Gorgeous Fall - Mix'd Media CHOX

Good morning! Today starts the day of a 3 day hop showing off a brand new product from Clearsnap - Mix'd Media Chox inks. There are 8 colors in this product release: Driftwood, Sparrow, Butternut, Petals, Sage, Bluejay, Pomegranate, and Midnight. And just like the Mix'd Media Inx, the containers have a flexible base (for a comfy grip) and a clear lid with a lip that lets you stack the pads.

These new CHOX are fast drying, have LOADS of vibrant color, are great for stamping, edge distressing, coloring, and can be used in layers for blending colors. To give you an idea of how much pigment is in these inks, you can actually mix the re-inkers with a matte acrylic medium to use instead of or with acrylic paint!

I created a card with lots of ink layers. I love that the CHOX dry so fast you can stamp over and over again without worrying about contaminating your ink pads with another color but they are still blendable and work great with water. 

Had originally went for that grungy/mix'd media look that these inks were inspired by - but alas, it's just not me. Does that ever happen to you? It's definitely a style I appreciate and admire but I just can't make it look right. 

Thank goodness for die cutting. I turned a leafy scene and my stamp-off scrap paper into something that I can work with. The grunginess is contained and I've still got my safe, clean design. :)

Thanks for stopping by - see more projects using this new product (and the chance to win it) on the Clearsnap Blog. 

Handmade Holidays Hop 2012

Welcome to the 2nd Annual Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!!!

Calling all crafters! We’ve gathered designers from some of our favorite manufacturers to show you ways to create something from the heart this holiday season. This 3 day Hop includes over 60 stops with inspiration brimming from every corner. Explore all of the thoughtful and frugal handmade gifts you could create for the holidays, all in one place, during our second annual Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!
To sweeten the Hop, we’re offering a gift for you! For every comment you leave on the blogs in the Hop, you’ll be entered to win a prize pack from one of the participating manufacturer sponsors! Use the Rafflecopter widget on the Clearsnap blog to gain extra entries each day: http://clearsnap.blogspot.com

Visit the list of blogs below and leave a comment on each by Nov 27, 2011 at 11:59 PM PST. Each day we will be sharing a brand new list of blogs with brand new projects for you to explore, be inspired by, and create from!
Clearsnap – http://clearsnap.blogspot.com

Hampton Art - http://blog.hamptonart.com/Graphic45 – http://g45papers.typepad.com/

Fiskateers - www.fiskateers.com/blog

Donna Salazar Designs – http://donnasalazar.typepad.com/

Tombow USA – http://blog.tombowusa.com/

Authentique Paper http://authentiquepaper.blogspot.com/ 

The Twinery - http://www.thetwineryblog.com/

Eileen Hull for Sizzix http://eileenhull.blogspot.com/

Globecraft Memories – http://globecraftmemories.blogspot.com

Kristin Wilson – Graphic 45 -  http://www.kristinwilsonhandmade.com/

Jennie Garcia - Tombow -  earthyscrap.blogspot.com

Gini Williams Cagle - Hampton Art - http://ginicagle.blogspot.com/

Sabrina Alery – Clearsnap – http://Sabrinaalery.blogspot.com ---> you are here!

DeeDee Catron - Globecraft Memories - http://umwowstudio.blogspot.com/

Michelle Grant – Donna Salazar Designs -  http://michellejbg.blogspot.com

Emily Lanham – Authentique Paper -http://www.createserendipity.net

Emma Jeffery – Fiskateers - http://hellobeautifulblog.blogspot.com

Natalie Clause – The Twinery -  http://www.southernbellescharm.com/

Alberto L Juarez – Graphic 45 http://vintageodyssey.blogspot.com/

Vivian Keh - Hampton Art - http://contadinak.wordpress.com/tag/vivian-keh/

Jennifer Priest – Clearsnap – http://hydrangeahippo.blogspot.com
Heather Conklin – Authentique Paper - http://goldiecar.blogspot.com/

I created these stamped coasters using the new Crafter's Ink. They are a super frugal gift as they use no expendable materials (my husband cut a log from our wood pile into slivers) but you could also purchase coasters to stamp as well if you don't have access to power tools. It would be so simple to make many sets in assembly line style.

I really love the rustic texture of the wood combined with the sweetness of the stamps and glitter. Any stamp will work with the Crafter's Ink - the image is permanent and dries within a few moments on porous materials. It also works great on fabric!

Just because you don't spend much to create this gift doesn't mean it isn't thoughtful. All it takes is some pretty packaging to take a simple gift shine.

I tucked a trio of tags inside a wrap that the recipient could reuse as well.They are altered with Design Adhesives, Foils and Mix'd Media Inx. A little Smooch Glitz on the buttons adds just enough sparkle.

And here are the coasters all packaged up and ready to gift.

Clearsnap Supplies: Crafter's Ink - Sweet Pea, Aruba, Limon Mix'd Media Inx Pigment Ink - Leather Mix'd Media Chox Chalk Ink - Sparrow Decades for Graphic 45 Antiquing Dye Ink - Venetian Lace Smooch Glitz - Pink Fizz Design Adhesives - Jolly Greeting, Flurries Designer Foils - Limeburst Other Supplies: Stamps - Hampton Art Cardstock - Bazzill Basics Patterned Paper - Authentique Twine - The Twinery Buttons - Hydrangea Hippo Punches - Fiskars Adhesive - Tombow Other - ribbon, wood coasters

Cheers to creating gifts from the heart this holiday season! Happy Hopping!

Thankful For You Friend

My boys in camo.

I am going to have to start posting our photos and notes here to come back and reference as it seems my mommy brain is letting our memories slip through the cracks! And I never get around to posting photos to Facebook.

Tyler is so proud and loves being able to impart all of his man knowledge onto the boys. Love them <3

Today I have another card to share for the Pink by Design challenge theme. More gingham! But you can link up with any pattern that is your favorite. Add your card to the linky for a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to the PBD store!

I used the Everyday Banners stamp set (quickly becoming a favorite) along with the Gingham Background to create this thankful card. The vellum is stamped with Colorbox Chalk Ink in Chestnut Roan and heat set to dry. The color combo came from a Fiestaware display at Younkers - love those colorful dishes!

Am also linking up to these challenges:
Simon Says Stamp - Thanksgiving/thank you.
My Mind's Eye - Gratitude

 Have a great day!