Friday, December 31, 2010

A Smokin' Snowman


Here's another version of a card with patterned paper distressed with Black Soot. The stamped image required the card to be longer than wider--something to keep in mind when choosing elements for your card. Again, regular Stickles gave me the control for fine detail in the falling snowflake.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: image donated by Wendy B.
Ink: Versafine Black Onyx and Distress Black Soot
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), black cardstock (stash), patterned papers (American Traditional)
Accessories: Iridescent Stickles, markers (Marvy), brads (stash), Spellbinder Long Rectangles

Thursday, December 30, 2010

A Winter Birthday


I've had this "gelly" Happy Birthday in my stash for quite some time. It's orange colour was the perfect match to the stripe in this patterned paper, so I thought I would make a winter themed birthday card. You'd be surprised how many ready made embellishments work well with the Spellbinder Fancy Tag dies. I coloured the hat with markers and clear embossed it for a a silky finish.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: image donated by Wendy B.
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Papers: black cardstock (stash), white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), patterned (American Traditional)
Accessories: Spellbinder Fancy Tag Dies, Cuttlebug Snowflake Embossing Folder, gelly (stash), markers (Marvy & Tombow), rhinestones (Kaiser)

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

A Triple Threat


Snowflakes in the stamped image, the patterned paper and the punched die all contribute to the coherent composition of this card. Heat embossing makes colouring with markers easy because the "ridges" formed help me stay inside the lines. I like these 4 X 4 cards to use with gift bags.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Hero Arts
Papers: green cardstock (Bazzill), white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), black cardstock (stash)
Ink: Colorbox Black
Accessories: Spellbinder Labels, markers (Marvy), snowflake punch (EK Success), button & embroidery thread (stash), iridescent glitter
(stash), fine black embossing powder (stash)

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

A Smokin' Penguin


Once again, this card justifies the purchase of Black Soot Distress Ink. It perfectly distresses the paper so that you would think that it was printed that way! I'm liking the button grouping idea; can you tell?

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Hero Arts
Ink: Colorbox Black
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), black cardstock (stash), patterned paper (American Traditional?)
Accessories: Spellbinder Ovals, Black Soot Distress Ink, black embossing powder, markers (Marvy & Tombow), buttons & embroidery thread (stash)

Monday, December 27, 2010

Lots of Layers


I love lots of layers on my cards, but with more layers comes more weight. Although the colour of the base cardstock may not require you to put a liner in your card to include sentiments, one may be required balance the weight of the card front with the weight of the back of the card.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Stampabilities
Papers: off white cardstock (Staples), patterned papers (stash)
Inks: Hero Arts Soft Stone Dye, Colorbox Cape Cod
Accessories: chalk (Pearlescent Pebbles Inc.), ribbon & buttons (stash), green marker (Tombow)
, patterned scissors (Fiskars Cloud)

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Bunches of Buttons


I can't tell you the time I've spent sorting through a jar of buttons, trying to find 4 that match. I am glad to see a new trend of button groups. They usually consist of a set of 3 buttons, similar in tone, but different in size. This embellishment perfectly offsets the bow on this card. The image was stamped in a chalk in; to give it a little "frost" I applied Perfect Pearls with a paint brush.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Penny Black
Papers: off white cardstock (Staples), patterned papers (stash)
Ink: Colorbox Chalk Ice Blue
Accessories: buttons, ribbon & embroidery thread (stash), Perfect Pearls in Blue Patina

Friday, December 24, 2010

A Cardinal Christmas


Since I knew exactly what colour I wanted to use for this Christmas cardinal, I was pleased to find a bold striped, patterned paper to support it. To tone down the white cardstock, I lightly sprayed the stamped image with Glimmer Mist. This brought the tone closer to that of the patterned paper. Though birds' eyes are not crystal, I wanted to tie together the sparkly elements: glittery ribbon and rhinestone stick pin.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: image (Inkadinkado), sentiment (Flourishes?)
Ink: Colorbox Cranberry
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), green cardstock (Bazzill), patterned paper (Daisy D's)
Accessories: Spellbinder Labels, stick pin (Jenni Bowlin), ribbon (JoAnne's), Glimmer Mist

Thursday, December 23, 2010

A Guilded Angel


I thought that this ribbon bow, adorned with a jeweled stick pin was the perfect compliment to this patterned paper. However, it was somewhat visually heavy, so I stamped the patterned paper with a swirl to give the card design balance. I stamped the image twice, once in gold and once in burgundy, and layered the pieces for dimension.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: image (Inkadinkado), swirl (Hero Arts?)
Inks: Colorbox
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), burgundy and gold cardstocks (Bazzill)
Accessories: ribbon (Fabricland), Spellbinder Labels, stick pin (Jenni Bowlin), rhinestones (Kaiser)

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

The Significance of Scale


I was so pleased to find this ribbon that perfectly matched this patterned paper. However, having evaluated the finished product, I wish it had been wider, since it gets lost in the busy pattern. Perhaps I should have layered the thinner ribbon on a wider, white one...

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: All Night Media
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), red cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (stash)
Ink: Versafine Black Onyx
Accessories: ribbon (Stampin' Up), markers (red Copic and green Tombow)

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Ho! Ho! Ho!


Many companies have created images within a square. They lend themselves to the Spellbinder dies; frames of the perfect size and proportion can be created in a snap.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Stampabilities
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), red cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (stash)
Ink: Versafine Black Onyx
Accessories: plaid ribbons (JoAnne's), gold ribbon (Fabricland), Spellbinder Labels, red Copic marker, green gel pen

Monday, December 20, 2010

Taking a Make 'n Take to Another Level


This Make 'n Take was generously included in a gift bag at the last crop I attended. To create my own version of the card, I stamped and heat embossed iridescent snowflakes on the patterned papers. I hope Judy G. likes it!

Natalie

Card Recipe
Unless otherwise stated, all products from Close to My Heart
Stamp: snowflakes (PSX)
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: embossing powder (stash)

Sunday, December 19, 2010

The Right Fluff


For the fur on Santa's hat and collar, I used White Flower Soft. This colour has sparkle in it.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: Hero Arts
Papers: green & red cardstocks (Bazzill), white cardstock (Georgia Pacific)
Ink: Staz On Black Onyx
Accessories: White Flower Soft, red Copic marker, ribbon (stash), Spellbinder Rectangles, gold gel pen, black Sharpie marker

Saturday, December 18, 2010

When Thin is In


Here's a good example of where regular Stickles are more appropriate than Distress Stickles. I was pleased with the thin line of I was able to get on the embossed bow.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), green & red cardstocks (Bazzill), patterned (Doodlebug), silver cardstock
Accessories: red Stickles, Cuttlebug wreath die & embossing folder, Spellbinder Circles, Quickutz buckle die, Martha Stewart Border punch, ribbon (stash), rhinestones (Kaiser)

Friday, December 17, 2010

Hollographic Stickers


Not only did the colours in this sticker perfectly match the papers I wanted to use, but the holographic image gives the card front more interest.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Papers: red & green cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (Doodlebug)
Accessories: Spellbinder Circles & Blossoms, sticker (Mrs. Grossman's), ribbon (Fabricland)
, brad (stash)

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Tag It


Baker's Twine is a current phenomenon, so I had to use it on a card. I thought the solid tag separated the other elements from the patterned paper.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: Stampin' Up
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), patterned (Doodlebug)
Inks: Colorbox Green & Cranberry
Accessories: rhinestones (Kaiser), Baker's Twine (stash), fern punch (Martha Stewart), corner rounder scissors (Fiskars), eyelet (stash), Stampin' Up embossing folder

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Doodlebug Santa


Because this Doodlebug patterned paper is all text, it was necessary to choose an image without words. This Santa in a square fit the bill perfectly.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Stampabilities
Ink: Staz On Black Onyx
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), green & red cardstock (Bazill)
Accessories: Spellbinder Labels, green & red gel pens, red Copic marker, Staedtler pencils, ribbon (Fabricland)

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Border Punch Preferences


You may have noticed that I prefer to use solid border punches when I am layering over patterned paper. Otherwise, I like to use the "cut out" border punches. The solid cardstock underneath gives the border a lacey look.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), green cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (stash)
Accessories: Cuttlebug embossing folder, Kaiser rhinestones, metal embellishemnt (Making Memories), ric rac (stash), border punch (EK Success)

Monday, December 13, 2010

Black Soot Santa


To date, this is the best use I have had for Distress Black Soot. I think it creates a perfect shadow for Santa's belly. And I was pleased to find a use for this slide mount that I have had for quite some time. I used a pencil end in Spun Sugar Distress Inks to stamp the cheeks. Dig out your oldies but goodies and put them to use!

Natalie

Card Recipe
Papers: Limeade & Kisses cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (Doodlebug)
Inks: Distress Black Soot & Spun Sugar
Accessories: slide mount (stash), ribbons (stash), Spellbinder Circles, small square & circle & heart punches (Marvy), pom pom (stash)
, black fine point pen

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Too Tall Tree


I didn't have a Spellbinder die the size necessary, so I cut a mask out of text paper to stipple the ink for the background. Then I stamped the tree. I used the Tim Holtz Centring Ruler as a guide to paper pierce around the rectangle. This ruler has the holes right in it to help you pierce a straight line!

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: image (Stampin' Up), sentiment (Papertrey Ink)
Papers: off white cardstock (stash), Elk cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (Bazzill Fruitcake)
Ink: Colorbox Olive, Distress Antique Linen
Accessories: rhinestones (Bazzill), paper piercer (Making Memories), centring ruler (Tim Holtz)

Saturday, December 11, 2010

A Tinsel Tree


Same tree, different embossing powder.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: PSX
Papers: green cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (Memorybox?)
Inks: metallic silver, Distress Vintage Photo
Accessories: ribbon (Fabricland), eyelets (stash), metal embellishment (Making Memories), Spellbinder Labels

Friday, December 10, 2010

Every-green


My favourite embossing powders have glitter in them. I think this one brings the tree to life.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: PSX
Papers: green cardstock (Bazill), patterned (Memorybox?)
Ink: Colorbox Evergreen
Accessories: metal embellishment (Making Memories), ribbon (Fabricland), eyelets (stash), Spellbinder Labels, Shimmering Leaves embossing powder (Class Act Stamps?)

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Ornaments on a Wreath


Just as we put ornaments on a Christmas tree, we use ornaments on wreaths. So why not use the pearls in the same manner to embellish this image.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: image (Studio G), sentiment (Papertrey Ink)
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), patterned (Heidi Grace)
Inks: Distress Tumbled Glass, Staz On Black Onyx
Accessories: pearls (Kaiser), ribbon (stash), Spellbinder Labels 16, brad (stash)

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Versamark Tone on Tone #2


Another Versamark example. Be sure that your ink pad is "juicy"; in this case, I would have preferred a more vivid, stamped image.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Stampin' Up
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), True Teal cardstock (Bazill), patterned (Heidi Grace)
Accessories: rhinestone (Kasier), ribbon (stash), Spellbinder Rectangles

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Versamark Tone on Tone #1


When you don't have an ink to compliment the tone of your cardstock, Versamark is the answer. I thought the scalloped edge on the bottom of the card complimented the whimsical design in the non-traditional Christmas patterned paper.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Stampin' Up
Papers: True Teal cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (Heidi Grace)
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: scalloped border punch (EK
Success), rhinestones (Kasier), ribbon (Fabricland), Spellbinder Rectangles

Monday, December 6, 2010

Follow the "Zig Zag" Line


Usually I die cut my stamped images with Spellbinder dies to get a perfect and clean cut. In this case, I used followed the line of the frame within the stamped image.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Stampin' Up
Papers: Hillary & Dark Scarlet cardstock (Bazzill), off white cardstock base (stash), patterned (Debbie Mumm)
Ink: Distress Peeled Paint
Accessories: buttons & embroidery floss (stash)

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Just Add Ornaments


What better ornaments to use on a two dimensional tree than flat back rhinestones!

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Stampin' Up
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), green & red cardstocks (Bazzill), patterned (Heidi Grace)
Ink: Colorbox Olive
Accessories: rhinestones colour with Copic marker (Kaiser), Spellbinder Long Ovals, eyelet (stash), circle & sun punches (Marvy), ribbon (stash)

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Sparkling Snow Banks


To winterize this image, I wanted to put snow on the ground, below the trees. Since Stickles is translucent and I wanted something opaque, I tried Glistening Snow Writer by DecoArt. Unfortunately, it dried clear and iridescent--not the end result I was looking for. Should have stuck with white Floral Soft.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: image (Stampin Up), sentiment (Gina K.)
Ink: Colorbox Olive
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), green cardstock (Bazzill)
Accessories: small ovals cut with Cricut, Spellbinders Labels & Ovals, ribbon (stash)

Friday, December 3, 2010

Stamped Scallops


I didn't have a small enough patterned paper to work with the images I wanted to use, so I used a sheet music background stamp to make my own.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: sentiment (Papertrey Ink), background (Stampington & Co.), image (Serendipity)
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), black cardstock
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories: ribbon (Fabricland), border punches (Martha Stewart & EK Success)
(stash)

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Debbie Mumm's Christmas #3


Even small pieces of strips of patterned paper can be used to embellish a card.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: PSX
Ink: Colorbox Cranberry
Papers: off white cardstock card base (stash), patterned (Debbie Mumm)

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Debbie Mumm's Christmas #2


Again, I used one of the strips within a sheet of strips and layered it over other pieces of smaller, patterned paper from the same collection.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Papers: off white cardstock base (stash), patterned (Debbie Mumm)
Accessories: Martha Stewart border punch, brads (stash), ribbon (Fabricland)