving a frosted look and then stenciled.  The Helm chipboard piece is by Clear Scraps.   Added color to the chipboard using StazOn ink.

June tag_Clear Scraps_chipborad_c.mercer

Products used:
Clear Scraps: Acrylic tag
Clear Scraps: 6" Ocean Friends, 6" Beach Fun and 6" Anchor and Helm stencil.
Clear Scraps: Chipboard embellishment: Helm/Anchor.
other:
StazOn ink, Lawn Fawn stamps, Beacon Quick Grip, trim, pearls and netting.

Thank for stopping by~
Connie Mercer/DT Member

Sunday, June 25, 2017

Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop 2017 with A Jillian Vance Design ~ part 2

Hi!!
Welcome to the Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop.
  This is my second 
set of cards to post. I would like to also give a big shout out to my sponsor
A Jillian Vance Design.  They make super cute coffee related stamps.
 Be sure you check them out :)

There are two cards are similar in design. They were both created using the Cup of Love by A Jillian Vance Design.  I trimmed the coffee cup out and layered with a vintage milk cap, twine and the sentiment.  I used scraps of pattern paper and adhered to beige cardstock.

The shading around the coffee cup is done Quick Quotes PowderPuff Chalk inks.
Here is the other card created the same way~

I used the Stitched Dot Rectangle die set by A Jillian Vance Design, for the card mat.
  Love the stitched look!!


Products used: 
A Jillian Vance Design: Perk Up
A Jillian Vance Design: Cup of Love
A Jillian Vance Design: Stitched Dot Rectangle die set

other:
Archival ink by Ranger
Quick Quotes PowderPuff Chalk inks (for shading)
S.E.I. (Tumble Dye for splats)
Buttons Galore & More
twine
vintage milk cap

To catch up on the
to post or start the hop.
Thanks for stopping by~

Saturday, June 24, 2017

Adventure Awaits with Quick Quotes!

Hi, Connie here with a scrapbook page using the Adventure Waits collection by Quick Quotes. I tried something different by printing my journal notes right on the page.  So easy to do with the iP8720 Canon Printer.


The journal notes were printed on the bottom of the scrapbook page.  I used Microsoft Word to write the text in and then printed from there.

The page has stamped embellishments created with Quick Quotes PowderPuff Chalk inks and stamps.  The inks were used to color in the stamped images also.

So easy and works great with a Q-tip, to move the ink around, on the stamped image.

More embellishments were stamped using the Quick Quotes PowderPuff Chalk inks and trimmed out and adhered, in the embellishment cluster, above the journal notes.

A decorative border was punched out and shaded with Quotes Quick PowderPuff Chalk inks and adhered to the top of the photos.  The title was added along with buttons to complete the page.

Supplies used:
Quick Quotes: Adventure Awaits
Quick Quotes PowderPuff Chalk inks: Amaretto, Bora Bora, Buttercup, Slate, Blue Royal , Midnight Confessions and Warm Sand.

Other:
stickers, ink, stamps
Buttons Galore & More

Thanks for stopping by ~
Connie Mercer

Friday, June 23, 2017

Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop 2017 with A Jillian Vance Design!

Hi!!!
Welcome to the Summer Coffee Lovers Bloghop 2017. 
 Get ready to see some awesome cards themed for Summer and Coffee. 
 You might even want to pour yourself a cup and get comfortable!!
This blog hop never disappoints!!
I want to give a shout out to my sponsor ~ A Jillian Vance Design 
They have a great selection of  Coffee Stamps.  
Check them out ~ 


I used the beautiful Sunburst Swirl background stamp by A Jillian Vance Design for the card background. I loved the swirls, just letting the smell of the coffee, take me away.  The background stamp is stamped on the card front and then I added layers with the coffee cup, sentiment and vintage milk cap. 

Here is a closeup of that gorgeous coffee cup (Cup of Love stamp) by A Jillian Vance Design.  The cup is stamped with Ranger ink/Potting Soil and trimmed out.  Buttons were added along with splats of black ink.

Products Used:
A Jillian Vance Design: Perk Up
A Jillian Vance Design: Cup of Love
A Jillian Vance Design: Swirls Background

Other:
Ranger Archival ink: Potting Soil and Jet Black
S.E.I.: Tumble dye /black (ink splats)
Buttons Galore & More
Vintage milk cap

I'll have two more cards to share, for the Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop,
 on Monday, showcasing A Jillian Vance Design.
To start the hop or post a card go to 
Thanks for stopping by~

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Scrapbooking with Clear Scraps!

Hi, Connie here with a Scrapbook page using an acrylic sheet by Clear Scraps.  I created a background, for the page, using a Geo pattern stencil by Clear Scraps. 

Acrylic_scrapbook page_c.mercer
By sanding the acrylic sheet you get a frosted look and by adding stencils you have created a fun background for your photos. Very cool technique to use when creating with acrylic.  StazOn ink/Black was used to stencil the color on the acrylic sheet.  

Acrylic sheet_sanded_stencil_c.mercer
Love the frosted look of the acrylic by simply running a piece of sand paper over the front of the acrylic.  Remember to remove the plastic film.

Acrylic_chipboard_clear scraps_c.mercer

Layer pattern paper in the center of the page.  Add embellishments, stickers and journal strips. The chipboard word " Friends" is by Clear Scraps.  It was painted with acrylic paint and then adhered with Beacon's Quick Grip the page.

Products used:
Clear Scraps: Deco Shapes
Clear Scraps: chipboard word "Friends"
Clear Scraps: 6" Geo Stencil
Other: S.e.i./paper, Beacon Quick Grip, StazOn ink

Thanks for stopping by~
Connie Mercer/DT Member

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Pirates with 28 Lilac Lane~

Hi guys!
I'm hosting over on the Buttons Galore and More blog today.  I have a really cute scrapbook page to share using the Pirates Life Embellishment Kit by 28 Lilac Lane. This was such a fun kit to create with and couldn't have been more perfect, for the  photos I had, to create a scrapbook page with.


The Pirates Life embellishment kit includes buttons, sequins, velvet trim, a charm, small seed beads and pirate skull embellishments.  I used the Pirates Life kit to create my page accents and it was really fun.  I looked up pictures, of pirate images, and hand drew them out on cardstock and then embellished with the contents, in the Pirates Life kit.


The first embellishment I created was the Pirate ship.  Drawing a Pirate ship can be kinda of scary when you're not sure what one looks like to begin with.  When you have a picture in front of you, not so hard at all.  Once the Pirate ship was created, from pattern paper and buttons, it was ready to put in place on the scrapbook page.  Amazing what can be created with paper and buttons!


The next embellishment to be created was the Pirates hat.  I traced the outline of the hat on cardstock and then embellished with sequins and the pirate skull from the kit.  The embellishment cluster was enhanced with grey pearls from the Pirates Life kit.  The black velvet trim was added below the film strip of black and white photos.  I tucked in a few large buttons in the bottom Pirate cluster.  The journal text was created and added to the side of the Pirate cluster.  I hope you are encouraged to create unique, one of a kind embellishments for your craft projects using the embellishment kits by 28 Lilac Lane. 

Supplies used:
Other:
Cardstock
Pattern paper
Clear Scraps: stencil
Divine Twine
Beacon Adhesive

Thanks for stopping by~
Connie Mercer/DT Member

Try It Tuesday ~ a DecoArt Blogger Outreach Project!

Hi guys!
I'm so excited to share with you my first project with DecoArt as a member
 of the Blogger Outreach Program.  I showed a small cabinet on my blog, about a year ago, that I wanted to refinish and DecoArt help make that happen.  They provided the products and I provided the labor.

I started by cleaning the outside, of the cabinet, with warm soapy water, just getting
 the dirt and grim off.  It was really a mess.  That was one thing that drew me to the Chalk Paint by DecoArt, the cabinet didn't have to be stripped, just cleaned and then painted right
 over the old finish.  Such a plus for me!

As you can see in the first picture the condition of the cabinet was pretty rough.  The Chalky Finish/Primitive paint went on smooth and covered all the ugly dings with one coat of paint.  I applied another coat of paint (just because I loved the way the paint went on) and then let it set a couple of hours and then applied the Creme Wax.  This was done twice. The Creme Wax was applied with a soft rag, so easy and clean up was even easier.  Soap and water, that's it.

The stencil was applied to the front door.  Chalky Finish/Lace was used with a couple of drops of Carbon Black Media Fluid Acrylics to tint the color grey.  To apply the paint, to the stencil, I used a small makeup sponge.  The trick to stenciling is to not over saturate the sponge with paint. The paint will go under the stencil.  Apply a small amount to the sponge and then dab off and then go to the stencil.  I did a practice print first on cardboard. Then I could tell how much paint was too much paint.

The cabinet has a wire shelf and a wire rack, attached to the inside of the cabinet.
 Super cute!
Those were cleaned up with a wire brush and reinstalled.



The before photo on the right. What a huge difference a little paint and love can do.

Supplies used:
Americana Decor Chalky Finish: Primitive
Americana Decor Chalky Finish: Lace
Americana Decor: Creme Wax
Americana Decor: Cafe Paris stencil
DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics: Carbon Black

other:
soft rag (to apply Creme Wax)
soft 2" paint brush (to apply the Chalky Finish paint)

Thanks for stopping by~
Connie Mercer/DecoArt Blogger Outreach Program Member

Monday, June 19, 2017

Cards and Seashells~

HI guys!
I have a couple of cards to share, using the Seashells by Darkroom Door.
  A favorite stamp set of mine, at the moment.  I also pulled out an oldie but
 goody from way back ~ Autumn Leaves, who remembers them?


My inspiration for these cards was a sandy beach, with a pop of color.  The shells being the pop of color.  The large shells are stamped on white cardstock and cut out.  The background is created with the Shells Background stamp by Darkroom Door.

The sentiments are stamped on white cardstock and trimmed out.  The stamps are by Autumn Leaves, I'm thinking around 2009 ~2010 when I bought them.  I have never used them until today ~ so glad I did.  Such a fun font!!!

Supplies used:
Darkroom Door: Seashells, Seaside inchies and Shells Background stamp
Autumn Leaves: Script set
Ink: Ranger
twine
Wink of Stella (for sparkle)
S.E.I. ( Black Tumble dye for splats)

This isn't a sponsored post, just me having fun creating with some awesome products!! 
Thanks for stopping by~
tomorrow!!
See ya soon~

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Printer Tray project with Clear Scraps!

Hi, Connie here with a Printer Tray project, showcasing our Texas home, by Clear Scraps. These are some photos that were taken by a friend showcasing small, fun details of the ranch. The Printer Tray was so perfect to display these images .

Printer tray_clear scraps_c.mercer
The photos are trimmed down to 3 1/2" X 3 1/2" and secured in each square on the Printer Tray. The sections were glued together with Beacon Quick Grip. The top frame is painted with acrylic paint. Buttons were put in one section of the Printer Tray.  I was going for a bold look.

Printer tray_buttons_chipboard_c.mercer
The cluster at the bottom is the Windmill chipboard embellishment by Clear Scraps.  Ivy, flowers, star and buttons were added along with the year date.  Fun project to create!

Products used:
Clear Scraps: Square Printer Tray Frame
Clear Scraps: Windmill chipboard embellishment  
other: Beacon Quick Grip, buttons, ivy and flowers, stickers, Divine twine and acrylic paint

Thanks for stopping by~
Connie Mercer/DT Member

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Earth Wind Fire with Quick Quotes~a scrapbook page!

Hi, Connie here with scrapbook page using the collection Earth Wind Fire by Quick Quotes.  I had a bunch of scrap pieces from this collection so they were incorporated into the design of the page.  Love using scraps up!!

I started by mounting the photos on a sheet of pattern paper about the size of a 8" X 10".  I stuck little pieces of pattern paper all around the edges.  I even used die cuts.  Nothing was off limits.  The stitching is from a stamp but the machine stitch would look great too.

I love the border the small pieces of paper gives the matted photos.  They are shaded with different Quick Quotes PowderPuff Chalk inks.  Such a fun and easy project to create while using up all of those little bits and pieces that we all save.

This is my oldest son with his three boys. We are surely Blessed!!!

Products used:
Quick Quotes: Earth Wind Fire Collection
Quick Quotes: Earth Wind Fire 500 
Quick Quotes PowderPuff Chalk inks: Midnight Confessions, Seafoam, Navy, Antique Linen and Barn Board
other: stickers, buttons and rubber stamp

Thanks for stopping by~
Connie Mercer/DT Member

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Try It Tuesday ~ Button Fruit, yum!!

Hey guys!!
Thanks for stopping in for Try It Tuesday!
I have been playing around with some big buttons. Never sure what to do
 with the big ones:)  I came up with stacking a smaller button inside a larger one and
 it lead to button fruit. Let me show you~
It started with this~


Pulling out the big buttons and separating by colors. 

I cut some small leaves out of felt and began making stacks of buttons.  The big buttons 
 for the base and the smaller ones for the center.  I stitched them together, to fill in the button holes.

 The outside color (big button) of fruit and the inside color (smaller button) to
 resemble the fruit that was being created.

Example: orange and a small watermelon :)
I also used small pieces of sticks for the stem. The button color
 was matched with cardstock for a backing for the button.
  A magnet was glued to the
 back of the button fruit.  Super cute, so I made more~

limes 
and here is the rest of them ~

oranges, mandarins, grapefruit, watermelon, apple, limes.
This is an easy kid friendly project also.  Neat refrigerator magnets!!
Products used:
Buttons Galore & More: Button Bonanza: Campy and Pastel
Buttons Galore & More: Button Basics: Bright Mix
other:
felt, small sticks, thread and needle, glue (hot glue or Beacon's Quick Grip)

The buttons were provided by Buttons Galore & More for this project.
Thanks for stopping by~

Monday, June 12, 2017

Darkroom Door Face Book Inspiration page challenge~

Hi guys!
I did another challenge ~ two in one week, that is a record:)
The Darkroom Door Inspiration page on Face Book is having a challenge
 to make a card or project using an Eclectic stamp.  I chose the Eclectic/Daisy stamp
 with the Background /Stone stamp to create a card with.


I also added the Carved Leaves Vol.1 and the Texture/Criss Cross stamps by
 Darkroom Door.

The sentiment (Brushed Sentiments by Darkroom Door) is embossed with black embossing powder by Ranger. 
 The center of the flower is buttons by Buttons Galore and More.  The challenge is to use the Eclectic stamp and I ended up using five different stamps.
If you would like to play along look up Darkroom Door Inspiration page to get in and post your project.  The challenge is through the end of June.  Five eclectic stamps will be given to one lucky winner.
Hope to see you there!!
Thanks for stopping by~

Thursday, June 8, 2017

Tag set created with stencils by Clear Scraps!

Hi, Connie here with a cute tag/card set using the 6" stencils by Clear Scraps.  Take out some scrap pieces of cardstock, ink and stencils and that will get you started.

Clear scraps_stencils_c.mercer
The cards are 4"X 4".  There are 6 cards in the set. Each card is stenciled with a nautical image from the Ocean Friends and Beach Fun stencils by Clear Scraps.  I used different color of inks for a fun look.  Each card is decorated with Sequins by Clear Scraps. See steps taken in photo below.

Clear scraps-tutorial-stencils-c.mercer
I also stenciled a 5" X 7" muslin bag to hold the card set in.  It made a really cute gift.

Clear scraps_cards_c.mercer
The card fronts were popped up with dimensional adhesive.   Easy project but does take time to complete all the fronts and stencil the bag.  The background of the bag is sprayed with colored ink spray for added color.

Clear scraps_sequins-card set-c.mercer

Clear scraps_card set_c.mercer
Products used:
Clear Scraps: 6" Ocean Friends and 6" Beach Fun
Clear Scraps sequins: Ocean, Glamour and Little Dude
Other: Muslin bag, cardstock, Wink of Stella, Archival ink and spray.

Thanks for stopping by
Connie Mercer/DT Member