Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Favorite Card



We've come to that time again.  The end of a year and the eve of a new one.  It's a time of reflection for me.  One of the things I was thinking about was what cards I had done this year that I really liked.  This one came to mind right away.  It was done with Dylusion sprays and Crafter Workshop stencils.  Also used a white opaque pen.  This was a year of stretching myself in the stamp world.  Bright colors, art journaling, canvas creations, and new techniques with embossing paste are some of the things that come to mind.  All, I'm happy to report, I found enriching and broadened my horizons.  I hope this new year you'll find the courage to try something new and I hope the journey becomes part of the joy of discovering new things that make life a little more fun.  Happy New Year!

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Blessings card



How's your year been?  No doubt there has been some good and some bad.  All in all though, I find it good to focus on the good and let go of the bad.  For me, I find this time of year a good time to count my blessings.  This card is a reflection of that.  The words are by Hero Arts.  Once all the paper was placed, a fine gold spritz was sprayed over the card to give it that gold sheen. 

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Embossing Folder Background



Don't know about you, but it's been a pretty snowy winter for us.  When it's first coming down, it sure does look pretty.  I love how the snow sparkles at night-which was the inspiration for this card.  The background is made up of snowflakes which was layered onto sticker paper that has the edge sticking out under the embossed paper.  Loose glitter was poured over it.  More sticker paper was placed on the embossing and more glitter added under the printed blue paper.  Some with the words piece. (Words are by Printworks)  You can't see it here, but the stars have some stickle iridescent glue added to them.

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Stampscapes Peace Card



Hope you are having a wonderful Christmas.  Our holiday season has been fraught with some unexpected challenges, so for those of you who have had a similar time, I offer this card.  Joy is the feeling most often expressed at this season for good reason, but the Son of Man grew up to be a man acquainted with many sorrows.  He certainly understands our grief, pains and fears.  Which is why he often spoke peace onto his followers.  Praying for peace on those who need it today, and hoping you can have a Merry Christmas.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Stampendous Stamp



Did this nice little image with some water and water base ink pads and a Dove blender pen.  Simple is good.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Christmas Humor


Sooooo, I'm back after making a very early run back up to PA to greet Dad at the ER.  Good news is that they sent him back home, and thus I'm back home as well.  I'm mentioning this because thus has gone the way of the month and with it, all stamping time.  So here is a repeat from a while ago because I need to add a little humor to the day.  Hope it brings a smile to your face as well.

Friday, December 20, 2013

Sympathy Card



Since my mother-in-law's death earlier this month, we've been getting sympathy cards.  Wanted to share this one since it was hand made and besides, it was breath takingly beautiful!  Impression Obsession is creating stencils now, and my friend who made this is one of their designers.  Lots of sprays on this one. Not sure how all else she made it.  Been too busy admiring it.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Stampendous Stamp


Yesterday I showed a very labor intensive card.  Today I'm showing a very quick and easy card that is a good one if you are still making cards!  The image is inked with a Momento Luxe pad.  Then around the edges a line of a red gelatos was made and then rubbed to smooth out line.  A decorative ribbon finishes off the card.  Need an extra card for Christmas?  Come to Angela's Happy Stamper store today and you can do one for free any time between 10 and 8:30.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Dry Chalk Wise Men



A blast from the past today.  This was a labor of love card I did a few years back.  Really enjoyed it though.  I stamped the image and the took an exacto knife to the edge of the image starting from about the middle of middle man.  It made folding the paper easy.  Once the men were unfolded, the inside message could be seen.  A Q-tip was used to move the chalk around.  Once the chalk was done, a two way glue pen was applied to spots where glitter was then applied.  Every year I vow I'm going to start early on cards... We'll see how I do this coming year.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Pink Ink/Lockheart stamp



So, a half an hour before leaving for my mother in law's memorial service, my husband asked for two more thank you cards!  What to do?  I quick pulled out this stamp.  Violets were one of her favorite flowers.  Once stamped on the white paper, I colored in the picture with Copic markers and stamped the words on a Memory Box card.  Done!  -And we left on time.

Monday, December 16, 2013

Glass Basket Card



One of the big benefits of stamping is being able to make very personal cards.  My mother in law was known for her love of glass baskets and for the color purple.  My husband needed some thank you cards to give to the workers who had cared for his mother who recently died.  This glass basket stamp combined with a Hero Arts flower made a perfect card.  All color was added with Copic markers.

Dreamweaver Embossing Paste Horn



Yes, I'm back to a red Christmas card.  Can you blame me?  Sometimes a tradition look just can't be beat.  The horn was done with gold embossing paste.  Once dry, extra color was added with pigment stamp pads.  Because brown ink was added to shade the horn, a bronze paper worked best under the white paper.  The red paper is actually a metallic paper as well.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Snowman Embossing Folder


Tim Holtz does this folder.  I added a stamp from Printworks above the image and called it done.  Was never so happy!  I'm not big on doing multiples of a card, but I do like to send out my own cards at Christmas and so I need something that won't drive me crazy.  This was perfect.  I'll say it again, simple is good!

Friday, December 13, 2013

Hero Arts Card



Did sneak in some red on this card, but there is also lots of blue.  This was a quick and easy card to do.  The ornaments were inked with a dye red pad and stamped on.  The snowflakes were inked with a light gray.  Some stickles sparkly glue added a touch of glimmer to the middle of the snowflake.  The tag was attached with foam tape.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Gift Embossing Folder


I've been showing lots of fancy cards this week.  They have all been fairly labor intensive.  Just a reality check to remind you that these are NOT the ones I send to lots of people.  THIS is the card that I did this year that was for most of my friends.  A labor intensive card is great for a few special folks.  Will show the other card I did many multiples of tomorrow.  Simple is good!

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Spray and Stencil Card

A pewter shimmer spray was sprayed over a stencil on this light blue paper.  Once the paper was dried, this stamp was inked in blue, and then inked again with a Versmark pad and embossed with an iridescent embossing powder.  This paper was mounted onto a silver metallic paper and then on to a navy paper.  Words are by Memory Box.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Embossed JudiKins Tree



This retro stamp was embossed twice.  On the one piece, silver sparkle embossing powder was used.  On the other tree, pink sparkle embossing powder.  Both trees pieces were cut out and used together on the silver paper.  Under the silver paper is a pink paper.  The words are by Hero Arts and were stamped with silver ink.  Some small clear gems were added last.

Monday, December 9, 2013

Dreamweaver Paste card



White paste is spread over the this stencil onto dark blue paper.  Once the stencil is removed, loose glitter is poured over the paste.  After the paste is dry, the blue piece is mounted onto white paper, and then onto the blue card.

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Embossing Paste Trees


These trees by Dreamweaver are a staple in the store.  So many ways to use them.  On this card, we spread black paste over a silver paper.  Once the stencil was removed, glitter was poured over the paste.  After the paste dried, the paper was mounted onto a granite metallic paper and then onto a silver mirror paper.  This is always a crowd pleaser card.

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Embossing Paste Pine Cones



Bit the bullet and did a class on embossing paste not too long ago.  Had a very enthusiastic group who did a fabulous job using the paste.  This is one of the cards we did.  It is using a Dreamweaver stencil and copper paste spread onto this gold paper.  Once the paste was placed, ultra fine colored glitter was sprinkled over the paste.  After the paste was dry, the gold piece was mounted onto a copper paper, and then onto the bronze card.

Friday, December 6, 2013

Amuse Card



Copics and punches helped make this card.  Little bit of printed paper and another ribbon finished it off.  Words are also by Amuse.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Magenta Holiday Card



Have you noticed my tendency towards red cards?  Yeah, me too.  What can I say, it's a great color!  On this card some printed paper was placed and then the words were stamped in green.  A strip of glittered sticker flourishes pull it together.  The red card was stamped with a background stamp in Versa Mark to give it a subtle tone.  Will move on to some other color cards tomorrow.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Stamp Barn Card


This is one I sent a few years ago, but, oh happy day, I found a few more in my box!  I keep track of what card I send to folks.  That way I can still use this card for someone who I didn't send this to before.  It was inked with brown ink and the quilt patch was colored in with a water color pencil.  Then a two way glue stick was drawn over any where loose glitter would go.  Add the glitter, and it's done.  Words are by Memory Box.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Memory Box Holiday Card



We're on the count down now!  Our weekend was filled with focus on getting all our decorations up and tree trimmed.  When I needed to sit and take a break, I've been working on getting the Christmas cards ready to send.  I have a box where I keep all my cards.  When ever I make some cards, into the box they go.  When I opened the box, I was happy to find some of these that I'll be posting over the next week.  Hope you enjoy.  This card used printed paper which was mounted onto the light card stock.  After the ribbon was added, a MB stamp was placed at the bottom.

Monday, December 2, 2013

Embossed Flower Bracelet



Wow has these great silicon flower molds and a handy technique for creating these great flowers.  We found a supplier for the bracelets, so I'm offering a chance to make one this week as a Mini Lesson.  If you need a nice hand made gift for someone on your list, this might be the thing to help you out.   Call the store to see if space is available.  Class is this Thursday at Angela's Happy Stamper store.

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Art Journal Entry



As promised to those who take my Art Journal class, here is the posting of the page we will be doing in January.  We'll be using water color crayons, gesso, acrylic paints, die cuts, stamps, washi tape, and matte medium.  Class will be on Thursday, January 9th, and there is a day as well as a night class.  Come join the fun!   

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Northern Woods Mantel



Wanted to do one last tribute to Thanksgiving and fall by showing this card.  It's actually starting to look a lot like Christmas around here, but Thanksgiving always seems crowded out by other holidays which always seems like a shame to me.  This was stamped with black ink and then colored in with metallic chalks. 

Friday, November 29, 2013

Inky Antics set



Don't know what you do after Thanksgiving, but in our house I make the most of my hubby being home a couple of extra days and we put up all our Christmas decorations.  So, the reason I'm telling you this, is I'm too busy to stamp!  I am continuing the posting of holiday favorites until we finish our projects.  Hope you enjoy.  This is a card I did last year using a clear set.  Added some colored pencil to the bird and lots of sponging to the corners. 

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Hero Arts Thanksgiving card



Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families.  This tree is a Hero Arts stamp that was inked with brown ink.  Not sure who did the words.  Just used some nice paper scraps to finish off the card.  Hope you have lots of good food and fun today. 

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Blessings card



This is one of my all time favorite cards.  Most of the stamps are by Stamp in the Hand.  Color was applied with various markers and ink pads directly to the stamps  It was done on a white glossy paper with some extra ink sponged into the corners.  Saying is by Hero Arts.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Hero Arts


Another one by Hero Arts today and another one done simply.  The wheat was enhanced with an orange gel pen.  Added some paper and a button and it's all done.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Hero Arts Card


We're in the final stretch for Thanksgiving.  During this week I thought I'd post some of my favorite cards I've made for this holiday.  This was a simple one, but as you know, "simple is good" is my book.  Had some help with a couple of die cuts and some buttons.  I'm working on getting a few last cards made for the big day.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Stampscapes Winter Card



Wow, was it ever a busy week!  I taught two classes and did a demo at Angela's Happy Stamper store.  It all was great fun, but now I'm beat.  Also posted future classes for January at the store.  One of the classes is what I call "Winterscapes".  We do cards I've created with Stampscapes stamps that are all winter scenes.  This is one of the cards we do in this class.  After a week of seeing everyone else creating, I'm ready to get back in my stamp room and do some creating myself today.  Hope you have some time to go play as well.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Dreamweaver Stencil and Paste Card



They are more work, but you just can't beat how good a stencil and paste card looks.  Three stencils are used here.  The candy cane was done with red glossy paste and cut into two pieces.  The stocking was done with two stencils.  The striped stencil was placed across the stocking and color was stippled on the paper.  Then the striped stencil was removed and white paste was applied to the stocking.  Both images was finished off with lots of loose glitter being poured over the wet paste.  Some peppermint paper was added to the background.  Puts me in the mood for Christmas.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Embossed Resist Card



Don't think I mentioned yesterday the name of the technique used to make the card.  It was an embossed resist.  Different stamps today, but same technique.  Rather than use printed paper though, the paper colored with pigment ink and dried.  Then the leaves were inked with Versamark and a stamped onto the colored paper.  Clear embossing powder was poured over the ink and heat set.  The the paper was colored in again with a dark ink.  Last, a paper towel was used to burnish the paper.  Any where the embossing powder was, it acted as a resist.  The leaves were then cut out and attached to the card. 

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Hero Arts Design

  On this card, the image was Versamarked and stamped on printed paper.  Clear embossing powder was poured over the image and heat set.  Then, with a sponge, pigment ink was added until it covered the whole paper.  With a paper towel, the ink was wiped off of the embossed parts so it looks like you see on the card.  The words and ribbon were added and another card is ready for Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Memory Box Die Branch



There have been two samples this week using the outlines from die cut images.  So it seemed time to show an actual die image.  This branch was done on dark brown paper.  The circle was done using printed paper.  The words probably should have been embossed to stand out better, but this was my first try, so I tried it with a brown pigment ink.  The die is held on with the little paper clothes pin and attached to the card with foam tape. Simple and fun . 

Monday, November 18, 2013

Memory Box Die



Like yesterday's card, the reverse of the die was used on this card.  The white piece was put on top of the orange card.  That way the orange shows through were the die cut was made.  Added the word and a ribbon and a little round silk sticker, and it's all done.

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Christmas Die Cut Card



Another tree card today.  This one for Christmas.  I was making some Accu-cut tree tags from this paper.  Rather than throw away the left over paper, I cut the pieces down so they would fit on the front of a card.  The front of a Hero Arts stamp  was inked with a Versamark pad and stamped onto a green Memory Box card.  Then the paper was adhered onto the green card.  Makes a quick and easy card.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Impression Obsession Embossed Tree


Wow embossing powder did the trick for this tree.  It was Versamarked and then different colored embossing powders were sprinkled on with a straw.  All the powders were heat set.  Ran the tree through my Cuttle bug and die cut the paper.  The printed paper was sponged with brown ink around the edges.  Words are by Darcie.

Friday, November 15, 2013

Paper Cut Card



Have you ever been to a convention that Paper Cut was attending?  Seeing all their paper selection leaves me swooning.  They have so many choices of cards like these where you can mix and match layered pre cut papers.  Love it!  Makes stamping soooo easy!  These two stamps from Paper Inspiration fit perfectly in the box.  The leaves were stamped first, the then the words over stamped on top of the leaves.  Some leaf buttons were glued on the front.  Simple, and so nice.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Inky Antics Lamp



Really been focusing on Thanksgiving cards this month, so thought I'd take a break and show this Christmas card.  Really liked their stamps from the new board they sent to Angela's Happy Stamper Store.  They made a terrific shaker card out of these two stamps.  I wanted to show how to use the stamps to create a simpler card that can be easily reproduced for larger volume stamping.  The images here were inked with Memonto black and then colored in with Copic markers.  Punch and glue the rest and you are all done.  If you are close by, come to Angela's today and you can make this for free!  It's our "Make It Take It" today. 

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Embossed Memory Box Wreath



Colored embossing powder was used today.  It is a copper pearl from Wow.  Once heat set, the Liquid Pearls was added to create the berries.  Words are from a clear Darcie's set.  Added a little ribbon between the cream and printed paper and then found some silk ribbon pumpkins I still had so put one in the corner.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Dreamweaver Wheat Card



Hadn't done any paste cards in a while, so this card is the one being offered at Angela's Happy Stamper store today as a mini lesson.  So many folks ask about how to do the paste, so I thought a one card lesson might help them understand how to apply the paste.  Interested?  There are still a few spots available.  Give the store a call if you would like to come.

Monday, November 11, 2013

Canvas Mixed Media Bird



This year I seem to be spreading my wings into new art areas.  The Art Journal and Masterboards have been such fun!  This is the next horizon I took on-Mix Media Canvases.  Happily, those who took this as a class seemed to enjoy it as much as I did.  We used Faber Castel markers and a Hero Arts background to start with, and then went to town using a mix of Gelato colors. Memory Box dies helped to make the images easy.  This was so much fun, I'll definitely be doing more in the future.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Hero Arts Thankful Card



This was a "save".  It started out with the background being stamped on the card.  It was much more muted than I expected.  I set it aside for quite a few days and thought about throwing it away. But, then I looked at it and decided to add some orange colored pencil to the design.  Really liked that, so then it was just a matter of what to add.  I didn't want to cover up all the nice work, and this second Hero stamp seemed to fit well.  It was inked with Versamagic "Mango".  The image has a jagged edge, so I tore the paper to match.  Then an ink was dragged across the torn edges.  Worth the save!

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Outlines Blessings



Found a card from last year that I'll be using for Thanksgiving.  It is by Outlines.  It was stamped on four different papers and then cut and glued together.  Some extra color was added with Copics.  Lots of brown on this card!  Think it works, though.

Friday, November 8, 2013

Farewell Card



The good and the bad of living so near DC is that you get to meet a lot of interesting people-but they are often here on a temporary basis.  We said good-bye to one of those friends recently.  This is the card I made before she left.  The balloon is by Deep Red and was colored in with colored pencils. The clouds were inked and stamped out.  I think the quote is by Rubber Stamp Ave.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Dylusion Sprays and Verses Stamp



Pulled out my sprays for this birthday card.  It was done in three pieces.  All three pieces were sprayed with yellow, orange, red, green, and purple Dylusion sprays.  Once the paper was dry, the stamps were inked and stamped.  Both the Verses words and the woman were inked with a Versafine black pad.  The background was inked with a Lavender Colorbox Chalk.  The image is by Wow.  Inside a Printworks stamp was stamped that says, "Bright wishes for a birthday that out shines all the others." 

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Hero Arts Thanksgiving card



The background piece was Versamarked and then stamped on white paper.  Then I took four different embossing colors (red, orange, yellow, green)  and lightly spread it over the paper leaving lots of space so more powder could be added.  Once done, the extra powder is all mixed together.  Rather than throw out the mix, it  was poured into a clean container for future use.  The words were embossed with a solid green powder.  The leaf is a button with the shank removed and glued down with white glue.