King for Today

This is the last of the Father's Day cards I did using the 'Impressions of Tarnished Foil' technique.  I still have a few more cards using this technique waiting in the wings, so stay tuned . . .

This one is for my husband, a certified chess freak.  I'll use any occasion to give him a chess-themed card as it always makes him smile.

Cardstock:   Bazzill Raven, Generic Metallic Silver

Stamps:        Love You to Bits Dotted Mist, Art Impressions

                           Background #2, Chess King

Inks:               StazOn Jet Black, VersaMark

Emb Powder:   Gary Burlin Harlequin Gold, Ranger Queen’s Gold

Emb Folder: Sizzix Evergreen

Dies:              Tim Holtz Paper Snowflakes, Tim Holtz Alphanumeric,

                           Tattered Lace Alphabet

Doo Dads:    Stamp Oasis Heat & Stick Powder, Stampin’ Around

                           glitter Gold Dust          

Enjoy Life's Moments #2

 I hope my baby brother gets a laugh out of this one . . .

The father of two terrific kids, he certainly deserves to wear this crown for his special day.  Here's the scoop on the crown:  it's actually a trimmed down snowflake!  The crown die I had planned to use came out looking rather Queenly instead of Kingly, so I improvised.  I love it when I can use alternative choices to bail myself out of difficulties . . .

Cardstock:   Bazzill Jade, Generic Metallic Silver, Dull Silver           

Stamps:        Raindrops on Roses Smudge, Art Impressions

                           Background #2, Hero “Enjoy Life’s Moments”

Inks:               StazOn Jet Black, VersaMark, ColorBox Silver

Emb Powder:   Pipe Dream Ink Zeehan (Silver), Cloisonné Cerulean

                                Satin, Delafield Silver

Emb Folder: Cuttlebug Distressed Stripes, Mesh

Dies:              Tim Holtz Paper Snowflakes, Wplus9 Tie Die

Doo Dads:    Stamp Oasis Heat & Stick Powder, Amy’s Magic 

                         glitter Chunky Silver

Enjoy Life's Moments

Here is another version of the "Impressions of Tarnished Foil" technique I first posted four days ago.  Scroll back for a link to the technique and a video . . .

As Father's Day is coming up soon, here is one layout I've put together.  I'm in danger playing exclusively with this technique for weeks to come because it's simple, fun, you never really know what you're going to get, and it always turns out fabulous!  Well, so far, anyway . . . stay tuned for more variations to come.

Cardstock:   Bazzill Raven, Mango, Generic Metallic Silver  

Stamps:        Time to Stamp Grunge, Art Impressions Background #2

Inks:              StazOn Jet Black, Timber Brown, VersaMark

Emb Powder:  Bear Rubber Thick Gold, Ranger Queen’s Gold

Dies:              Top Dog Photo Props, Memory Box Stitched Rectangle 

                           Trimmings    

Emb Folder:  Hero Artistic Fern, Cuttlebug Herringbone

Doo Dads:     Stamp Oasis Heat & Stick Powder, Stampin’ Around glitter Gold                              Dust          

Sparkle

Early in April, Splitcoast Stampers posted a wonderful technique I just had to try.  It involves Mirror Card, which makes me very happy because I've got a ton of it but rarely use it. Until now.  Used with embossing folders, some embossing powder and a little glitter, the results are stunning . . .

Here is the tutorial and a video. Depending on the embossing folders and colors used, the results can vary widely and so far, I've been really happy with every sample I've made.  You can see these for yourself, as I'll be posting five more cards showing my versions of the "Impressions with Tarnished Foil" technique.

The steps are simple:  after lightly stroking a StazOn pad over the mirror card in order to calm down a little of the glare, put the piece into your embossing folder of choice and run it through.  Then lightly stroke a VersaMark pad randomly over the card and dust on some embossing powder.  If desired, repeat with another color until you get the effect you like. Highlight by again stroking the StazOn pad over all to really pick up the dimensional highs and lows.  This makes the whole deal really pop!

I decided that a little glitter would be fun so I used VersaMark to ink up my favorite randomly splotchy background image and stamped it.  After dusting with Heat & Stick powder and then heating to melt it, I dusted with a lovely antiqued gold glitter.

Experiment by using different colors of mirror or foiled cardstock and use any embossing powders you like:  UTEE works really well for this technique.

Cardstock:   Bazzill Raven, Mango, Generic Black, Metallic Silver

Stamps:        Art Impressions Background #2, Viva Las Vegas

Inks:               StazOn Jet Black, VersaMark “Don’t let anyone . . .”

Emb Powder:   Ranger Queen’s Gold, Bit ‘o Boss Copper

Dies:              Memory Box Stitched Rectangle Trimmings, Impression

                           Obsession Bare Branch, Papertrey Ink Angled Labels               

Emb Folder: Darice Birch Trees

Doo Dads:    Stamp Oasis Heat & Stick Powder, Stampin’ Around glitter 

                         Gold Dust

He is Risen

With a To-Do list that threatens to strangle me, I absolutely had  to acknowledge the most important event on the planet as simply as possible this year.  Still, I found several ways to throw in some extra steps - as always . . .

 . . . three die cuts, three sessions with heat embossing, coloring the trim and sash on the angel's robe, coloring his face, hands and feet, and water coloring his wings with silver watercolor.

But Easter is the single most important event ever and nothing will ever top this glorious proof of God's endless love for us.  Christ is Risen - Glorify Him!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Crimson, Strathmore Soft White, Kids Series Paint Pad

Stamps:        Eureka Messenger Angel, Stacey Stamps Distressed Frame,

                           typed text  “He is . . . risen” – Luke 24:6      

Inks:               ColorBox Black

Colorants:    Bic Mark-It Prairie Berry, Copic E000 Pale Fruit Pink

Watercolors:   Gansai Tambi Silver

Emb Powder:   WOW Clear Matte Dull

Dies:              Mama Elephant Peek A Frame, Tim Holtz Labels                     

A Green Bough

This card is actually a Condolence/Thinking of You design.  When the loss of someone extremely dear is fresh, there is a lot of support from friends and loved ones.  But then, most of that usually fades as people return to their busy lives.  That's when the realities of the tragic loss begin to grind their way in. 

The loving distractions provided by the funeral services, visits, phone calls, and friends are no longer there and that's when the loss may be most keenly felt.  So a reminder that the bereaved are still in our hearts and prayers is a good thing to send . . .

After thinking that the card was done, It occurred to me that I could emphasize the green bough by die cutting a spray of foliage and gluing it over the stamped bough.  I think it turned out rather well . . .

I plan to send this in about three months . . . I want my friend to know that she remains uppermost in my mind.

Cardstock:   Neenah Desert Storm        

Stamps:        Rubber Stampede Fly Away Home, Text from Dina

                          Wakely: Scribbly Birds

Inks:               Gina K Charcoal Brown, Distress Mowed Lawn

Emb Powder:   WOW Clear Matte Dull  

Dies:              Mama Elephant Peek A Frame, Momenta Label Thanks,

                           Spellbinders Classic Squares, Small, Impression

                           Obsession Foliage

Emb Folder: Spellbinders Bricks and Bark        

Your Special Day

I've always wanted to do a double matting but never took the time to figure out how to do that.  A recent post on Splitcoast Stampers came to my rescue . . .

The directions are easy and the results are elegant.  I'll be pulling this one out of my box of tricks many times in future . . .

Cardstock:   Unknown Textured White, Bazzill Leapfrog, Jacaranda

Stamps:        Simon Says Sketchy Banner Greetings: “Wishes for your

                           Special Day”

Inks:               Distress Stormy Sky, Memento marker Bamboo Leaves,

                           ColorBox Black   

Emb Powder:  Vippies Transcendence

Dies:              Spellbinders Classic Ovals, Impression Obsession Full

                           Bloom Hollyhocks, Simon Says Sketchy Banners,

                           We-Buys Cute Chrysanthemum set (Bugs)

Emb Folder: Taylored Expressions Weathered

Doo Dads:    Past Time Stamps Ultra Fine Glitter          

Heartfelt Wishes

When a dear friend of mine had a mild heart attack last week, it was extremely reassuring to learn that he's going to be just fine and, in fact, was sent home just two days later.  Naturally, a Get Well card was immediately in the works, and what better image to use than one featuring a heart?  Or in this case, three of them . . .

The background on this one was the result of more fun with reinkers and plastic wrap. I dropped three colors of reinkers onto plastic wrap, misted it pretty well to make the colors move, and laid my cardstock on top.  Then I flipped the whole thing over and pushed the plastic wrap around to make it wrinkle and concentrate the colors.  When dry, I peeled off the wrap and was rewarded with some marble-like coloration. 

Except for the waiting-until-it-dries part, this technique is super quick and makes it easy to do up a bunch of them to have at the ready for your next stamping session . . .

Cardstock:   Bazzill Santillo, The Paper Cut White Matte Coat

Stamps:        Rubber Tree  Vertical Hearts, Hero Find Joy: “Heartfelt

                           Wishes”

Inks:               Posh Reinkers Cranberry, Coral, Orange, ColorBox Black

Emb Powder:   Judikins Detail Black

Dies:              DieNamics Vertical Stitched Strips, Verve Flourished Trim