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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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)

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

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

Pause for the Cause

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

Natalie

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

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

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

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

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)

"Sentimental" Buttons

Traditionally, buttons came in all sorts of shapes from circles to apples. Now themed button packages include words. Specifically for paper crafters, these buttons come without the shank attached.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: PSX
Papers: red & beige cardstocks (Bazzill), patterned (BoBunny)
Ink: Adirondak Raisin
Accessories: button (Jesse James Button Co.), Spellbinders, Cuttlebug Victoria embossing folder

Partially Popped

This image from Inkadinkado allowed me to stamp once, yet give the card different depths. I simply cut the cardinal out of the middle of the stamped image and adhere it with foam squares.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Inkadinkado
Ink: Adirondak
Papers: beige cardstock (Bazzill), red cardstock (stash), patterned paper (BoBunny)
Accessories: Spellbinders Scalloped Squares, ribbon (Fabricland), Cuttlebug Victoria embossing folder

Framing Matters

I wanted to "showcase" one of my favourite Christmas sentiments so I double matted it by cutting it out with one Spellbinders die and matting it with another.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: PSX
Ink: Adirondak Raisin
Papers: burgundy, green & blue cardstock (Bazzill), patterned paper (Tinkering Ink)
Accessories: Spellbinders, ribbon (stash)

Using Patterned Paper with Sentiments

Using patterned paper with sentiments was very challenging. This limited the images I could use as my focal point, since more words would get lost in the design of the card front.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: PSX
Ink: Colorbox Queue
Papers: off white, burgundy & green cardstock (Bazzill), patterned paper (Pressed Petals)
Accessories: Spellbinders Circle & Scalloped Circle Dies, buttons & embroidery thread (stash), Copic marker

Interior Design

This patterned paper reminded me of elegant wallpaper, so why not use it to simulate a living room wall?! I chose ribbon with a hint of gold shimmer for my "chair rail" and ribbed cardstock for my "wainscoting". Take inspiration from the decor around you.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: PSX
Ink: Colorbox Queue
Papers: off white cardstock (stash), green cardstock
(Bazzill)
Accessories: button (American Crafts), ribbon & embroidery thread (stash)

Say What?

This is my first card with this stamp and I anticipate many more to come, because of its versatility. This is another attempt to use more sentiments on my card fronts. A good way to get more mileage out of stamp images.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Stampin' Up
Papers: off white & red cardstock (Bazzill), patterned paper (scraps)
Ink: Colorbox
Accessories: ribbon (Fabricland), buttons & embroidery thread (stash)

Beyond Monochromatic

Once again I found myself going monochromatic so I found a solution: add a neutral colour. In this case, I used black because the image would look appropriate in this colour.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: PSX
Paper: wine cardstock (Bazzill), black cardstock (stash), patterned paper (Making Memories)
Ink: Versaink Onyx Black
Accessories: Flower Soft Polar White, Spellbinders, green gel pen (Crayola), ribbon (stash)

Stamping Sentiments on Patterned Paper

Because I wanted to compliment a curved image with a curved sentiment, I had no room to stamp the sentiment on it's own cardstock. A significantly colour of ink and a somewhat muted patterned paper allowed me to stamp the sentiment directly on it. This time I added texture to the card by gluing coloured sand on the wreath and topiaries.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: front door (Uptown Rubber Stamps), sentiment (Inkadinkado)
Ink: Staz On Jet Black
Papers: black cardstock (stash), Wine cardstock (Bazzill), patterned paper (Making Memories)
Accessories: ribbon (stash), sand (The Stamp Doctor)

A Punch of Colour

Sometimes when I am using up scraps, I tend to go monochromatic. Simply using green and white left the card a little drab, so I punched it up with a little red, using brads and ribbon. Love the Christmas Quickutz embossing folder.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: PSX
Ink: PSX Sentiments Moss
Paper: green & white cardstock (stash), patterned papers (Over the Moon Press)
Accessories: ribbon (stash), brads (Creating Keepsakes), embossing folder (Quickutz)

Unique Stamp Designs

Inkadinkado has come out with a variety of images designed to accommodate "bling". I placed the rhinestones in on the tree where there were small circles, similar in size to the embellishments. Also note the positive and negative images in the tree. The reindeer is green while the snowman is white. Check out the other unique images in the same line of stamps.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Inkadinkado
Paper: green & white cardstock (stash), patterned paper (Over the Moon Press)
Ink: PSX Sentiments Moss
Accessories: Spellbinders, ribbon (All My Memories), button (Making Memories), floss (stash), rhinestones (Kaiser)

Spray It

I've had this punch for quite some time and thought it would have endless possibilities. Here I've used it to create a spray to balance the oval on the opposite side of the card. Something different...

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Hero Arts
Paper: burgundy cardstock (stash), Kraft &Tall Pines (Bazzill)
Ink: Colorbox Queue Chalk
Accessories: leaf punch (Martha Stewart), 1/8" punch (stash), ribbon (stash), Spellbinders Ovals & Scalloped Ovals, Scalloped Rectangle Die (Stampin' Up)

Brass Stencils: Chalks vs Inks

I've come to the conclusion that I prefer the look of chalks over the results obtained with inks when using brass stencils. Chalks not only result in a softer look, but allow more control as they do not seep.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Paper: cardstocks (Bazzill), patterned paper (MME)
Accessories: stencils (Lasting Impressions), chalks (Pebbles, Inc.), ribbon (stash)

Where's My Mojo Gone?

I always find switching gears from scrapbooking to cardmaking to be a struggle. Enjoyed the crop at Tarentorus school and spent yesterday putting away my leftovers. Had a hard time getting a card made, but I'm making progress.

Couldn't wait to use my new Quickutz Tree embossing folder. I thought it went well with this rustic patterned paper. Finished the card with a button to "tie" the look together. Stuck to the Rule of Three to get a balanced layout.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: PSX
Ink: Colorbox Chianti
Paper: red & turquoise cardstock (Bazzill), patterned paper (MME)
Accessories: embossing folder(Quickutz), button & embroidery thread (MM), Spellbinders Nestabilities

The Best for Last

This is the last of the set of cards I will post made from the card kit from Stampin' Up. I have used a layout from a previously made birthday card and come up with a different look, using different supplies. Stuck for an idea? Look at cards you have already made and try a new "theme" on.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: sentiment (Flourishes)
Paper Elements: Stampin' Up
Ink: CTMH Seafoam green
Accessories: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, CM Square Punches

Wrap It Up

As an alternative to "wrapping" ribbon on one element of a card, I chose to wrap the face of the card, pulling the card layout design together.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Paper Elements: Stampin' Up
Accessories: ribbon (Fabricland)

Re-Gifting

As you may have noticed, I love ribbons and bows. Here I have incorporated it into the card design in a different way by using it as the finishing touches on a gift.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Paper Elements: Stampin' Up
Accessories: ribbon & brads (stash)

Here I've used older supplies with a new Cuttlebug Embossing Folder.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Paper Elements: Stampin' Up
Accessories: ribbon (JoAnn), Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

Here I simply tried to come up with an original design to incorporate the elements in the Stampin' Up card kit.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Paper Elements: Stampin' Up
Accessories: button & embroidery thread (stash)

Blog Candy Winner!

And the winner is...
(as chosen at random on separate pieces of paper by my daughter)
judyanddavid87.
Please contact Deb or Alison to redeem your prize.
Congratulations!

Natalie

A Personal Touch

Over the next few days I will be posting a variety of cards made from the papers included in a paper pack I won in a card contest last year. The Stampin' Up Simply Sent Christmas Elements Kit included three colours of cardstock, three sheets of patterned paper, two pages of sticker elements and an idea sheet. Rather than make the cards as shown, I preferred to make them my own. You will see how I have added my own "thing" to several cards, making each of them unique. Using new products and ideas can bring older paper back to life.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: "Merry Christmas" (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Colorbox Queue
Papers: Stampin' Up
Accessories: brad (Making Memories), Bigz Die

Somethin' Old, Somethin' New

Although stamping and heat embossing on the front of vellum and colouring the image on the backside is nothing new, I thought I would give it a try with my new red, Copic marker. Unlike the green Marvy marker I used to colour the leaves, the red Copic marker (the only one I own so far) dried much faster and was much richer in colour. Guess I need to improve my collection of Copic markers.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: image (Hero Arts), sentiment (Flourishes)
Ink: Encore Silver
Paper: ribbon, vellum & white cardstock (stash), patterned (Making Memories), 1/8" punch, Fiskars scalloped scissors

Blog Candy Reminder

Just a friendly reminder to post your comment on the Blog Candy post of last week in order to be eligible to win. Deadline is tomorrow at midnight.

Natalie

Large Tags, Different Shapes

The images on these tags also required a larger die. I tried to choose a die appropriate for the image. I chose a square die for a relatively square image and a rectangular die for a relatively rectangular image. Use your ribbon scraps to "hang" a tag with a brad.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: PSX
Ink: Staz On Brown, Versaink Black
Paper: crimson cardstock (DCWV), off white (stash)
Accessories: Spellbinders, markers (Copic, Marvy, Tombow), ribbon (stash), brad (stash)

Large Tags

These larger images required larger, rectangular Spellbinder dies. In addition, they required colouring; this was done with markers.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: PSX
Ink: green (Colorbox), brown (Staz On)
Paper: crimson (DCWV), off white (stash)
Accessories: ribbon (stash), Spellbinders, markers (Copic & Marvy LePlume), 1/8" hole punch

Tags on Kraft

With the popularity of kraft cardstock I chose to use it as a base on these tags. Love the "folk art" feel to them.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: scalloped frame & stockings (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Colorbox
Paper: kraft cardstock (Bazzill)
Accessories: ribbons, button & embroidery thread (stash), Spellbinders

Tags on Red

For a more "country" look, I used crimson red as my primary colour and combined it with kraft cardstock and plaid ribbons.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: scalloped squares & stockings (Papertrey Ink)
Paper: crimson cardstock (DCWV), kraft cardstock (Bazzill)
Ink: red & white (Colorbox)
Accessories: embroidery thread, button & ribbon (stash)

Tags on White

I started with a simple card base that would coordinate with most Christmas wrapping papers. It was best to stamp the frame image first and then cut out the scalloped squares with the Spellbinder dies; this allowed for more accuracy.
I decorated each tag in a different way, using a variety of embellishments. On one stocking top I coloured first with a Signo White Gel Pen.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: scalloped squares & stockings (Papertrey Ink)
Paper: white cardstock (stash)
Ink: Versamark Black, Staz On Brown
Accessories: ribbons & brad (stash), Polar White Flower Soft, Signo White Gel Pen

Blog Candy

In celebration of our 100th post, Deb has decided to offer a Scrapaholics Gift Certificate. The winner will be entitled to a one time, 20% discount off of his/her total purchases of regularly priced items (before taxes) either online http://www.scrapaholics.ca or in-store. How do you become a winner? Simply post a comment on this blog post before November 11th and the names of those participants who have posted will be included in a draw for the prize on this date. We'd love to hear from you!

Natalie

Cardstock Scraps

With my Hallowe'en card making coming to an end, I "repurposed" the leftover cardstock by punching circles to layer on this card.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Paper: orange cardstocks (Bazzill), black cardstock (scraps), patterned paper (Creative Imaginations)
Accessories: owl, witch & pumpkin punches (Martha Stewart)

Tone on Tone Part 2

Once again, I found myself with ink that perfectly matched my cardstock. Unfortunately, this didn't serve the purpose I had in mind. To get the diamond background image to show, I used the ink, but then heat embossed the stamping with clear embossing powder.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Stampin' Up
Paper: orange cardstock (Bazzill), patterned paper (Creative Imaginations)
Ink: Colorbox Cat Eye
Accessories: witch embellishment (stash), spider sticker (stash), ribbon (Making Memories)

Glitter It!

Since the moon is white and the "curly Q's" in the patterned paper were sparkly white, I wanted to make the moon sparkle too. Glitter alone would have been too translucent; I first coloured the moon with a white gel pen. It dried immediately, allowing me to apply glitter glue and the glitter right away.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Stampin' Up
Ink: Versafine Onyx
Paper: blue cardstock (Bazzill), patterned paper (Creative Imaginations)
Accessories: Signo White Gel Pen, irridescent glitter (stash), Spellbinders Labels, ribbon (Doodlebug), googly eyes (stash)