Love

Here’s a background I did with the crushed wax paper technique . . .

After ironing the crushed wax paper onto my cardstock, I used blending brushes to smooth on two shades of blue.  I love the subtle interest this technique gives to the background . . . the texture is a nice backdrop without taking away from the floral focal points.

Happily, the perky flowers will stay perky, even after their wild ride through the USPS system.  That’s because they’re made with Foamiran.  Once heated for 3 seconds with a heat gun, the petals curve upwards and stay that way.  Cardstock flowers will always get crushed in the mail, but Foamiran flowers will look just as good for the recipient as they did when I made them.  Miraculous stuff, for sure!

Cardstock:   Bazzill White, Neenah Bright White        

Inks:             Bazzill Oxide Evergreen Bough, Faded Jeans, Copic 

Rose Mist

Dies:            DieNamics Pierced Rectangle Frame, TEMU Zinnia,

 Papertrey Ink Super Succulents Set: “Love”                

Doo Dads:    waxed paper, The Art Institute Floral Transparent Set, 

Foamiran, American Crafts Jute Pink 

Hello Fall

This one uses a technique I had fun with decades ago.  Thanks to Gina K’s video on Wax Paper Techniques, I’m hooked on it all over again . . .

I took a 4” x 5” piece of wax paper and crumpled it into a small ball.  Then I smoothed it out over a piece of cardstock, covered it with another piece of cardstock, and ironed it with the hottest setting and no steam.  When cool, I used blending brushes to smooth on color.  The wax residue resisted the ink while a wonderfully textured pattern was left behind.  After toweling off any ink left on the wax, job done.

You’ll be seeing more of this easy technique for sure!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Rain Forest, Hershey, Neenah #80 Bright White, 

Fox River Cream    

Stamps:       Memory Box Maple Leaf

Inks:             Archival Coffee, Distress Antique Linen, Oxide Walnut

Stain, Brushed Corduroy

Emb Pwdr:   Vippies Transcendence

Dies:            DieNamics Pierced Square, Memory Box Maple Leaf, 

TEMU Autumn-themed Set: “Hello Fall”,

Spellbinders Fall Botanical           

Doo Dads:    Crushed Wax Paper

Cheers

As with my previous post, most of these layout elements came from my beloved Scrap Box . . .

I backed the cutwork leaf with white cardstock so it wouldn’t be lost against the busy background.  Still and all, I love how the background turned out and am quite happy that it shows up so well behind the leaf . . .

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, Strathmore #100 Bristol Smooth  

Stamps:       Technique Junkies Watercolor Flowers, Travel

Documents

Dies:               Kat Scrappiness Woodgrain Framed Diamond

Wire, Prima Forest Leaves, Lil Inker Stitched Mats

Rectangles, Simon Says Cheers

Inks:             Distress Peeled Paint, Brushed Corduroy, Antique

Linen, Black Soot

Cheers

Having endured a few months of annoying health issues that completely put me off my game,  I am more than ever grateful for the time-saving treasures in my Scrap Box . . .

Everything except the text came from that box . . . I am so glad to be a saver and not a tosser!

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, Strathmore #100 Bristol Smooth  

Stamps:       Technique Junkies Watercolor Flowers, Travel

Documents, Fiskars Mesh roller

Inks:             Distress Brushed Corduroy, Shaded Lilac, Wilted Violet,

Dusty Concord, Faded Jeans

Dies:            Mama Elephant Peek a Frame, TEMU Dandelion

Pattern, Cheery Lynn Cheers                 

Stencil:        TEMU French Letter

Celebrate

I tried out a new die/embossing folder combo on this one . . .

After the petals were cut out, I inked them with small blending brushes.  When dry, they were inserted into the matching embossing folder and run through my machine.  This gave the petals and flower centers their wonderful textures.  This set is going to get a lot of use!

Cardstock:   Stampin’ Up Dove, Strathmore #140 Watercolor         

Inks:             Distress Hickory Smoke, Seedless Preserves,

Wild Honey

Dies:            Memory Box Pinpoint Leaf Plate, Kat Scrappiness 

Woodgrain Framed Diamond Wire, AlteNew African Daisy, Craftsless Branches, TEMU Sentimental

Shadow Words set: “Celebrate”                   

Emb Fldr:     AlteNew African Daisy       

Fun

 Start with a colorful, smooshy background rescued from 

my Scrap Box . . .

 . . . add some glittery fireworks and some cheerful text, and we have a layout fit for a sixteen year old boy, yes?

Cardstock:   American Crafts Brights set: Blue, Strathmore 

#100 Bristol Smooth, Ranger Silver Sparkle, 

Scrap Black    

Stamps:       Eureka Fireworks, Impression Obsession Oh Happy

Day!

Inks:             Distress Wilted Violet, Salty Ocean, Superior India

 Ink Black, ColorBox Silver

Emb Pwdr:   All Night Media Silver Sparkle

Dies:            Lil Inker Stitched Mats Rectangles, Our Daily Bread 

Sparkling Stars, Recollections Word Fetti Set: fun

250 YEARS!

The Glorious Fourth is especially glorious this year as our wonderful country celebrates its 250^th year . . .

As I often do, I’ve used USPS postage stamps from my own incoming mail to add to the layout.  I love the designs and colors and I think they add a lot to the look.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Admiral, Strathmore #100 Bristol Smooth, 

Wausau Firecracker

Stamps:       Eureka Fireworks

Inks:             ColorBox Silver

Emb Pwdr:   All Night Media Silver Sparkle

Dies:            TEMU Creative Grid, DieVersions Noodles, 

Our Daily Bread Sparkling Stars                 

Doo Dads:    USPS Postage Stamps, Wink of Stella Clear