Author: Erika L Hayes

For me it is all about Art Inspiration and Education

In Stitches with Spellbinders

On By Erika L HayesIn Cardstock Creations, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas Cards, Color Theory, Die cutting, Foiling, Lawn Fawn, MFT, My Favorite Things, Spellbinders, Spellbinders1 Comment

Spellbinders All Dies, Hot Foil Plates & Foil; Pixie Cardstock Lawn Fawn; Pattern Paper My Favorite Things; Floss, DMC

When the stitched alphabet came out from Spellbinders I liked the idea, but I couldn’t really see buying ALL the letters. (I made a big mistake.) I bought a few to spell “Hi” and “love” well soon after these few cards I realized; I need the entire alphabet. I am so glad I did and would highly recommend if you are considering the stitched alphabet, just buy the bundle. It really opens your world to so many possibilities. (It is an investment, but really, I have used these so much that I think it was one of my better purchases for card making.)

Because I love these little guys so much, I put some tips for using these dies to be the most successful.

Tips for stitching on your paper crafts.

  • Choosing your thread (floss) will make a significant difference. My first craft was cross-stitching, and I can tell you a few things to make you successful.
  • The number of strands. Two is most commonly used, but if your floss is light on light you may want to add one or more strands to ensure your intended color shows as you want it. (In the sample above, I used all six strands
  • Floss comes in many brands and materials. You may want to test them on your paper before you commit.
  • A single sheet of card may tear when you stitch with several threads of floss. To ensure your card can hold up, simply cut two additional letters and glue them together to create stability.
  • Use your finger or fine tip applicator, (such as Barely Art glue tip) to apply glue to prevent seepage through the premade stitch placement holes.
  • remove any excess glue immediately
  • Make sure your glue is completely dry before stitching. (If you notice any glue at this time, use a needle to remove it.)
  • As a cross stitcher for many years, I learned one especially important thing. Always go in the same direction. Start each grouping in the same place.
  • Light is caught by the floss and keeping it in the same direction and same placement will give a better finished look.
  • Place your needle over the last stitch and press all other threads under the stitch you are adding.

If you have any questions, feel free to click over to the contact me and shoot me an email. You can also follow me on Instagram and Facebook.

Coming Soon!

I have finally been able to get everything I need to set up my YouTube channel. I will be sure to let you know once we’ve gone live. Color-A-Longs are coming soon! I’m working hard to make this a place for inspiration and education. Please share with all the crafty peeps you know. 🙂

What the HEX?

On By Erika L HayesIn Bearly Arts, Card Theme, Cardstock Creations, Color Theory, Company, concord & 9th, Die cutting, Foiling, Friendship, MFT, My Favorite Things, Paper Art, Pink Fresh, Spellbinders, Spellbinders, Techniques, Thinking of You1 Comment

Dies & Stamps: Concord & 9th Friendly Florals Hot Foil Plate: Pink Fresh Lush Vine, Foil: Spellbinders Silver

Hello, my Lovely Friends! Don’t you just love color? I do! I also love Concord & 9th’s August 2022 release (Check it out here). I love it when companies have matching cardstock and ink options. I absolutely love the Concord & 9th colors too! (see the full-color range here). This leads us to the “What the HEX?” topic of this post.

I am always looking for ways to make fun color combos. I have color-swatches all my cardstock for assorted brands of cardstock in my stash. (Which is way too many, says no crafter ever.) Using planner disc attachments has made it easy for me to be able to remove the samples and make color combos while I am working on a project.

However, there are many times I see a color combo on card samples, other crafter’s and artist’s work, nature, advertisements, etc. That I really love and want to preserve. What better way than to document these combos in my inspiration book (Currently a Catherine Pooler journal). As I use my paper the question is always what to do with the scraps! I will often punch out as many pieces as I can then throw them in a small bag or bowl. When I see a combo I love, I usually will scribble down a color combo and later add it to my book using the scraps. For this demonstration, I made a few pages in my book with color combos I really like. Feel free to click through the slideshow below and browse these combos and use any you like.

It is my hope that this little organization/scrap usage idea will inspire you today.

Have a great day & may blessing fall on you in abundance!

e

Making Simple Scenes

On By Erika L HayesIn Arteza, Artist that inspire, Card Theme, Coloring with Copic, Copic Markers, Die cutting, Friendship, Friendship, Inspired, MFT, Paper Art, Scene Building, Simon Says Stamps, Thinking of You, Uncategorized1 Comment
Supplies: My Favorite things Hanging with my Gnomies, Copic Markers, Arteza White Gel Pen, Simon Says Stamps Woodsy Pawsitivly Saturated Ink, Dr Phil’s Opaque white

I always bookmark the cards on Instagram and save to Pintrest boards have hand-drawn backgrounds to set the stage for a stamp set. One of my favorite artists that does this is Sandy Allnock. I recently signed up for a few classes and downloaded her app. I always look and say, “I wish I could do that.” I tried last year for a coloring contest and was disappointed with how it came out. (see below).

Not my best scene drawing

This year, I decided I really wanted to work on my “drawing” let’s call them skills. After watching a few classes on Copics, I decided to give it a try. I also followed the KISS (Keep It Simple Silly) method to ensure I would feel at least a little success for my efforts.

I used a simple idea and made my card for this post. Taking classes is only one way you can learn to make these hand-drawn backgrounds, (though I HIGHLY recommend Sandy Allnock’s classes, as she often mixes hand-drawn and stamps and is a great teacher!)

Hope you enjoy this card!

Many Blessings,

e

Wheelie Happy Hump Day

On By Erika L HayesIn Copic Markers, Die cutting, Ink Layering, Inspired, MFT, Paper Art, Paper Layering1 Comment
All Stamps, Dies & Paper
My Favorite Things

As promised, I AM going to try and keep more stuff on my blog. Here we are, more stuff.

I want to encourage all crafty peeps out there, that it’s okay to copy a card. Most of the time what happens is you begin it helps break those mental blocks. I really loved this card from Vika Silmina. It’s a bit aged as these products came out a while ago. I looked at it and really wanted to use the Build-A-Tree die set that had been sitting on my desk for a bit. I loved the idea of a bear and trees so this was my launching point.

From the MFT blog

You can see where the inspiration took on its own life. I really liked the idea of the smaller scale “scene” from this card too.

While I loved the “thank you ring” die and I do own it, I decided to abandon the use of it when this card began to build itself into a more of a scene. I did get to use the Build-A-Tree set and love how it worked in this card. In case you don’t have this little lovely, You may want to check it out here.

It is my hope that you can see that finding inspiration in the beautiful designs of others is a great way to break the block. It also often pushes you to try new things. You may start off with a copy (in my opinion, the highest form of flattery) and end up with something completely different. Of course, it’s also okay to just copy a card you just like. (Be sure, of course, to give credit for the design if you post it online somewhere.)

Christmas in August? Why not?

On By Erika L HayesIn Cardstock Creations, Christmas, Christmas Cards, Die cutting, Embossing Folder, Glittery, Ink Layering, Self Challenge, Spellbinders, Winter Wonder1 Comment

Well, I am always trying to make Christmas cards not just in July and December. If I make just 10 cards a month, that’s 120 Christmas cards by December. I don’t always get 10 a month done, but it’s a fun goal to work toward. The thing is, you CAN’T beat yourself up if you only get one… or NONE done for your month. It’s about taking some of the stress off of you in that month of busy busy busyness.

I also love the July releases from Spellbinders. I can’t wait to get my next Christmas card made with the adorable mailbox sets. SOOO cute.

I think maybe I need to have that same goal for birthday cards, or I could say 10 Christmas every other month and 10 Birthday every other month. Another way could be to spilt it 5/5 and end up with 60 Christmas and 60 birthday cards by the end of the year. With that many cards, you can give some away as gifts!!!

thanks for stopping by

e