From a Grateful American ~ happy 4th!!!

From Grateful Americans, We salute you!!! 
The USA flag is a thing of beauty.  I love creating art using the
flag as a focal point.  Products are by
Blue Knight Stamps, Darkroom Door and  
Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L.

Happy 4th of July!!!
Connie
crafty_mercer 

Silhouette Dogs by Blue Knight Rubber Stamps~

Hi there!!
Today I'm sharing Silhouette Dogs by 
Blue Knight Rubber Stamps.  They have
Silhouette Cats too:):)  These are fun to pop in a
scene when making cards are tags.

The card background is created with Distress Oxide ink and PanPastels.  The
Silhouette Dogs are adding in using Versafine/Onyx Black ink.  The tree is stamped 
in from the Day at the Lake set. The picket fence is from The View from my
Yard Die  and stamp set.  The sentiment is from One Line Sentiments/friends rock.

The sun is added using the Sun/Moon Stencil and the cluster of
small birds are from the Birds II set.

This card is created using PanPastels for the sky and trees.  The leaves
are stamped with VersaFine Clair/Shady Lane.  The stamp is called
Striped Hammock. 

The Silhouette Dogs were added to the scene.  The sentiment is
from the One Line Sentiments/Did you know...
The Sun/Moon Stencil is used to put in the Sun.  All
adhesives are by Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L.
I will be showcasing several NEW stamp sets being released
this month.  So all week with Blue Knight Stamps.

Thanks for stopping by!
Connie
crafty_mercer

You Are Deeply Missed ~ art journal page

Hi there!
Today I'm sharing an Art Journal page I
created in memory of my grandson.
He went to be with the Lord March 16, 2025.
He would have been 17 years old.  He is missed
terribly.  I think about him like this and it helps me
 so much!

I created a mix of colors using Distress Oxide for the background.
It is an easy and great way to get a colorful background.
I then added the silhouette stamps and then filled in
with stencils.  I just keep bringing the colors from the 
background to give the page a balance. 

The title and scripture are added with much reflection. 
The large letters are from the Worthy King Alpha by
Creative Worship Stamps. 

Listed below are the products used to create this page.
Stamps: Blue Knight Rubber Stamps: Dictionary Page/BG, 
Choose Wisely and Zach and Marley.
Stencils: Creative Worship Stamps: Leaf Fronds, Cross Stitch,
Dots & Hearts, Mixed Up and Diamond Tile.
All used are Posca white marker, acrylic paint and Multi
Med. Matte.
Thanks for stopping by!
Connie
crafty_mercer

Boys with Pets ~ creating with silhouette stamps!

Hi there!
Today I'm sharing an easy, but striking, card
using Silhouette Stamps by Blue Knight Rubber Stamps
and Darkroom Door. 

The background is a mix of Distress Oxide inks on white cardstock.
The focal words are from the One Line Sentiments/friends rock. set.
The leaves and the children are stamped over the words using 
Versafine ink and Archival/fern green.

I use a stamping platform to insure a strong stamped image.  Makes it easy to
restamp!  It helps with perfect placement too:)
Stamps used: Blue Knight Rubber Stamps: Boys with Pets, One Line
Sentiments/friends rock. Darkroom Door: Carved Leaves Vol.1 and
Studio Light: Sentiment Strip.

Thanks for stopping by!!
Connie
crafty_mercer

Quick and Easy Sentiment Strips ~ re-purposed!

Hi there!
Today I'm sharing a re-purposed idea. 
I don't like to throw pieces of left over paper in
the trash.  I want to find a use for it or
at least try :):)

Some 12x12 pattern paper packs come with a salvage edge on the top and 

by turning it over you get a white strip (that is perfect size) to stamp
a sentiment on.  The time it saved was a game changer for me. 

Snip off the sentiment from the strip, add adhesive and
adhere to your project. Easy!!!!
 

I was making Corner Bible Markers for Vacation Bible School.

I used stamps by Creative Worship, Blue Knight and
adhesive by Scrapbook Adhesive by 3L/3D Foam Strips.  The paper
is by s.e.i.
Thanks for stopping by!!!
Connie
crafty_mercer

Mixed Media card set~

Hi there!
Today I'm sharing a couple of mixed media cards using
stamps and stencils by PaperArtsy.  I love to 
create crazy colorful backgrounds and then add
in paper dolls, for the focal.  Cool words are a must!

I start by watering down distress oxide inks and laying the cardstock in
the ink.  Just dip in and out!  You can dab off or let the ink soak in.

Another fun thing to do is spray water on the ink mix and then dab off. 
Gives a faded out look on the card background. 

I go for a distress look, so lines and color aren't perfect!  
Products are by PaperArtsy, Tim Holtz/paper dolls and
Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L.  I purchased the stamps and stencils
at Topflight Stamps.

Thanks for stopping by!!
Connie
crafty_mercer

Creative Scrapbooker Magazine ~ Summer 2025

Hi there!
Been awhile :):)
We had a really bad water leak that 
ruined the floor in several rooms and had to be
pulled up and replaced.  Every muscle in my body is sore.
The good news is it is done!!  Today I'm sharing the Summer
Issue 2025 of Creative Scrapbooker Magazine. 

I submitted to the Watercolour call and they selected a
mixed media tag that I created while guest designing for
Creative Worship Stamps. 

I used Distress Oxide inks, watered down, for the 
watercolours.  The inks work great and just like
watercolours give you all the options!
Here is the Original Blog Post using Fun Florals
to create the tag.  All information is listed there.
Thanks for stopping by!
Connie
@crafty_mercer

Raise a Hallelujah!!

Hi there~
I have been super busy trying to figure out a
new way to blog and show creative works.
My old Dell computer died on me.  I lost all of my links
and book marked sites. Ugh!!!
I'm slowly rebuilding:):)

I love creating mixed media backgrounds.  So fun!
You can use watercolors, Distress Oxide inks or
water downed acrylic paints.  I take a mix of
stamps for the background and then stamp over with
silhouette stamps.  I always use a stamping platform,
to make sure you can restamp the image.
This card has washi tape and a scalloped border at the 
bottom of the card.
Stamps used are by Darkroom Door, Blue Knight Stamps
and PaperArtsy. All adhesive is by
Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L.

Thanks for stopping by!!
Connie
crafty_mercer  

Sympathy card ~

Hi there!
Today I'm sharing a great looking card 
and took about 10 minutes to put together.
I like that !!

I'm creating with Design Papers by Blue Knight Rubber Stamps. These
are called Day Sky 2 by Deanna Tubb-Sedillo. So fab!!! She has 9 sets of
different papers and they are all beautifully created. She did the hard
part for us.

I used Silhouette Pines along with Flocks of Birds, Birds ll and One Line
Sentiments/Sincere Condolences.  The moon is added using the
Sun/Moon Stencil and Panpastels. I love to finish the card with a 
little speckled paint.  I use an old toothbrush and water down the paint,
to thin it out, and then spritz. 

I stamped the Silhouette Pines on the envelope using Archival ink/
Jet Black.  All adhesives are by Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L.
Thanks for stopping by!!
I can't believe it is May already!

Connie
crafty_mercer
Crafty Goodies Facebook Page

Vintage Rolo Dex Art~

Hi there!
Today I'm sharing a repurposed project.
I'm using a vintage Rolo Dex that I used for
 business contacts back in the day.  I put a mixed media
spin on it.

Anyone else have one of these?  Mine was stored in a closet so it is
still in good shape. If the cards have information on them they are
still usable, just gesso over the card and then paint.

I used Distress Oxide Inks for the background colors.  The stamps are by 
Darkroom Door.  The sentiment is by Creative Worship and paper dolls by
Tim Holtz.

I got my cards going the wrong way so this set is upside down. No biggie!!

Just turn the Rolo Dex.  The stamps are by Creative Expressions, Darkroom
 Door and Katzelkraft. The sticker words are by Tim Holtz.

This one I used acrylic paint and then stamped over the paint.
I'm using stamps and stencil by Creative Worship. All adhesives
are by Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L. 
I'll keep you posted on my progress. 
 
Thanks for stopping by!
Connie
crafty_mercer
Crafty Goodies Facebook Page

Spring Mixed Media Tags~

Hi there!
Today I'm sharing some SPRING mixed media tags
using stamps by Creative Worship.  Can you tell I
really love creating with these stamps? :) 

I started with white, heavy cardstock for the tags.  Then I added color with a mix of
Distress Oxide inks. I then added in the leaves and element stamps.  Next
the stencils called Mixed Up and Cross Stitch are added.

For a really fun look mix up the ink colors. 

I added vintage lace to the bottom along with a label and Paper Dolls by
Tim Holtz.  The silhouette stamp is next. Stamp using a stamp
platform (like a Misti), so you can repeat stamping, for a strong inked image.

Add the sentiment on each tag with dimensional adhesive.
All adhesives are by Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L.

These were really fun to make!!
Thanks for stopping by.

Connie
crafty_mercer
Crafty Goodies Facebook Page

100% All The Time Art Journal Page~

Hi there!
I'm sharing an Art Journal Page using stamps
by Creative Worship.  There are some from the
March release and then some that are discontinued
but it is all good.  

I started by adding watered down Distress Oxide to the mixed media 

journal page.  I dried the page, with a heating tool, after each color of ink.
My color choices were Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Abandoned 
Coral and Barn Door by Ranger.

Creating a messy background can be tricky but remember it is
really hard to mess it up.  Just go with it!!! The large flowers
and leaves were added first, for placement.  The background
elements next. 

The stamps used for this page are Vintage Elements, Faith Wordfetti,
Text BG, Cosmos BG, Geometric BG, Bingo Card, All in All, 
Texture Tile 1, Cheery Birds & Buds, Fantastic Flowers and Peace
Joy Love Stencil (all by Creative Worship).
Also added to complete the page is acrylic paint, Archival/Jet Blk.
ink and Versafine/Onyx Blk.

Thanks for stopping by!
Connie
crafty_mercer
Crafty Goodies Facebook Page

Sunshine Mixed Media Tags~

Hi there!
Today I'm sharing a couple of tags using
KatzelKraft Stamps, Darkroom Door Stamps and 
Tracy Evans Stamps. I found all these
stamps at Topflight Stamps.  Topflight specializes
in International Stamps. 

I used Distress Oxide inks to create a mix of color for the tag background.
Always fun playing with colors!

I start by layering the stamps and then adding in stencils and
extra elements.  Using a contrasting ink gives a fun look.

Silhouette images look great (and so easy) on this type of art.
I haven't seen a bad silhouette stamp :):).
Supplies used: KatzelKraft: Silhouette Flowers and KT2219
Tracy Evans: Shadowed Elements, Background Elements
and Studio Light: Sentiments & Wishes. Darkroom Door:
Take Flight, Abstract Faded Circles, Abstract 09, Post marks BG,
and Number Medley.
All adhesives are by Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L.

Thanks for stopping by!
Connie
crafty_mercer
Crafty Goodies Facebook Page

Surfer Guy & Gal by Blue Knight Stamps~

Hi there!
Today I'm sharing the newly released stamp
called Surfer Guy & Gal by Blue Knight Stamps.
It goes great with the beach and water scenes by
Blue Knight.

Both of these cards are using panpastels for color.  The silhouettes can be
added into a scene.  Just drop them in. Using a positional stamping device
comes in handy when stamping with silhouettes.  You are able to re-stamp
as many times as need be, to get a good dark imprint.

I'm using Ocean Waves for the background stamp. Also added
is Flock of Birds, Birds ll and the Sun/Moon Circle

stencil.  The sentiment is from One Line Sentiments/congrats.
To finish the card I speckled the card front with white acrylic
paint.

The second card I'm using Path to the Beach along with
Beach Fences Stamp & Die.  The added bird is from
the Birds ll set.  The sun is put in with the
Sun/Moon Circle stencil.  It is fun to build a scene.

All adhesives are by Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L.
Thanks for stopping by!

Connie
crafty_mercer
Crafty Goodies Facebook Page

Topflight Stamps 8th Birthday Blog Hop~

 

It's Topflight Stamps 8th birthday and time to celebrate. I’ve teamed up 
with some great designers to showcase celebratory projects using
 the unique products available at Topflight Stamps.  Please hop
 along with us and see all the beautiful talent from this group of amazing
 designers! The master list, of hop stops, is on the 
Topflight Stamps Blog.
We are also Hopping on Instagram!  You can start at the 
Topflight Stamps account @topflightstamps

I had some fun creating three mixed media style tags CELBRATING life.
I'm using We're All Mad there by Katzel Kraft and Paper Artsy 
(Seth Apter) ESA44.  The animal images are colored with watercolor 
paints by Studio Light. 

All of the products are listed below and linked if

possible. 

The three tags were created in the same way using the same products, just
changed up the animal and tag color.  The tag background colors are Distress
Oxide inks (watered down).  I added stamps and stencil images to give a
worn look.  The animal images are adhered with dimensional adhesive.
The sentiments are by Creative Expressions called 
Inspirational Wordies Sentiment sheet.  Product List: Katzel Kraft:
We're All Mad Here and Los Nombres. Tracy Evans: BG Elements (TELL).
Paper Artsy: Seth Apter, ESA44 and Kate Crane: Stencil PS429.

Pulling out my much loved Darkroom Door Stamps to
create a card set Celebrating Life.  I'm also using 
embossing products by WOW!, the Embossing Pad
and the Opaque Bright White Powder on the sentiment
strips.   Topflight has a GREAT selection of Darkroom Door
Stamps. My cards include: Grunge Marks, Numbers BG,
Sentiment Strip/Celebrate, Layered Handwriting BG,
Warm Wishes, Small Stamp/Take Flight and Stencil/Friendship.

Did we mention there will be prizes?

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Of course, it wouldn’t be a birthday celebration without prizes! Topflight Stamps is giving four lucky winners $50 Gift Certificates to the store. Two winners will be chosen from commenters on the blog hop and two will be chosen from commenters on the IG hop. For a chance to win, make sure to visit the stops on the hop and leave a comment by April 1st. Winners will be announced on the Topflight Stamps blog on Thursday, April 3rd. U.S.A winners only due to shipping issues. Good Luck!

Don't forget we're also having a SALE in the store during the celebration. Check out the selection of stamps and other goodies sourced from all around the world!

Your next stop is Lisa

Thanks for stopping by and hope
you enjoy all the amazing
INSPIRATION!!!!
Connie
@crafty_mercer