Crafty Capers

Have a Seat!

2012-01-28T07:18:00.000-08:00

Hero Art's new stamp set "keep calm" caught my eye yesterday while I was playing. I can totally see this chair in someone's grandma's living room or one of those old fashioned library rooms with all the dark wood! Fairly simple card but I am happy with how it turned out. I stamped the chair with Adirondack Cranberry dye ink on a piece of white cardstock I also stamped the sentiment from the same set except with Versafine Vintage Sepia ink. I distressed the edges of the white piece with a little Tea Dye Distress ink. I pulled a piece of ligth green Bazzill cardstock out of my stash and stamped the Hero Arts Large Fabric background on it with Adirondack Lettuce dye ink to help give the card a little more of a vintage feel. I matted everything with brown cardstock then onto a cream main card. I used my Sakura Stardust pen (can't see it though in this photo) and put a bit of glitter on all the rivets on the chair. I added 4 Kaisercraft pearls as well. Thanks for stopping by.

Leftover Valentine

2012-01-25T20:44:00.000-08:00

I had a piece of Be Creative tape with heart shaped holes cut out of it leftover from the card yesterday so me being the thrifty gal that I am challenged myself to use it. I found some pattern paper bits that were in the same color family so I cut out 6 Sizzix hearts and matted them as shown. I used Cinnamon Glitter Ritz glitter on my leftover piece. I used a scap of cream behind the heart holes that I had stamped XOX sentiment from the Hero Arts set Say It All (stamped with Ranger Adirondack dye Red Pepper ink). The rest is pretty straight forward. The scallop edge is from a Spellbinder die. Pearls and lace from Hero Arts. I finished off the card by adding some faux stitching through the layered hearts with my Sakura Stardust pen.
Thanks for stopping by!

New Arrivals Jan 25

2012-01-25T14:58:00.000-08:00

Hero Arts Large Flower Background back in stock

Tim Holtz die Weathered Clock

Tattered Leaves die

We received 2 orders today to keep me out of trouble. Hero Arts and a mixture of Sizzix dies, Spellbinder, Memento, Versafine and Stazon ink and C Plates for the Cuttlebug. Here is a selection of some of the new arrivals.

Hero Arts Newspaper Skyline in stock for the first time.

Hero Arts Vintage Car

Hero Arts Say it all set

Sparkly Valentine

2012-01-24T19:13:00.000-08:00

I can see now that this picture is not the best however it is too late to take another picture so hopefully you will overlook my bad photography!
I've had this idea floating around in my head for a week or so and once I finally got a chance to pull out my Glitter Ritz glitter the card came together fairly quickly. Each heart is done with the Burnished Velvet technique using Be Creative tape and Glitter Ritz Microfine glitter.
I began by putting some Be Creative on some ugly grey cardstock (did not care what color it was because I knew the glitter would cover it up) and die cut 9 hearts using my Sizzix Framelets hearts dies. I used Be Creative tape backing and cut some masks out of the Spellbinder Twisted Metal tags set. I peeled the tape backing off the hearts and applied the Metal Tags masks over the exposed tape. I poured Fire Red Glitter Ritz glitter over each of the hearts. The areas of the tape that were not covered by the masks then became a glittery red. I carefully peeled off the masks and applied Ice Blue, Champagne, Black and Lilac Pink to the areas of tape that had been masked by the tape backing.
I mounted the 9 hearts on a piece of white cardstock that I had embossed with the Crafts Too Love Hearts embossing folder (one of the new folders at Crafty Capers). I matted the embossed white piece with black cardstock then added it to my main cardstock. Hope this all makes sense and thanks for stopping by!

Tri Fold Mini Album

2012-01-23T06:39:00.000-08:00

I was inspired by this post by Holly Simoni during the Spellbinder 2012 Blog Hop Frenzy last week and managed to get my version made fairly quickly despite the dratted weather last week. I used lots of older Spellbinder dies because the ones Holly used were all new ones.
I am hoping to get some photos printed for the tags next week. I think this book will be going to my Great Aunt I have quite a few vintage photos of hers and I think she will enjoy them.
Thanks to Deanna and Leslie S for finishing touches creative help.
I won't go into detail about how to make this album but feel free to contact me if you have questions.
Spellbinder dies used: Nested Butterfly two, Parisian Accents, Classic Scallop Edgeability & Labels 8.
Paper: can't remember them all (sorry) Upsy Daisy and Bazzill.
Pearls by Kaisercraft

A simple wedding card

2012-01-22T06:36:00.000-08:00

I don't know anyone getting married at the moment in fact, a few people I know are getting divorced! However that did not stop my from pulling out this Penny Black image and playing. I am happy with how this turned out. It is a fairly straightforward card. I stamped the happy couple and paper pieced the dress (embossed with Seafoam white and layered it twice with a gorgeous shimmery vellum), the tux and the flowers. I used my Tombow markers for the skin and hair as well as coloring the bouquet. I used a tiny spray stamp from a Penny Black stamp set and stamped it with Brillance Pearlescent Beige. I used a Craft Concept embossing folder and a Hero Arts sentiment stamped with Versafine Vintage Sepia and embossed with Crafty Capers embossing powder Gold Pearl.
Now I just need to be invited to a wedding and I am good to go!! :)
Thanks everyone for all the great comments on the blog recently. It's nice to be loved!
Stamps used: Penny Black Bride and Groom, Penny Black Flower Gallery & Hero Arts Say It All

Even more Stampscapes and some other bits and pieces

2012-01-17T18:45:00.000-08:00

Stampscapes "the great wave"

Stampscapes Palm Island

I think Canada Post/US Postal Service has created a new speedy delivery record. This latest Stampscape order was shipped from California last Monday and arrived yesterday! Wow! Great service. I've attached 3 of the new designs. We have a bunch of tropical images now in stock just in time for our Stampscape classes Feb 1 and Feb 5 at Crafty Capers. They would also be good for those of us who have seen too much snow this week. I know not much has come down this week but trust me that small amount is too much! We also received an order of Bazzill cardstock, Ranger Alcohol inks, Rock A Blocks (these were used in the Hero Arts make and takes in December) and lots of Stickles glitter glue! Just a reminder that Crafty Capers is closed in the event of large quantities of snow if you are not sure please check the Crafty Capers website, Facebook or call the store 250-585-0022.

Stampscapes Lightening

Happy Bees

2012-01-15T19:50:00.000-08:00

I was in the mood to color over the weekend so I rooted out my Prisma pencil crayons and while I was doing that found this cute Stampendous bee image. I've probably had this stamp 3 or 4 years and haven't used it for a few years at least. It was fun to bring it back out. The card is straight forward. I used Orange Peel, Pink and Diamond Stickles to add some bling to the bees. Sentiment is by Penny Black. Twine is by My Mind's Eye, Flower and pearl by Hero Arts. Thanks for stopping by!

Another Stampscapes

2012-01-14T19:41:00.000-08:00

Here is another Stampscapes scene I finally got matted up this week. It is done on glossy cardstock and color was applied with Colorbox Stylus wands and tips. All inks are Adirondack dye.
All stamps are by Stampscapes except for the leaf at the bottom left corner which is by Hero Arts. The yellow panel is embossed with a Couture Creations embossing folder from the World Fair collection.
Thanks for stopping by.

Brayered Stampscapes

2012-01-13T21:50:00.000-08:00

Wow what a busy week! Orders coming in left and right along with customers and a class tonight it took me all week to get to card fronts mounted onto cards!
I got my inspiration for this card from an add for a book, no idea what the book was but the cover was cool and I managed to keep the idea in my head.
This is a fairly simple card. All stamps are by Stampscapes except the sentiment which is by Penny Black. I brayered on glossy cardstock using Adirondack (dye) Shell pink, Watermelon and Cranberry then I stained my friend's lovely new looking brayer black by brayering Memories Black on the bottom after I made a mask with a Spellbinder Labels 10 die. Whoops, sorry about that Leslie!! I mounted everything as shown.
Thanks for stopping by!

New Hero Arts in the store

2012-01-12T20:35:00.000-08:00

We received a top up order of the new 2012 Hero Arts stamps I thought I had ordered lots but we are already sold out of some fo the designs so I will be doing yet another order this weekend! If you are looking for ideas on what to do with some of these stamps check out the Hero Arts blog hop going on this week. Spellbinder is also unveiling new products this week as well in a blog hop. Thanks for stopping by!

Back in stock. If you need this stamp hurry in before I buy the last one! LOL

We sold this set out in December but it is back in stock.

In stock for the first time at Crafty Capers!

This stamp set is in for the first time just in time for Valentine's Day.

Stampendous new arrivals

2012-01-10T16:05:00.000-08:00

We received our first Stampendous order for 2012 today. The order includes quite a few stamps we have never had in stock before and some older popular ones as well. We also received some small, empty needle nose plastic bottles Those of you who were in the Glitter classes with Deanna in October will know what I am talking about! :)

For those who like the Stampendous clear plastic storage containers we have the thin and thicker ones back in stock hurry in for best selection.

New Embossing Folders now in stock

2012-01-09T20:22:00.000-08:00

We got a large selection of new embossing folders in yesterday! We have received most of the "World Fair" Couture Creations folders. See the first 3 designs in this post for some samples. We also received a bunch of Crafts Too You embossing folders (baby feet, dog paw prints, hearts). We have also topped up our selection of Copic and Tombow markers and back in stock Be Creative 115mm double sided tape. Hurry in for best selection.

This into these!

2012-01-09T19:09:00.000-08:00

Back in November I headed out to my car on the way to work and
1. noticed we had had frost again and once again I had not budgeted enough time to scrape my car windows AND get to work on time!
and
2. the frost really was VERY pretty even though a pain to scrape
I had my camera with me so I quickly snapped a few photos then posted them on Facebook later that day. My friend Dianne N commented that they would make great photoscapes backgrounds. Well, this weekend I finally got around to getting some prints professionally printed and had some time to give the photo a try. I have also entered these cards in the Craft a Scene challenge blog. Here are 3 cards I made with the prints. I wish I had had more printed they were kind of addictive! I found the prints were too dark to use black ink on however Brillance inks worked perfectly!

This card was stamped with Brillance Pearlescent lavender, Cosmic Copper & Memories Black dye ink. Stamps: Stampscapes Prickly Branches & Scenic Sentiments set #5. Happy Birthday sentiment by Flourishes. Ribbon and gems by Hero Arts.

This card was stamped with Brillance Moonlight white and Crimson Copper. Stamps by Stampscapes: Water Mill, Loon with Reflection, Water pattern & Quaking aspen.

This is the first scene I did on these prints and I think this is my favourite and it is a Christmas card so 1 card down for 2012! Yeah me! :) This one was all stamped with Brillance Moonlight white. Stamps used: Stampscapes Lakeside cove, water pattern & Scenic sentiment set #7. This card ended up as a square because I was heat setting the ink (thought you needed to do that but turns out there is no need) with my heat gun and I guess I was doing a bit too much talking and not enough paying attention because I managed to heat a bubble in the print and it popped! It was quite loud and shut me up in a hurry. Thankfully, the problem was easily fixed with my trusty paper trimmer. Thanks everyone for stopping by. Stop by later this week as I have a couple more Stampscape scenes stamped up I just need to get them mounted so they should be up in the next few days.

Butterfly Thank You

2012-01-03T20:12:00.000-08:00

I've got a few thank you cards to make up for gifts I received over the Christmas period. This card is for someone who loves glitter so I got lots of use out of my Stickles for this card. I am also trying to get rid of odd bits of pattern cardstock.
I began this card by pulling out my Slice machine and cutting out the letters for thanks then I used my Diamond Stickles to glam them up a bit! I cut strips of Basic Grey pattern paper then punched out 3 butterflies out of 3 of the strips. I matted the pattern paper on blue cardstock then used even more Diamond Stickles in the butterfly holes. I used the punched out butterflies on the non punched strips. I used my newish Spellbinder Tripple Scallop border die for the bottom. I added some Lemon Yellow Liquid Pearls in each of the border holes. Think that abut covers the card construction. Hope everyone had a good new year!

A year in review

2011-12-31T19:44:00.000-08:00

A bunch of bloggers are doing a year in review type posts and posting their favourite cards for each month in 2011 I thought it would be fun to do the same. Here are a few of my favourite projects over the past year:

January this month was actually fairly hard. I did a few really nice cards this month!

I picked this card because I love the colors and it was the start of my orange phase in 2011!

February card. Loved this image and loved how this card turned out. I was very sad when the image was discontinued by Just Rite. I mailed this card to my Great Aunt because I could not bear to throw out the card.

March Liked the colors on this card and it turned out nice and sparkly!

April

Its a Penny Black stamp what more can I say??

May

An orange Stampscapes scene. Love it!

June

Used my new Sizzix butterfly die to make this easel card. Loved that it was different from the usual square shape.

July

Love this elegant tree image by Penny Black.

August

Love the coloring on this card! I won't mention the dominant color...

September

Love the monocromatic look of this card.

October

Made this for a Hero Arts contest. I did not win but sure got lots of compliments on this card.

November

I made this for a private class I taught in November. I was very pleased with myself that I managed to use summer Basic Grey paper for a Christmas card.

December

Had a lot of fun coloring on glitter for this card. I need to do more of this in the new year.
Hope everyone enjoyed the quick card summery of 2011. Here's hoping everyone has a creative 2012!

Thanks everyone for stopping by!

New Blog to check out!

2011-12-29T18:13:00.000-08:00

Sheree and Nancy, two Crafty customers have started a scenic stamping blog. They will be having regular challenges not to mention lots of inspiration! The first challenge will be up Jan 1. Check it out! http://www.craftascene.blogspot.com/

More New Hero Arts

2011-12-28T11:29:00.000-08:00

Just a quick card using another new image from Hero Arts. As soon as the new stamps came in I knew I had to buy the new cling set Enchante. Totally not my usual style and in fact I believe this set is my first ever set of "people" but I love them! I stamped the gal image on a peice of watercolor paper then colored her with my Tombow makers she does not have too much to color so it was quick. I cut out the shape (Hero Arts will have Sizzix dies to match this shape out later in January) by hand then cut another one slightly larger as a mat. I mounted her onto a piece of Hero Arts Designer paper. I found a Hero Arts clear saying that originally said "just wanted to let you know you're fabulous" and cut it apart and just stamped the You're Fabulous part on a Spellbinder Circle and mounted that onto a tag from the Spellbinder Fleur di Lis Accents set. I added some Glossy Accents to the gal's purse, some Offry ribbon and some Hero Arts gems and voila card done!

Hero Arts Peacock & Stamp sale

2011-12-27T07:30:00.000-08:00

This peacock image is an older Hero Arts stamp that I have not played with for a while so thought I would pull it out. I began by randomly applying Hero Arts inks over a tag in my stash (soft sand, soft pink and pool) then let the ink dry for a little while. The drying step is quite important because I wrecked my first tag by not letting it dry! Once the ink is dry I stamped the peack stamp on the tag with Versamark ink and embossed with clear embossing powder. The peacock stamp is a fairly solid stamp so I then rubbed Adirondack Pool ink over the entire piece the clear embossed area kept their original colors and the darker Pool color went into the unembossed areas which makes the peacock pop!
I then finished the card off by embossing a piece of cardstock with a Cuttlebug embossing folder "Victoria" then rubbed Perfect Medium ink over the raised areas and dusted the piece with Perfect Pearls Pearl powder. I used my Tim Holtz medallion die to matte a Stampendous sentiment.
Don't forget this week only all winter/holiday stamps and stickers are 20% off also all the clearance items are now 60% off at the store.
Thanks for stopping by!

Guest Artist

2011-12-26T11:17:00.000-08:00

I dragged "Mr. Crafty Capers" with me to work on Christmas eve and we spent the morning working on sample cards. He really is a good sport! :) Here is the card Phil designed for his Mom's birthday in April. He used all new Hero Arts stamps and all are in stock at Crafty Capers. It's a fairly straight forward card. I have not had a chance to play with the key background but love how it stamps up. Phil's Mom will be so proud of him!

Thanks for stopping by!

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Hero Arts Wish Big clear set, Fancy Keys cling stamp & Happy Birthday Cupcakes (Hero Arts and Sizzix Stamp and Die cut set), Cupcakes clear set.
Inks: Versafine Onyx Black and Deep Lagoon, Memento Bamboo Leaves
Cardstock: Upsy Daisy designer paper and Bazzill

A Beautiful Christmas

2011-12-25T07:00:00.000-08:00

Here is hoping everyone will have a wonderful day. Thought I would post this Stampscapes scene since it looks so peaceful and, to me, this time of year is about peace. I stamped all the all the stamps with Memories Art Print brown ink on glossy cardstock except the mountains they were stamped with Adirondack (dye) slate. I applied color with Colorbox stylus wands and foam tips.

Card Recipe:
All Stamps by Stampscapes: buck, rocky peaks, reeds, babbling brook, pine row, boulders with lichen and water pattern sm. Sentiment from Sentiment Sheet #7
Inks used: Ranger (dye) Espresso, Pesto, Slate, Pool, Denim, Latte, Aqua, Pebble. Memories Art Print Brown
Other: Ranger Inkessential white gel pen, twine (from my Grandma's stash), Hero Silver Decor, Spellbinder Label 8

Merry Christmas to all!

2011-12-24T07:00:00.000-08:00

A super quick card to share today. I demoed a Crafts Too You "sleigh" embossing folder for someone and she left the piece at the store so figured I'd make it into a card. I embossed a piece of white cardstock then carefully rubbed a Hero Arts Soft Pool ink pad over the entire piece it highlighted the raised areas nicely. I stamped a Hero Arts sentiment in Adirondack Denim ink. I added 3 Fiskar's snowflakes with Hero Arts gems in the middle to finish them off. I used my new Spellbinder Classic Scallop Edgeabilities for the bottom border. I used my Cuttlebug Swiss Dot embossing folder on my main cardstock.
Just a reminder Crafty Capers will be closed at noon today (Dec 24) and closed all day Dec 25 and 26. We will reopen Tuesday Dec 27 at 10 am and will be closing early Tuesday to Friday at 4 pm. Saturday Dec 31 we are open 10 am - 3 pm.
Thanks for stopping by!

Time for a Challenge!

2011-12-23T07:00:00.000-08:00

Lesley from the blog Freshly Made Sketches popped by the store the other day and challenged/hassled me to participate in some of the challenges since this week has been a bit slower than usual I found a bit of time to participate! I LOVE how this card turned out and I got to color as well! I colored my flowers with my Tombow markers on watercolor paper then cut them out. I used matted them on rectangles of designer paper. I stamped the sentiment with Versafine Vintage Sepia ink in a shape in the Spellbinder Twisted Metal tags set. I stamped the main cardstock with a script stamp to jazz it up a bit. I finished the card with some Lemon Liquid Pearls.
Card Recipe:
Stamps: Script & Moments - Penny Black, Narcissus clear set - Stampendous
Coloring: Tombow markers 020, 062, 933, 946, N00 Blender on Strathcona watercolor paper
Paper: Kaisercraft, BoBunny & Bazzill
Other: Versafine Vintage Sepia, Spellbinder Twisted Metal tags, Lemon Liquid Pearls

Speedy Recovery

2011-12-22T18:47:00.000-08:00

Just a quick card tonight I am happy with how the card turned out and it was easy peasy! I embossed a Hero Arts cling stamp "cars" twice on red cardstock with Ranger Seafoam white embossing powder. I used a label from the Spellbinder Twisted Tags set and stamped a Hero Arts sentiment. I thought the sentiment was perfect for the background! Luckily, I don't have anyone at the moment to give this card to but it will be ready to go when I do need a get well card.
Thanks everyone for stopping by.

Gift Card holder

2011-12-18T09:49:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the lack of posts recently but with all the holiday hussle and bussle I have not had much time for crafting however I am happy to report my Christmas cards are all finally made and sent out! Just a reminder that Crafty Capers last make and take of 2011 is tomorrow! Cost is $2.00 including taxes and runs 10:30 am - 1:00 pm. You will be making a Hero Arts Happy Birthday card. It's quick and easy a perfect 10 minute get away then you can get back to your busy schedules this week. Please bring your scissors and adhesive with you to the make and take. I have been busy working on gift card holders over the past few days since I have had NO gift inspiration for quite a few people on my list so gift cards it is!

This card measures 5" wide and 8 1/2" wide. I scored at 2 1/4" and then 5 1/2" I folded up the bottom and used one of my Scalloped Circle Spellbinder dies to cut a little finger hole and so people can see the card. I embossed the top flap with my Cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder and added 2 Spellbinder circles to the front along with a partial circle to put the to/from stuff on. The patern paper is by Kaisercraft called Silly Season. The paper comes with a decorative strip along the bottom so I cut that off and used it to embellish the holder. I used some ancient Queen & Co "turnettes" to keep the card closed along with some old rhinestones for some extra bling. Thanks for stopping by!

Coloring on Glitter

2011-12-09T20:07:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder the Crafty Capers Hero Arts 2012 Debut party is tomorrow! The party lasts all day however we will have a $2.00 card make and take tomorrow between 10:30 - 2:00 if you would like to participate please bring your adhesive and scissors with you. We will also have the new 2012 Hero Arts catalogue for you to view, new stamps and tasty treats! To make the party even better ALL Hero Arts products will be on sale 15% off tomorrow only! Whoo Hoo. For a sneak peak of some of the new stamps Hero Arts is having a blog hop tonight. I've just finished all the hopping and am feeling a bit cross eyed but there lots of great cards done with the new stamps!
My card tonight has nothing to do with Hero Arts but thought I would post it anyway. :) It's fairly simple but I am really happy with how it turned out. I began with a Peel Off sticker (black) which I put on a piece of Be Creative tape along with some Glitter Ritz Warm Highlight glitter then I colored on top of the glitter with my Sakura Glaze pens. I waited to make sure the Glaze pens had dried before I cut out the dove image. I learned that hard way that Glaze pens take a few minutes to dry on glitter when I smudged the red holly berries on another dove and ended up having to color the entire dove pink to correct my mistake! Everyone who saw it assured me no one would notice the smudge however I have never seen a pink dove in my life so that might be a bit of a giveaway or people will just assume I was drunk while coloring! I matted my doves with Kaisercraft designer paper "silly season". I embellished the designer paper with some of the black dots and border from the sheet of dove stickers. I added Glossy Accents to the holly part of the dove for some extra interest.
Thanks for stopping by and perhaps see some of you tomorrow at the party!

Flowery Thank You

2011-12-06T19:30:00.000-08:00

A friend needed some thank you cards done up in a hurry so I volunteered - anything to get me out of doing my own Christmas cards! LOL
I wanted to keep the cards fairly simple and opted to use all Hero Arts stamps. I began the card by cutting out a Spellbinder Labels 8 shape out of glossy cardstock then I misted it with some Broken China Distress reinker mixed with water and Pearl Perfect Pearls. I used my Tombow markers directly on my flower stamp then misted with water and stamped onto my cardstock. I stamped my main cardstock with Hero Arts dictionary greetings using Old Paper Distress Ink. I stamped the sentiment, also from Hero Arts, with Memento Bamboo Leaves then cut it out using a shape from the Spellbinder Twisted Metal tags set. I added a bit of ribbon and a bow and the card was done.
Don't forget Crafty Capers will be debuting the new 2012 Hero Arts stamps beginning Saturday Dec 10. We will have a $2.00 make and take using some of the new stamps (please bring your own adhesive and scissors with you). We will be repeating the same make and take on Monday Dec 12 between 10:30 - 1:00 for those who can't make it on Saturday.
Thanks for stopping by!

Sweet Snowman

2011-12-03T17:34:00.000-08:00

A quick card today. The main image (sweet snowman) is by Penny Black as is the sentiment (snowflakes). I colored the snowman with my Tombow markers on watercolor cardstock.
I cut him out and added regular and Distress Stickles. I mounted the snowman with foam mounting tape on a scrap of red cardstock which I had embossed with a Craft Concept embossing folder called Candy Cane. The snowflakes are part of a Sizzix/Hero Arts Stamp and die cut set. Ribbon by Offray and is 10+ years old. I hope to get rid of the roll of ribbon this Christmas.
Don't forget Big Hero Arts party next Saturday at Crafty Capers.
Thanks for stopping by!

Holly Folder

2011-12-02T11:57:00.000-08:00

I think I have mentioned that I love the Hero Arts (stamps) and Sizzix sets. This card was done with the Holly stamp and emboss set by Hero Arts and Sizzix. Hero Arts makes a stamp (or stamps) and Sizzix makes a matching die or embossing folder, they come in 1 set so you know everything matches.
The background of this card was first stamped with Penny Black's script with Brillance pearlescent thyme ink then I inked the Hero Arts Holly stamp and stamped over the script. I embossed with the matching holly folder. I used my glue pen on the holly berries and applied Glitter Ritz Warm Highlight and voila my background was done! I stamped a Merry Christmas sentiment by In the Making with Brillance Rocket Red ink. I finished the card off with a Holly cut out done by my Slice machine, I added some Candy Cane Stickles to the holly and added a ribbon at the bottom.
This card is a case of ones found on Hero Arts.
Thanks for stopping by!

Must be Christmas!

2011-12-01T20:12:00.000-08:00

It must be getting close to Christmas I'm listening to Christmas carols as I blog! I really love Faber Drive's Sing in Celebration song this year so beautiful although I have a bit of Brad Paisley mixed in my play list as well. Oh and can't forget the song I want a hippopotamus for Christmas. I'd rather have a (small) potbelly pig if truth be told! :) Anyway, onto the card. This is another ornament card I was playing with for my class today. I like how it turned out but it did not make the cut for class. Pretty simple card. The ornament is good 'ol Spellbinder Ornaments 2011 cut 3 times with Gold Leaf Stardream cardstock and embossed with a Craft Concepts embossing folder and embellished with Red Liquid Pearls. The holly paper is by Graphic 45 and I made the frame with a Spellbinder Big Scallop rectangle (love the big scallopes!). The Joy was cut out with my Slice machine and glittered with Fire Red Glitter Ritz (Microfine). I scored the ornaments in the middle and popped them on the edges as seen in the second picture for some extra dimension. Hope this provides you with inspiration.

Sweet Threads card

2011-11-29T12:20:00.000-08:00

I am teaching a private class on Thursday with an ornament theme so am playing around with my Spellbinder 2011 ornament dies. This card uses the Basic Grey pattern paper Sweet Threads a summery type line of paper however I thought the flowers looked rather like poinsettias. The card is pretty straightforward I used an In the Making Merry Christmas stamp for the sentiment and covered it with Be Creative tape and Warm Highlight Glitter Ritz Glitter. I used a Sakura Quickie Glue pen to add some bling to the ornaments however it is not visable in the photo. Thanks everyone for stopping by and a special thanks for those who take the time to leave comments. :)

Monocromatic Christmas card

2011-11-28T13:10:00.000-08:00

A few weeks back a friend sent me a picture of a card she thought I should copy well with one thing and another I finally got around to that challenge over the weekend. I'm feeling kind of "mah" about how it turned out it's OK but not spectacular.
I used Stardream cardstock for most of the card to create a monocromatic look. I embossed my Couture Creations "funky poinsettia" embossing folder then cut out some of the petals so they would hang down inside the oval cutout. The sentiment is by Penny Black and embossed with Gold powder. I used my Spellbinder poinsettia and rubbed some Versamagic Rocket Red ink on it to make it stand out a bit from the background. Pearls are by Kaisercraft. The card shape was created by Spellbinder's Label 8.

Hero Arts Debut Party Dec 10

2011-11-27T08:21:00.000-08:00

That's right folks once again Crafty Capers will be one of the first stores in BC to have the NEW Hero Arts 2012 stamps! We have also ordered the new and very popular Sizzix and Hero Arts Stamp and Emboss sets as well as the Stamp and Die cut sets. I really can't wait to see those since I bought both Christmas die cut sets this year!
We are still working on the party details so watch this space.
Hero Arts is having a contest to celebrate the new stamps they are also giving sneak peaks as well. Check out their blog for more details. Hope to see you at the party!

Fabulous Birthday

2011-11-26T20:47:00.000-08:00

One of my sister's is having a birthday in the next few days. We are having the family party tomorrow evening so I had to come up with a card for her somehow I got off an a completely different track and ended up making a very cute little gift card box instead. LOL. Thankfully, I had already decided to get her a gift card so I didn't have to rethink my gift since I had already sent my hubby out for it since I am still not particularly mobile due to my ankle. The colors in this picture are a bit off trust me everything matches.

I bought a new Sizzix die this week called Scoreboard XL die Business Card box and decided to pull it out of the package! I discovered that this die works best with thicker paper I'd say 100lb or thicker, of course, I did not have any handy except boring old white so I glued to sheets of 65lb together. The patterned paper is by DCWV and is from an old 8x8 pack the inside of the box is Coredinations cardstock. I decorated the front of the box with a small frame from the Just Rite Stampers set "You Inspire Me". The inside sentiment is from the same set. I pulled out another new Sizzix die as well for this project the 3D Flower die. I used it to cut some wool felt to make a rolled rose. Love how that turned out! I could not find my velcro to use as a fastener for the box so settled for some ribbon from my stash. Thanks for stopping by!

Snowflake greetings

2011-11-25T19:07:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty happy with how this turned out and it is fairly quick!
The snowflake cutout is being sold at Crafty Capers and is made locally by Back Acre Wood. The snowflake started out as bare wood and I used a Ranger Paint Dauber in the color Pearl. I applied 2 coats of paint then I used my finger and spread a thin layer of Glossy Accents over the entire snowflake then I applied Glitter Ritz Ultra fine Warm Highlight Glitter to make it nice and sparkly. I stamped a Penny Black greeting on a circular piece of cardstock with Black Versafine Ink then glued the sentiment to the middle of the snowflake. I added a layer of Glossy Accents to add some extra dimension. I sewed the snowflake onto the card front with a piece of crotchet cotton so it can be removed and hung on a tree. I put a bow on the snowflake to try to hide the sewing. The background of the card is a Craft Concepts embossing folder that I applied Art Institute Dries White glue to then added more Glitter Ritz Warm Highlight glitter to.
Thanks for stopping by!

Finally getting cracking on the cards

2011-11-24T19:07:00.000-08:00

I am finally back to work and now have the big job of cranking out my Christmas cards in about a week! Keep in mind I tend to make each card individual. Please remind me not to leave things to the last minute next year!!! LOL
This card is done with a In the Making tree stamp. I used Art Institute's Clear drying glue with a metal tip on the top of the bottle. It make it much easier to get skinny lines of glue out. I used Glitter Ritz Ultra Fine Glitter in Emerald Green and Champaign on Basic Grey designer paper. The sentiment is by Hero Arts. I used Spellbinder long rectangles and long scalloped rectangles as well as the Standard Circles. Embossing folder is by Cuttlebug and gems are by Hero Arts. Thanks for stopping by!

Sorry for the lack of posts

2011-11-20T18:43:00.000-08:00

I have a good excuse! As some of you may already know I managed to trip out my front door on Nov 10 and fractured my right ankle, sprained my right knee, badly bruised my left hand and knocked myself out! All because I wanted to shake the kitty litter out of the bathmats before I had a shower. In retrospect, it would have been more pleasant to step on the kitty litter with bare feet. :) To make things a bit more dramatic Revenue Canada was scheduled to audit me starting Nov 14! I am happy to say the audit went fine however it was a bit stressful. I am on the mend however have not been at work for the past 10 days or so. :(
I am happy however to let you know we have still been receiving orders this past week! We received some NEW Craft Concept embossing folders as usual these are limited edition once they are gone they are gone. We also got more Copic markers. Here a just a few embossing folders that came in:

Alfred's Birds embossing folder

Hero Arts stamps, embossing folders and dies cut sets and embellishments arrived this week as well. We have topped up some of the more popular Christmas stamps such as the set used for this card. The Basic Grey Nordic Holiday 6x6 paper pack also came in with this order.
I hope to be back to work and back to blogging soon I need to get cracking on my Christmas cards!

Christmas card using scraps

2011-11-09T19:51:00.000-08:00

Most of this card was done using up old patterned paper I'm pretty happy about that. I'm so happy with this card that I actually cut out enough parts to make 3 cards I just need to finish assembling them. The card is fairly straightforward. The trees are cut from a Sizzix/Hero Arts stamp and die cut set. The houndstooth circle was cut with a Spellbinder standard circle. I used Spellbinder Picot circles as a mat for the smooth circle. The embossing folder used is by Cuttlebug (D'vine swirl).
The embellishments on the trees are Petal Pink Liquid Pearls. Sentiment by Penny Black (of course, LOL).

Playing with Glitter

2011-11-08T19:45:00.000-08:00

It's been so busy at the store that a friend and I headed into the store on Sunday to get some samples done. I was quite productive so I'm glad I did. I even managed to refresh my one handed crafting skills since I had Carly boxer dog 1/2 on my lap most of the day who expected me to scratch her while I glittered, Cuttlebuged and colored! :)
This card design actually is a CASE from one Carly's Mom had done. The medallion is done with a Spellbinder die Anomone Flower Topper, Be Creative tape and Gun Metal Microfine Glitter Ritz. The embossing folder is by Cuttlebug and I jazzed it up with my Quickie Glue pen and more Gun Metal glitter. Cardstock is by Bazzill and Stardream.
Hope this card inspires you!

Finally a new card to post!

2011-11-03T21:10:00.000-07:00

It's been quite busy at the store and at home so I have not had much time to play lately. :( I am happy to report I did manage to get out my Dreamweaver stencils and paste a few images over the weekend and am working on getting them made into cards. As usual, I am behind in my Christmas card making!! This card was pasted with Dreamweaver white paste then I added Glitter Ritz Highlight glitter to the wet paste then left it to dry. When the paste was dry I colored the paste with my Sakura Glaze pens. I matted the piece as shown. I used a sentiment by Penny Black. Pattern paper is by SEI. Main cardstock was stamped with more Penny Black stamps and Peeled Paint Distress Inks. Black Pearls are by Hero Arts.

Winter Distress Inks

2011-11-01T20:43:00.000-07:00

I received word today the Crafty Capers batch of new Tim Holtz Winter Distress inks were shipped today they should arrive mid next week. Can't wait to seee them in person. These inks are limited production and only available for the winter season. For more information on these great new colors head over to Tim's blog. If you missed the Fall batch of season Distress Inks we received a second batch a week or so back and still have a few sets left. If you would like us to hold you a set of the new winter inks please contact the store and we will write your name in the book. Thanks for stopping by. I hope to have a few projects up on the blog in the next few days. It's been a busy few weeks!

Whew busy weekend!

2011-10-24T18:08:00.000-07:00

Wow what a GREAT weekend. I took a couple of classes with Deanna Pannell and her Glitter Ritz about 5 or 6 years ago so I knew she does great classes (even though she shouted at me about touching the tape although she CLAIMS she did no such thing!! LOL) but the classes she taught at Crafty Capers over the weekend exceeded my expectations! I hope everyone who attended the classes or demo learned lots and had fun. I've most of the photos I managed to take on the Crafty Capers Facebook page. I have put a few here and will be adding a bunch to the Crafty Capers website hope they bring back some memories. For those who missed the glittery weekend I will be speaking to Deanna about coming back to the Island for more classes and demos in the Spring so watch the Crafty Capers website for details in early 2012.

For those who need more glitter, Copic markers and In the Making Stamps we still have lots in stock. :)

Glitter Ritz at Crafty Capers

2011-10-22T14:00:00.000-07:00

Well as I type Deanna Pannell of In the Making Enterprises (Glitter Ritz) is teaching her final class of the day however I wanted to let people know she will be doing a FREE demo at the store tomorrow from 11 am - 2 pm. She has so many glittery techniques that she could not fit them all into 2 classes! Hope to see you there. I'll try to get some photos posted from the glittery events this weekend on the Crafty Capers website tomorrow evening.

Happy Birthday Yvette!

2011-10-18T07:30:00.000-07:00

One of my good friends is having a birthday today unfortunately, one of her dogs went to the Rainbow Bridge yesterday so she probably is not feeling like celebrating as much as she would normally. :( The main image is by Penny Black. I had to use a Penny Black image as Yvette and I both are in LOVE with Penny Black stamps! I colored the image with my Tombow markers on watercolor cardstock. I matted everything as shown (Bazzill cardstock and My Mind's Eye). The sentiment is by Just Rite. The ribbon is by Offray that I bought before I started the store I must have known I would need those exact colors 10 years (or more) later! The final step on the card was to add some Stampendous Fun Flock on the the sheep and cow and some Stickles glitter glue on the gals accessories!

Thanks for stopping by!

New Just Rite stamps in the store

2011-10-14T10:44:00.000-07:00

Just Rite Groovy Snowman (ribbed)

Just Rite Birdhouses (ribbed)

Just Rite clear tree set (new)

We received 2 orders yesterday to keep me out of trouble! Just Rite stamps arrived at the store yesterday. We received a good selection of the original ribbed stamps, cling and Just Rite's new clear stamps. I must confess it had been a while since I had been on the Just Rite website and did not even know they had brought out a clear line! The big seller in clear, so far, is the tree set when I went home yesterday we only had 1 set left. So hurry in if that one gets your mojo going. The clear Hope set (bottom image) is being sold by Just Rite as a fundraiser for ovarian cancer. It is quite nice as well. Our second order came from Ranger which included Stickles, Distress inks, Sticky Back canvas, metallic paint daubers and Perfect Pearls. Thanks to Sheree who gallantly offered to opened up the Ranger box for me then proceeded to buy almost one of everything!! LOL!!

Just Rite Hope clear set

Just a reminder that next weekend (Oct 22) Deanna Pannel from Glitter Ritz is coming to teach 2 classes. We still have a few spaces left so if you have been debating taking 1 or both of the classes now is the time to register! We have some stunning glittery samples up at the store at the moment if you need more persuading. More class information can be found here.

Snowy Tree

2011-10-14T06:30:00.000-07:00

I am getting my Christmas card mojo going and managed to get another card done over. The tree image was colored with my Tombow markers on watercolor cardstock. I edged the cardstock with Tumbled Glass, Broken China and Walnut Stain Distress inks. I mounted the tree at an angle on a piece of Broken China Coredination cardstock that I embossed with Satine Couture Creations embossing folder I edged this cardstock with Tea Dye Distress ink. I stamped the sentiment on a Spellbinder oval and attached it with some May Arts ribbon. I used a new Sizzix/Hero Arts Stamp and Die Cut set to stamp and cut out some glittery snowflakes for the upper left corner of the card. I sprayed the entire piece with mist made of Pearl Perfect Pearl and water in a Ranger mini mister to give the card a bit of shimmer. I used my Tombow glue pen and added some clear glitter to the snowflakes behind the tree. I finished the card by adding some pearls to the center of each snowflake. Thanks for stopping by!
Card Recipe:
Stamps: Sizzix/Hero Arts stamp and die cut set Joy Snowman, Joy of the Christmas Season & Get Merry clear sets
Ink: Versafine Onyx, Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Tea dye and Walnut Stain Distress inks
Other: Couture Creations Satine Embossing folder, May Arts Ribbon, Pearl Perfect Pearl powder, Hero Arts embellishments, Spellbinder classic oval, Tombow Glue Pen & Glitter Ritz Cool Highlight glitter

Hero Arts Challenge

2011-10-13T06:30:00.000-07:00

Did you know Hero Arts has a monthly challenge? I've been meaning to play along for quite a few months now and finally got inspired and got a card done. This card is based on one of the October sketches. Normally, I find sketches hard to follow but this one really worked for me.
I began the card by stamping the ornaments on a piece of scrap cardstock with red ink then I applied Be Creative double sided tape over top of the ornaments then Glitter Ritz cool hightlight glitter. I cut out the ornaments. I stamped the Hero Arts branch with green ink across the top of the card and used my foam mounting tape to mount the ornaments. I added a strip of green along the left side of the card also stamped with the branch. I stamped the sentiment and added some pearls. I mounted everything as shown. Hope this provides you with some inspiration!
Card Recipe:
Stamps: Hero Arts Decorate the holidays clear set and Big Pine Bough (wood mounted)
Ink: Adirondack dye Cranberry and Watermelon and Pesto
Paper: Bazzil and Basic Grey
Other: Be Creative tape, Cool Highlight Glitter (Glitter Ritz), Hero Arts Pearls

Collage Christmas

2011-10-11T06:30:00.000-07:00

I must admit I do not often play with collage type images I am never quite sure what to do with them however I bought this Penny Black image (Christmas Text) a month or so back and I have actually used it quite a bit in fact I have not used a couple of the non-collage images I bought at the same time.
I began this card by stamping the image on a piece of off white Bazzill cardstock with Versafine Vintage Sepia ink. I distressed the cardstock with a mix of Antique Linen, Tea Dye and Peeled Paint Distress inks using Cut N Dry foam. I colored the pine bough with my Prismacolor pencils. I stamped the Penny Black sentiment on a piece of fragments vellum also with Versafine Vintage Sepia ink. Versafine ink can sometimes have issues drying on vellum so I embossed the sentiment with Ranger's Frosted Crystal embossing powder. I mounted everything as shown and the card was done! This card is a perfect one for mailing to out of town relatives since it has no bumpy embellishments. Always something to keep in mind when doing your winter cards nothing more annoying than spending lots of time on your cards, take them to the post office only to realize have to be hand sorted and you have to pay extra postage.
Thanks for stopping by!

Jo's Circles

2011-10-10T10:00:00.000-07:00

I had a few minutes to play last week and I decided to use some of the newer embossing folders we currently have in stock at the store. I decided to use a Craft Concepts folder called Jo's Circles. I ran the folder through my Cuttlebug with a piece of white cardstock. I used my Prismacolor pencil crayons to color all the raised areas. I love how this techique looks when it is done. I stamped a Hero Arts sentiment with Adirondack Brights Raspberry Dye ink. I cut out 3 Fiskar Framelets hearts and embossed these as well with the same embossing folder. I applied Glossy Accents to the hearts to give them some extra oomph.
Hope everyone is having a great long weekend!

Happy 10th Anniversary Crafty Capers!

2011-10-09T08:18:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe it but Crafty Capers turns 10 years old today! The time has really flown by. About this time 10 years ago my sister Kim (the hairdresser) and I were madly loading up our cars and hauling boxes of stamps up to Rutherford Mall in Nanaimo (now known as Nanaimo's North Town Center). It took us way longer to set up than we figured so we were probably not up and running until 11 am or so. We stayed in the mall until Dec 24. At that time we carried 5 stamp companies:

PSX (now out of business, I miss their images!)
Hero Arts
Peddlers Pack
Denami Design
House Mouse (House Mouse was made by Stampa Rosa but are now made by Stampabilities)

We travelled the malls on Vancouver Island in the spring of 2002 and moved into our first storefront May 1 2002 with Creative Images Hair Studio (Kim) in Lantzville. In July 2009 we moved to our current location on Bowen Road.
We have had many adventures and made so many friends over the past 10 years. Thank you to everyone who has supported Crafty Capers and here is to 10 more years!
To help celebrate stop by the store this week and enter to win a free class (maximum value $27)! For those of you who are mail order customers send me an email or leave a comment on this blog and we'll do a draw for a little something for you as well. :)
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Tree Trifold

2011-10-05T19:30:00.000-07:00

I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who came by the store last Saturday for our World Card Day fundraiser for Nanaimo's Food Bank. It was a very successful day. Thank you.

I managed to get a few minutes to play yesterday and decided to pull out my newer Hero Arts/Sizzix Stamp and Die Cut Reindeer set. Unlike the first time I played with the set I decided to go with a more elegant look and use the trees in the set. I heat embossed the trees a few times then cut them out with the matching die. I ripped my 2 front panels of the card so it would look like snowy hills. I edged the ripped edge with Brillance Sky blue ink. The sentiment is by Hero Arts. Hope this provides you with some inspiration.

Holiday Shopping

2011-09-27T06:28:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to have a friend lend me this super cute Penny Black Fashionista stamp Fashion Delivery (thanks Barbara!) so I whipped out my watercolor paper, Tombow markers and Glue Pen! Once my coloring was done I cut out the gal and set her aside. I wanted to make her part of a scene so I seached my stuff and found a Hero Arts Row of Houses stamp which I stamped and embossed with Crafty Capers Copper embossing powder on my main cardstock. I then took a piece of ripped text weight paper from the recycle bin and used that as a template for my drifts of snow along with Brillance Pearlescent Ice Blue ink. I stamped some Hero Arts snowflakes in the sky with Ranger's Seafoam White embossing powder then sponged Brillance Sky Blue ink over them. I stamped my Penny Black sentiment on a Spellbinder Labels 1 also inked with Brillance Sky Blue I taped the sentiment flat to the main cardstock. I used foam mounting tape to pop up the girl then I used my white Liquid Applique to add some fur (fake, of course) to the gal's coat and boots and heated it with my heat gun. I used my Sakura Stardust pen to add some smoke to the house chimney's as well as hightlights to the gal. I'm very happy with how this turned out. Unfortunately, as I was working on this card I sold the last Fashion delivery stamp however we do have more on order should be back in stock in about 2 or so week. Everything else is in stock currently. Thanks for stopping by!

Winterscene

2011-09-26T06:05:00.000-07:00

Wow I think this cards brings my completed Christmas card stash up to about 4 only about 56 more cards to go before Dec 1!
This card is another technique card I was playing with. I found a bottle of light lilac Americana acrylic paint in my small craft stash at home. I'm sure I bought it about 2008 when I was going to become a famous tole painter! LOL For some reason I must have thought I was going to become a famous painter with only 2 colors of paint because all I could find was the lilac color plus a cream colored paint! No idea what I was thinking there! Anyway finally cracked the plastic on the lilac paint. I squirted a blog of paint on my Ranger Craft Sheet then I lightly stamped my stamp into the paint when the stamp was covered I stamped in on a piece of white cardstock. If you are doing this technique make sure you clean your stamp right away. I thought I did this but still had a heck of a time getting all the paint out of the nooks and crannies.
Once the paint was dry I went in with my Cut N Dry foam and applied Antique Linen, Tea Dye, Tumbled Glass and Broken China Distress inks to make the lilac paint pop a bit more. I finished up the card by applying Waterfall Stickles in the sky. I like how the paint stamps up it has a little more texture than stamping with a traditional ink and if you have some acrylic paint in your stash so much the better!
Stamp used: Penny Black Snowscape

Final Coffee and a Card for 2011

2011-09-25T06:05:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the final Crafty Capers Coffee and a Card for 2011. Stop by the store on Monday Sept 26 anytime between 11 am - 1 pm and make a card for $2 using this Stampendous Stamp as well as the new Spellbinder Postage stamp die.
Hope to see you there!

World Card Day Sat Oct 1

2011-09-24T06:05:00.000-07:00

Next Saturday is Oct 1 and World Card Day!!! World Card day was started to celebrate the "kick off" to the winter card making season. Realistically I think September is actually the kick off but what do I know??? Crafty Capers will be having it's annual fundrasing event Oct 1. Drop by anytime between 10:30 am - 1:30 pm we will have a bunch of instructors each teaching a different card. Each card is $3 and all tuition will go to Nanaimo's Loaves and Fishes food bank. Please bring your class kit wiht you to class. All cards are suitable for all skill levels bring a friend and make it a fun girls day!

This card was done using my Versamark ink pad using it as a resist on glossy cardstock. I began by cutting a Spellbinder Labels 2 shape out of glossy cardstock. I then stamped my Penny Black flower stamp, that I seem to be using for every card lately, with my Versamark ink pad. I heated the cardstock to make sure my ink was dry then I used a piece of Cut N Dry Foam and applied Distress Broken China ink over the entire piece. The Versamark inky areas will resist dye inks. Pretty cool. I rubbed the piece with a tissue to get the ink that was sitting on top of the Versamark off the piece. I used a Want 2 Scrap Labels 2 rhinestone embellishment around the edge of the piece. I stamped the sentiment using the Broken China ink. I had some white with blue Hero Arts flowers I thought they looked a little white so I used my Broken China ink and made them less white. I matted everything as shown. Hope this card inspires you to use your Versamark ink pad for more than embossing!

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Penny Black Lace Edged & Hero Arts sentiment

Life is not a matter of milestones

2011-09-23T07:30:00.000-07:00

I might not have been happy with yesterday's card but I LOVE today's card! I'm so happy with how it turned out.
I began with a piece of Radiance vellum (shimmery) available from Crafty Capers then I stamped a Hero Arts leaf stamp with Brillance Pearlescent Sky Blue on the vellum then I stamped with the same stamp right over the top of the blue ink with my Versamagic Cloud White ink. Brillance inks don' t dry very well on vellum so I heat set it. I then stamped the wheat sort of stamp in the white ink as well without the blue and stamped the dragonfly with the blue ink. I heat set this as well. I stamped the Penny Black sentiment with the white ink as well. I then jazzed up the card a bit more by adding some Glitter Ritz Cool Highlight glitter with my Tombow Glue pen. I matted everything as shown.
Card Recipe:
Stamps: Hero Arts Delicate Leaf clusters clear set & Penny Black Milestones
Inks: Brillance Sky Blue & Versamagic Cloud white
Paper: Radiance Vellum, BoBunny Double Dot & Et Cetera

Just saying hello

2011-09-22T19:07:00.000-07:00

Not sure I am in love with this card but it will work for what I need. While at a funeral last week, I got a lecture from an aunt about how I need to send her more cards! Given that she is a fiesty "Reeve gal" thought I had better get on that sooner rather than later or she would be likely to kick my butt!!
I thought the old fashioned telephone image by Hero Arts would be a good image to start with. I stamped it with Memento Bamboo Leaves ink on a piece of cream cardstock then I cut it out. I matted it on a piece of white cardstock embossed with a Crafts Concept embossing folder. I used my NEW Spellbinder Picot Edge Circles. It goes perfectly with my older smooth Spellbinder circles. I stamped a Penny Black flower stamp on a piece of pink cardstock using Brillance Pearlescent Orchid ink to add some interest to it. I stamped the green cardstock with Versamark ink using a Hero Arts Hello stamp. I added a sentiment onto a piece of Spellbinder Labels 1 with more Memento ink. I added a swirl from my Sizzix Butterfly mini album die.
Thanks for stopping by.

Kissing and Embossing

2011-09-21T19:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the store received a batch of NEW Hero Arts "stamp and emboss" and "stamp and diecut" sets. These sets come with a stamp or stamps and either a matching embossing folder or a matching die cut. I managed to make a card using both! I used sets Holly background Stamp and Emboss and Holiday Cheer Stamp and diecut sets.
I began by inking up my new Holly stamp with Versamark ink then I inked up a Hero Arts word set (name escapes me at the moment) with Brillance Pearlescent thyme ink and I stamped the words right onto the inked holly stamp. I stamped the holly stamp onto a piece of cream cardstock then applied clear embossing powder. This technique is called "kissing". I then used the matching embossing folder and embossing the stamped image. Turned out pretty cool I think. The reindeer is from the Holiday Cheer stamp and diecut set I stamped the reindeer on beige cardstock with Onyx Versafine ink then I took the matching die cut and cut out the image using my Cuttlebug. Worked like magic! The holiday cheer sentiment is from the Holiday Cheer set. I stamped it using my Versafine onto a Spellbinders Label 14 shape (my go to label shape as the moment). I matted everything as shown then added some Candy Cane Stickles onto the berries of the holly as well as the reindeer's antlers.
Thanks for stopping by.

Coffee and A Card tomorrow

2011-09-18T08:50:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that tomorrow is our 2nd to last Coffee and a Card for 2011. Kathy has whipped a beautiful vintagey feeling Christmas card using this Stampendous Stamp. Coffee and a Card runs from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm and costs $2. Hope to see you there.

Sympathy card Sept

2011-09-17T06:05:00.000-07:00

Spent most of yesterday at a Celebration of Life for my (Great) Auntie Babe. It was a nice day and I got to see lots of relatives I have not seen since my Dad's big birthday party 18 months ago.
Here is the card I made for Babe's son then promptly forgot at home!! Grrr!
I stamped a Penny Black flower image on Stardream text weight shimmery cardstock with Brillance Pearlescent Sky Blue ink, forgot to heat set it, smudged it then heat set the ink! LOL. Matted it with Bazzill cardstock before wrapping a scrap of blue ribbon around the paper then matted it onto my main cardstock of Bazzill Bling cardstock (also shimmery). I stamped the sentiment by Impression Obsession on a cream colored oval then matted that with a scalloped oval to finish off the card. This card was quick and easy to make especially since I was under the gun trying to get things priced and get this card made. Thanks for stopping by.

New Hero Arts plus Distress inks and cardstock

2011-09-16T20:02:00.000-07:00

It seems like this past week has been nothing but 1 order after another not that I am complaining. Today we received an order to top up our Bazzill cardstock as well as Distress inks, Glitter Silk cardstock, more Bo Bunny Forever Fall products (papers and rub ons) and Perfect Pearls. We also received our first batch of Christmas Hero Arts stamps. Here are just a few of the images now in stock. I completely love the cardinal image and am sure this stamp set will make it's way into my stash! :)

New Stampscapes and Spellbinder

2011-09-16T19:55:00.000-07:00

We got 2 orders in on Thursday but didn't have time to post picture of some of the new items. We now have LOTS of new Stampscape designs including some of the "old favourites" and some never before in the store designs as well. Most are unmounted but we did bring in a few wood mounted as well. The image to the right is actually one that will be used for October 1 World Card Day. Leslie has designed a beautiful card with this stamp!

We have a bunch of the new Spellbinder dies in stock now as well. These new designs are selling well so stop by before they are all sold out again.

A deer friend

2011-09-14T06:52:00.000-07:00

Nothing too fancy to post today, I'm afraid, just a quick and dirty card! The images are by A Muse. The brown pattern paper is by BoBunny (striped unknown). I used the Craft Concept Hexagonal Illusion embossing folder (limited edition) which is still available in the store.
Instead of doing fun cards I really should be doing sympathy cards. My Great Aunt passed away a few days ago at the ripe old age of 95. :( As my cousin put it she was a "fiesty Reeve gal" I sent her cards quite regularly and she kept them so I am trying to come up with just the right cards to make for her family. Wish me luck.

Stampendous New Arrivals

2011-09-13T18:52:00.000-07:00

Stampendous Cling Swirly Bird Nest - new in the store!

Crowscape stamp is back in stock!

I'm happy to report that the store received a new order of Stampendous stamps, glitter and storage containers. We have already sold out of the Thin Stufftainers and these will be re-ordered shortly so hurry in for best selection!

New chunky glitter from Stampendous. The store bought a couple of bottles so watch for a sample or 2 in the next few days!

Fall Flower reject

2011-09-11T20:30:00.000-07:00

I taught a Fall Flower card on Friday and this card is one that did not make the cut for the class (not flowery enough). It's a fairly straight forward card. Saying is by Penny Black as is the flower stamped on the heart (Distress Wild Honey ink). The paper is all by Bo Bunny and the leafy paper is part of Bo Bunny's Forever Fall collection - love it! I accented the large words on the saying with Ranger's Glossy Accents.

Thanks everyone for stopping by!

Sunset Poppy

2011-09-10T08:44:00.000-07:00

I had a few minutes to play the other day with my Distress inks and created this card. I began with a piece of linen texture cardstock then I applied some Antique Linen Distress all over the cardstock with a piece of Cut N Dry foam then I used a scrap piece of cardstock with a circle cut out of the middle to make the moon using Mustard Seed and Wild Honey Distress inks. I darkened up the edges of the cardstock with more Wild Honey and Fired Brick Distress inks. I stamped the Poppy by Flourishes in black then stamped the poppy again on a piece of Wild Honey Coredination cardstock and cut out the blossom. I stamped the leaves on a piece of green SEI pattern paper and cut that out as well. I glued the blossom and leaves over the original black image. I used a marker to make the stem green. I thought the poppy need ground to be growing out of so I used a piece of ripped text weight paper from the recycle bin and applied more ink using that as a mask. The sentiment was stamped with Versafine Onyx ink and is also from the Flourishes Poppy set. Voila! card done!
Card Recipe:
Distress inks: distress fired brick, wild honey, mustard seed, antique linen
Versafine Onyx black
Paper: Wild Honey coredination cardstock; Bazzill
Tombow marker 177

New Spellbinder dies plus a Penny Black card

2011-09-08T19:38:00.000-07:00

The store received a batch of the NEW Spellbinder dies today and to celebrate we've put all our in stock Spellbinder dies on sale until Thursday Sept 15. All dies regularly priced at $28 are now $25 and all dies regularly priced at $20-23 are now $20 but only until next Thursday! Unfortunately, we did not receive the new Spellbinder Poinsettia die but we did receive: Holly Motifs, Bird Flourishes, Floral Flourishes, Butterfly circles, Edgeability Classic bracket and postage stamp, 2011 Heirloom ornaments, Star circles, Create a Flake three and holiday tags. The sale prices apply to the older Spellbinder dies as well.
Now onto the card. This new Penny Black (Christmas text) design just came in yesterday and I will be using the image in my upcoming Penny Black Christmas Card class. I began by stamping and embossing the image twice. I took a piece of Cut N Dry foam and colored the branch with Memento Bamboo Leaves ink on both images. I cut out one of the branches. I distressed the text part of the stamped image with my new Distress Antique Linen pad. I used some foam mounting tape and mounted the cut out branches over top of the distressed image. I cut out the image carefully cutting around the swirly side. I used my corner rounder and rounded the 2 right corners. I edged the white paper with the Bamboo Leaves ink to make it a little less stark. I mounted the image on a piece of Hero Arts green pattern paper (cut using a Spellbinder Labels 8 die) then onto a piece of My Minds Eye cardstock. I also added some Hero Arts ribbon and gems to finish off the card. Thanks for stopping by.

More new arrivals

2011-09-07T19:40:00.000-07:00

Right after we got the Penny Black order sorted out another order arrived. This time a big box of BoBunny goodness! We received the Forever Fall paper line along with some matching embellishments as well as some of the Et Cetera papers. We also received a top of the Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium paper collection since it is selling so well, Distress inks, House Mouse stamps and some Kaisercraft embellishments. I am hoping to have a bit of time to play tomorrow however I am expecting a batch of NEW Spellbinder dies in tomorrow so that will probably take up most of the day. Watch this space for a Spellbinder update as soon as it is available.

Penny Black new arrivals

2011-09-07T19:20:00.000-07:00

It was an exciting day at Crafty Capers today because we received a new order of Penny Black Christmas stamps! Quite a few of these are brand new hot off the press! There are so many I barely knew which ones to buy first!! LOL I was good and bought the ones I have ear marked for my Penny Black Christmas card class coming up in the next month or so. :) I might however break down and buy the clear Christmas Friends set as well (shown to your left). Hurry in for best selection.

New Card Kits!

2011-09-05T13:13:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to let you know Crafty Capers has NEW Happy Hedgehog card kits now in stock. Each kit has supplies to make 6 cards (excluding adhesive) for $14.95 AND you have lots of leftover stickers to make some cards of your own design. There are a limited number of kits available so pick yours up now.
This card is not part of the kit but was made with some of the "leftover" stickers from the kit and there are still some stickers left to make another 1-2 cards of your own design!
This card style is called a side-step card. It's been years since I have made one so it was a nice challenge for me. The Penny Black stickers made the rest of the card nice and easy since they are all colored etc for you. I did add some Crystal Stickles glitter glue to the balloons and presents to jazz them up just a bit. Thanks for stopping by and hope everyone is enjoying our last long weekend of the summer.

Vintage Irises

2011-08-31T21:01:00.000-07:00

Wow it's been a busy couple of weeks. It seems quite a few people are in "Christmas" mode and are looking for supplies and ideas for their Christmas projects. Good for you if you fall into this category. I am still happily living in denial believing summer is just starting! LOL. I did managed to get a few minutes to play over the past few days between classes, demos, orders and shop renos (yes we are having some construction done around the store). I was in a rare vintage mood so thougth I would pull out my Distress inks. I began this card with a piece of white cardstock then I stamped a script stamp randomly with my Tea Dye ink. I then embossed the cardstock with a Couture Creations folder. I carefully applied Broken China ink to the raised parts of the embossing with a piece of Cut N Dry foam then added more Tea Dye ink around to make the piece look even more shabby. I ripped both sides of the cardstock and crumpled and curled the edges. I've added a close up of the background so hopefully you can see what I have done. I stamped the iris stamp and colored them with my Tombow markers then added more Tea dye ink to "brown" up the backround of the irises a bit. I cut out the image with my beloved Labels 14 Spellbinder die then matted with the beaded ovals die. I added some Walnut Stain Distress ink to each of the beads of the ovals to add more interest. I stamped the sentiment on a tag and edged it with ink as well. I finished the card by adding some of Hero Arts adhesive ribbon and sanding the main cardstock. Thanks for stopping by.

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Penny Black Flower Gallery, Penny Black Lettering Background & Stampendous Orchid Greetings

Tombow markers: 126, 526, 158, 990 & 991

Inks: Versafine Vintage Sepia, Distress inks Broken China, Tea Dye & Walnut Stain

Papers: Watercolor, & Coredinations
Embossing Folder: Craft Concept (limited edition) Cottage Floral

Embellishments: Hero Arts Cream Adhesive LaceSpellbinder: Labels 14 & Beaded Ovals

New arrivals Aug 24

2011-08-24T19:04:00.000-07:00

We received a BIG order yesterday, so big in fact, it took us 2 days to get it all unpacked and out on the shelves. This is not a complete list but here are some of the highlights:

EZ Mount cling foam for unmounted stamps
Glitter Silk Glittery 12x12 cardstock in Christmasy colors
Cut N Dry foam
Basic Gray Sweet Threads pattern paper
Bazzill solid color cardstock in 12x12 and 8.5x11also a few pattern designs by Bazzill
Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium pattern paper (this is so popular we've had to reorder already!!) & Lynn has a great class planned for this paper
BoBunny clock paper is back in stock
Bazzill Glazed cardstock
Metallic cardstock in silver and gold
A1 Size envelopes
Mini Misters
Penny Black stickers
Kaisercraft Devonshire 12x12 paper
Embellishments

Here are a few photos to wet your appetites

Bazzill Glazed Cardstock

Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium

Penny Black Pondside Celebration stickers

Perfect Pearls demo Sat Aug 27

2011-08-24T14:50:00.000-07:00

We've got another demo scheduled at Crafty Capers this coming Saturday. Stop by between 10:30 - 12:30 and watch this FREE demo! This time the demo is on Ranger's Perfect Pearls Powders. I've had these mica powders for quite a few years now and I know lots of other people do too. Now is the time to pull them out and learn some new techniques with them. They really VERY versatile. Anyway, here is my first prototype for the demo. This is a faux metal technique with Black Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel and a chipboard shape (shape is by Sizzix). The saying is by Penny Black stamped with Brillance Pearlescent Thyme. Hope to see you at the demo.

Spooky Halloween card

2011-08-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

Have I mentioned this week how much I love Penny Black stamps??? LOL Next week I am teaching 2 classes plus doing a Perfect Pearls demo. Am I ready for any of that - no! Instead of prepping, I was playing with my new Penny Black Halloween set! I don't even celebrate Halloween but these guys were too cute to resist!
We have a demo card in the store right now done with the Birch Buddies Stampendous clear set with a Christmas theme. I was speaking with Heather S today and she thought the basic layout would make a great Halloween card so that got me going....
The trees stamp are by Stampendous. I stamped them a couple of time out of grey Coredinations cardstock and cut them out with my craft knife and scissors. I then embossed the same trees on black cardstock with Crafty Capers Black Ice embossing power in real life they are nice and sparkly. I mounted the grey trees on the black with foam mounting tape for extra depth. I then stamped the pumpkins and cat/mouse by Penny Black on white cardstock and colored them with my Tombow markers. I cut out the images and popped them as well with foam mounting tape. I mounted everything on Coredinations Wild Honey Distress cardstock then onto a black main cardstock. I added a moon (from the Penny Black set) and colored it with my Sakura Stardust pen for some extra "bling". Now just gotta figure out who I'll be sending this card to in October!

Sunset Stampscapes

2011-08-18T21:12:00.000-07:00

Here is another scene I made during my play date this week. I really like how this one turned out. I tend to do forest scenes so this one was out of my usual comfort zone. Color was applied with a Colorbox stylus wand. Stamps used: Stampscapes Cumulous clouds, Cloud with crescent moon, water pattern, ledge, sailboat and tropical tree. Sentiment by Flourishes (Poppy Set) Inks (all by Ranger) Archival Jet Black, Adirondack dye Slate, Lemondade, Peach Bellini, Sunshine Yellow, Pesto, Lettuce, Juniper, Shell Pink, Purple Surf, Meadow, Citrus, Latte & Espresso. I added some Crystal Stickles glitter glue in the light area created by the moon. The sail for the boat is paper pieced using a tiny scrap of Bobunny Timepiece cardstock.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stampscapes Play Date

2011-08-17T11:35:00.000-07:00

I had a play date with a long time, out of town friend yesterday and we decided to pull out the Stampscapes stamps since she had not had a chance to play with them before.
It was a fun afternoon. Here is what I created.
All stamps are by Stampscapes and all inks are by Ranger. The scene was stamped on glossy cardstock and matted with Bazzill cardstock. Going by memory here are the stamps I used: Lakeside Cove, Row boat, pine row, bull rushes, crooked branch.
Inks: Archival Jet Black, Adirondack Aqua, pool, stream, stonewash.
Thanks for stopping by!

Hero Arts Call for custom orders

2011-08-17T10:32:00.000-07:00

Crafty Capers will be placing an order to Hero Arts on Monday Aug 22 if there is anything specific anyone is looking for please contact the store and we will be happy to add it to our list. You can find Hero Arts' catalogues here.

Also, Marie Browning from Tombow is coming to teach a few classes this Saturday Aug 20. Our Penny Black coloring class is full however we still have a few spaces in the Fun Lettering with Tombow morning class (9:00 am - Noon). Cost is $30 and includes HST. Phone the store 250-585-0022 if you are interested in registering.

Butterfly kisses

2011-08-14T18:57:00.000-07:00

I got a few minutes over the weekend to play with one of the new Craft Concepts embossing folders. The one I chose first is called "Butterfly Kisses". It is so beautiful! I started by embossing the folder using Coredinations cardstock (it has a lighter core so when you sand it the embossing really stands out) then I used my sanding block and sanded the raised areas to expose the lighter core. then I used my Spellbinder Peony die with some Upsy Daisy cardstocker and made a peony flower for the lower left corner. I embellished the flower with a Kaisercraft jewel. I made the scoop corners on the red cardstock with my 1" circle punch and added some Hero Arts pearls. I added a sentiment from the Flourishes set called "Taglines" love this sentiment set. I use it alot because the sayings are nice and small! At the moment all supplies used to make this card are available in stock at Crafty Capers.
Just a reminder tomorrow between 11:00 am - 1:00 pm is Coffee and a Card. For $2.00 come down to the store have a coffee and make a dragonfly card. Coffee and a Card is running all summer on Mondays only.
Thanks for stopping by!

More Daisy Trio

2011-08-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

Here is another sample I managed to get done with the Stampendous Daisy Trio clear set. I love the colors on this one! I began by stamping the daisies on a scrap of My Minds Eye paper I then stamped the daisies again on watercolor paper and colored them with my Tombow markers (forgot to keep track of the colors - sorry). I cut out the watercolored diasies and matched them up on the pattern paper. I matted the image with Spellbinders Lacy Square. Added some more My Minds Eye cardstock. I added a strip of yellow cardstock which I had embossed with a Courture Creations embossing folder called Drifting Endless (limited edition). I stamped the sentiment from the Daisy Trio set with Versafine Onyx ink. To finish off the card I used my Glossy Accents and some Stampendous Sunshiny Yellow Fun Flock for extra dimension in the center of the flowers. I have included a close up so hopefully, you can see the detail. Hope this card provides you with inspiration!

Craft Concepts Limited Edition Embossing folders!

2011-08-12T19:41:00.000-07:00

Crafty Capers got a big order of Craft Concepts embossing folders today. Took us most of the day to get everything priced and out on the shelves! There are 10 new designs in all. I am hoping to get some time in tomorrow to play with them. We at the moment have a large quantity of all the designs (all pictured here) but as these are limited edition I expect them to sell quickly so if there is a "must have" design don't delay.

2011-08-11T19:36:00.000-07:00

I purchased this Stampendous stamp set (Daisy Stem Trio) a week or so back and have been wanting to play with it ever since. The shop has been so busy with new orders and people stopping by to see new products I have barely had any time for playing!
I stamped the daisy on a circle of acetate with my Stazon black ink then painted the image with Perfect Pearls mixed with water to make a paint. This picture does not do the shimmery-ness justice! I used a Grand Scallop Circle made by Spellbinder (in my Cuttlebug) for my main cardstock. I then cut a window in my main cardstock and mounted my painted acetate piece in the window. I made a circle frame to hide the edges of my acetate. I thought the image popped better with black cardstock behind it so added that too. I stamped the sentiment (also by Stampendous) with Versamagic Spring Pansy ink. I stamped some leaves from the Daisy Trio set on each scallop of the main cardstock. The final step to this card is to add some white hightlights with my Ranger Inkssentials White gel pen.
Thanks for stopping by!

New Penny Black in today!

2011-08-09T21:20:00.000-07:00

We got a Penny Black stamp order in today. Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE Penny Black! I really can't wait to play with the new stash. Here are just a few of the new stamps. We received a few Christmas stamps with this order but have a bunch of the new 2011 Christmas stamps on pre-order. The new stamps are expected to ship at the end of the month so even more Penny Black goodness to look forward to! The final image on this post is of the new stickers now in stock. We are working on card kits using these images. They should be available in a week or so stay tuned!

New Flourishes stamps and some other goodies too!

2011-08-08T17:19:00.000-07:00

Whoo hoo our Flourishes stamp order arrived today! I love Flourishes stamps so elegant and fun to color. Watch this space for some samples later this week. I've had a few days off in a row (very rare for me!!) and was feeling ho hum about heading back to work now I can't wait!! Here are just a few sets that arrived today: Sweet Violets, Tag lines (designed to work in some of the Spellbinder tags), Seaside Life and Arbour. We also got some Tombow markers, Peel Off stickers, Spellbinder dies, Versafine Vintage Sepia ink (the one used in the Coffee and a Card a few weeks back) and some Big Shot dies. I am expecting a few other orders this week as well. Stop by and see what is new!

Butterfly Quote Mini Album

2011-08-07T08:26:00.000-07:00

Today's post is a long one! I was inspired a week or so back to do a quote book similar to the one I saw on the BoBunny Blog. I used a Sizzix Butterfly mini album die which if you follow the blog will see I have used quite a bit recently. I decided to use Bazzil, Bo Bunny Double dot and My Minds Eye cardstock. The quote on the cover is by Hero Arts. Embellishments are by Bo Bunny (buttons), Hero Arts (flowers), My Minds Eye (twine), Doodlebug (Pool Brad) and Ranger Fruit Punch Stickles. Page 1 has more Hero Arts quotes. The hedgie is by Penny Black which I stamped on a scrap of watercolor cardstock and colored with my Tombow markers. The swirly is from the Sizzix die and I used more Hero Arts Flowers as well as some Hero gem flowers. I used lots of embellishments for this mini and even managed to use up some of those old packets of embellishments that had a few token bits left. That made me happy so then I can justify buying new packets! Page 3- I stamped a Penny Black saying "Dance, Sing, Love" on a piece of Bo Bunny Double dot cardstock and cut it up for the next few pages. I cut each sentence apart to use on different pages. I added Ranger's Glossy Accents on each large word to give them a bit more oomph. I added a heart left over from the Sizzix die. I stamped the hedgie dancer (from Penny Black's 12 days of Christmas clear set) on another scrap of watercolor cardstock and colored her then cut her out with a Spellbinder classic oval. I added Stickles to her tutu. Added some gems and a brown pearl. Page 4 is from the same Dance Sing Love and the drumming dog is also from the Penny Black 12 days of Christmas set. I added some bling by using my Sakura Stardust pen to the silver parts of his drum set. I used a Tombow marker to add some dots around the outside edge of the Butterfly.

Page 5 is another Penny Black image that I paper pieced and used another piece of the Dance quote. The butterfly is by Flourishes. I added another Hero Arts flower gem and added Glossy Accents to the bees wings.

This page has the final piece of the Love quote that I stamped directly onto the page. I colored another Penny Black image with my Tombows on watercolor paper. I added Stickles to the flower and some pearls to the page as well.

This page has more Hero Arts quotes. Images are by Penny Black and colored with Tombow markers. I added some Stampendous white Fun Flock to the bunny tail.

This page has even more Penny Black images colored with Tombow markers. Sentiment and flower gems are by Hero Arts. I added a bit of green Stickles to the grass. Final page - I stamped a row of Penny Black mice (from the Micey Day set) then stamped the Hero Arts sentiment on a scrap and wrapped some My Minds Eye twine around the scrap and added some more clear gems to finish things up.
Thanks for staying with me!

Coloring!

2011-08-05T07:42:00.000-07:00

Sheree over at Vancouver Island Craft Junkie has been collecting get well/thinking of you type cards for a very nice lady she knows who was in an accident earlier this year. I hade been meaning to make up something for the lady but what with one thing or another... anyway at the last minute I managed to get something whipped up. I am really happy with how it turned out - love the color combo and it came together VERY quickly probably in an hour or so, that is a miracle for me!!

I began by stamping a Hero Arts Flower image randomly on a bit of watercolor cardstock. I embossed the images with gold embossing powder. I colored the images with my Tombow markers. I matted image as shown. I stamped my Penny Black sentiment on a label from the Spellbinder die set Parisian Accents using Adirondack Sailboat Blue dye ink.
Thanks for stopping by!
Stamps: Hero Arts Small Sweet Petals, Penny Black Feel Better
Tombow markers: 515, N95, 933, 847, 985

Fairy Queen

2011-08-02T19:33:00.000-07:00

This Fairy Queen is one of Stampendous' brand new winter stamps and I must confess I did not mean to order her. I thought I had typed the code for a different clear set so imagine my surprise when she arrived! I was a bit worried when I saw her as I was not sure I liked her then I gave her a stamp and I guess she has cast a spell over me because she was very fun to work with!
I colored her with my Tombow markers on watercolor paper and cut her out using Spellbinder Labels 8. I colored some extra flowers and popped them up at the bottom of the image for some extra depth. I matted everything as shown and used a Hero Arts sentiment and a bit of Hero Arts Lace then pulled out my yellow, waterfall and goldenrod Stickles to jazz her up just a bit more! Very happy with how she turned out! If you are interested in purchasing the fairy queen hurry in as we only have 1 set left!
Thanks for stopping by!
Tombows used: 026, 195, 245, 391, 515, 533, 850, 946, 977, 985, 991 and N00 blender pen

Penny Black Filigree Tree

2011-07-27T20:26:00.000-07:00

Over on the Penny Black blog they are having a challenge to make a Christmas card in July this week. I managed to find a few minutes to get one whipped up. I have loved this tree image ever since I saw it a few years back, so elegant! I began the card by embossing the tree twice with clear embossing ink and then embossing them with clear embossing powder for some extra intrest in the background. I then embossed the tree slightly to the right of the center with Crafty Capers Silver Rainbow embossing powder (it has a nice sparkle to it in real life). I added two strips of Be Creative tape and applied Glitter Ritz glitter to them (Liberty Blue). I stamped the sentiment (Penny Black Holiday Cheer) with Ranger's Adirondack Denim dye ink on a 1/2 of a Spellbinders Labels 8. I hid the edge of the label with a piece of Hero Arts ribbon. I added clear gems to the tree and the sentiment piece then used my Tombow Glue pen to add stars to the sky and glittered them up with Glitter Ritz Warm Highlight.
Thanks for stopping by.

Butterfly Garden

2011-07-25T06:33:00.000-07:00

Managed to get a quick card made over the weekend and judging by my theme I'd say perfect timing since it seems (fingers crossed) summer has finally arrived in the Pacific North West!
I began by stamping Butterfly Garden stamp set by Just Rite on a piece of My Minds Eye Lime Twist paper (flowery side) I colored the butterfly with my Tombow markers (colors used: 528, 985, 391 and N00). I used my Spellbinder circles to cut out the image. I stamped the sentiment (also in the Just Rite set) on a piece of coordinating blue cardstock.
I matted everything as shown using the back side of the My Minds Eye paper I used to stamp the image on. I think I have mentioned how much I LOVE this blue wood grain pattern!! I added some yellow butterfly eyelets which I have had forever but are still available! To finish off the butterfly I used some yellow Liquid Pearls and faded jeans Stickles by Ranger.
Thanks for stopping by!

Burnished Velvet Sizzix style

2011-07-22T06:34:00.000-07:00

I managed a few minutes to play with the Sizzix Ink It plates with Be Creative tape and Glitter Ritz this week. Love how it turned out! More subtle than the Fun Flock but still lovely. I cut out a frame with my Spellbinder Labels 1 and Classic Ovals then applied some Be Creative tape over the whole thing and added Mystique glitter from the limited edition Mardi Gras glitter pack. Then I pulled out my Sizzix Ink It plate and applied Versamagic Cloud White ink to the plate. I ran the sandwich through my Cuttlebug machine. I got this subtle burnished velvet look. I stamped some clear Hero Arts leaves in the middle of my frame with Memento Bahama Blue ink. Added a Just Rite sentiment (Victorian Sentiments) and a green border using my NEW Parisian Accents Spellbinder set. I thought the green border needed something so I took my Tombow Glue pen and added some Mystique glitter dots on the border to tie it in a bit better. Thanks everyone for looking.

New arrivals July 21

2011-07-21T16:26:00.000-07:00

Had an order arrive in the store today! We've topped up a few of our best sellers and got a few brand new items in as well. First up we have more Peel Off stickers back in stock including the popular Black Fish (see a previous post for a sample). We also have some new Peel Off designs in the store as well.

Back in stock is Crafts too You embossing folder Leafy Tree. We ordered this one especially for Myrna but order some extras as well! :) We have the Butterfly and Stars folders as well in stock.

We ordered this pink limited edition Craft Concepts "Florette" folder back in February and it is finally in stock. Worth the wait I would say. Very pretty. We now have all the Sizzix Ink It plates in stock. These are very popular so hurry in for best selection.

I've got a card post to go up later this evening so stay tuned. :)

Stampendous Fun Flock with Sizzix Ink It plates

2011-07-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited to show you this card because I came up with this technique by myself! No Youtubing or anything! LOL You saw it here first. I was in the shop one morning and wondered how Stampendous Fun Flock would work with the Ink It plates. They work out very cool as it turns out! I started out by applying a piece of Be Creative tape to a piece of light purple Bazzill cardstock. I dumped Stampendous Lavish Lilac Fun Flock onto the exposed tape. I pressed the flock onto the tape. It needs quite a bit of pressure to get a good full flock coverage so no being lazy and not pressing the flock into the tape! I then ran the Ink It plate Rustic Trellis through my Cuttlebug a couple of times to the entire piece of cardstock was covered with a beautiful embossed design. The finished result looks like embossed velvet! Beautiful! I used my Spellbinder Classic smooth and scallop ovals and stamped my Hero Arts sentiment with Memories Lavender ink. I cut out 2 corners from the Spellbinder die set Parisian Accents using gold glossy cardstock. The ribbon is one of the Hero Arts Hero Hues Ribbon. We also tried this technique with the Be Creative tape, Glitter Ritz and Brillance ink during the Saturday demo and it was pretty fabulous as well. I hope to get a card made up with this technique in the near future.

New Just Rite stamps in the store

2011-07-19T08:16:00.000-07:00

I am happy to report that we got a new batch of Just Rite stamps in yesterday afternoon! Hurry!
It is a pretty big order and these 3 sets are just a sampling. We now have some of the Just Rite Christmas stamps and sets in stock for those of you organized folks who are starting Christmas projects. I predict the below set "Deck the Halls" will be one of 2011's hot Christmas sets. Spellbinder is coming out with dies to match the Deck the Halls set however they won't be out until late August.
We also got some of the Just Rite Cling binders in this order for those of you getting quite a collection of the Just Rite cling sets and need somewhere to store them.
Contact Crafty Capers if you have questions.

Perfect Pearls with Ink Its

2011-07-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

Here is another card done with the new Sizzix Ink Its plates. This time I applied Ranger's Perfect Medium to the plate Rustic Flower Border and ran the plate through my Cuttlebug then I dusted the impressed areas with Perfect Bronze Perfect Pearls. It added a beautiful metal type look to the inky areas! I turned my card around to add just a bit of the border to the bottom of the card then dusted it with the Bronze Perfect Pearls. I stamped my Hero Arts sentiment with the Perfect Medium and dusted that with the Bronze powder as well. I LOVE how this card turned out! As is usual with pictures of Perfect Pearl projects the photo does not do it justice looks much better in person!
I really hope Sizzix comes out with some Christmas Ink It plates so I can use this technique on some Christmas cards! :)
Stay tuned for another VERY cool Ink It sample tomorrow!

Sizzix Ink It plate demo card 1

2011-07-17T14:00:00.000-07:00

Here is 1 of the cards/techniques I demoed on Saturday using the new Sizzix Ink It plates. For those that missed the demo the Ink It plates are new on the market and designed to give a "letter press" type look on paper using your Cuttlebug or Big Shot machine. I must confess I did not really know what "letter pressing" was before I started playing with these new plates so when people mentioned letter pressing I just nodded like I knew what they were talking about!!! LOL
For those that don't know letter pressing is used in the professional printing world it involves "debossing" making an indent in the paper then appling ink to the debossed areas. It is different from embossing which raises the paper up and is more extreme. I should have taken some closer pictures of this sample so you could see what I mean. Here is a company that does letter press professionally and they have a good picture in their logo.
The above card is one of the first samples I made when I was playing with the new plates. I love how it turned out and I think this design might become my official Christmas card this year or at least until I get bored of the design and find a new one! :) The bottom part of the card is done with the Sizzix Rustic Trellis Ink It plate and Brillance Rocket Red pigment ink. The deer and sentiment are by A Muse stamped with the same Brillance ink. The store does still have both stamps in stock but they have been discontinued so if you need them hurry in. We still have quite a few of the Rustic Trellis plates still in stock. This card is a single layer card and to prevent the cardstock warping I used a 100lb cardstock also available at the store.
Thanks for stopping by!

Ink Its demo reminder tomorrow!

2011-07-15T22:28:00.000-07:00

Just a quick reminder for those of you in the Nanaimo area Crafty Capers will be having a Sizzix Ink Its plate demo tomorrow (Saturday July 16) between 10:30 - 12:30. It's free just stop in and see what these great plates are all about! Also, Monday is our 2nd Coffee and a Card session. Between 11:00 am & 1:00 pm stop by and for $2.00 make a fabulous card designed by Kathy and enjoy a cup of coffee too! I've lots of positive feedback from those who attended last Monday. If possible please give the shop a call so we know how much paper etc to cut up but if you forget to preregister that is OK too (preregistering makes our lives a tiny bit easier).
In between demo and class prepping I managed to get a "quick and dirty" card whipped up today. A customer was in today and had heard about a alcohol ink technique where you apply Blending Solution to a stipple brush and create texture in your alcohol inks. I decided to give it a try however found the technique a little less than impressive. I did make a nice alcohol ink background however and managed to finish it up into a card. As most quick and dirty cards are it's pretty straight forward I used Lettuce, Stream and Stonewashed alcohol inks on glossy cardstock. I stamped Hero Arts Small Solid flower all over the background then used a Hero Arts sentiment and matted it as shown.
Thanks for stopping by!

A Stampscapes scene

2011-07-13T20:10:00.000-07:00

I got a chance to have a play date with a friend today and we decided to do some Stampscape playing. This is what I came up with. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out and it was nice to just have an afternoon to play with no restrictions.
I won't go into much detail on how the card is made since it would probably be a the length of a small novel!
The scene was stamped on white glossy cardstock. All stamps are by Stampscapes. All inks are by Ranger. I used a Tombow white gel pen and a Sakura gel pen for accents.
Thanks for stopping by!

Free Demo Saturday!

2011-07-12T20:15:00.000-07:00

We've had the new Sizzix Ink It plates in the shop for a week or so now and now it's time for a FREE demo on them! These plates will run through your Cuttlebug or Big Shot and are primarily designed to leave a "letter press" type image.
I've made a few samples so far and am loving the look! The background of this card was done with one of the new plates and I had to throw in a Spellbinder die for the white belly band.
Demo runs Saturday July 16 10:30 - 12:30. Hope to see you there.

Coffee and A Card

2011-07-10T08:46:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow (July 11) is Crafty Capers first Monday Coffee and a Card (11:00 - 1:00 pm only)! For just $2 make this beautiful card designed by Lynn Lacentra. Next Monday (same price and time) Kathy will be teaching a beautiful Christmas card. If possible please phone ahead to let the store know you are coming so we can have the supplies ready for you. These Monday Coffee and a Card events will be happening every Monday (except holidays) all summer long!

Also, there is a Cuttlebug Tips and Tricks class on Tuesday (July 12 1:00 - 3:00 pm, Cost $27) with some spaces available. If you are interested in registering please call the shop 250-585-0022 and leave a message on the answering machine.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

New Arrivals July 2

2011-07-01T13:50:00.000-07:00

Even though it is a holiday I am working at home pricing an order that arrived late yesterday. I've included some quick photos of some of the new product going on Crafty Capers shelves Saturday July 2. This order includes: Sizziz Texture embossing folders, Spellbinder dies, Mardi Gras Limited Edition glitter, Cuttlebug Embossing folders, the VERY popular BossKuts Poinsettia die, Tombow Mono Multi Glue, Peel Off stickers, ScorBuddy to name just some of the new arrivals. I also had some extra help this morning with my work. Miss Kit Cat took the chair and was kind enough to let me stand. Always thinking of her Mom! LOL One friend commented that she looks a bit annoyed probably due to the wage cut backs because her Mom has to buy a new car! She will be really annoyed when she figures out I don't have a car to go to the Cat Treat store! Oh the horrors!

Happy Canada Day!

2011-07-01T09:43:00.000-07:00

Happy Canada Day everyone! I didn't think I would get any blog postings done this week because my week started off by having my car's head gasket and cylinder head blow up on the side of the road leaving me stranded on my way to work! Thank goodness for my good friends Chris and Duane for coming to my rescue since my husband was no where near his cell phone at the time! Looks like I will be celebrating the long weekend by going car shopping. That was not in my plans and kind of put a kibosh on my mojo.
:( Anyway onward and upward!
This card started out as a protype for an upcoming class but did not make the grade so to speak! However I LOVE how it turned out it just was not right for my class.
I began with a piece of Kraft cardstock which I stamped Hero Arts Dictionary Greetings onto with Versafine Sepia ink then I took a Dreamweaver stencil (fern) and ran the Kraft cardstock through my Cuttlebug to dry emboss the stencil the lazy girl's way! lol! I sponged Brillance Pearlescent Thyme ink through the stencil holes then I thought it needed a bit of oomph so I added some Versamagic Ocean Depth ink as well then I was happy! I matted the Kraft on a piece of slate cardstock and white embossed my sentiment (Hero Arts). I stamped my main cardstock because it was looking a little naked with the Hero Arts Fab Flourish stamp with my Versafine Sepia ink. I rounded some corners with my Corner Chomper and attached everything as shown.
Thanks for stopping by!