Thursday, December 31, 2009

The Versatility of Framing Images


I first saw this image used many years ago on the front of an envelope, where the recipient's address was written in the frame. I have decided to frame a sentiment, many of which would work, including "Thank You", "Happy Birthday", "Thinking of You", etc. Keep the versatility of such an image in mind when shopping for stamp images.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: floral image (PSX), sentiment (My Sentiments Exactly)

Papers: pink, white & blue cardstock (stash)
Ink: Colorbox Black
Accessories: watercolour pencils, blender pen,
Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Back to Basics


Though I have had this stamp for many years, the popularity of images for colouring has returned with the introduction of Copic Markers to the craft market. Only having one marker so far, I did use it on the tiny flowers, but used pencils on the rest. Choose images with more white space and less intricate detail to practice your colouring.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: CTMH
Papers: red cardstock (DCWV), blue & white cardstock (stash)
Ink: Versaink Onyx
Accessories: brads (stash), Spellbinders Labels, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, ribbon (Doodlebug), watercolour pencils, blender pen, Copic marker

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Pearl Glimmer Mist


I used this stamped image to practice watercolouring with pencils. I thought I would use Pearl Glimmer Mist to tone down the white space, however, it's just too translucent to do the job. I'm finding that the Glimmer Mists are more effective on darker coloured cardstocks. Perhaps Marshamallow would do the job; will have to try it on a test paper since I'm not willing to gamble on the hard work it was to colour such a detailed image.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: PSX

Ink: Colorbox Gold
Paper: white & green cardstock (stash)
Accessories: brads (unknown), watercolour pencils, blender pen, gold embossing powder

Monday, December 28, 2009

Softening White Space


Although the patterned paper used for the background layer had white in it, I found that the white space in the stamped image was too stark; I toned it down with Glimmer Mist.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: dress (Inkadinkado), sentiment (Hero Arts)

Ink: Versafine
Paper: burgundy & brown (Bazzill)
Accessories: watercolour pencils, blender pen, Spellbinder Frames & Tags, Cuttlebug embossing folder, brads (Bazzill)

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Same Image, Different Shape


Here we see how the shape that the image is cut is relative to the shape of the card base. A circle better fits a square card than an oval image.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: House Mouse
Ink: Versafine
Paper: patterned paper (BoBunny), red cardstock (DCWV), white cardstock (stash)
Accessories: Liquid Shimmers, Spellbinder Circles & Scalloped Circles, ribbon (Doodlebug), Quickutz Embossing Folder

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Pop a Piece


In this case I tried to think outside of the box and not just frame the image. After cutting out most of the image with a die, I cut out one extra strawberry to give the card more dimension. This image was not received in a swap, but one of a few I have collected since enjoying other House Mouse stamped images I received.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: House Mouse

Ink: Versaink
Paper: patterned paper (BoBunny), green cardstock (Bazzill), red cardstock (DCWV), white cardstock (stash)
Accessories: Liquid Shimmers, Quickutz Embossing Folder, Spellbinder Ovals

Friday, December 25, 2009

Warm 'n Fuzzy


This image provides a great opportunity to use flocking. It makes the white socks very realistic.
The pants were stamped again on a slightly patterned denim paper and trimmed to fit on the originally stamped image. The mouse in the pocket was also stamped a second time and trimmed to fit in the pocket. This labour of love was well worth the effort.

Merry Christmas,
Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: House Mouse
Paper: blue & white cardstock (unknown), patterned paper (unknown)
Ink: Colorbox Black
Accessories: black embossing powder, white flocking, Liquid Shimmers

Thursday, December 24, 2009

3 Tiers for You


I'm pretty sure that this stamped image is from Stampendous and although I don't own it, I would love to have it. Stamping white on kraft is a new combination that I really like and red works well with this.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: 3 Tier (Stampendous), background & sentiment (Stampin' Up)
Ink: Versaink Onyx, Colorbox white
Paper: kraft cardstock (Bazzill), red cardstock (DCWV), white cardstock (unknown)
Accessories: scalloped circle punch (Stampin' Up), Liquid Shimmers

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Butterfly Shimmers


Once again, I regret that I don't know the manufacturer of this stamped image, but do love how the Liquid Shimmers brought the butterfly to life.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: butterfly (unknown), background (Stampin' Up)
Ink: black (unknown), purple (Memories dye)
Paper: white, black, purple & green cardstock (stash)
Accessories: Spellbinders, Cuttlebug embossing folder, ribbon (Fabricland), button & embroidery thread (stash)

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Beautiful Blossons


After water colouring a few images, I have learned that embossed images are very hard on blender pens. In the future, I will not heat emboss images that I intend to colour with pencils and a blender pen.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: PSX

Ink: Colorbox Black
Paper: white & brown cardstock (stash)
Accessories: Cuttlebug embossing folder, ribbon (stash), brad (Making Memories), water colour pencils & blender pen

Monday, December 21, 2009

Birthday Bear


I softened this image by sponging ink on the edges of the white card stock. This seemed to compliment the softness of the water colouring with pencils.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: PSX

Ink: Colorbox Black
Paper: yellow cardstock (Bazzill), white & black cardstock (stash)
Accessories: Spellbinders Scalloped Rectangle, water colour pencils, ribbon (stash)

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Satin Roses


Though image swappers always write the stamp company name on the back of the image, I forgot to take note before I put this card together. I love how this image "spills" over the frame. Liquid Shimmers gave the roses a very satin look.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: unknown
Ink: Colorbox Black
Paper: pink cardstock (Bazzill), green & white cardstock (stash)
Accessories: black embossing powder, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Liquid Shimmers, ribbon (stash)

Thanks for Your Patience

Finally finished up a few cards today. Will be sharing things over the next little while that include images that I plan to use up. After many years of card making, I have accumulated a pile of images that I just never got around to using. Some were obtained through image swaps. This involved sending a set of images (the number of which depended on the number of participants) to a hostess who reissued the images to those involved. Along with the stamped images, participants had to include an envelope of sufficient size with sufficient postage addressed to themselves. That way all that the hostess had to do was repackage the images, making sure that each envelope included one of each design. If this is of interest to anyone within Canada (sorry International friends, but customs makes this difficult), I would be happy to host a swap of a particular theme. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the results of my "house cleaning".

Natalie

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Delay Due to Inclimate Weather

Sorry to report that card making day with the girls was canceled due to the bad weather. I hope to get something accomplished on our rescheduled date of this Thursday. Keep warm!

Natalie

Monday, December 7, 2009

Pause for the Cause

Plan to start some winter themed cards on Wednesday. Until then, take care.

Natalie

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Rhinestone Rudolph


I used my Copic marker to colour clear rhinestones in order to get the perfect matching coloured embellishments.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Inkadinkado
Papers: green & red (Bazzill), off white (stash), patterned paper (Petal Press)
Ink: Colorbox Queue
Accessories: Kaiser rhinestones, Copic marker, ribbon (Fabricland), Spellbinders Labels

Friday, December 4, 2009

Save Those Ribbon Scraps!


The perfect embellishment for this card was a scrap piece of ribbon, folded in half, and secured with a brad.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Inkadinkado

Papers: red & green cardstock (Bazzill), off white (stash), patterned paper (Petal Press)
Inks: green (Colorbox Queue), red (Adirondak)
Accessories: ribbon (stash), brad (Bazzill), Spellbinders

Thursday, December 3, 2009

A Modern Twist


This set of stamps was a little out of my normal range of choice, but I bought it in an effort to be able to make a variety of cards to suit a variety of people. I took advantage of the great opportunity to use my Ivory Floral Soft to immitate fun fur.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: Stampin' Up

Papers: green & red cardstocks (Bazzill), off white cardstock (stash), patterned papers (Pressed Petals)
Ink: Versaink Onyx Black, Colorbox Queue green
Accessories: ribbon (Stampin' Up), Spellbindes Regular & Scalloped Rectangles, red marker (Copic), green marker (Tombow), Ivory Flower Soft

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

The Story Behind the Stamp


I chose to leave a larger "frame" around my main image since it is one of my most treasured stamps. I was told that this was the only stamp manufactured by Bubblegum Graphics. Fortunately, I was able to purchase one online before the company decided to cease its production.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Bubblegum Graphics
Ink: Adirondak Raisin
Papers: beige & red cardstock (Bazzill), patterned paper (BoBunny)
Accessories: button (stash), metallic cord (stash), Cuttlebug Victoria embossing folder

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Stand Alone Sentiments


The size and beautiful design of this sentiment allowed me to showcase it alone on a card front.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Inkadinkado

Papers: beige & red cardstock (Bazzill), patterned paper (BoBunny)
Ink: Adirondak Raisin
Accessories: Cuttlebug Victoria embossing folder, Spellbinders Labels, ribbon (Fabricland)