Posts Tagged ‘Spotlighting Technique’
Pleasant Poppies Gift Bag: I *heart* watercoloring
Pleasant Poppies is another of the gorgeous full-size images currently available from Stampin’ Up! (see it online – 129499). Last week I mentioned a few tips for using large stamps on small projects. Today I have a couple more technique tips for you: the Spotlighting Technique and a Watercolor Refresher! Both techniques are wrapped up in this paper lunch sack turned into a Gift Bag.
This project was actually one from my Stamps in the Mail Club during the last round. If you haven’t ever participated, get ready for the next round. Signups begin in April for the May Round!
Spotlighting Technique
Spotlighting is a nice way to highlight a certain part of a larger stamp, like with Pleasant Poppies or Swallowtail.
- Stamp your large image on the background.
- Stamp again on scrap paper and use a Circle Punch to punch out the piece(s) you’d like to highlight.
- Color the circles differently from the background and match them back onto your main image.
Here are a few more Spotlighting Technique card ideas on my blog.
Refresher Technique Focus: Watercolor
Watercolor Wonder Crayons (WWC) combined with an Aquapainter or paintbrush allow an artist to create realistic watercolor effects. Here are few pointers to perfecting your technique:
- Gently wipe the wet tip of the AQP across the end of the WWC, picking up color
- Begin with the lightest color layer: use a light touch and extra water to thin out your color
- Add a 2nd color layer, either of the same tone or different. Be sure to leave some of the lightest layer showing
- Add a 3rd color layer as the darkest layer, using the most pigment from the crayon and the least amount of water
- Consider your shadows – which direction does the light in your picture shine? Objects with a shadow around the outer stamped black line look more dimensional and realistic
Curious about how the gift bag works? I have a Video Tutorial that shows how to make these Card Topper Gift Bags.
And be sure to check for more Pleasant Poppies ideas on my blog!
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Supplies: Stamps: Pleasant Poppies, Curly Cute; Inks: Jet Black Staz-On Ink; Cardstock: Watercolor Paper, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White, Pacific Point; Accessories: Sycamore Street Ribbon (Sale-A-Bration gift), Jumbo Rhinestone, Pacific Point Stitched Ribbon, Watercolor Wonder Crayons – Brights Collection, Aqua Painters, Distressing Tool (optional – Spring Catalog), 1 ¼” Circle Punch, 1 ¾” Circle Punch
Subscribe to the comments for this postWorld Treasures: Pretty as a peacock
As a demonstrator, I often participate in idea swaps where I stamp 20 or so of the same card idea, then trade them with 20 other demonstrators so that I end up with 20 new ideas. It’s just one of the things I love about being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator — sharing ideas (see other reasons I love it).
This card is one I created for a demonstrator swap before the new catalog came out. The stamp set is World Treasures (see it online) and I love the sentiment almost as much as I love the peacock! World Treasures is from the International Bizaar Product Suite (see it online) and the DSP in this suite is was featured by Stampin’ Up! on our Disney Incentive Trip pillow gifts!
I’m also loving the Fancy Fan Embossing Folder (also new — see it) and the Apothecary Accents Framelits (see them online) which are a perfect match for the shape of the sentiment in this stamp set. Gotta love Stampin’ Up! and the coordinating products!!
The colors here are new In Colors — Midnight Muse, Summer Starfruit and Primrose Pink. Yup, same colors that I used yesterday for my Make A Cake birthday tag.
And a nice way to highlight a certain part of a larger stamp — try the Spotlighting Technique. Use a Circle Punch and punch out another image in a different color, then match it up to your main image. (see other examples of the technique from my blog)
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Excitement Overload: It’s Here!
Let’s see… what are my top 5 days of the Stampin’ Up! year?
- First Day of the New Annual Catalog
- First day of Stampin’ Up! Convention
- Hostess Appreciation Night
- First day of a new Mini Catalog
- FIRST DAY OF SALE-A-BRATION!!
And that last one is TODAY–the first day of Sale-A-Bration. Here’s a card using the Bliss stamp set which is my favorite free Sale-A-Bration selection:
The stamp set I used here is Bliss, one of the fabulous new Sale-A-Bration choices. If you’ve never been part of Sale-A-Bration, then get ready to be excited! If you’ve been a stamper for awhile, you’re already excited for this sale to begin!! When you order $50 during Sale-A-Bration (before tax/shipping, Jan. 25 – Mar. 31), you get to pick out a free item from the Sale-A-Bration Mini Catalog!! (Click here to download the Sale-A-Bration Mini Catalog)
Check out all the benefits of Sale-A-Bration here…
***PLUS when you place your Sale-A-Bration order with me this month, I’ll send you a FREE 4-project Inspiration & Idea Sheet featuring the new Sale-A-Bration item of your choice. You’ll get one I&I sheet free for each $50 you order through me. So start your Wish List now, and shop online (or send me email) beginning January 25th!
Check out the Inspiration & Idea Sheet selections…
For this Bliss card, I used colors from the Botanical Gazette Designer Series Paper (see it online — from the Occasions Mini Catalog): Crumb Cake, Not Quite Navy, and Early Espresso. The greeting stamp (love life…live life) is from one of my favorite new sets — You’re a Gem (see it online).
** Technique Tip ** The butterfly is highlighted with the Spotlighting technique to create a focal point:
- Stamp the butterfly from Bliss first in Early Espresso on the background
- Stamp it again in Not Quite Navy on a piece of scrap paper
- Punch part of the butterfly with a 1″ Circle Punch
- Mount with a Stampin Dimensional exactly over the same portion of the background image
Have fun browsing the Sale-A-Bration Mini Catalog and planning your first order! Pick out which (or all!) of the Sale-A-Bration gifts you’d like first. I’ll be ready to share an Idea & Inspiration Sheet with you for each $50 you order!
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Pretty Peppermints for Perfect Presents
These would make great gift tags, or use them as a small gift by themselves!
The candy holder is made from the Two Tags Big Shot Die, and the tag trick is borrowed from a tag Make N Take from the Stampin’ Up! Convention several years ago.
I love the “spotlighting” technique for the words on the tag. The technique turns a relatively plain tag into a fun focal point. (Especially with a sticky pearl!)
I repeated the circle motif on the snowflake from the Sweet Seasons stamp set. The Circle Punches are the 1-1/4″, the 1-3/8″ and the 1-3/4″ Scallop Circle.
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Don’t miss the Demonstrator Starter Kit at 50% off! Whether you want to start a business or purchase for yourself at a discount, NOW is the best deal on the Starter Kit! Only until November 30th
Don’t miss Stampin’ Up!’s Online Spectacular! Gift ideas for yourself or a friend, priced at up to 50% off! Shop online through my website now.
New Catalog Sneak Peek: get ready!
I was going to keep these under wraps, but I just can’t keep them to myself any longer! I’m so excited about the new In Colors and this great new stamp set. The stamp set is called Razzle Dazzle and the colors are all from the new In Color collection, available for order beginning July 1st.
Check out the new In Colors: Rich Razzleberry, Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay. And not appearing here, but still coming to the NEW catalog: Soft Suede and Melon Mambo. You’re going to love them too!!
And the technique above? **Spotlighting** Rather than use my new In Color Markers (yup, it’s true, they’re coming!!) to color the whole center stamp, I just colored the top portion and then punched it out with my 1-3/8″ Circle Punch. That circle is layered to match the background, where I stamped the same image in Dusty Durango on the Dusty Durango cardstock.
