Stamps, Paper, and Ink

Yummy Treat!

Hi all! Do you have plans for the big holiday weekend? I do plan on spending some time relaxing with my family. Can't wait!

I finally got to playing with the Sweet Centers set from the Holiday Mini! The images all focus around a treat cup which can be filled with candy, buttons, or other goodies. I figured out one way to assemble the card so that the sweet treat is accessible without having to rip the card. Here's the card. Then, I'll show you how I did it.

I began with a chocolate chip card base. I layered the Thoroughly Modern DSP on white card stock. I planned where to put the opening and used the 1-3/4" circle punch. I adhered this to the card base.Before assembling the treat cup and the flower, I used my hobby blade to cut a big X in the circle through the chocolate chip card stock.

Next, I assembled the flower and embellished the front of the card. Did you notice the corduroy button? It has a closure like a brad. My idea uses a brad on the front of the card and a panel on the inside...

 Only the brad secures the panel (there is NO adhesive!) Swivel the panel and it reveals the chocolate layer with the opening.

That's my quick post for today, have a great weekend!

Supplies~
Stamps: Sweet Centers, Short & sweet
Paper: chocolate chip, whisper white, kraft, Thoroughly Modern DSP
Ink:Bermuda Bay, Rose Red

Accessories:corduroy buttons, Big Shot, Lots of Tags Sizzlet Die, uni signo gel pen, scallop edge and 1-3/4" circle punches,1/2" polka dot ribbon

 

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Very Asian Vase

 

I wanted to use the elegant color combo of very vanilla, bermuda bay, and gold with the Asian Artistry (114399) set.  I came up with a creative twist by using the Lattice Die and the Big Shot to make a vase for the delicate flowers. Watercoloring was done with reinkers and the Aqua Painter. For the panels and the vase, I used the Finial Press Textured Embossing Folder. (115964)

I haven't posted a tutorial in awhile. You'd like me to share with you how I did it, right?!?

First, use the Big Shot to cut out the Lattice Die. I used metallic gold card stock. The finished Lattice  looks like the photo below.

1. Use your cutter to cut out one circle following the directional arrows.

2. Use a hobby knife to cut the bottom edge of the vase straight across. Also, trim out the inside of the oval at the top for the vase opening.

3. Add a circle to the back of the vase.Trim edges as needed.

 

4. Out of a scrap, cut one oval. You will use this to shape the opening at the top of the vase.

Here's a close up of the vase when finished.

 

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Stamp with me, Saturday! ...Slumber Party Specialty Papers

Come and stamp with me today! Below are directions for making this card and I'd love for you to stamp with me! I will offer this feature every other Saturday on my blog. For seasoned or beginning stampers alike, here's a quick card for you to try. If you have a gallery, I'd love to have you post a link to the card you make with me in the comments section.

This card features the beautiful Slumber Party specialty papers and I thought they were perfect for a baby boy card. The specialty papers are almost as heavy as card stock, they have a delightful textured, slightly crinkly surface. I've listed this card in the Twice is Nice category because it has the same basic layout as THIS card.  You can make the card either way using your own sets, creativity, and embellishments.  Here are the directions.

1. Cut the card stock to measure 4-1/4" x 11" and score so that the fold will be at the top.

2. If using designer paper, cut it to measure 4 x 5-1/4" and attach to card base.

3. Cut the image panel to measure about 1-1/2" x 4"  Cut out and add your image and sentiments or embellishments. Tip: you need an image with vertical height, it's OK if part of the image is a tiny bit wider and hangs off the edge.

4. Prepare a scalloped strip or cut 1/2" circles to adhere down the long side of the image panel. Apply foam squares and attach to card.

5. Add a 1/4 x 5-1/2" strip of patterned paper on the right side of the card front.

Enjoy and admire your card!

Make a Card Portfolio

Here is my long-promised tutorial for you! I shared my Folio Card project with you on this post. Notice that the right pocket on the Holiday portfolio is folded in half vertically and wrapped around to the front of the card when finished. This card is perfect for sending with a photo or small gift inside.

I wanted to use this pattern for a portfolio to hold note cards and 4x6" envelopes for a Christmas gift, so I tweaked the size and the right pocket as you will see in today's photos. I will give measurements for the small (finished size 4-1/2 x 5-1/2") and the larger folio (5-1/2 x 7-1/4".) Maybe you still have time to make one of these before Christmas or get an early start for next year! It's so easy!

1. Small: Cut two pieces of patterned paper to measure 9" x 5-1/2". Score the width at 4-1/2"
     Larger: Cut two pieces 10-1/2 x 7-1/4". Score the long side at 5-1/4."

2. Lay the scored pieces side by side, left to right. Fold the top left corner inward to meet the seam in the center. Do the same with the top right corner. These will be the pockets.

3. Cut a long strip of patterned paper for the spine. Small: 5-1/2" x 2". Large: 7-1/4" x  2". Score in half lenghtwise. Apply adhesive to the binding edges and adhere the card front and back being sure to leave a little space at the fold so that the card opens easily.

 

4. Use Sticky Strip around the edges of the pocket as shown.

5. This is the inside. Now you get to decorate and embellish!

6. Use ribbon or a band of card stock to hold your portfolio shut. Scroll down to see the finished gift! Have fun making these and happy stamping! I'd love to know if you make one and find this tutorial helpful, send me a note!

 

Edited to add: You will find the notes I included HERE.

Practical tips for punching

But don't worry, these are the safe kind! ;-)

Here's the easiest way to make a frame with the scallop punch.

First, punch out the desired size circle, leaving enough room for the scallop punch outside, like this:

Your paper should then look like this:

Then punch your scallop! Make sure to center it... sometimes it's hard to do just right!

And there you have a pretty frame! =) You could also have fun with the reverse image.

Here are a few ideas for using the frame... I'd love to see what y'all come up with!
Classic beauty
Cute onesies
A garland of wishes

And then there are those times that the scallop punch just doesn't fit your card like you thought it would... the scallops either make it too busy, or the circle is too big... here's an easy way to rescue it! This is also great for ANY piece that is too small to hold onto and punch at the same time.

First, attach a narrow piece of sticky-note to the scallop piece, on the outside edge, like this:

Then insert into the punch and go!

And there you have it!

Happy punching! = ]

3-D Punched Flowers

Here's the tutorial for you.  Have fun making some of these fun flowers to spruce up your own craft projects. You may also use  more than one pattern of designer paper for a variegated look.
Supplies: flower punch, glue dot and designer paper. I am using the Spring Flower Bouquet punch.

1.  Choose one flower. Punch 5-7 flowers out of designer paper. I did 5.
2.  Fold the flower in half, being careful to divide in between the petals. 
3.  Cut a base for your flower.  I used a 1/2" circle punch but you may also use a flower.  Put a glue dot on top.

4.  Gather your flowers and make sure the petals are lined up the same way with the fold at the bottom. Tap the fold on a table to make sure it's even.

5.  Stick the flowers in the center of your base.

 

                                                                                                                                                                             6.  Using scissors or some blunt object, go in between each flower and push it down into the adhesive so it's good and stuck.

Make a card to use your flower. It's that easy! Send me your results in my comments box - maybe add a link to a photo or your gallery for all of us to see. Thanks!

 

                                                                        

Stained Glass Technique

I promised you a tutorial and here it is!  I'm hoping you'll bear with me as it's a first for me and that it will be helpful to those of you who like a visual aid.

Step 1:Choose a line image for your design that has a defined space for coloring in. Begin by stamping your image with staz-on ink onto vellum card stock.  Vellum card stock is NOT just vellum paper, the card stock is a heavier weight -heavy enough to stand up on its own as a card base. Staz-on is the best ink type to use because the ink adheres thoroughly to this smooth paper surface.

Step 2: When the ink is dry, turn the paper over to color on the back.  An aqua painter is not necessary, but I like to use mine to pick up color from the crayon.  I touch the brush to the sides of the pointed end, not the tip, almost as if I were scraping a pencil to sharpen it.  This keeps my crayons having a nice point too!  I prefer this method because it makes it easy to get just a bit of color or really load it up.  Try your color out first if you want to, by dabbing it on scrap paper.  Be sure to clean your brush this way in between colors too, swiping it on the paper until no color appears.

Step 3:
Begin coloring your image.  Old olive, garden green, more mustard, pumpkin pie and elegant eggplant are the main colors I used.  A bit of barely banana highlights the star and radiates from it.

Step 4:
Add shading with darker colors to add depth to you image.  Remember that lines that look stark on this side will be softer when you turn the paper over.  This technique is very forgiving, so color away and don't worry too much about mistakes.
I added shading on some of my buildings, and a shadow done with Night of Navy covers the city. I took the crayon directly to the tree tops to color them.

Step 5:
When your paper is dry, turn it over and mount it face down on white or neutral card stock.  I used very vanilla. 

Now enjoy the soft, muted look of stained glass on your image  and complete your card as desired. The full photo of my completed card can be found here.

This simple technique could add so much to any image.  Think of plants, flowers, children, snow....