Thursday, March 31, 2011

"The End"


A variety of image sizes is a necessity when making a number of cards for the same occasion.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: background (Stampin' Up), image (PSX)
Papers: off white cardstock (Staples), kraft cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (AMM?)
Inks: Colorbox Frost White, Staz On Timber Brown
Accessories: buttons & floss (stash), Spellbinder Circles and Scalloped Circles, ribbon (stash)

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Hare We Go


I love the fine detail in this hare stamp. You can't help but smile when you see him.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: image (All Night Media?), sentiment (PTI), background (Stampin' Up)
Papers: off white cardstock (Staples), orange cardstock (stash), kraft cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (AMM?)
Inks: Staz On Timber Brown, Colorbox Frost White
Accessories: brads (stash), Spellbinder Rectangles and Scalloped Rectangles

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

A Rabbit of Few Words


When I saw this rabbit stamp I just had to have it. It's an image and sentiment all in one.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Stampabilities
Papers: Aqua cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (stash)
Inks: Colorbox Chalk Chestnut Roan, Walnut Distress
Accessories: Spellbinder, raffia (stash), brad (stash)

Monday, March 28, 2011

Painting with Distress Ink


I stamped this rabbit in Distress Ink, but failed to adequately ink my stamp and got a mottled image. To fix my problem, I took a paint brush to the ink pad and painted the stamped image, filling it in to my satisfaction. I was quite pleased with the results!

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: CTMH
Papers: pink cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (Daisy D's)
Ink: Distress Spun Sugar
Accessories: Spellbinder Lacey Circles, EK Success Border Punch, ribbon (stash), brads (Linda G.), pearl (Kaiser)

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Patterned Rabbits


I used the same die to cut this bunny, but used a more noticeably patterned paper. The solid rectangle behind it supports the image. Be careful to note which side your pattern is on your paper when die cutting to make sure that the die cut turns out the way you want it, i.e. facing the direction that you would like.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Papers: pink cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (Daisy D's)
Accessories: pearl (Kaiser), Spellbinder Small Labels, rabbit die (Quickutz), ribbon (stash)

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Die Cut Bunnies


An assortment of bunny images can make each of your Easter cards unique. In this case, I used a lightly marbled patterned paper to die cut the rabbit which complimented the patterned paper.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Papers: blue & pink cardstocks (Bazzill), floral patterned (Daisy D's), pink marbled (BoBunny)
Accessories: border punch (EK Success), Spellbinder Rectangles and Ovals and Scalloped Ovals, ribbon (stash), rabbit die (Quickutz)

Friday, March 25, 2011

Pink Bunnies?


When I'm making numerous cards for an occasion I often keep cards simple. Though rabbits are usually white or brown, neither of these colour choices suited my patterned paper. I thought the use of pink pulled the card elements together. The edges of the patterned paper were softened with Distress Ink.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: PSX
Inks: Distress
Papers: blue & pink cardstocks (Bazzill), patterned (Daisy D's)
Accessories: Spellbinder Ovals and Scalloped Ovals, ribbon (stash)

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Flocking vs Flower Soft


Initially I chose to use Polar White Flower soft on my bunny because the houndstooth background was created with a Crafter's Workshop Template and Banana Pudding Glimmer Mist. I stamped the image in Versamark ink and heat embossed it with sticky embossing powder. I found the coverage insufficient. Then I tried the same thing with white flocking. The image was brighter, but still somewhat translucent. The key was to use white ink with the sticky embossing powder and white flocking. This gave the best coverage. Lesson learned--use the same colour of ink as you do flocking to get even and consistent coverage. Use Flower Soft for a more dimensional image and flocking for a smoother one (like fur).

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: CTMH
Ink: Colorbox Frost White
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), yellow cardstock (stash)
Accessories: Snow White Fun Flock (Stampendous), sticky embossing powder (CTMH), Lacey Square and Circle Spellbinders, Banana Pudding Glimmer Mist, Crafter's Workshop Houndstooth Template, rhinestone (Kaiser)

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Dry Embossing and Sanding


Crafter's Workshop Templates can also be used to dry emboss. What better a way to illustrate how well they work than with Core'dinations cardstock. Since the templates are not thick, I had to continue to pass my "sandwich" through my Big Shot and add paper shims to achieve the level of dry embossing with which I was satisfied. Sanding of the dry embossed Core'dinations cardstock clearly reveals the template pattern. Stamped image was coloured with markers.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: CTMH
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific & Bazzill), pink cardstock (Core'dinations)
Ink: Versafine Black Onyx
Accessories: pink brads (stash), Spellbinder Mega Ovals, Crafter's Workshop Template, ribbon (Offray), markers (Copic & Marvy)

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Stamping, Inking, Masking and Spraying


To create an uneven pattern with the Crafter's Workshop Template and the Glimmer Mist, I used a torn piece of text paper as a mask.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Hero Arts
Papers: off white cardstock (Staples), brown cardstock (Bazzill)
Inks: Versafine Black Onyx, Distress (Walnut, Antique Linen, Wild Honey, Tea Dye)
Accessories: Crafter's Workshop Template, Tattered Leather Glimmer Mist, brads (stash)

Monday, March 21, 2011

Stamping, Inking, Spraying


I used the templates on patterned paper, then coloured cardstock and now I started with white cardstock. I stamped my image in black and added colour with Distress Inks. Then I put the Crafter's Workshop Template on top of my coloured image and sprayed Peacock Glimmer Mist. Keep in mind complimentary colours of Glimmer Mist to Distress Inks when purchasing your supplies.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Hero Arts
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), black cardstock (stash), yellow cardstock (Bazzill)
Inks: Versaink Black Onyx, Distress (Mustard Seed, Peeled Paint, Broken China and Black Soot (on the edges))
Accessories: Crafter's Workshop Template, Peacock Glimmer Mist

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Layering Glimmer Mist and Distress Ink


With the Houndstooth template in place, I first applied Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Mist. Not satisfied with the contrast, I left on the stencil and applied Black Soot Distress Ink. Not only did this make the houndstooth pattern more visible, but the Glimmer Mist was still evident, as the pattern had a little sparkle to it. Also note the layers of tulle behind my flower. Keep in mind that Spellbinders can be used to cut other things, including felt and foam.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: PSX
Papers: black and blue cardstock (stash)
Ink: Distress Black Soot
Accessories: Crafter's Workshop Template, Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Mist, tiny alpha stickers (AMM), ribbon (Casa Collection), flower (Prima), brad (K & Co.)

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Downsizing


I used another Crafter's Workshop Template to reduce the pattern size of this older piece of patterned paper. I placed the template over the patterned paper and applied the Glimmer Mist by sprayed above the paper, allowing the mist to fall to the paper surface. This avoided having the Glimmer Mist build up on the template and run on to the paper. I learned to choose a Glimmer Mist colour that would sufficiently contrast with the patterned paper to make sure that the pattern in the stencil would stand out.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Papers: cardstocks (Bazzill), patterned (Junkitz)
Accessories: Crafter's Workshop Template, Santa Baby Glimmer Mist, cake die (Quickutz), Spellbinder Fancy Tag Die, sentiment sticker (Cloud 9)

Friday, March 18, 2011

Crafter's Workshop Templates Part 1


This card was one of a variety that I shared at the demo I did at the last local crop. I introduced some new Crafter's Workshop Templates and showed how they could be used with different products including Distress Inks, Glimmer Mists, Perfect Pearls and Chalks. Here I used Distress Walnut Ink with the Herringbone template to show how the control allowed by the ink let me created a border that faded out to the right. This was done in an effort to update older patterned paper. I also stamped the watch image in Versamark and applied gold Perfect Pearls to have the image coordinate with the Antique Brass anchor embellishment. I foresee using the Perfect Pearls in other metallic colours to create other masculine cards.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: CTMH
Papers: cardstocks (Bazzill), patterned (stash)
Inks: Colorbox Brown, Versamark, Distress Walnut
Accessories: anchor & brad (Making Memories), Gold Perfect Pearls

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Happy St. Patrick's Day


Though I was pleased with the final outcome of this card, I learned that when layering ribbon on lace, a heavier ribbon, such as gros grain, would have left a smoother finish.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: alpha (CTMH)
Papers: cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (Basic Grey)
Ink: Colorbox
Accessories: ribbon & lace (stash), brad (Kaiser)

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Petite and Sweet


Though I've made many 3 X 3 gift cards before, I wanted to incorporate some of my new dies and cardstock--Spellbinders Labels 16 and Basic Grey Capella. Hint: when cutting out sentiments, stamp first and then cut to get a well centred and size appropriate die cut.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Papertrey Ink
Papers: cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (Basic Grey)
Ink: Colorbox
Accessories: ribbon (stash), Spellbinder Labels 1 and 16 and Ovals

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Shapes from Dry Embossed Paper


I incorporated both Spellbinders and an embossing folder to make a wreath. I first dry embossed the paper and then I adhered both of the scalloped circles dies to the cardstock before cutting my shape. Using the Spellbinders after dry embossing the cardstock leaves a cleaner edge, both on the inner circle and the outer circle. The white background paper was also created with a Spellbinder die, but it was only dry embossed, not die cut.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Gina K.
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), red and green cardstock (Bazzill)
Ink: Versafine Black Onyx
Accessories: Spellbinder Labels 8 and Scalloped Circles, ribbon (stash), rhinestones (Kaiser)

Monday, March 14, 2011

Sectionals


I added more interest to this card by cutting the patterned paper layer into panels. The separation draws the eye to the focal point of the card--the sentiment. Still using up scraps of patterned paper,

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Stampin' Up
Papers: purple & green cardstocks (stash), patterned (K & Co.)
Ink: Versafine Black Onyx
Accessories: Spellbinder Circles and Scalloped Circles, corner rounder (Marvy), ribbon (Fabricland), buttons & embroidery thread (stash)

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Stamping on Doilies


Just loving the current "doily" trend. Here I used a doily stamp and Versamark ink for a tone on tone result. Took the stamping one step further and stamped my sentiment directly on top of my first stamped image. I've taken my layered cards to another level from layering cardstock to layering stamped images.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: image (Hero Arts), sentiment (unknown)
Papers: stash
Ink: Versamark, Versafine Black Onyx
Accessories: brad (stash), Spellbinder Squares

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Building a Flower Part 2


For the flower on this card I die cut one flower out of an old dictionary page and sprayed it with Glimmer Mist. Then I inked a paper flower. Inking the edges of many of the elements with the same Distress Tea Dye Ink pulled everything together.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: Inkadinkado
Papers: Moss cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (Basic Grey Cappella)
Inks: Brilliance Pearlescent Beige, Tea Dye Distress Ink
Accessories: Tim Holtz Bigz Die Tattered Florals, Spellbinders Lacey Squares, Glimmer Mists (Mimosa & Garden Fairy), Green Ice pearl brad (Kaiser), paper flower (Kaiser), patterned ribbon (Chatterbox), peach ribbon (stash)

Friday, March 11, 2011

Just Fur Fun


I couldn't resist making my own version of this card since I had the patterned paper. Wanted to make a connection between the lamb and wool sweater, so I used coloured Fun Flock for fur.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Rubber Stampede
Papers: kraft (Bazzill), black cardstock (stash), white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), patterned (Daisy D's)
Ink: Versafine Black Onyx, Distress Crushed Olive
Accessories: Spellbinder Squares and Scalloped Squares, Copics (E01 Pink Flamingo & R20 Blush)

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Using Up Leftovers


I couldn't resist making my own version of this wintry "Thank You" card. I stamped the snowflake and flourish and then applied the sticker letters. A simple card, but a good way to use up leftover letter stickers.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: snowflake (Impress), flourish (Stampin' Up)
Paper: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific)
Inks: Colorbox Wild Hare and Chalk Ice Blue
Accessories: letter stickers (Studio 112)

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Punch First, Then Emboss


Yes, this is it--the last of these patterned paper scraps! Bonus? I already have a couple of Christmas cards finished for 2011.

I punched out the tree and then dry embossed it; the textured paper may not have fit in the punch. This is one advantage of using Spellbinders--the thickness of the paper is not an issue.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Paper Inspirations
Papers: off white cardstock (Staples), green cardstock (Bazzill), patterned paper (CTMH)
Ink: Colorbox Evergreen
Accessories: Spellbinder Petite Ovals Large and Classic Scalloped Ovals Large, ribbon (stash), tree punch (EK Success)


Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Finishing Touches


In this case I also inked the edges of my squares of patterned paper. However, I didn't have Distress Ink in Pine, so I applied Colorbox Pigment Ink with a sea sponge instead. The difference is significant.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: PSX
Papers: off white cardstock (Staples), green cardstock (Bazzill), patterned paper (CTMH)
Ink: Colorbox Evergreen
Accessories: Spellbinder Circles and Scalloped Circles, Creative Memories Square Punches, ribbon (stash)

Monday, March 7, 2011

Cutting Tulle with Spellbinders


My favourite part of this card is how the Distress Ink accents the edges of the coloured cardstock. Though not as noticeable online, in person the ink makes the "tiles" appear dimensional. I tried to add more dimension to the flowers by using my Spellbinder dies to cut scalloped circles out of tulle. Next time, I would double the sheer, scalloped circles so that they would be more noticeable behind the flowers.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: Stampin' Up
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), black cardstock (stash), Dragonfly cardstock (Bazzill)
Inks: Versafine Onyx Black, Distress Tumbled Glass
Accessories: tulle (Fabricland), Square and Scalloped Square Spellbinders, Scalloped Circle Spellbinders, flowers (Martha Stewart)
Accessories:

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Tag Dies


Spellbinder Just Rite Tags provided me with the appropriate sized tag for this card. Though I had a set of Spellbinder Tags, I didn't have the correct size for this card. Compare die sizes to create a collection of various sizes to suit various projects. Just Rite is just one company working to create stamped images that work with dies.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Gina K
Papers: blue cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (Basic Grey Lime Ricky)
Accessories: Spellbinder Just Rite Tags, Fiskars patterned scissors, twill (stash), button & embroidery thread (stash)

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Finally Finished


I finally got the pieces to this card put together. Previously, I was trying to use up scrap patterned paper and got to the point where I couldn't look at it anymore! Sometimes it's good to move on to something else and go back to your project at a later date to be able to come up with an idea.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Stampin' Up
Papers: off white cardstock (Staples), green cardstock (Bazzill)
Ink: Colorbox Evergreen
Accessories: Spellbinders Squares and Scalloped Squares, gold gel pen, red button (stash), ribbon (stash)

Friday, March 4, 2011

Oval Up a Notch


These Label Dies have the perfect shape to accommodate pearls or rhinestones, making it easy to create an ornate frame.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Gina K
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), Water cardstock (Memory Box), patterned (Memory Box Dewfrost)
Ink: Versafine Black Onyx
Accessories: Spellbinder Labels 8 and Ovals and Labels 10, pearls (Kaiser), ribbon (stash)

Thursday, March 3, 2011

An Oval Frame


Two ovals, one size smaller than the other, were used to cut a perfect oval frame. This shows the difference in size between two dies from the same set. A thinner frame could be cut with ovals from two sets: large and small. The difference between these two sets of dies is 1/4".

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Verve
Papers: green cardstock (Bazzill), water cardstock (Memory Box), patterned (Memory Box Dewfrost)
Ink: Versafine Black Onyx
Accessories: Spellbinder Ovals and Just Rite Nested Frame Dies (corner die cut), pearls (Kaiser), ribbon (stash)

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Remember Raffia?


I'm always using up paper scraps, but this time I found a replacement for ribbon. This piece of raffia was on a gift package I received for Christmas and I couldn't throw it away. After all, it was Godiva! See what goodies you can find to make a unique card.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: image (Hero Arts), sentiment (CTMH)
Papers: off white cardstock (Staples), patterned (K & Co.)
Ink: Distress Vintage Photo
Accessories: Spellbinders Labels 8, raffia (stash)

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

The White Pencil


This card was made at a class in St. Ignace where we had the opportunity to try colouring with pencils and H2O's. I appreciated the ability to use the white pencil to outline and enhance the stamped and pencil coloured floral image. H2O's were used to add shimmer to the card. This is most evident on the dragonfly.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: images (Impression Obsession), sentiment (Hero Arts)
Papers: white, green and kraft cardstock (provided by teacher)
Ink: Colorbox green and purple
Accessories: H2O's, Prisma Pencils, rhinestones (Kaiser)