Bead It!

Can you tell that this solid bunny is one of my favourite stamps? In an attempt to use it in as many different ways as possible, I stamped and embossed it with sticky powder and adhered microbeads. This is a great way to add texture to a card.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Stampin' Up
Ink: Versamark
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), pink & green cardstock (Bazzill), patterned papers (Creative Memories)
Accessories: microbeads (stash), Spellbinder Circle, Scalloped Circle & Square dies, ribbon (stash), border punch (Martha Stewart)

Flower Soft Bunny

To be honest, my first attempt using Flower Soft with this solid rabbit image did not work on patterned paper. The Flower Soft rabbit was not bold enough to be noticed. On solid cardstock the fluffy rabbit adds softness to the Easter card.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Stampin' Up
Papers: off white cardstock (stash), blue cardstock (Bazzill), patterned paper (Deja Views)
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: sticky embossing powder, Off White Flower Soft, rhinestone (Kaiser), ribbon (Fabricland), Spellbinder Circle & Scalloped Circle dies, button & embroidery thread (stash)

Satin and Pearls

On a previous card, I partially framed an image with rhinestones. For this Easter card, I thought that the pearls worked well with the satin ribbon.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: PSX
Papers: off white cardstock (stash), blue cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (Deja Views)
Ink: Staz On Brown
Accessories: pearls (Kaiser), ribbon (Fabricland), Spellbinder Oval & Scalloped Oval dies

Bring An Image to Life

Once again I looked for "real" elements in the stamped image and added them to bring dimension to the card front. I was kindly given button brads that were perfect in size to the ones in the rabbit image.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: image (Stampin' Up), sentiment (Papertrey Ink)
Papers: off white cardstock (stash), blue cardstock (Bazzill)
Ink: Staz On Brown
Accessories: button brads (Linda G.), ribbon (stash), Herringbone Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Spellbinder Oval, Scalloped Oval and Scalloped Heart Dies

Break It Up

When using a smaller stamped image, breaking up the face of the card into parts is a good idea. The stamped image does not get "lost" on the face of the card. This also allowed me to add other elements to the card, like the paper piercing at the top and the scalloped border at the bottom.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: PSX
Papers: off white cardstock (stash), blue cardstock (Bazzill), patterned paper (Deja Views)
Ink: Colorbox Queue
Accessories: Spellbinders die, ribbon (stash), paper piercer (Making Memories), scalloped border punch (EK Success), button & embroidery floss (stash)

Chalk One Up

To "pop" dry embossed images I have used ink in the past, but I found it too harsh. This time I chose to apply chalk to the raised areas of the rabbit to get a softer look. The chalk is applied while the stencil is still taped to the paper.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Papertrey Ink
Ink: Colorbox Queue
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), pink cardstock (Bazzill), patterned paper (Creative Memories)
Accessories: chalk (Pebbles, Inc.), stencil (Lasting Impresions), rhinestones (Kaiser), ribbon (stash)

Love the Image...

This was another "must have" image since its dimensions are more suitable to the long, rectangular cards I most often make. Though the scan doesn't clearly show this, I accentuated the falling snowflakes with glitter glue. The pattern in the background stamp varied in size to the stripe in the patterned paper, but I'm not satisfied with the final result. Perhaps this is because the colour of the dried ink was somewhat different that the colours in the patterned paper. Live and learn.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: image (Whipper Snapper), background (Stampin' Up)
Ink: Colorbox Queue
Paper: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific)
Accessories: Stickles

Don't Lose It, Use It

This gorgeous sticker came with the patterned papers so I took advantage of the coordinate and used it on my card. I merely stamped my own sentiment right on the sticker.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Hero Arts
Ink: Colorbox Queue
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), green cardstock (Bazzill), patterned papers (Creative Memories)
Accessories: scalloped circle punch (Stampin' Up), button (Making Memories), embroidery thread & ric rac (stash), border punch (EK Success), sticker (Creative Memories)

Not Eggs-actly What I Had in Mind

I was so enamored by the set of Close to My Heart Easter Eggs that I had to have them, but didn't realize the difficulty I would have cutting them out. To hide any imperfections in my trimming, I inked the edges of the egg. I am looking forward to getting a set of Spellbinder Egg dies in the hopes that they will work with these beautiful stamps.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: image (Close to My Heart), sentiment (Papertrey Ink)
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), patterned papers (Creative Memories)
Ink: Colorbox Queue
Accessories: frame die (Stampin' Up), border punch (Martha Stewart), ribbon (stash)

Heat Embossing on Patterned Paper

To make the solid stamped image stand out on the patterned paper, I heat embossed it with white embossing powder. This added texture to the card front as well.
I originally chose to use a corner punch on this card, but forgot that it is not wise to punch pieces of paper that have been taped together. Result--disaster. I cut the corner off and used a collection of buttons to finish the card instead.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Stampin' Up
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), pink cardstock (Bazzill), patterned paper (Creative Memories)
Ink: Colorbox
Accessories: ribbon, buttons & embroidery floss (stash), embossing powder (stash), rhinestone (Kaiser)

Sentiments Within Images

When I saw this unique image, I had to have it. The sentiment and rabbit image were one stop shopping. Unique stamps make unique cards.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Stampabilities
Ink: Colorbox Queue
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), green & pink cardstocks (Bazzill), patterned paper (Creative Memories)
Accessories: ribbon (stash), Spellbinder Label Die, button & embroidery floss (stash)

Ornate Easter Card

I thought these silver corner stickers complimented, but didn't over power, the ornate Easter egg image.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: PSX
Ink: Colorbox Queue
Papers: pink cardstock (Bazzill), patterned paper (Creative Memories)
Accessories: stickers (Merlene)

Circle Within a Square Frame

This frame was created from the leftovers of a circle die cut. Waste not, want not!

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Stampin' Up
Ink: Colorbox Queue
Papers: off white cardstock (stash), brown cardstock (Bazzill), patterned paper (Making Memories)
Accessories: brads (stash), ribbon (Fabricland)

Create an Arch

To create a unique frame for my stamped image, I cut most of a circle out of patterned and solid papers and layered them. Use an embellishment that you haven't in a while, like a safety pin.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: PSX
Papers: off white cardstock (stash), brown & pink cardstocks (Bazzill)
Ink: Colorbox Queue
Accessories: ric rac, safety pin, brads (stash), Spellbinder Circle dies

Almost Forgot!

Use Solids on Patterns

Solid images bring a whole new world to stamping. They can stand alone and don't get lost on most patterned papers.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Stampin' Up
Papers: off white cardstock (stash), pink cardstock (Bazzill), patterned papers (Making Memories)
Ink: Colorbox Queue
Accessories: border punch (Marvy), brads (stash)

Significant Sentiment

Rather than use an image as a focal point, this time I used a sentiment. The small image was used as an accent.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: sentiment (Stampin' Up), bunny (PSX)
Papers: off white and pink cardstock (stash), patterned paper (Making Memories)
Accessories: ribbon (Making Memories), brads (stash)

Paper Mache Bunny

I cut a rabbit out of patterned paper, the same shape as in the original stamped image. Then I found embellishments of the same size as those in the stamped image and added them in the card to make the card dimensional.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Stampin' Up
Papers: blue cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (Chatterbox)
Ink: Stampin' Up Navy
Accessories: buttons & embroidery thread (stash)

China Rabbit

I used a white, glossy rabbit die cut as my focal point and embellished it with a pink rhinestone to emulate a china rabbit.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Papers: green & blue cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (Chatterbox)
Accessories: rabbit die cut (Stampendous), ribbon (All My Memories), rhinestone (Kaiser)

Put All Your Eggs in One Basket

Another great way to use paper scraps is to punch out shapes from various coordinated patterned papers. The eggs were layered in the basket for a realistic look.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Papers: white cardstock (Geogia Pacific), patterned papers (Chatterbox)
Accessories: basket stencil (Lasting Impressions), egg punch (Marvy), ribbon (stash), brads (Doodlebug)

From Good to Better

Despite the cardstock base being off white, it still seemed too stark, so I softened up the stamped image with a spray of Tattered Leather Glimmer Mist. I did learn it's best to use a paper napkin to blot the Glimmer Mist, rather than a piece of paper towel with a pattern in it; the pattern will show on the sprayed image.

Card Recipe
Stamps: image (Uptown), sentiment (Papertrey Ink)
Papers: off white cardstock (stash), light chocolate cardstock (Bazzill), patterned paper (stash)
Ink: Colorbox Queue
Accessories: ribbons, lace & brads (stash), Spellbinder Labels

Friends to the End

Here I was able to incorporate my sentiment into the stamped image within the cut out circle.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: image (Impression Obsession), sentiment (Papertrey Ink)
Papers: off white cardstock (stash), light chocolate cardstock (Bazzill), patterned paper (stash)
Ink: Colorbox Queue
Accessories: Spellbinders Circle and Scalloped Circle Die, snowflake punch (EK Success), brad (Bazzill), ribbon (stash), twig punch (Martha Stewart)

Faux Hardware

I didn't have an embellishment of the appropriate size and colour to use on this card, so I heat embossed a stamped corner image. This accentuated, without overpowering, the large focal image within the patterned paper.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: PSX
Papers: off white cardstock (stash), light chocolate cardstock (Bazzill), patterned paper (stash)
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: ribbon, embroidery thread & button (stash), brass embossing powder (PSX)

Add a Spray

I created a snowflake "spray" in the bottom, right hand corner of this card front to balance the large snowflake at the to of the patterned paper strip on the left.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: bird (Inkadinkado), sentiment (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Colorbox Queue
Papers: off white cardstock (stash), patterned papers (stash), light chocolate cardstock (Bazzill)
Accessories: ribbon & brad (stash), Spellbinder Circles & Scalloped Circles, larger snowflake punch (EK Success), smaller snowflake punch (Emaginations), branch punch (Martha Stewart)

Glass in My Stash

With winter in mind, I decided to use these glass embellishments on this card. I thought they had an "icy" look to them.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Ink: Colorbox Queue
Papers: off white cardstock & patterned papers (stash), light chocolate cardstock (Bazzill)
Accessories: glass embellishments (EK Success), snowman punch (EK Success), Spellbinder Ovals and Scalloped Ovals

Pop Goes the "Bird"?

I tried to bring this bird "to life" by first stamping the entire image directly on the patterned paper and then stamping the bird on a piece of off white cardstock. I trimmed the bird, inked the edges and adhered it to the card face, directly on the first stamped bird.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Inkadinkado
Papers: off white cardstock (stash), brown cardstock (Bazzill), patterned paper (stash)
Ink: Colorbox Queue
Accessories: ribbon (stash)

Keeping My Options Open

I've punched a tab and attached it under the stamped image, leaving it blank. This gives me the option of using the card for the purpose of my choice, when the need arises. I can choose one of my small sentiment images to put "Get Well" or "Thanks" when I need it. For interest, I tore the bottom of the stamped image, to add to the rustic theme of the card.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Paper Impressions
Ink: Memories Dye
Papers: off white cardstock (stash), patterned paper (stash)
Accessories: tab punch (Stampin' Up)

Twinkle, Twinkle

To carry on the "twinkle" in the image, I heat embossed it with glitter embossing powder. A new trend appears to be using a variety of similar buttons as a card embellishment.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Stampendous
Papers: off white cardstock (stash), patterned paper (stash)
Ink: Colorbox
Accessories: Shimmering Leaves embossing powder, buttons (stash), embroidery thread (stash), Spellbinders Label die

A Green Snowman?

This patterned paper is winter themed so I stamped the snowman image in the matching colour. The soft ribbon accentuates the soft, falling snow.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Penny Black
Papers: off white cardstock (stash), patterned paper (stash)
Ink: Memories Dye
Accessories: ribbon (stash), Spellbinders Rectangle die

Hang In There

For something different, I've combined the idea of stacking scraps of patterned paper for a background and adding a ribbon to the top of the stamped image to make it appear as if it is a wall hanging. The die cut in the top left hand corner balances the weight of the punched border at the bottom of the card.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Inkadinkado
Papers: off white cardstock (stash), patterned papers (stash)
Ink: Memories Dye
Accessories: green ribbon (Fabricland), Spellbinders Fleur De Lis die and Square die, off white ribbon (stash), border punch (Martha Stewart)

Another Reverse Image

Knowing that the actual image would remain the off white colour of the cardstock, I chose to ink the stamp in a shade of green that would coordinate with the patterned papers. Though the colour, blue, is traditionally associated with the theme of winter, I thought that the elements of this card came together nicely for a seasonal card.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Inkadinkado
Papers: off white cardstock (stash), patterned papers (unknown)
Ink: Memories Dye
Accessories: ribbon (stash), Spellbinders Squares, pearl brads (stash)

Simulation of Movement

Ric rac is a great way to simulate movement in design. Here it emulates the flow of the scarf on the penguin.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: penguin (Inkadinkado), sentiment (Papertrey Ink)
Inks: Versaink black, Colorbox Queue chalk green
Papers: Kevin & Granny Smith cardstock (Bazzill), white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), black cardstock (stash)
Accessories: ric rac (stash), rhinestone (Kaiser), Spellbinders ovals and scalloped ovals, circle punch (Marvy), snowflake (stash)