On Your Anniversary

As a fallback in case of boo boo's, I had made a number of extra die cut pieces for the library class in rubber stamping I taught last month.  So I've got lots of leftover bits and pieces I can put to use for my own work . . .

 . . . hence the use of both the black and sponged layers.  But instead of a stamped image, I opted to use a die cut in a little different way:  I thought some extra dimension would be interesting, so I frosted it the flowers with embossing paste and scattered on some fine glitter,  In real life, it twinkles quite nicely . . .

Cardstock:   Value Pack White, Bazzill Raven

Stamps:       Impression Obsession “On Your Anniversary”

Inks:             Distress Dusty Concord, Bundled Sage, Faded Jeans

Emb Powder:   Judikins Detail Black

Dies:            Spellbinders Small Mega Deckled Rectangles, Branching Out,

                     Simon Says Fresh Daisies                       

Doo Dads:    Suze Weinberg Dimensional Whipped Paper, Past Time Stamps

                     Multi Ultra Fine Glitter 

EEEK!

Halloween artwork runs the gamut from cute to scary and I have fun playing with all of it!  This year, I went with adorable . . .

Wouldn't you just love to open your front door on Halloween to a gaggle of ghosts like these?

I used metallic cardstock for the EEEK word die cut but the purple shade was off.  Copics to the rescue!  How I love alcohol inks for their ability to change the color of practically every medium out there . . .    

Cardstock:   Bazzill Raven, Nicole Bristol Smooth White      

Stamps:       DRS Ghost Family Portrait, Stacey Stamp Corner Web,

                     Computer Generated “Ghost Family Portrait”

Inks:             Gina K Amalgam Black

Colorants:    Copic C1 Cool Grey #1, V09 Violet

Watercolors:   Zig Real Brush Geranium Red, Orange, Bright Yellow,

                     Light Green, Cobalt Blue, Lilac

Emb Powder:   Stamp Zia Black Sparkle

Dies:            Top Dog Pocket Page: Winter, Frantic Stamper Scary

                     Words: EEEK!, Stampin’ Up Lakeside Framelets: Label     

                       

Smooshing Sample

The Smooshing technique  is a fun way to let go of any excessive control issues and is therefore a great method to teach to a class of rubber newbies . . .

These samples used two colors of Distress ink dabbed onto a craft sheet.  After spritzing with water a couple of times, the cardstock is pressed into the ink.  After drying with a heat gun,  press down onto the remaining ink.  Heat dry and repeat until the ink is gone.  The heat drying part is crucial:  it's how the color is built up and is also how the wonderfully textural and defined edges are created around the blobs of color.

Cardstock:   Strathmore #90 watercolor paper, Love Nicole Black,

                     Bazzill Heather/Cutie           

Stamps:       A Watkins Take Good Notes/Great Impressions Take

                     Good notes, Fred Mullett Netting                

Inks:             Distress Dusty Concord/Salty Ocean or Carved

                     Pumpkin/Spiced Marmalade

Emb Pwdr:   Ranger UTEE Platinum

Dies:            Mama Elephant Femme Frames, Darice Nesting Scallop                                                              Heart/Spellbinders Signs of Spring 1/Cheery Lynn Small

                     Exotic Butterflies                

Doo Dads:    Queen & Co Pearls Black             

Sponging Sample

The next technique I wanted to share with my beginner stamping class was sponging, a technique that sounds so simple, but in actuality, can be tricky . . .

 Enter the Life Changing Brushes . . . and instant expertise is actually possible!   Blending is incredibly easy with these velvety soft brushes and right from the start, you feel in control of the results.

While the initial set of ten was pricey at $50, they are available as inexpensive cosmetic brushes from a variety of sites and dollar stores.  Best of all, you likely won't need all ten:  a trio of small, medium and larger are probably all you'll ever need.  That's because the bristles are nylon and not fur.  This means they won't hold the ink beyond what you need for the job.  A few swirls on a paper towel or micro fiber cloth and presto!  They are ready for the next color!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Raven, Strathmore Ultimate White, Nicole Black         

Stamps:       Stacy Stamps Wildflower Trio, Hero Silhouette Burst,

                     Stampin’ Up By Definition: Love, Judikins Artists’ Signatures                      

Inks:             Versafine Onyx Black, Archival Jet Black, Distress Wild

                     Honey, Mustard Seed, Faded Jeans, Dusty Concord

Dies:            Spellbinders Small Mega Deckled Rectangles, Branching

                     Out, Papertrey Ink Bitty Button Stacks                                    

                     

Tone on Tone Samples

We are continuing with samples put together for my library class of beginners.  Following are four samples of the Tone-on-Tone technique which used clear ink with two different backgrounds and a variety of images . . .

One of the methods I wanted to teach was how to more easily get good impressions with large background stamps.   I like to use a strip of removable tape along the inside edge of the card to keep it closed.  Then, after inking the stamp, I set it down on its back and bring the card to the rubber.  Holding firmly, I burnish repeatedly with my fingers and then lift the card carefully.  It comes out perfectly stamped every time!

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, Beckett Candlelight            

Stamps:       Stampin’ Up On Safari, Judikins Esponge Background,

                     Stacy Stamps Tulips, OR The Artful Stamper Five Tulips,

                     OR Lindy’s Stamp Gang Tulip Duet, OR Unknown Floral

                     Spray, Starving Artistamps Mini Positive Words    

Inks:             VersaMark, Distress Brushed Corduroy

Pencils:        Prisma White, Inktense Golden Yellow

Markers:       Zig Real Brush Pink, Orange        

Emb Pwdr:   Judikins  Detail Black

Dies:            Mama Elephant Peek A Frame, Goodculler Stitched Rectangles                 

Doo Dads:    Jute                     

With Deepest Sympathy

I recently had the opportunity to teach a rubber stamping class at the local library.  There were five students and none of them had ever picked up a stamp before.  We had a wonderful time and I'm looking forward to another teaching opportunity in the Spring.

For the first card, I thought that the Resist technique would be a good place to begin . . .

 A slightly different look was obtained by using a more delicate-looking leafy image . . .

 The method is a simple one:

1.On white cardstock, stamp the leaves in clear ink and clear emboss.

2. Sponge over the background with two shades of brown and spritz with water for added texture.

3. Stamp the leaves again in dark brown ink.

Cardstock:   Value Pack White

Stamps:       DRS  Silhouette Branch, or Printworks Leaf Pattern

                      (thicker leaf), Inkadinkado  With Deepest Sympathy

Inks:               Distress Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy

Emb Pwdr:   Ranger Super Fine Detail Clear

Dies:            Lychee Flower Stitched Circle

Doo Dads:    Pearls

With Sympathy

A Sympathy card for Mike, a former neighbor who lost his father . . .

I decided on a leafy background instead of flowers, and popped up some of the larger leaves with foam dots for dimension.  But it still looked rather bland, so I sponged on some Distress Brushed Corduroy and feel that it made the difference. 

The black "berries" were punched out, glued down, and topped with Glossy Accents.  I think this simple layout works well for a guy card . . .

Cardstock:   Papers by Catherine Ivory, Beckett Candlelight, Marcos

                     Jute, scrap Black

Stamps:       Alias Smith and Rowe With Deepest Sympathy

Inks:             ColorBox Black, Distress Brushed Corduroy

Emb Powder:   Judikins Detail Black, Stampendous Shabby White

Dies:            Spellbinders Deckled Rectangles Large, Blessings Vine 
                      Frame                    

Home

In August, my exceedingly dear friend and stamping buddy Carol and her husband moved from New Jersey to Pennsylvania to be nearer to their grandchildren.  The loss is huge and I miss her very much.  At least we have email and can stay in touch that way.  This was the card I made to welcome them to their new home . . .

Carol loves black and white along with Chinese Red so those are the colors I chose to compliment this comfy sofa and pillows.  The plank flooring  involved a little workaround:  the original image features planks that I felt were too wide for this layout, so after stamping once, I re-inked, moved the stamp to the right 1/4" and stamped again over the first stamping.  Now I have the narrow planks I wanted - easy peasy!

Cardstock:   Papers by Catherine White, Strathmore Ultimate White

Stamps:       My Favorite Things Sketched Chevron Background,

                     Impression Obsession Wooden Plank, Paula Best Sofa,

                     KaiserCraft Marble

Inks:             Gina K Amalgam Black, Distress Festive Berries,

                     ColorBox Black

Watercolors: Zig Real Brush Geranium Red, Carmine Red, Orange,

                     Yellow, May Green, Light Blue, English Lavender    

Emb Pwdr:   Judikins Black Diamond

Dies:            Impression Obsession Vase Set, Memory Box Branching

                     Out, DieVersion font Noodles

God's Creatures

Of all of life's tragedies, losing a beloved pet is one of the hardest to bear . . .

Willow was a longtime, much loved family pet and she is deeply missed.  I kept the card simple so I could send it out as soon as possible . . . I hope it brings them comfort.

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute  

Stamps:       Stamp Cabana Cat Print, Our Daily Bread Never Forgotten:

                     “All animals go to heaven . . .”, Stampin' Up Itty Bitty

                     Backgrounds

Inks:             Hero Black

Dies:            Arich Rounded Corners Stitched Rectangles                

Doo Dads:   Black grosgrain ribbon knot, plastic button charms