Thursday, January 31, 2013

You & Me


Today I'm soaking up the sunshine...all -48 degrees Celsius of it!  Brrr....I have dreams of sunshine, grass, and blue skies on my mind today - possibly inspiration for my next card!

Anyhow, I thought I would share this little frame I whipped up in My Digital Studio.  I had seen the idea on Pinterest quite some time ago and had it stored away in my memory bank for a Valentine's Day post.  I think it would make for a fantastic wedding or anniversary gift with a truly personalized touch.  My plan is to hang this one over the fireplace in our bedroom along with a couple of pictures of the two of us.

I sized my canvas in MDS to 8" x 10" - but I would suggest sizing it a little smaller if you want it to fit a little better within an 8" x 10" frame.  Lesson learned - I'll now have to find a frame slightly larger, or re-size and reprint the image.  I think it might look fantastic in a floating frame...

If you have My Digital Studio or are thinking of taking the plunge, now might be the perfect time!  From now until February 12th, many Digital Content Discs are on sale for $1.00 each!  This is a crazy good deal since this discs originally ranged in price from $25-$38 per disc!

Keep in mind that these discs can only be purchase through the Clearance Rack.  Click the Shop My Online Store button, then the Clearance Rack link, then Digital Content Discs to make your purchase(s).  I've already placed my order, now its YOUR turn!

Until next time...
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Wednesday, January 30, 2013

A Cold Winter's Day


Super cold here in my corner of the world today.  Over the next few days were expected to dip below the -40 Celsius mark with the wind chill.  Sounds like a good time to stay put and get a few inside things done!

Today I'm sharing two CAS cards with you.  They both use the same masking technique but one card uses a Non-SU stamp (gasp!!) and the other the lovely house from SU's Christmas Lodge set.  My Mom bought this stamp set a while back and I've been drooling over it, wondering should I borrow it, shouldn't I borrow it...well you can guess how that turned out!  So, I decided that if I were to use it and share it with my readers, I'd better be able to show the same layout and technique using a similar Stampin' Up! set.  I must say I'm pretty happy with both results!  I decided to not put sentiment's on either card for now - I think the upper card has the possibility of being a masculine birthday card, or even an anniversary card for nuptials celebrated in the winter months.  For this reason I'll set them aside and stamp when the perfect occasion for them arrives. :)


Supplies:

Stamp sets: Christmas Lodge
Cardstock: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake
Ink: Basic Black, Midnight Muse
Accessories: Stampin' write markers, sponges, Dazzling Diamonds, Snail adhesive, 2 way glue pen

Until next time...
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Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Carving Love


Hi Everyone!

I took a four day break from blogging this past weekend while my husband and I got some much needed "away time".  My parents took the boys for a couple nights while we visited a local, world renowned spa.  It was absolutely wonderful and did I mention much needed????  LOL

Anyway, I'm back with a few new ideas I hope to share over the next few posts.  Valentines Day is fast approaching so I thought I would turn the blog's focus in that direction for a bit - beginning with a card I made for my hubby.  I've always found the idea of carving one's initial's in trees romantic so I tried to recreate it with paper...not so easy as it turns out to make paper actually look carved...LOL but I think I came close!  Keep reading as I share a couple tips and tricks that will teach you how to "carve" your own heart!

Supplies:

Stamp sets: Bloomin' Marvelous (2013 Sale-a-bration)
Cardstock: Island Indigo, Early Espresso Core'dinations (Holiday mini), Lucky Limenade, Melon Mambo, Summer Smooches DSP
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Woodgrain embossing folder, Honeycomb embossing folder, Heart to Heart punch (retired), Fashionable Hearts Embosslits, white gel pen, 1 1/4" circle punch, Stampin' Sanding System

Sometimes embossing folders can be a bit tricky to use.  The impressions they leave on cardstock can be so deep that they often tear the paper, ruining your project.  One way to help the depth of the impression is to switch from running the EF through on Tab #2 (as suggested) to NO TAB on your Big Shot.  If this doesn't fix the problem, place a thin piece of vellum cardstock in the embossing folder along with your cardstock, then run through the Big Shot on NO TAB again.  Presto, you should have no more rips!  (Many thanks to the other demo's that through trial and error figured this out and shared with everyone!!)

To make the tree trunk on this card, first punch out 4 of the same hearts from the Heart to Heart punch (oh why oh why did they discontinue this punch??) then stack and glue them together.  Cut a piece of Early Espresso Core'dinations cardstock roughly 2 1/2" x 4 1/4".  In the Woodgrain embossing folder lay the Core'dinations cardstock down then place the punched heart stack on top, followed by the Vellum cardstock on top of that.  Run through the Big Shot on NO TAB.  After removing the cardstock from the embossing folder lightly run the sanding block from the Sanding System over top of the raised edges.  With a white gel pen add the arrow and initial's.  Tear all the edges on the trunk to make it look a little more realistic.  Finish off by adding a branch off to one side of the trunk to hold the swinging hearts.

Until next time...
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Thursday, January 24, 2013

Facebook Timeline in MDS


Hi Everyone!

Both my boys have been sick (yet again....) so the last few days have been filled with laundry and disinfecting duties.  While I haven't been able to spend much time in my stamp room I can still play around My Digital Studio 2 sitting at the kitchen table with a sleeping baby on my knee...(they don't call women multi-taskers for nothing LOL).

I've been toying with the idea of updating my Blog Banner but up to this point can't decide what I should change it to look like.  I thought the best place to practice would be to play with the Timeline Cover Photo in Facebook.  I enjoyed this so much I think I'll make it a monthly update on my Facebook Fan Page.  One of the features I love about MDS is the opportunity to be as simple or as elaborate as you'd like.

If you would like to try this yourself I'll share with you the way I did it.  I know that there are a few ways of doing this - this was the way I found easiest (its also the same way I created my Blog Banner as well).  Open a new project in MDS2 and choose Custom Project.  When it opens, choose 11" x 8 1/2" option then Create Project.  From here name your project and its saving location and your ready to begin.  Add your background papers, stamps, photos, and embellishments.  Keep your design to the upper half (4") of your sheet or it will be cut off when you load it into Facebook.  Another little tip is to not put any elements in the bottom left corner of your design.  This is where your profile picture sits and any elements will be hid if located there.  When your done designing click File and Save.  Next, click Project - Share - Export Pages.  Export to JPG.  Change the size to Small (1100 pixels x 850 pixels).  Now its as simple as Change Cover Photo when your in Facebook!  If you find you are having issues with the size you can always open the file in Photoshop, crop, and re-size your image to 851 pixels x 315 pixels (FB cover photo size) before dropping it into Facebook.

If your curious about the elements I used in this design they are as follows:
Background: Tempting Turquoise Small Polka Dot
Stamps: Forever Young, bird from Elementary Elegance
Embellishments: Black zig zag stitching

Well, that's all for today.  If you haven't checked out my Facebook Fan Page yet, please do.  I try to post a few additional projects and tips on there when I can.  I have a direct link to my page on the right hand side column.  If you have any questions, please feel free to ask and I'll try my best to help!

Until next time...
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Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Sale-a-bration!!!


Good Morning!

Today is a special day at Stampin' Up! - its the first day of Sale-a-bration!  So what does this mean for you, you ask?


When you make a purchase during the Sale-a-bration period of $60 before shipping and taxes you can choose any one item from the Sale-a-bration catalogue for FREE!!  There is no limit, so the more you spend the more you get for free! You can check out the online brochure HERE.

My favorite SAB product this time around has to be the Feeling Sentimental set!  I've shared one card with you already using the set  called LONELY PHONE BOOTH and I have another one that I'll share with you soon in an upcoming post.  I love the vintage look of this set and think I'll be using it often!

What is YOUR favorite SAB product??

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Monday, January 21, 2013

Birthday Box Fit for a Princess


In my last post I said I would be sharing the little gift that accompanied the Cinderella's Carriage card so here it is - an Explosion Box!  These are the cutest little surprise boxes anyone young or old could receive.  The concept is so simple and the possibilities are endless to what you can put inside!

So what is an "Explosion Box" you may be wondering?  Well, when you lift the lid on this little box this is what happens:
How special is that?? The box pops completely open to reveal tiny gifts for the recipient!  Because this was a Princess themed party and I had already made a card featuring the Pumpkin Carriage from Cinderella, I continued with the same theme when I designed the box.  I found a cute little girls jewelry set along with Cinderella figurine that was the perfect size to fit inside the box.  Cinderella's pop up castle was the finishing touch!

Supplies:

Stamp sets: A Word for You
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Baja Breeze, Birds of a Feather DSP
Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Simply Scored scoring tool, Fun Flowers Bigz die, Sticky Strip, Tombow liquid adhesive, glue dots, large oval punch, heart to heart punch, paper snips, sponge

To make the lid:
Begin with a piece of cardstock measuring 6" x 6"; score all sides at 7/8".  On opposite sides of the cardstock, cut up the vertical score line until you meet the horizontal score line.  Apply sticky strip to each tab on the right side of the cardstock and adhere all corners together.  Decorate as desired.  If you choose to stamp on the lid, do so before adhering the sides together.

To make the box bottom:
Begin with a piece of 12" x 12" cardstock.  Score at 4" and 8".  Turn the paper a quarter turn and repeat the scores.  With snips, cut away the 4 corners of the cardstock.  Decorate both sides of the box as desired.

I used glue dots to secure each item inside my box.  The pop up castle was stabilized by folding a tab on the bottom of the castle first.  On the decorative cardstock I cut a slit long enough for the castle tab to slide through then glued the tab from beneath with Tombow.  I don't have a pattern for the castle - I cut a rectangle approximately 4 1/2" long by 3" high then scored at 1", 1 1/4", 3 1/4", 3 1/2".  The first fold is a valley fold, then a mountain fold, another mountain fold, and finally a valley fold.  I used snips to create the turrets on each side of the castle, then sponged all the edges in Chocolate Chip ink.

Hoped you enjoyed this one!  What would you put inside your Explosion Box?
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Friday, January 18, 2013

Your Birthday Carriage Awaits...


Friday, lovely wonderful Friday!

I may have mentioned in a previous post or two how I jump with joy at the opportunity to create for little girls.  I'm by no means a frilly, lacy, or pink kinda gal but it is a welcome change now and again from dirt, toy cars, and more dirt.  The boys are invited to a little girl's birthday this weekend and the theme is Disney Princesses.  My mind started creating immediately - I knew punch art had to be worked in the card somewhere...after some thought Cinderella's Carriage seemed a perfect idea!

Supplies:

Stamp sets: A Word For You
Cardstock: Glossy White, Brushed Gold, Very Vanilla, Certainly Celery, Wisteria Wonder
Ink: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Wisteria Wonder, Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Illuminate Glimmer Pad, Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder, Framelits Oval collection, Fun Flowers Bigz die, Naturally Serif die (retired), sponges, 2 1/2" circle punch, Heart to Heart punch (retired), white gel pen, Real Red marker, dimensionals, Tombow adhesive

I will mention that this card is over sized - the finished dimensions are 7 1/2" x 5".  For this reason, I made it into a postcard style card.  The background behind the carriage is entirely sponged; the sky was done in Pretty in Pink with Wisteria Wonder layered over top.  The grass line is Old Olive, Soft Suede, and Chocolate Chip.  Stars were added to the sky using a white gel pen.

To create the Carriage, cut 1 large oval (3rd to largest in the set), and 2 slightly smaller ovals (4th to largest in the set), sponge the edges with Crumb Cake then glue them together with Tombow to create the pumpkin shape.  The carriage door is made using the second to smallest oval cut from Brushed Gold and the smallest oval cut from Very Vanilla.  Cut the smallest oval in half then draw on curtains with a Real Red marker.  Add the little girl's initial to the bottom portion of the oval then sponged the edges of both pieces with Crumb Cake before assembling.  The leaves and stem at the bottom of the carriage are made with portions of flowers cut from the Fun Flowers Bigz die in Certainly Celery.  Sponge the edges to add dimension.  Cut another flower from Brushed Gold and cut one petal out of the flower to add to the top of the carriage.  Punch 4 - 2 1/2" circles from Brushed Gold cardstock.  Cut a spiral shape out of each circle, 2 larger and 2 slightly smaller.  Adhere to the carriage with Tombow.  When glue is completely dry, use dimensionals to attach the carriage to the card background.  Layer the background on top of a piece of Wisteria Wonder cardstock and add hearts punch from Brushed Gold to each of the corners.

So what do you think?  Is this carriage fit for a Princess?  I'll post the little gift I made to go along with this card on Monday - I'll give you a hint - it could possibly be Princess themed too! LOL

Have a wonderful weekend!
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Thursday, January 17, 2013

Stampin' Up! Promo Re-cap

Hi All!

Stampin' Up! has so many great offers and promo's on the go right now!  I'm so excited with all the new opportunities I thought it would be to everyone's benefit (ok maybe more for me so I can keep them all straight LOL) to put them all in one post so everything could be easily accessed in one place and nothing missed!

BEST OF 25 YEARS STAMPS
As part of our 25-year anniversary celebration, we’re bringing back some of our favorite stamp images from the last quarter century and combining them into 12 sets, which will release—one set per month—during 2013. Even better, along with some great classic images, each “Best of” set will also include a never-before-seen image!

Some things to remember:
  • All Best of stamp sets will include 3-5 images, including a never-before seen image, and will be priced at $17.95
  • While we are releasing just one Best of stamp set per month (with a new theme each month), all of the Best of sets will be available until March 31, 2014.
  • A new flyer will be released every month for each new Best of set.
  • All Best of stamp sets are available in Clear-Mount only.
While we are releasing just one Best of stamp set per month, all of the Best of sets will be available until March 31, 2014.

As a special incentive to collect the Best of stamps, starting in February we’re including a collector’s card and 25-year proof of purchase sticker with every Best of set. Collect six stickers, and send it in to redeem a FREE set of your choice valued up to $17.95! Free sets must be redeemed no later than April 30, 2014.



January - Best of Birthday's set
More Single Image Stamps released!

Ten Never-Before-Seen Images!

You wanted more? You got more! We’ve had a great response so far to our experiment with single stamps. So much so that we are making ten more never-before-seen images available as single stamps available through March 31, 2013.




Sweep away the mundane-your creativity carriage awaits!

I'm Paper Pumpkin . . .
I come to your door each month (a fully decked-out creativity carriage). I'll help you to escape your life with some paper fun.
I come in a sweet box, but you'll really love what you find on the inside:
All the stamps, ink, paper, and accessories to create pinable projects. Create stuff like cards, journals, décor, and more!
Paper Pumpkin by Stampin' Up! is a new monthly kit program that anyone (even you) can enjoy!
Get Started
It's so easy to get started. Simply sign up for the program starting Monday, January 14 by visiting www.mypaperpumpkin.com and click Get it. Every month a new, surprise project kit arrives at your doorstep. Just think of the anticipation of creating a fun project to pin, showoff, and share with your friends and family-every month!

Of course, you'll want to know more. So here's the nitty gritty:
  • Each month we send you a unique, surprise kit with a project-cards, journals, décor, and more! (We've even colour-coordinated, measured, and cut everything for you!)
  • Each kit includes stamps, ink, paper, and accessories-everything but adhesive.
  • Each kit gives you and your customer a 30-minute creativity escape.
  • We will ship your Paper Pumpkin on or around the 15th of the month.  
  • You need to sign up for a kit by the 10th of the month to get that month's kit. If you sign up on the 11th of the month, your first kit will come the next month. (Let's say you sign up on May 10th, we'll send your kit around May 15th. If you sign up on May 11th, we'll send your first kit around June 15th.)
  • A Paper Pumpkin membership $24.95 per month (and shipping is included!) 
  • There's no commitment, you can cancel your monthly Paper Pumpkin at anytime. You can also skip a month if you want.
  • Starting in early March, we'll offer a Try-It kit if you'd like to try Paper Pumpkin for one month.
Here's How You Order
Sign up for your monthly Paper Pumpkin starting Monday, January 14 by visiting www.mypaperpumpkin.com and click Get it.  

Starting in early March, you can try Paper Pumpkin for one month by visiting our online store.

A Free Gift in Your Very First Kit
The Welcome Kit is the very first Paper Pumpkin you will receive in your first month of membership. The Welcome Kit includes a free gift-a clear acrylic block


Here's a look at what your first kit will include when it arrives on your doorstep!

When you sign up for your Paper Pumpkin at www.mypaperpumpkin.com, don't forget to select me (Melissa Banbury, Fort Qu'Appelle, Sk.) as your demonstrator.  Once your signed up please send me an email at mmp12_98@yahoo.com to let me know you've signed up (right now the system DOES NOT notify demonstrators when a customer registers for the program).

And one more thing: SALE-A-BRATION time!!!!

Were only a few short days away from the most wonderful time of the year!  Beginning January 22 for every $60 (before shipping and tax) order you place you can choose from a huge selection of products FOR FREE!!  Can't wait!

Whew!  Told ya there was lots!  I didn't even mention the Valentine Promo that's going on until January 21st or the new 'Dude, Your Welcome" kit!  If you'd like to check out any of these promo's a little further, please click HERE to be re-directed to my online store.  Be sure to email me with any questions you may have!

Until next time...


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Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Valentine Fortune Cookies


Hi Everyone!

Today I thought I'd share a fun, easy, and quick little project for Valentines Day.  Who wouldn't love to receive a little Fortune Cookie with a special message inside??  I think these would make the cutest favors at a baby or wedding shower, or even just a huge bowlful as a centerpiece!  Or an even better idea for any crafty men out there - a favor that reads "Will You Marry Me"...I promise that will be one fortune cookie that NEVER gets thrown away!

Supplies:

Stamp sets: MDS to create and print out fortunes
Cardstock: your choice of DSP
Ink: none
Accessories: 2 1/2" circle punch, glue dots


There are tons of sayings you can put inside the cookies if you Google "Valentine Sayings or Quotes".  A few I used were "Be My Valentine" and "You Complete Me".  On the funnier side, "I Love You More than Bacon" and "Your Weird - I Like You"...the possibilities are endless to have some fun with this little project!

Until next time...
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Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Faux Mother of Pearl


This is another card I demonstrated at this past weekend's card club class.  It features the Faux Mother of Pearl technique.  I LOVE the vintage feel this technique creates; and the flower image from the Elements of Style really lends itself to the vintage feeling as well.  This set has become a fast favorite of mine!

Supplies:

Stamps sets: Elements of Style
Cardstock: Glossy White, Very Vanilla, Summer Starfruit
Ink: Black Staz-on, Soft Suede
Accessories: Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint, sponges, heat gun, Early Espresso baker's twine, Stampin' Write markers, mini brads, Brights designer buttons, Lacy Brocade embossing folder, plastic wrap, Tombow adhesive, paper towel

Begin with a piece of Glossy White cardstock.  Stamp image using Black Staz-On ink to prevent smearing.  Heat set to speed up the drying time.  Color image using markers or a blender pen and ink pad; heat set again.
On a paper plate drop one or two drops of Shimmer Paint.  With a piece of plastic wrap that has been gently rolled into a ball, dip it into the shimmer paint and begin dabbing over your image and entire piece of cardstock.  You want to leave some white space to achieve the right effect. Once you've completed this step, heat set again.  Once COMPLETELY dry, lightly rub Soft Suede ink with a sponge over the entire piece of cardstock.  Immediately take a piece of paper towel or cloth and rub the excess ink off of the spots where the shimmer paint is, allowing the shimmer to show through.

I think this would make a spectacular wedding card, don't you?

Here's a close up of the Shimmer - stunning in person!
Until my next post...
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Monday, January 14, 2013

Exciting New Promotions!

 
I just couldn't wait until tomorrow's post to share some fabulous promotions that have been released from Stampin' Up! over the last few days!
 
First up is a monthly kit oppurtunity!
 

It's a Magical Paper Escape Every Month!



Sweep away the mundane-your creativity carriage awaits!
I'm Paper Pumpkin . . .
I come to your door each month (a fully decked-out creativity carriage). I'll help you to escape your life with some paper fun.
I come in a sweet box, but you'll really love what you find on the inside:
All the stamps, ink, paper, and accessories to create pinable projects. Create stuff like cards, journals, décor, and more!
Paper Pumpkin by Stampin' Up! is a new monthly kit program that anyone can enjoy!
Get Started
It's so easy to get started. Simply sign up for the program starting Monday, January 14 by visiting www.mypaperpumpkin.com and click Get it. Every month a new, surprise project kit arrives at your doorstep. Just think of the anticipation of creating a fun project to pin, showoff, and share with your friends and family-every month!
Of course, you'll want to know more. So here's the nitty gritty:
  • Each month we send you a unique, surprise kit with a project-cards, journals, décor, and more! (We've even colour-coordinated, measured, and cut everything for you!)
  • Each kit includes stamps, ink, paper, and accessories-everything but adhesive.
  • Each kit gives you and your customer a 30-minute creativity escape.
  • We will ship your Paper Pumpkin on or around the 15th of the month.
  • You need to sign up for a kit by the 10th of the month to get that month's kit. If you sign up on the 11th of the month, your first kit will come the next month. (Let's say you sign up on May 10th, we'll send your kit around May 15th. If you sign up on May 11th, we'll send your first kit around June 15th.)
  • A Paper Pumpkin membership $24.95 per month (and shipping is included!) 
  • There's no commitment, you can cancel your monthly Paper Pumpkin at anytime. You can also skip a month if you want.
  • Starting in early March, we'll offer a Try-It kit if you'd like to try Paper Pumpkin for one month.
To sign up for your monthly Paper Pumpkin starting Monday, January 14 visit www.mypaperpumpkin.com and click Get it.

Also brand-new:

Guys don't always have the easiest time expressing themselves, but with the Dude, You're Welcome! kit, they'll have
  • Four wood-mount stamps (double-mounted) with the perfect sentiment for every occasion
  • Twelve 4" x 6" postcards in four different (manly) colors
  • Twelve gray envelopes
  • A Basic Gray Classic Stampin' Pad
  • An instructional guide (for the most novice stamper!)
Basically, the kit includes everything a dude needs to create the perfect manly card that any woman would adore, all packaged in an appropriately masculine box.
Dude, You're Welcome!

Dude, You're Welcome!
Item# 132807    $30.95
 
There was also 10 never before seen images released into Single Stamps and are available from today through to March 31st only!  Please visit my online store HERE to see the full list!
 
Pretty exciting, hey?  See you next time!

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Velveteen Meadow

Good Monday Morning!

I hope you all had a great weekend!  I celebrated my birthday over the weekend and was given the best gift a Mom could EVER receive!  My In laws watched the boys for the entire day - I was able to catch up on some much needed housework and get a jump start on some stamping projects I'm working on.  Sometimes a day alone is just what the doctor ordered!  I also had a card class this weekend - this is one of the techniques I demonstrated called Velveteen Stamping.

Supplies:

Stamp sets: Summer Silhouettes, A Word for You
Cardstock: Primrose Petals, Gumball Green, Whisper White
Ink: White Staz-On, Primrose Petals, Raspberry Ripple, Rich Razzleberry, Gumball Green
Accessories: Square Lattice embossing folder, Brights Buttons, Island Indigo ribbon from the ribbon/button pack offered in this years Sale-a-Bration flyer, snail, dimensionals

To create this technique, follow this simple process.  On a piece of Whisper White cardstock stamp a background image using White Staz-On ink.  I don't have a full background stamp so I created my own using the lattice border image from the Summer Silhouettes set.  Heat set the ink to be sure it is fully dry before continuing onto the next step.  Choose solid color images and stamp over the white ink.  Voila!  The white ink subtlety peeks through the solid color ink revealing a pretty, layered image!

Have a great day everyone!
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Thursday, January 10, 2013

Lonely Phone Booth



Hi Everyone!

After two days of sitting in front of the computer trying to adjust HTML codes and widgets and other terms I don't think I'll ever understand, I managed to make a few changes to my blog.  You'll now find that when you hover over a card image the "P" from Pinterest will appear, making it super easy to pin any inspiration you find within my blog.  I've also added Social Media buttons to the top right column which makes it even easier to connect with me across the web.  Finally I've added a Blog Button that you can grab for your own blog, if you like.  I hope to visit some of my favorite blogs and add them to my site in the upcoming days - if you have a button, please let me know!  I'd love to check out your blogs too!

I haven't had much time to create over the last couple days and I've made a promise to myself that I won't sit to make a card when I feel rushed or not in a creative mood.  I don't want to make a card for this blog just for the sake of saying I made a card.  I want to share creations I'm proud of and unfortunately inspiration doesn't always find me when I'd like.  Today however, I was itching to stamp.  So with my 3 year old in tow (oh, so not fun...I now have ink on him, a blanket, and a pillow!) we stamped the afternoon away.  I had planned on making this into a tutorial, but it just wasn't meant to be with my "helper" helping today :(

I snapped a picture at the beginning of making this card just so you could see how I sketch out my idea onto paper with pencil before I start sponging and coloring.
Supplies:

Stamp sets: Feeling Sentimental (Sale-a-Bration)
Cardstock: Watercolor paper, Cherry Cobbler, Pool Party, Early Espresso
Ink: Black Staz-on, Pool Party, Baja Breeze, Sahara Sand, Basic Gray
Accessories: Stampin' write markers, sponges, blender pen, snail adhesive

I loved this set the moment I seen it in the Sale-a-Bration brochure.  It really lends itself to the watercolor look I was going for when I sat down to make this card.  If you'd like to recreate this image yourself, begin by sponging all the stone with Sahara Sand then shade with Basic Gray.  All the deeper shadows are created with the aid of markers.  Its a process that takes time; I add a little color at a time and blend it with a blender pen until I reach the desired result.  I chose not to put a sentiment on this card so that when the right occasion and person came along I could add it then.  If you have any questions on the process, please leave a comment; I'd love to help!

Thanks for spending a few minutes with me!  Until my next post...
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Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Footprints in the Sand


Hi Everyone!

Well, I have visions of a lovely beach scene in my mind today.  The temperature isn't all that bad here but the wind is creating its own little blizzard in my front yard.  Ick, that's all I have to say about that. LOL

Anyone that knows me knows I love love love my dog.  He was a birthday gift from my husband the year before our first son was born.  I already had his name picked out before we even picked him up from the breeder - before we even knew whether we would be able to get a male or female.  Yup, its lucky we got the last male or I'd have a female Boston Terrier named Stanford.  The breeder promised a calm, lovable lap dog.  Well, 2 out of 3 isn't bad, is it??  He's grown into a 25 lb "lap dog" who is definitely lovable but by no means calm!  And of course as is probably with most Boston Terriers, he has a face only a momma could love :)  He's a constant companion who loves unconditionally and is super great with my kids - I wouldn't trade him for the world!


When I sat down to make this card and finished with the footprints, I couldn't help but think they looked a little lonely.  Now they look just a little happier with a set of puppy prints.  Inspiration really does hit you at the oddest moments-I sure didn't think I'd be blogging about my dog today!

Supplies:

Stamp sets: Word Play
Cardstock: Whisper White, Pool Party, Crumb Cake
Ink: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Pool Party, Baja Breeze, Midnight Muse
Accessories: White gel pen, sponges, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Early Espresso markers, Piercing tool and piercing pack, Pool Party seam binding ribbon, Stampin dimensionals

I began by masking off the water portion of the card.  I sponged Crumb Cake then Soft Suede to create the sand.  With the fine tip of Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, and Early Espresso markers I dotted the sand to add dimension.  I then removed the mask and sponged Pool Party as the first layer of the water.  I left a small portion along the shoreline white to give the impression of a surf on the sand.  Layer on Baja Breeze and Midnight Muse to add depth to the water.  Waves were added with a white gel pen.
The footprints were sketched onto the sand first with a pencil, then colored in with a Crumb Cake marker; shadows were added with a Soft Suede marker.

Hope you enjoyed this one!  All this talk of my puppy makes me want to go snuggle up with him, see you next time!
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Monday, January 7, 2013

Reverse Masking Sympathy

Hello All!

My weekend fell a little short of the expectations I had for it.  For that reason, I'm digging into my archives again so I could share with you today.  I made this Sympathy card just before Christmas for one of the women in my card class who lost her Father-In-Law.  One of my goals in the upcoming year is to have a few occasion cards on hand so that I can just grab, sign, and mail.  Unfortunately I'm not that organized yet, so for quick inspiration I found a card very similar to this on Pinterest, changed the colors, and was able to pop it in the mail 20 minutes later.

Supplies:

Stamp sets: Thoughts and Prayers, Blooming with Kindness
Cardstock: Midnight Muse, Very Vanilla
Ink: Midnight Muse
Accessories: Framelits Labels Collection, Pearl basic jewels, Midnight Muse Satin stitched ribbon, piercing pack/tool, Paper piercing pack, sponges, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Sticky Strip, dimensionals

To create the reverse mask, cut out a frame from the Framelits Label Collection.  Using the negative portion, sponge Midnight Muse inside the cut out.  Sponge the edges darker, fading inwards towards the middle, using circular motions with the sponge.  Remove mask and stamp the flower and the sentiment using a Stamp-a-ma-jig for perfect alignment.  Using a paper piercing tool and the NEW paper piercing pack that came out in the Holiday mini, pierce around the inside of the sponged portion.  Assemble, adding ribbon along the bottom and pearls in each of the corners.  A simple, quick, and elegant Sympathy card.

Until next time,  


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Friday, January 4, 2013

Masked Sentiment Tutorial

 

Happy New Year!

What better way to celebrate a brand new year than with a new Mini Catalog and my 100th post!  I'm so excited over all the new products the Spring Mini has to offer.  I've already added quite a few stamp sets and accessories to my collection and can't wait to start creating with them all!  If your interested in seeing the new products, please just click on the link to the left to be taken directly to the catalog!

Today's card is a simple one, known in the stamp world as a CAS card (Clean and Simple).  I've done a quick tutorial to show you how to create your own masked sentiment.  Hope you can follow along!

Supplies:

Stamp sets: Oh, Hello
Cardstock: Whisper White
Ink: none
Accessories: Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Primrose Petals, Old Olive markers, Large Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Simply Scored Scoring tool, Stampin Dimensionals, Stamp-a-ma-jig

 Begin with a piece of Whisper White cardstock measuring 5" x 3 3/4".  Mask with a post it note 2" down from the top of the cardstock.

Randomly stamp the flower stamp from the Oh, Hello set on top of the masked portion of the cardstock.  Begin by inking the stamp with So Saffron and Old Olive, then Pretty in Pink and Old Olive, and finally Primrose Petals and Old Olive.

 When you are completed on the first side, remove mask, flip cardstock around and re-mask at 2" again.  Repeat the same stamping process.

 Remove mask.  You should now have something that looks like this.

With a Simply Scored tool, score inside the panel area on both the top and bottom.

Using a Stamp-a-ma-jig stamp the sentiment inside the panel.  In this case the upper word is inked with Primrose Petals and the lower with Pretty in Pink.

Finish off the card front with two Large Rhinestones on either side of the sentiment.  Adhere the card front to a Whisper White card base using Stampin Dimensionals.

Hope you liked this one!  I would love to know what you think of the new Spring Mini so please leave a comment below!  I'll be back next week with some more little gems from the new catty!

Have a wonderful weekend!!
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