Behind the Scenes with Rogue Redhead Designs

With our most recent unmounted stamp plate, we've gone "Behind the Scenes" with a set of background stamps. 

Add some stylish flair to your papercrafting and mixed media creations with these versatile background stamps.  Alone or paired, they are sure to steal the scene with your next stamped project.  Featuring reverse sequin waste, handwriting, bubble wrap and a handwritten music sheet, these backgrounds will lend themselves to a variety of projects.

Get Behind the Scenes until March 31, 2012 for the low introductory price of $17.60, 20% off its regular price of $22.00. 

See some beautiful sample cards made with this plate at the Rogue Redhead Designs blog HERE

Don’t forget that Rogue Redhead Designs also stocks mounting supplies!  You can also get this plate bundled with a sheet of EZ-Mount Cling Foam for $21.10 or bundle this plate with both a stamp storage panel and a sheet of EZ-Mount Cling Foam for the low price of $22.60.

Did you know January 25 marked the 53rd anniversary of bubble wrap?  I paired the bubble wrap background stamp with Rogue Redhead's image from the Beach Babes stamp plate.  

I used Dew Drop Brilliance Pearlescent Sky Blue ink on blue DCWV linen cardstock.  The overall effect is light and calming and reminds me of my childhood playing along the shores of Lake Michigan (on the Wisconsin side).  

My card is all blue as a reminder that you have until February 3rd to enter the current Rebel challenge: Winter Blues.  The winner receives a $15 US voucher to the Rogue Redhead store--it could be you!

Gecko Galz Valentine

My turn for today's Gecko Galz Valentine from the Design Team.
I call my card Unexpected Valentine

The unexpected:
1) the color combo for a Valentine--light green and pink with vintage black and beige
2) a pocket for a little surprise--treat,trinkets, love note, tickets, gift card, etc. 

3) the unexpected kiss

Print Gecko Galz images:
couple from Love Me Do collage sheet (January release)
sentiment from Heather Hudson Collection February tag set
banners from B is for Banners collage sheet

Directions:
Cut black card stock 6"x12' and fold to make 6"x6" card base.  Cut pale green linen card stock 5.75" x 5.75" .  Cut strip of vintage music paper, distress top edge by tearing and inking. Adhere to bottom half of green card along bottom and sides, leaving top open to create pocket (for Sugar Creek Hollow layers challenge).  Fussy cut image (leave white around image as you cut), sentiment and banners.  Edge banners with black. Layer white doily onto pink paper for contrast.  Edge doily with pink ink.  Place image on round doily.  Fold bottom portion to create straight line.  Adhere image to doily. Add trims to front and back of doily: pink baker's twine on top and organza flower ribbon trim behind (for RRR challenge).  Adhere doily to music.  (more layers for SCH) Adhere black foil trim to bottom edge of music.  Cut wire bow trim (for RRR challenge) and use a bead of tacky glue across top back of each banner and attach to wire in between the bows.  Adhere black bow wire trim to top of green card by bending wire to back of card on each side.  Adhere green card to black card base.  Place dimensional pop dots under banners. Decorate banners.

Additional Supplies: 

generic black card stock

pink paper

music sheet from Vintage Page Designs etsy shop

white round Wilton doily

green card stock from DCWV Linen Closet stack

Ranger distress inks in old paper and vintage photo.

Ranger distress markers:  vintage photo and worn lipstick

pink and white baker's twine (from stash)

black bow wire trim (from stash)

trim from Walmart

Black dresden foil trim

Bride's paper rose from Michaels

Misc. items from stash

In addition to my card being featured along with the instructions on how to make it, you'll find a Gecko Galz product special price for something I used to make my card.

Please go to the Gecko Galz site to see today's the product promotion.  You also can click on the words Valentine Cards which takes you to the file where you'll see all the design team cards posted to date along with the instructions.  

Entering this here:

Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge #64 Valentine Love and Ribbon

Sugar Creek Hollow Challenge #46 Lots of Layers 

Sympathy Times Three

It's the 25th which means my turn again at Rogue Redhead Designs, LLC.  Today I used the same image, from the Relish Reading stamp plate, on three different cards.

I needed to make these cards to express our sympathy for the loss of an elderly gentleman who happened to be a local newspaper publisher.  I chose this image because it reminded me of a young man venturing out into the world with his newspaper tucked under his arm.  I also used the op ed piece about him from the local paper for my script background mat and tab. 

To learn more about my cards and the stamp plate, please visit my post at Rogue Redhead Designs. 

I know several card makers who tell me when they cut their 8-1/2" x 11" paper in half to make a card, they go ahead and use the other half, always making two cards at a time.  Do you make just one card at a time, or while your supplies are out, do you make multiples? I know I often will stamp the image more than once and file away the reserves.  And I've been reading that several of you will make several backgrounds at once, especially when it involves a new technique.  This is the first time I made three cards-- with the same image-- in one sitting.

2013 Resolution #1 Make a Tim Tag

Resolution #1:  Actually make a Tim tag.

 Here's a photo of his January tag.



I love the sentiment.  Went out and bought that stamp. 

I didn't have the embossing folder so I cut a tag from Coredinations Vintage Collection Burnt Sugar and then sanded.   I used Ranger Distress Inks: ice spruce, tumbled glass and weathered wood. I decided it looked a bit drab so I added wild honey and broken china (too dark) and salted sea and then sanded the clocks again.  Paper was darker than a tag and also acting as a resist when I added the water.

Gears and clock faces are from Tim's Ideaology line. (Note to self: Running out of gears and spinners) Created my own label with stamps in my collection.

Used Broken china and metallic bronze distress stains to color my ribbon.

I didn't have the gear die so I used the Sizzix embossing folder with grunge paper and then hand cut the gears.

Techniques from Tim's tag:  dying ribbon, painting grunge with the metallic stains, ink distressing tags, sanding.  Best Tim tip:  using narrow red line tape to adhere the filmstrip. I have Tim's badge and link on my sidebar.  Please go to Tim's site for the complete tutorial on how to make his tag. 

For this first tag I followed Tim's time theme and color palette.

I gave this tag to my dh today in celebration of our 43rd wedding anniversary.  Lately, instead of cards I've been giving him bookmarks and tags--perhaps more utilitarian???

Entering this in:

Craft Room Challenge:  Monochrome

An oopsie update!  
Forgot to mention that this week at Tag Tuesday, the letter is "C" ---my tag is C is for Clocks!  I'm on the waiting list rather than on the actual dt, but wanted to post this tag for them... 

My Hostess Project for Club

Yesterday we started up again our local monthly Stampin' Up card making club.  I volunteered to be the first hostess which means bringing the dessert and a card to make.

I've previously posted some fabby gift card holders that I made at Prairie Art Stamps store.  Of course, I couldn't find the dimensions written on my scrap of paper, so I spent some time on the internet looking for the type of card holder I wanted to make.  Stamp TV on You Tube had the closest example. 

Here is my version that I took to club:

Materials I used to make my gift card holder:

Stampin' Up Crumb Cake card stock (cut 4-1/4" x 10")
Stampin' Up Very Vanilla card stock
Sizzix Stampin' Up  embossing folder --hearts
Stampin' Up Riveting circle sentiment stamp
Stampin' Up dimensionals (between heart and circle stamp)
Stampin' Up red line tape (to adhere together the valley fold on the outside which creates a mountain fold on inside--adhere each edge on inside of fold so gift card fits in the middle)

From my stash:
DCWV red card stock
Archival coffee ink
twine
glue dots (to adhere twine)
corner rounder
Martha Stewart score pad to score card stock at 3", 4", 5" and 8"

Purchased from Prairie Art Stamps store:
QuikKutz heart doily die
Memory Box sentiment stamp
Tombow fastener tabs




Here are the two cards provided by the demonstrator for our stampin' and assemblin'.

 This first one was a new technique--two step stamping with the stamp set.

The second one required coloring the rubber with two markers before stamping.

You'll notice that all the cards, including mine, are following the lead in the latest Stampin' Up catalog--using a lot of string and twine.

A Little Bit of Easter

Most of us are working on Valentine's Day projects so it's hard to believe I'm thinking ahead to Easter, but now is the time to get those fabby images.  This cute dress is from the January release Gecko Galz Bits and Pieces.  

 
I printed it out on card stock, folded the paper at the sleeves, and then fussy cut out the dress shape.  I printed out a second dress in order to cut out the nest, remove the center and then pop it up with foam dots in order to glue in the three 10mm plastic eggs.  I added more dimension with a rose and bow. 

Back to the present;  Just a little reminder--Gecko Galz is featuring 30 Days of Valentine's Day.   Visit each day to see a Valentine created by one of our design team members along with instructions and a product special.  I have a special badge with a link to Gecko Galz on my sidebar for your convenience. 

Thirty Days of Gecko Galz Valentines!

VALENTINE PROMOTION 
 
Starting today, at Gecko Galz you will find a unique Valentine made by one of our design team members along with the instructions on how to make it and a special product offer from the owner, Leanne. 

This Valentine inspiration will continue every day between now and Valentine's Day.  Be sure to check back daily as each day there will be a different Valentine created by another design team member along with a new product special. 

Today, design team member Starr Timmons' card, Music of the Heart, is featured along with a special offer on one of the collage sheets she used to make her card. 

LINKS
 
I have the Gecko Galz badge on my sidebar with a link to the site for your convenience.  For today's post, the link to the Geck Galz site is HERE

You can also follow along and post comments about the cards on our Gecko Galz Face Book page

VOTING FOR FAVORITE

On Febuary 14th we will ask you the customer to choose your favorite out of all 30 cards! And then from everyone who votes we will pick a winner who will win a fabulous prize from Gecko Galz! Have fun discovering the art of Valentines!
 
MY CARD FROM LAST YEAR
 
I will post again when my card is featured.  In the meantime, here is a card I made last year using Gecko Galz images:

 

Cyber Sitings

 I was overwhelmed by the positive response to my first paper shoe, a Marie Antionette shoe which was part of my Paris article for Unruly Paper Arts.  I've made an attempt to contact all who left a comment either here on my blog or at UPA.  I discovered a few didn't have blogs or didn't have a way for me to contact them.  So a public thank you to all.  It was a wonderful feeling to have my work so appreciated!

Cyber Sitings and Side bar alerts:

My friend Sandi at Maximum Embellishment started her Banking on Christmas yerterday.  On the 12th of each month on her blog, she'll be posting a fantastic idea to craft.  By the time all 12 months have passed us by, we won't be caught by surprise at Christmas time---we'll have all those crafty items banked, ready to go.  You'll find the badge and link on my side bar.

My muse Lynn Moncrieff  at Adorn is celebrating 3 years in blog land with some fantastic blog candy.  You'll find it in my candy jar on my side bar.

Nancy Maxwell of Sugar Lump Studios is going to have 14 days of Valentine tutorials starting February 1.  You'll find the badge and link on my side bar.

Our Gecko Galz Valentine Card promotion starts in just a few more days January 16.  You'll find the badge and link on my sidebar. 

Today I went on the Really Reasonable Ribbon blog hop.  Lots of great inspiration from the dt and a packet of Valentine ribbon up for grabs to the lucky blog hop winner. They also have blog candy for their 3 year blogoversary,  That's posted on my sidebar in my Candy Jar.  

Here are my 12 tags for Sandi's Bank on Christmas, January Project:

I love her idea of making black and white photo tags from old photos.   So I spent most of yesterday evening digging through old photos to find this one of my dh in his new robe--obviously from the looks of things a great Christmas gift x 3.  Too cute.  Love the red trim with the black and white photo.

The house ones are trimmed in white glitter and silver ribbon. 

Then I thought why not a few tags of my bonnet photo for gifts from mom to my kids.  Printed on beige card stock and trimmed with champagne glitter glass.

I thought I'd take this idea a step further and crop a part of one of my layouts to make into tags.  On this one I plan to add navy ribbon when the Faded Jeans Ranger Distress Stickles finally dry.

On the other tags I used my new glue of choice, Aleen's Tacky Glue.  I followed Sandi's directions to hold my tag in my hand while applying a thin line of glue to the edges.  Once when I was a little to anxious to get the glue going, I snipped off the tip so my thin line isn't quite so thin.  Time to get a new bottle for these types of projects.  The glue is tacky as the name implies and dries quickly.  

(Not an official spokesperson for any of these products or sites mentioned other than Gecko Galz.) 

The possibilities for these tags are endless which makes me wonder just how many do I really need to make between now and next December.

Today we have a glaze of ice.  Time to get out of the craft room and go make that meatloaf my dh requested.   

First Valentine in 2013

I posted on the Rogue Redhead Designs LLC blog today a card made with Midge.  You can learn more about the RRD stamps I used and see my card HERE.

I'll describe my card as part of the listing of the challenges I'm entering:

The Craft Room Challenge:  Valentines
This is my first Valentine for 2013.

The Shabby Tea Room Challenge 148:  Elegance
I chose blue and white as my color scheme based on  Starr's photo inspiration.  She also asked for ribbon and a flower.

Crafts4Eternity Recipe Challenge R106: Moody Blues
I have the different shades of blue in the flowers, ribbon and card stock as well as Midge's hat.

Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge #63 My New Toys and Ribbon
Not only did I try out my new free Midge stamp from the January 2013 issue of Craft Stamper magazine, I also used for the first time my newly purchased  QuicKutz Nestine Doily Hearts dies.

I wove narrow ribbon through the holes in the heart and tied it in a bow at the top.  I also have a filmy ribbon bow in with the flowers and other trims from my stash.  The cotton crocheted ribbon trim is adhered on the back side of the patterned card stock with red line tape.

It's All About the Vintage and Beauty Challenge #34 Lace Dream 
This is a new challenge site for me.  Be sure to check out their blog candy in my sidebar.

Fashionable Stamping Challenge #38 Surprise Us--Anything Goes but must stamp --used Midge stamp from Craft Stamper magazine

Materials:
Markers:  Prismacolor:  Cool Grey, Muted Turquoise; Kurecolor: Haze Blue; Copic: Brick Beige, Cool Grey, Shadow Pink
Inks:  Ranger Distress Weathered Wood, Tumbled Glass; Archival Jet Black, Memento Tuxedo Black; Ranger Pewter Distress Stain
QuicKutz Doily Hearts dies
Patterned card stock:  The Scrap Cake:  the Brighter Side of Life
plain generic blue and grey card stock
Misc. flowers, ribbon and trims from my stash

Paris Shoe

I've always wanted to make a Marie Antionette paper shoe.  Since I'm most comfortable with paper crafting as my chosen art style (as opposed to inking and painting), making the shoe seems like a logical project for this month's Unruly Paper Arts blogozine theme, Paris.

For my full article, Musings of a 2amscrapper:  Pondering Paris, please go HERE.

This blog post will be limited to the shoe I featured in my column.

Marie and her label are Gecko Galz and Retro Cafe Art.  Marie is standing on a flower cake.  Stick pins are Maya Road and Tim Holtz.  Bow on Marie is hand dyed from Red Lead Paperworks.
The flower trim included netting which I draped over the heel for a finished look.  I added a Jolie's bow.

I love the distressed look of the paper--perfect for the sole.  I doubled up two buttons for the heel.  The top button is from my vintage stash.  I added a pearl to the center. Paris label is from Retro Cafe Art.

Side view of shoe shoes how the feathers, bow of netting and embellies hide the back side of Marie which I fussy cut and edged with 3 different Ranger distress ink markers. 

The top of the toe includes a white ruffled ribbon covered with a row of pearls and topped with a pink ribbon made into a bow and a flower.  I had room for the Jenni Bowlin butterfly.

Additional Materials:  Basic Grey two sided patterned paper (heavy weight); Simplicity ruffled ribbon and pearls; red line tape and tacky glue.

I'm entering my Marie shoe is these challenges:
Live and Love Crafts Inspiration and Challenge:  Something Old or vintage looking
The Crafty Bloggers Network Challenge #7 Flowers
Gecko Galz Papercrafting Yahoo Group Challenge: Buttons and Bows

It's All About the Vintage and Beauty Challenge #34 Lace Dream 
This is a new challenge site for me.  Be sure to check out their blog candy in my sidebar.


If you are wanting more information about making a paper shoe, you may find these sites helpful:

I found the shoe template created by Terri Heinz at Artful Affirmations:  The Elegant Shoe.  The shoe is 8 ' long.  In playing with the template size, I printed 2 different sizes using pieces of each-- a bigger toe for more room..  In addition to her template, she has a video tutorial explaining how to use it.

I also found this You Tube video from Tracylovestoscrap very useful for the actual mechanics of assembling the shoe.  http://youtu.be/FkU4Y7pWEYM   (She uses Terri's template.)

January at Gecko Galz

I had lots of fun working with the Gecko Galz images released this month.

This is one of the cards I made for my design team gallery.  I used an image from the Gecko Galz Two To Tango collage sheet. 

Other materials:

DCWV teal textured card stock; black and white card stock from stash

Stampin' Up Adorning Accents edgelit (die)

sentiment stamp from Rogue Redhead Designs LLC Snow Hugs stamp plate

red ribbon and bow and red gems from stash

Please note the badge in my sidebar. 
On January 16th will start our 30 days of Valentine Card Inspirations.  Each Day one of our amazing Design Team Members will show you how to create a stunning Valentine card and with that there will be a product you can save on!

Gecko Galz now has individual digital stamps.  This month, if you buy one, you get one free!  Here is the link to the Gecko Galz site where you can see all the specials, this month's winners, and all of the Gecko Galz products:   HERE

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2013!  I hope this year will bring peace, happiness and good health to all.

As usual, I have a few New Year's Resolutions for the paper crafting part of my life.  Trying to keep the number to a do-able few.

1.  Actually make some Tim Holtz tags.  I own both books now.  I think in all the years he's been making tags, I've made three!  I see he posted the first tag for 2013,  I can only learn some amazing techniques from fantastic design concepts while using a wide variety of products.

2.  Try one new idea each week found in a craft magazine.  I buy tons of magazines and look at them for inspiration.  Now I need to try some of those techniques and design ideas.  There are so many amazing crafters out there, each with their own style to admire.

3.  Be mindful of publication deadlines and actually submit entries.

4.  Visit the blogs of all my cyber friends and design teammates at least once a week to keep up with what they're doing.

5.  Clean and organize my craft room???????????  Actually the DH suggested moving me to a bigger space in a different part of the house and building custom shelving for all my stuff.

6.  Really try art journaling this year.  I made 3 pages last year.  I just need to keep at it to feel comfortable with this art form.

7.  Take off the shelf one unfinished project each week and get it done.  I've taken so many workshops and come home with things in various states of completion.  Some will take a month to get done.  Others just need finishing touches.

I see I've used the word actually is just about every resolution.  Perhaps that should be my word as in the phrase:   I need to actually do it.
My craft word for 2013:  ACT
I will actually take action to act upon my craft resolutions!

So here is #7 in action.  A couple of weeks ago I did a make it-take it at Prairie Art Stamps.  Thanks Judy for the concept:  painting, scratching, doodling, cutting, gluing, etc.  The gems were like glitter, all over the place for me, so I decided to put the tag aside, do some shopping in the store, and glue the gems when I got home.  hmmmm.  You guessed it.  On the shelf in the pile with the other unfinished projects.  I decided this was a quick one to get done and give me a great sense of accomplishment on Day One of my Resolutions.

I like her face, don't you.  Kinda like mine as I contemplate all these resolutions!  And here's the best part--I ACTUALLY have my first tag for Christmas 2013 already done!