Sep 28 2010

Out of the Mist: Brayered Reveal Cards

I learned this technique from Rachel Chamberlain, one of the demonstrators in my LovenStampfuls Group.  They are definitely a talented bunch!

The technique definitely works best with BOLD images, such as the gorgeous prairie silhouette in the Just Believe stamp set. Gotta love that the text box image and the words are in the same stamp set!

Technique: Misted Versamark Resist

Use a bold stamp image for this technique.
1. Use a Classic Pad to apply ink directly to Whisper White card stock, covering card stock completely (dark ink colors work best).
2. Working quickly, ink a bold image stamp with Versamark ink, then spritz the inked stamp a few times with Stampin’ Mist.
3. Stamp onto inked card stock and press into paper for 4-5 seconds.
4. Pick up stamp and watch image reveal slowly.

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Stamps: Just Believe
Inks: Concord Crush
Card Stock: Whisper White, Concord Crush, Basic Gray, Blushing Bride
Accessories: Concord Crush 1/2″ Stitched Poly-Ribbon, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Big Shot Die Cut Machine, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch


Aug 12 2010

Friends Never Fade in Greenhouses

This morning during my workout, I couldn’t help but think about the humidity this summer.  If you’re not in central Illinois, you may or may not have had a crazy-humid summer.  When the wet air kicks in at 6:15 in the morning, you know it’s extreme.

Anyway, thinking about running with friends… fading… humidity… greenhouses… it’s all connected in there somewhere, but not necessary coherently at 6:15 am during an exhausting workout, right?  Right?

I think I mentioned one time that Daffodil Delight is my favorite yellow these days–it goes with everything! Here I put it with Poppy Parade, which is one of the new In Colors.

I’ll let you in on a secret… the Greenhouse Gala paper is actually supposed to match Real Red.  But I am so in love with Poppy Parade that I just pretty much ignore the Real Red and go with Poppy Parade.  It works for me :-)

The other trick for this card is that the background is Poppy Parade, and while a very pretty color, it’s pretty dark for writing your greeting.  SO… to get around that, the main card is actually Whisper White and the Poppy Parade piece is a panel stuck to the back of the white card stock.

It looks the same on the front, but opens differently than a normal card.  If you’ve seen my How To Cut Card Stock Video Tutorial already, then all you need to know is that the Real Red layer for this square card is 4-1/4 x 4-1/4″ and the Whisper White piece is 4 x 8″ and folded in half.

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Stamps: Flowers Never Fade
Ink: Poppy Parade and Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Write Markers
Paper: Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Daffodil Delight 1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon


Aug 03 2010

Stamping 101 Video Tutorial: Scallop Circle Tricks

Did you see the Two Step Owl Punch project I posted a few weeks ago?

There was a fun trick that I included, using the Homemade single stamp in the new Stampin’ Up! catalog.  When I ordered that stamp, I wasn’t sure  how I was going to use it, since the center of the stamp says “Homemade & to die for” and I just don’t bake all that often.

But I refused to set it aside, so I came up with a fun trick for getting more out of that sweet single stamp.  I’ll warn you now, you’re going to need to add Homemade to your Wish List, and the new Extra Large Scallop Circle to go along with it!

**TIP** To use the Homemade stamp as a border stamp, try Rocking & Rolling the stamp on your ink pad, rather than normal inking.  Check to be sure you ink the entire scallop and dot ring, plus a small amount of the center image, but don’t ink as far as the “homemade & to die for” sentiment.



To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Stamps: Homemade (116978), Itty Bitty Bits (117056 wood mount or 120060 clear mount), Printed Petals (116679 wood mount or 120444 clear mount)
Ink
: Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait
Paper
: Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper (117167), Chocolate Chip, Peach Parfait, Whisper White, Sahara Sand, Poppy Parade
Accessories
: Two Step Owl Punch (118074), 2 3/8″ Scallop Circle Punch (118874), On Board Books Briefcase (118766), Poppy Parade Poly-Twill Ribbon (119263), Very Vanilla 1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon (119960), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309), Jewels Basic Rhinestones (119246)


Jul 16 2010

Bold Birthdays: Poppy and Peach

Yum, who wouldn’t want a “Peach Parfait” birthday card?  Hmmm… maybe I shouldn’t type blog entries when I’m hungry!

The colors on this card are from the new In Color Collection–Poppy Parade and Peach Parfait. (click here if you missed my In Color Combo Sweet Sampler) And I accented the candle on the Birthday Block image with a Basic Jewel Rhinestone.

The Designer Series Paper Sunny Garden is the perfect complement for these colors, so I had to pull out my new package and make an extra decorating idea with it.  Have you seen the photo on page 175 in the catalog?  I made my own cute Designer Series Paper flags to match.  (gotta love that catalog inspiration!)

They’re done with the Pennant Bigz XL Die for the Big Shot. Very easy! (click here to see some other Pennant projects)

  1. Cut two small triangles for each flag–one from Designer Paper and one from coordinating card stock.
  2. Trim the scallops from the Designer Paper flag
  3. Mount on a bamboo skewer with Tombow Multiadhesive (I love that stuff)
  4. Add a coordinating Brights Button.
  5. Stick in a washed out iced coffee bottle, then wrap with 1-1/4″ Old Olive Striped Grosgrain Ribbon



To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Stamps: Birthday Block (118084), Printed Petals (116679 Wood Mount or 120444 Clear Mount)
Ink: Peach Parfait (119783), Poppy Parade (119782)
Paper: Sunny Garden Designer Series Paper (119831)
Accessories: 1-1/4″ Old Olive Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (115618), Poppy Parade 1/2″ Stitched Poly Ribbon (119263), Jewels Basic Rhinestones (119246)


Jul 13 2010

Who’s Hooting Now? Two Step Owl Punch

Whether you like the whole bird motif or not, I think you’ll find it hard to resist this fabulous new Stampin’ Up! punch!!  Check out the new Two Step Owl Punch — it’s basically 6 punches for the price of one, which is not only a great deal, but also easy to store and super-convenient to use.

I think this is going to take a Video Tutorial to truly show the cool-factor, but for now you’ll have to settle for some pictures and tips.  (check my past Video Tutorials)

First of all, you need to see the actual punch to get an idea of how this works.

See how the little pieces of the Owl all fit together?  To use the punch you can either punch all the pieces in every color paper/card stock, or you can punch just the pieces you need.

For example, on the little Poppy Parade heart (see the sticky Jewels Basic Rhinestone?!), I stuck a little corner of Poppy Parade card stock into my punch and punched just the little heart piece.

Another favorite part of this On Board Briefcase mini album project is the 2 3/8″ Scallop Circle Extra Large punched from Peach Parfait card stock.

Were you wondering how I got that cool stamped design on the scallop punch piece?  Here’s my trick:

**TIP** To use the Homemade stamp as a border stamp, try Rocking & Rolling the stamp on your ink pad, rather than normal inking.  Check to be sure you ink the entire scallop and dot ring, plus a small amount of the center image, but don’t ink as far as the “homemade & to die for” sentiment.

This album is one of my July Stamp Club with Meg projects–we still have one session left in July–it’s Wednesday, July 12th.  Let me know if you’re in central Illinois and you’d like to join us!  You can see some other fun chipboard projects here, including another On Board Briefcase album here.

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Stamps: Homemade (116978), Itty Bitty Bits (117056 wood mount or 120060 clear mount), Printed Petals (116679 wood mount or 120444 clear mount)
Ink: Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait
Paper: Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper (117167), Chocolate Chip, Peach Parfait, Whisper White, Sahara Sand, Poppy Parade
Accessories: Two Step Owl Punch (118074), 2 3/8″ Scallop Circle Punch (118874), On Board Books Briefcase (118766), Poppy Parade Poly-Twill Ribbon (119263), Very Vanilla 1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon (119960), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309), Jewels Basic Rhinestones (119246)


Jul 05 2010

Conquering Concord Crush

Honestly, the first time I saw this super-intense new purple, I wasn’t quite sure what to do with it.

But I knew I’d want to be using the new In Color Concord Crush, so I pulled it out and tried matching it up with other colors.  Actually, I should have just pulled out my new Color Coach first!

The Color Coach is something to add to the first round of your New Catalog Wish List.  You’re going to love it! But since I didn’t have mine handy, I pulled out my #1 favorite new color: Daffodil Delight.

Seriously, I think Daffodil Delight is magic.  It’s actually made up of little chameleon-fairies that subtly change color to match whatever you put next to them.  Because Daffodil Delight goes with EVERYTHING!

You might recognize the basic layout of this card from last week, although I turned it sideways and changed the colors from Pacific Point & Marina Mist to Concord Crush & Daffodil Delight.

To color the flower, I stamped in Staz-On Jet Black ink, then used an AquaPainter with a drop of Concord Crush ink to brush on layers of the deep purple.  (check out another Watercolor Technique that I shared recently)

For the leaves I just used my Pear Pizazz Stampin’ Write Marker to color directly on the Confetti White card stock.  Since this green is more subtle than the Concord, it matched better to get the full-strength color from the marker.


To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Stamps: Because I Care (Level 1 hostess exclusive set)
Inks: Pear Pizazz Stampin’ Write Marker, Concord Crush, Staz-On Jet Black
Paper: Concord Crush, Daffodil Delight, Confetti White
Accessories: Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Folder, Daffodil Delight 1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon, Corner Rounder Punch,


Jul 02 2010

Stampin Up Hydrangea: Was Good, Now Better

If you’re a die-hard Stampin’ Up! fan, then you probably remember the hydrangea stamp from about 10 years ago.  I know it was hugely popular back when I started demonstrating, and there were so many cool techniques for it!

Well the fabulous hydrangea image is back, and it’s easier than ever to use.  Plus it’s FREE!  (and who doesn’t love FREE stamps?)  The new Level 1 hostess stamp set “Because I Care” is one of my favorite new catalog sets.

Here are more reasons you know you’re a Stampin’ Up! die-hard fan:

  1. you know that the NEW catalog came out yesterday! (check the sidebar links on my blog to browse–or click here)
  2. you are REALLY excited about the bigger & better Hostess Stamp Sets (beginning with Level 1 sets the size of the old Level 2 sets!)
  3. you know that a Level 1 Hostess Set means that you can pick it for free when you turn in a $150+ order, book party or workshop

You’re also a Stampin’ Up! die-hard fan if you can identify at least 5 of the 7 new products on my Just Because card (cover up the list–no peeking!):

  • Because I Care hostess-exclusive stamp set
  • Very Vanilla 1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon
  • Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Embossing Folder for Big Shot
  • Pear Pizazz Stampin’ Write Marker (a NEW In Color!)
  • Pacific Point Stampin’ Write Marker (a NEW Brights color!)
  • Marina Mist and Pacific Point card stock

Contact me today to get your copy of the NEW catalog or to set up a time to have your own Stampin’ Up! party!


To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Supplies Feature:
Because I Care stamp set  (available for FREE as a Level 1 Hostess Selection –requires $150 minimum order, party or book party);
Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder for Big Shot Die-Cut Machine (120175, $7.95);
Very Vanilla 1/8” Taffeta Ribbon (119960, $5.95)

New Colors Feature:
Marina Mist
Pacific Point
Pear Pizazz