Scrapnextras

Technique Tuesday; Gift Card holder tag

 

This month my focus for Technique Tuesday will be on gift tags.  I will only have 2 Technique Tuesday's this month as the holidays are closing in and I will be spending the time with family enjoying the festivities.  There is no particular product focus, but starting today Stampin' Up! is offering Free Shipping until December 23rd!  on all orders over $100!  That is a nice 10% savings in itself!  As well the Fall Winter retirement list has been released, and for the first time ever that I know of, Stampin' Up! is offering 10% off any retiring stamp set purchases!  You can view the stamp sets here for those who may not have a catalogue handy.

If you wish to place an order, let me know by email....see my link below my picture, or my local customers can just call me.  (Canadian orders only please)  Orders cannot be guaranteed for delivery before Christmas, however, orders sent this week should make it in time.

Technique Tuesday

I thought gift tags would be a fun way to wrap up the year, so I decided to combine a gift tag with a gift card holder.  There are a few "hard to buy for" people on my list who I buy gift cards for, and the problem with giving them a gift card, is that, well it seems like it's not enough.  Unwrapping presents around our house Christmas morning is an event, that we don't want to cut short with gift cards!  So I try to buy/bake or make a "little something" for them to open, and attach the gift card with in.  But this year I thought, why not make it part of the tag?

So here's what I came up with, which is a variation/collection/regurgitation of ideas that have floated around forever.  That is to say, there is no real original thought with this one!

  For this tag, you will need:

2 1/2" x 8 1/2" length of card stock

2 1/8" x 3 3/4" cardstock for front

2 1/4" x 3 7/8" cardstock for layering

Slot punch

Tag corner punch (not pictured)

Stamps & ink to decorate

Score your long piece of cardstock at 4"

Measure in 3/8" from each end and mark with a pencil

  Position the slit punch over the line you've drawn and punch.

Do this for both ends

Erase your line.

Stamp and decorate the front panels and adhere to shorter side of the tag, ensuring your adhesive does not interfere with the slit slot.

Punch the corners with the tag corner punch for more of a "tag" appearance.

  Here is the gift card open.  The card sits on the short side, and is held in place with the slit flap.

Here is the finished tag.  I actually was inspired by some Christmas wrapping paper I picked up, and thought it would be fun to match it up.

I don't think I will have all matching tags, but maybe for those wrapped in this set of papers.

  I hope you are enjoying the holiday prep!  I am a little on the stressed side myself, but that's running about par for the course for this time of year.

I will be slowing down my posting after this week as we get in to gear for Christmas parties (kids only LOL!) baking, Christmas concerts and just some plain old family time.  DH, who has been away at work on a 21 day shift is home next Monday, but will head back to work before Christmas.  So next week will be all about family for us, and our little Christmas celebration.  Then the girls and I will head off to spend some time with my family in Calgary.

I know you won't miss me, but I feel compelled to share my upcoming absence since you are so sweet to drop by and visit with me each day.  If I have time I will post, and if I have anything I can pre post, well I'll do that too.  I just don't want to commit....I'm over committed big time now, so I am staying as far from that as I can.

Drop by tomorrow for previews of Flourishes' December release.  Oh boy...I am just in love with this release.  You'll know why tomorrow!

Have a fabulous Tuesday and thanks for dropping by!  You know I love it when you do!

Recipe:  Stamps:  Season of Joy (SU) Holiday Greetings (Flourishes)  Paper:  Real Red, Whisper White, Brushed silver  Ink:  Versamark  Accessories:  tag corner punch, slit punch, dimensionals, detail silver ep, silver cord

Technique Tuesday; Versatile Versamarker

 

Each month I choose a Stampin' Up! product as my Feature Product. For the month of November I am featuring embossing techniques! All embossing supplies,including Craft Ink and refills, embossing powder, Versamark and the Heat tool are on special this month when purchased through me. My Technique Tuesday's during November will feature different ideas and techniques for using embossing. As well, throughout the month of November, you can expect to see projects on my blog featuring embossing, and I will be demonstrating embossing during all my November workshops.

Here is the special for November:

• 10% off all embossing supplies including Craft Ink & refills, embossing powders, Versamark and the Heat Tool 
• My November hostesses will receive 20% Off!

If you wish to place an order, or book a workshop you may contact me via email. I accept all major credit cards. Canadian orders only please. Sorry, them's the rules!

Technique Tuesday: Versatile Versamarker

What I am sharing today, is so simple that it hardly needs a tutorial to explain it...although I did one anyway!  What I am hoping to do is remind you of a little tool you probably have sitting in your stamp room anyway.  There is so much you can do with it...and I am often asked "what else" at workshops.  So today I'm showing two quick and simple ways you can use your Versarmarker.  I'm sure once you see this, you'll have a million other ideas running through your head.

  You need:

Versamarker

Embossing Buddy

Embossing powder

Stamp set 

Frame, ruler or other guide that you work well with.  I created my frame with a Spellbinder's Nestability, but a ruler works well for some.  (not me...I always over shoot!)

Repositionable adhesive

  First run your embossing buddy over your card to help avoid stray powders sticking around.

Next, attach your frame to your card with repositionable adhesive.  I use dotto, and you want one that doesn't leave a residue behind, or you may find your embossing powder sticking to the residue.  With Dotto, I just rub off the dots and we're good to go.

  Sorry for the poor shot here.  I thought I had it lined up pretty well until I went in to edit it. 

Now you will draw your frame using your Versamarker.

  Add embossing powder and emboss.

  Here's the embossed frame!  Beautiful huh? 

I will let you in on a little secret.  You have to be fairly quick since the versamarker tends to soak into the paper and dries faster. 

***When I finished embossing, I thought my frame seemed a little "sparse" in some areas...where either the Versamarker had dried too fast or perhaps where my pressure wasn't so even.  So I placed the frame back on the card, and ran my Versamarker over the embossed line and embossed again.  Perfecto!

Ready to see what I did with it?

I picked out the set "Wishing You Cheer" by Stampin' Up!, since they all fit inside my frame.  I stamped the three images side by side and coloured them in with markers.  I masked off the frame and sponged a little Baja Breeze to help define it more.

I also decided to emboss the little "ornaments" on the tree, and the three "holly berries" on the snowman's hat.  I ran my embossing buddy over the image, which helps to make sure that any dye ink is dry, then I used the Versamarker to "colour" in those areas.  I added red embossing powder and heat embossed it.

Something else fun to do with the Versamarker.  You can see it better in the banner image at the top of the post.

To finish I added some Felt Flurry snowflakes and a red rhinestone brad adhered with a pop up glue dot, and a length of Real Red Grosgrain along the bottom!

Happy Tuesday!  Thanks so much for dropping by!  You know I love it when you do!

Recipe:  Stamps: Wishing you Cheer (SU)  Paper: PTI White  Ink: Basic Black, Versamarker  Accessories: Felt Flurries, rhinestone brad, pop up glue dot, Real Red Grosgrain ribbon, ruby Red ep (Stampin' Stuff), Sterling Silver ep. Stardust Stickles

Finished card size:  standard A2, 5 1/2" x 4 1/4", vertical topfold

Technique Tuesday; Fun with Embossing Powders

Each month I choose a Stampin' Up! product as my Feature Product. For the month of November I am featuring embossing techniques! All embossing supplies,including Craft Ink and refills, embossing powder, Versamark and the Heat tool are on special this month when purchased through me. My Technique Tuesday's during November will feature different ideas and techniques for using embossing. As well, throughout the month of November, you can expect to see projects on my blog featuring embossing, and I will be demonstrating embossing during all my November workshops.

Here is the special for November:

• 10% off all embossing supplies including Craft Ink & refills, embossing powders, Versamark and the Heat Tool 
• My November hostesses will receive 20% Off!

If you wish to place an order, or book a workshop you may contact me via email. I accept all major credit cards. Canadian orders only please. Sorry, them's the rules!

Technique Tuesday; Fun with Embossing Powders

The idea to do this technique has been floating around in the back of my mind for some time now.  I actually did something similar with glitter in August's Fan Club gallery.  You can view it here if you're a fan club member.   I had seen a card in a store with a similar technique and I had marvelled over how they had done it.   Then last year around this time Tim Holtz did his "12 Tags of Christmas" tutorials, and on one of them, he sprinkled different coloured embossing powders on a tag, and said don't worry about the blended colours left over...save it for a "party mix" later.  So when it came time to focus on embossing I decided to try this...for the first time yesterday.  Needless to say, I was thrilled with the outcome and ended up playing with different ideas, so I will share three samples with you using variations of this "technique".  I hope you enjoy it, although I will say, it's not for you Obsessive Compulsive neat freaks...this will send shivers up your spine if you are!!

  You will need:

Stamps:  I chose "Tres Chic" a background image, and the tree from "Season of Joy", but as long as the image is reasonably large and not too detailed, you should get good results.

Embossing Buddy

Versamark

Several colours of embossing powders.  I chose Ruby Red, Detail Gold, and Black Sparkle

Run your embossing buddy over your paper.

It works to make sure embossing powder does not stick to the paper by static electricity or errant finger prints. 

Very important with this technique as you will have several different colours of embossing powders working on the same paper.

I have heard that a Bounce dryer sheet also works...although I've not tried it.

  Next, you will ink up your stamp with Versamark.  I used my background stamp here for the example, and you know from the banner that I only stamped half my cardstock. 

I always work with my background stamps face up, and then place my paper on top, then, using a piece of copy paper over top, I run my hands over it to ensure a complete and full transfer of ink.

Now you want to take your first colour and place a little pile on side.  (Now you see why I chose to only work with embossing on half...so I had somewhere to put the ep!)

I recommend you have as many scored cards to tap the embossing powder off on to.  

  Now, tip the card at an angle and let the embossing powder fall across the Versamark image on an angle.

Remove the paper with the red embossing powder and get a new one.

  This is what it looks like with the first colour.  I do the top corner last.

  Repeat that step with the other colours, making sure you change the displacement papers...unless  you want a huge pile of "party mix"!

  Here is the fully embossed piece.

Here is the completed card.

 I embossed the tree with the same technique, added a strip of red velvet ribbon, some corner piercing and a gold star (which was actually clear until I covered it with my painty pen).  Very quick!

Ok, I did some other variations, that I will just explain to you.

Recipe:  Stamps:  Tres Chic, Season of Joy (SU)  Paper:  Real Red, Kraft, Basic Black  Ink:  Versamark  Accessories:  Ruby Red & Detail Gold ep (Stampin Stuff), Black Sparkle ep (PSE), clear star gem (?), Red Velvet Ribbon (Dots, Dashes & Checks), dimensionals, paper piercer & template

Finished card size:  standard A2 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" vertical top fold

This next card was created the Tim Holtz way, sprinkling different colours of embossing powder all together, at the same time on the same image. Then I just sort of shook them, like I was sifting for gold, untill it was completely covered.  The embossing powder that remains was a "Party Mix", and I created the card after this using that mix!

  For the wreath, I stamped it in black, coloured it with markers, then added dots and details with my Versamarker.  The bow was stamped over the wreath and then Ruby Red embossing powder was sprinkled over and heat embossed.  The sentiment was embossed over the embossing! 

Things were really heating up here yesterday!

Recipe:  Stamps:  Poinsetta & Boxwood (Flourishes) Stitched (SU)  Paper:  Real Red, Basic Black, Kraft  Ink:  Versamark, Versafine Onyx Black  Accessories:  Versamarker, Ruby Red ep (Stampin' Stuff), dimensionals, Spellbinders dies

Finished card size:  standard A2 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" vertical topfold

 Both the background and the image were embossed with the "Party Mix" created by my last card.  It's very difficult to capture in the photograph, but the embossing is almost holographic.  When you move it in the light, you see gold or red or black, and since the black has sparkle...the sparkle is dispersed through out.

Very cool effect and I hope you'll give it a try your self!

Recipe: Stamps:  Tres Chic (SU), Christmas Wishes(Little Paper Shop)  Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Brushed Gold  Ink: Versamark  Accessories:  May Arts two toned satin ribbon, dimensionals, Ruby Red & Detail Gold ep (Stampin Stuff), Black Sparkle ep (PSE)

Finished card size:  standard A2 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" vertical side fold

Well thank you so much for your patience.  I almost started to post this last night, but it was so late and I knew it would be a long post.  I hope you think it was worth the wait...and I hope you will try it yourself!

Thanks so much for dropping by today...I just love it when you do!

Technique Tuesday; Embossing in Colour

 

Each month I choose a Stampin' Up! product as my Feature Product. For the month of November I am featuring embossing techniques! All embossing supplies,including Craft Ink and refills, embossing powder, Versamark and the Heat tool are on special this month when purchased through me. My Technique Tuesday's during November will feature different ideas and techniques for using embossing. As well, throughout the month of November, you can expect to see projects on my blog featuring embossing, and I will be demonstrating embossing during all my November workshops.

Here is the special for November:

• 10% off all embossing supplies including Craft Ink & refills, embossing powders, Versamark and the Heat Tool 
• My November hostesses will receive 20% Off!

If you wish to place an order, or book a workshop you may contact me via email. I accept all major credit cards. Canadian orders only please. Sorry, them's the rules!

Technique Tuesday; Embossing in Colour

I have to confess I was a little miffed when Stampin' Up! discontinued most of their embossing powders, however, it's not that big of a deal since they have Craft Ink available in full size stamp pads as well as Stampin' Spots!  Craft Ink offers so much potential and that's what I will be focusing on today.  In fact, to try to create this piece with coloured embossing powders would be time consuming to say the least.  The project I am showing you is super simple and best done with Craft (pigment) inks!

 To stamp and emboss in colour, you need the following:

Stamps with lots of images (I chose Snowburst)

Craft ink in various colours (I'm working with Bold Brights)

Clear or Iridescent Ice embossing powder

Naturals or Confetti paper (I'm using Naturals White)

Heat tool

  Stamp your images in a different Craft ink colour on Naturals or Confetti paper.  For this technique you don't want Whisper White, as it is so "Ink loving" that it sucks up the ink and it dries too fast.

You want to have a lot of similar images because you don't want to clean in between stamping.  Craft ink does stay wet longer, but not forever.

  Once you have stamped all your images, sprinkle your embossing powder over it and heat. 

Pay special attention to the images on the edges.  It is sometimes difficult to tell if it's all embossed, so I recommend you take an eye level look when the embossing powder is first on and the colours are lighter and they're "powdery".  Once embossed the colours will brighten again, and they will be flatter not "Powdery" when looking at eye level.

This technique works wonderfully with flower garden sets, autumn leaf sets and the like.  But it's Christmas time, so I'm using snowflakes!

  This is the heat embossed image.  Isn't it fabulous! 

I took about 10 pictures trying to capture the sparkle of the iridescent snowflakes, and decided this one did it best!

If you've know me, I just love pink for Christmas, and I love all those fabulous designer papers out there, that I really can't justify buying, since I have sooooo much paper!

Ready for the final card?

  I kept the design fairly simple, layering the embossed image on Pixie Pink then Green Galore.  I used the ticket corner punch to add a little interest.

The sentiment is from "All Holiday" and I stamped it in Real Red and embossed it in clear, because I find words a bit difficult to read when they're too sparkly.

I added a punched snowflake with a pink gem in the center, only because I don't have those fabulous felt snowflakes....yet!!

There you have it, a very simple card, and I will be demonstrating this exact card at my November workshops with the felt flowers!

Recipe:  Stamps:  Snowburst, All Holidays (SU)  Paper:  Naturals White, Real Red, Pixie Pink, Green Galore  Ink:  Craft Ink in Pixie Pink, Pink Passion, Green Galore, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red  Accessories:  Iridescent Ice & Clear embossing powders, ticket corner punch, Pink Stitched grosgrain ribbon (Offray micro spools), hand held rectangle punch, snowflake punch (EK), gem (EK), dimensionals

I have lots of fabulous things lined up this week...Flourishes is releasing three new sets.  Can I just say that I LOVE them, and can't wait to sneak you a peek starting tomorrow.  I hope you can drop in over the next few days and see why I'm so excited! 

Have a wonderful day and thanks so much for dropping by!  You know I love it when you do!

Technique Tuesday: Tab Punch focus

 

Each month I choose a Stampin' Up! product as my Feature Product. For the month of October I am featuring Punches! All punches,including the curly label punch and all hand held punches are on special this month when purchased through me. My Technique Tuesday feature during the month of October will feature different ideas and techniques for using punches. As well, throughout the month of October, you can expect to see projects on my blog featuring watercolouring, and I will be demonstrating with punches during all my October workshops.

Here is the special for October:

• 10% off all punches including the Curly Label and all hand held punches until October 31st
• My October hostesses will receive 20% Off!

If you wish to place an order, you may contact me via email. I accept all major credit cards. Canadian orders only please. Sorry, them's the rules!

Technique Tuesday: Tab Punch Focus

OK...this week I have three cards, and they show the tab punch used 6 different ways...and guess what...one of them was an original idea!  It's the lamest one, but cute all the same LOL!  I cased my buddy Nancy again, and some other ideas I've seen kicking around SCS.  Honestly, this is a very versatile punch, I've seen flowers, cupcakes and ribbon charms made with it to name a few.  Do a search on SCS and see some of the creative things people have come up with!  Here's some that I love!

This is a card that I made a couple of years ago for a punch swap.  Talk about flat!!  It's a bit of a different card for me, but flat was in then! 

Don't you love those butterflies?  So creative don't you think?  Actually the part I like best is the corners...I think they were pretty creative.  I'll show you how they're done.

Recipe:  Stamps: Doodle This, AYC1 (SU)  Paper:  Tempting Turquoise, Regal Rose, Confetti White  Ink:  Basic Black  Accessories: markers, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, round tab punch, word window punch, crimper

Finished card size:  standard A2  4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

  First  you need a small piece of paper.  A 2" x 2" square is about perfect.

You can click on each picture to make it larger.

 

Insert a corner of your paper into the edge of the punch. 

Line up the point on the opposite bracket with the point of the paper.

Push the paper in so that it is just a bit further in than the edge of the rounded tab area.  Then punch.

  There you have it.  It takes a little practice lining it up and if you look closely on my card, you will find that none are perfect or the same, but you didn't see it until you looked closely.  So I only mention it because it's not a science, and there really is "no trick" to it...just eyeball practice!

 

The scalloped border on this card was created with the round tab punch.  Very simple to do.  The brackets were also done with the tab punch.

For those who might not have seen this, I'll show you how.

 Punch your bracket image out first.

 

Now slide the punched outline back into the punch lining up the bracket points to the thickness desired and punch!

    Trim off the excess.  BTW...I've seen this piece untrimmed as bats on Halloween cards.  Very creative!

You can also do the same punch technique on the Curly Label punch to get a larger bracket!! 

Recipe:  Stamps:  One of a Kind (SU)  Paper:  Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango, Pixie Pink, Whisper White  Ink:  Tangerine Tango, Pixie Pink, Kiwi Kiss  Accessories:  markers, Round tab punch, 1/2" circle punch, build a brad, dimensionals, white gel pen

Finished card size:  6 1/2" x 3 1/4"

Here's my last card, but by no means the end of ideas for how to use the tab punch.  I cased this card from Nancy Riley.  You can see her version here.

 

I've seen these little purses on SCS a lot, and I don't know who was the creative genius but they are adorable, and so easy to make!  You need the round tab punch and the large and small oval punches.  Note how I also used the tab punch for the sentiment...see there are even normal uses for this punch!!

Recipe:  Stamps:  none  Paper:Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Holiday Happenings designer paper  Ink:  None  Accessories:  A Perfect Day rub ons, round tab punch, lg & sm oval punch, half back pearls, dimensionals, pink felt ric rac (Offray Mini Spools)

Finished card size: 3" x 6"

You want/need to punch half the tab, although if you punch the whole tab you can just cut it in half to make two purses!

 

 If you remember last week's Technique Tuesday post, then you already know how to create the open oval ring.  You need that and the small oval.

Cut about 1/3 off the oval shapes.

Assemble as the purse, and add pearls or brads as closures and you're done!  Lotsa fun!

There you have it!  And really, just a sampling of the cool things you can do with the round tab punch.  I'm sure many of you have seen some of these ideas, but again, and opportunity to re-visit them and share the ideas.  They are truly WOW's when demonstrated and significantly increase the versatility and value of the punch!

Don't miss my blog candy post if you haven't already played! (one comment per person please!)  It will stay open until Friday, October 31st. 

Happy Tuesday everyone!  I hope your day is wonderful and thanks so much for dropping in!  I always love it when you do!

Technique Tuesday: Fun with Ovals

 

Each month I choose a Stampin' Up! product as my Feature Product. For the month of October I am featuring Punches! All punches,including the curly label punch and all hand held punches are on special this month when purchased through me. My Technique Tuesday feature during the month of October will feature different ideas and techniques for using punches. As well, throughout the month of October, you can expect to see projects on my blog featuring watercolouring, and I will be demonstrating with punches during all my October workshops.

Here is the special for October:

• 10% off all punches including the Curly Label and all hand held punches until October 31st
• My October hostesses will receive 20% Off!

If you wish to place an order, you may contact me via email. I accept all major credit cards. Canadian orders only please. Sorry, them's the rules!

Technique Tuesday:  Fun with Ovals

Now the first thing I will say here, is that there is not an original idea on the three cards I have to share, and this is not a tutorial.  While I love punches, I love them for their convenience and accuracy, and I'm not so much given to using them for things other than their basic purpose.  That being said, there are some creative people out there who figure out the darndest things to use these simple shapes as.  All of these cards feature simple techniques that I've seen on Splitcoast many since Stampin' Up! introduced the oval punch, and today is the first time I've tried any of them!  There are way more than I can feature here today, so if you're into punches, a search for punch art on Splitcoast stampers will show you many more!

This cute little coneflower is made with the large oval punch and a 3/4" circle punch.  I used some Old Olive poly twill ribbon for the stem.  To get the "stem" to curve, I pulled a thread on one side to"ease" it into a curve.  Then I adhered the flower with dimensionals over some Georgia Peach designer paper on Regal Rose.  I pierced three dots in each of the scallops.  Dawn Easton  (TreasureOilerDesignz) has done this a couple of times, and I really liked the look so I had to try it myself! 

The only stamping on this card is the sentiment from "Absolutely Fabulous" in Versafine Onyx Black.

Recipe:  Stamps:  Absolutely Fabulous  Paper:  Whisper White, Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip, Georgia Peach designer papers  Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black  Accessories:  Lg Oval punch, 3/4" circle punch, scallop border punch, dimensionals, Old Olive Poly Twill ribbon, Regal Rose grosgrain ribbon, paper piercer & template, dimensionals

Finished dimensions: standard A2 (5 1/2" x 4 1/4")

This card is another version of an oval punch flower.  Here I used this week's Colour Challenge colours from SCS; Pirouette Pink, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip.  I love Pirouette Pink, but it is the hardest colour to photograph!  No stamping at all on this one!

Recipe:  Stamps: none  Paper:  Whisper White, Pirouette Pink, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Bella Rose designer paper  Ink:  none  Accessories:  Lg & sm oval punches, scallop border punch, filigree brad, rub ons, paper piercer, 1" circle punch, Kiwi Kiss striped ribbon

Card dimensions:  3 1/4" x 6"

 

My card above was was cased from this one that Jessie Rone Can you say addicted to Stamps? sent me some time ago.  You can see where I got my inspiration.  If you need some more...hop over to Jessie's blog and you'll get an eyefull! Did you know she's the latest and greatest Dirty Girl?  Well now you do!

I did snap a few shots of how to create the ring, in case it's not familiar to some of you.

 

First you punch the small oval.  Not too close to the edges.

  

Now you want to position the large oval punch framing the small punch.

Now punch!

 

And there you have the ring!

Now here is my last card...and I've saved the best for last.  Everyone has been making these cool little oval punch pumpkins...so I had to give it a go!  Most recently, Nancy Riley created this amazing card...so I totally cased the stems and ribbons from her...isn't it just to die for!  I love Nancy's work.  Everytime she posts something, it's one of those "now why didn't I think of that?" moments.  So this time instead of not thinking of it I cased it!

   

For this card I chose my Washington Apple designer series papers along with Riding Hood Red, Pumpkin Pie, and So Saffron.   I used the oval punches for tabs too...another cool way to use the oval punches!  Riding Hood Red striped ribbon and Always Artichoke grosgrain are the only embellishments next to the silver brads.  The ovals were dotted with a black marker and sponged with Pumpkin Pie before creating the pumpkins.  Aren't they so cute???  The only stamp on this one is from Verve's Abundant Blessings...and it was just so fitting for this card!

Recipe:  Stamps:  Abundant Blessings (Verve)  Paper:  Riding Hood Red, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Washington Apple dp, So Saffron prints dp  Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black  Accessories:  lg & sm oval punches, Riding Hood Red striped ribbon, Always Artichoke striped ribbon, black marker, brads, photo corner punch, dimensionals

Finished card size 5 1/4" x 5 1/4"

Well that's it for today.  I hope I've reminded you to use these ideas you've likely seen before!  They are not new, but everything you create with them is fresh and new to someone!  Share it and send it!

Happy Tuesday everyone!  Thanks so much for dropping by!  You know I love it when you do!

Technique Tuesday: Negative Frames & answering some questions

 

I think I'll start with a few answers...just in case anyone actually reads this stuff, I figure what's written first is the most likely to be picked up!

Last week's Technique Tuesday was missing a crucial shot...how and when did I stamp the snowflake.  I have edited the post to include that shot, however the quick answer is, the snowflake is stamped on the inside of the card, through the punched out window.  My apologies and thank you to all who inquired and made me aware of that omission.

I was also asked where you can purchase the K&Co paper "Mellow", that I used on my Weekend Sketch Set.  My apologies...the correct name of the paper pack is "Wild Saffron" by K & Co..  I purchased the "Wild Saffron" paper pack from my local Michaels, and it's a 12x12 set of 36 sheets.  I hope that helps whoever asked.  I came back from Thanksgiving to 190+ emails, and I think I deleted it by accident, so I apologize for not replying directly.

Technique Tuesday:  Negative Frame

This week's tutorial is a simple but often forgotten way of using punches.  I position the tutorials for the person who just recently invested in punches and is looking to make use of their new toys in a simple and satisfying way.  I think this little technique will do the trick!

You will need:

Two different sizes of punches.  I chose to work with the 1 3/8" & 1" circle punches.  Squares and stars work equally well for this technique.

Your paper...mine is cut to 2 1/2" and graduates up in layers by 1/8" each.

Sticky notes

Dimensionals

  You first step is to punch a circle with your largest punch in a post it note.

Make sure you punch so that as much of the sticky stuff is in the punch area

 

I chose to decorate my "future" frame with a wheel image, you can also use designer paper, or leave it plain.

Now you will position your punched sticky note in the centre of your papers, which have been adhered together.

Position the punch over the sticky note circle.  I usually find that it sort of "grabs" the punch, but it is not difficult to position...you want to make sure all you see in the punch window is your sticky note. 

  Now your frame is ready to go...just add your dimensionals and adhere to your card.

This is a great way to frame "inchies", or any small stamp that seems lost on a big sheet of paper.

Here is my finished card.

I had another card in mind, which I will show you right after this, but when I saw the colour challenge, I changed my mind!  The colours were Pirouette Pink, Basic Black and White.  You know I just did a pink and black card, but I really love the colour combo!

This card features the "Stems and Silhouettes" wheel in Pirouette Pink, which I found to be a very difficult colour to photograph.  The picture is a little dark because I had to darken it to bring the pink out.  I tied a length of pink gingham ribbon along the left side and on the right, which you can barely see, I made three score lines from the back side of the card.  It adds a nice detail in real life!

Inside the frame I punched a circle of black and then added three punched flowers with the flower trio punch.  I went a little crazy with the half back pearls, but I like the end result!  The sentiment is from "Curvy Verses", and is stamped along the bottom to call it done.

Here's the other card I mentioned earlier, using the WOW flowers card Elements kit and stamp set.

Here I added some corner detailing to the frame.  I suggest you use repositionable adhesive to adhere the frame pieces together to punch the window, then use the ticket corner punch and brads.

The card is pretty straight forward, some ribbon,the scallop border punch and word window punch help make it happen.

There you go...another quick and easy way to use your punches on a card.

If you're wondering why this is so late, well I had yard work to do.  I should have done it yesterday, but I procrastinated, and of course it rained last night.  I have a mountain of leaves in my backyard, which is no biggie, we have a leave blower/sucker thingy.  Well, let me tell you...don't try to use it on wet leaves!  Yikes, I had about 1/4 of the leaves picked up and bagged when it clogged up.  Lordy...that's dh's newest toy!  So I ended up raking up wet leaves the old fashioned way, and taking a screw driver to unclog the leaf blower.  The perils of procrastination.  Next thing you know the kids are home from school, and I didn't get back to stamp until after they went to bed.  What a sad sob story!  LOL!

I hope your day went better than mine, and tomorrow is even better.  Thanks so much for stopping by!  I always love it when you do!

Pink/White card Recipe:  Stamps:  Stems & Silhouettes Wheel, Curvy Verses (SU)  Paper:  Whisper White, Pirhouette Pink, Basic Black  Ink:  Pirouette PInk, Versafine Onyx Black  Accessories: 1" & 1 3/8" circle punches, flower trio punch, dimensionals, pink gingham ribbon, black polkadot organdy ribbon (Dots, Dashes & Checks Michaels), half back pearls (Michaels)

WOW Flowers card Recipe:  Stamps: Wow Flowers (SU)  Paper:  Rose Red textured, Old Olive, More Mustard, WOW Flowers designer papers Ink:  Rose Red, Versafine Onyx Black  Accessories:  Scallop border punch, 1 3/8" & 1" circle punches, word window punch, ticket corner punch, More Mustard Ribbon, brads

Technique Tuesday: Glitter Peek a boo window

 

Each month I choose a Stampin' Up! product as my Feature Product. For the month of October I am featuring Punches! All punches,including the curly label punch and all hand held punches are on special this month when purchased through me. My Technique Tuesday feature during the month of October will feature different ideas and techniques for using punches. As well, throughout the month of October, you can expect to see projects on my blog featuring watercolouring, and I will be demonstrating with punches during all my October workshops.

Here is the special for October:

• 10% off all punches including the Curly Label and all hand held punches until October 31st
• My October hostesses will receive 20% Off!

If you wish to place an order, you may contact me via email. I accept all major credit cards. Canadian orders only please. Sorry, them's the rules!

Technique Tuesday:  Glitter Peek a Boo Window

This little technique WOWed me at a Stampin' Up! regional seminar several years ago.  I went on to demonstrate it in my workshops, even as a make and take and customer's loved it!  It's very demonstrate-able and so simple.  Here's what you need to get going:

  You will create a 2 layer card, so you need your card base and a second layer.

Stamp set; I am using Seasonal Icons from the Holiday Happenings Hostess bundle.

Circle punch, scallop circle punch

Repositionable adhesive (I use Dotto)

Packing tape

Dazzling Diamonds

 First you will position the front layer of your card on the card base using repositionable adhesive.

From the top of your card, punch a circle that is centered and as deep as your punch will allow.

 When you are done it will look like this.

Now you will need to remove the top layer, and since you used re-positionable adhesive this is not a problem.

***Another item that is not mentioned in the supply list is the waxy back of a sticker sheet (I use the ones from the stickers from a stamp set).  You will need this for the next step.

 
You will remove the front of your card for the next step.

Close your card, and stamp your image on the inside of the card, through the punched window.

You may prefer to draw a pencil circle and stamp directly on the inside. 

However you choose, keep in mind this image should show through the "window".

  Placing your paper face down on the waxy sticker backing, lay a piece of clear packing tape over the window.

The tape should not extend above or below the top/bottom of the card.

  Pour Dazzling Diamonds over the packing tape.

Tap card and shake off excess.

 To make an optional scalloped frame for your glitter window, punch a circle out of white paper (or whatever colour your card base is)

Then position your scallop circle punch over the circle evenly and punch.

Here is the finished card, sweet and simple.

  My apologies for the poor photo, I had to place my lighting so that it was focused inside the card, thus the front is somewhat in the shadows.

To finish the card I embossed the sentiment from Many Merry Messages in white and tied a length of Baja Breeze ribbon before attaching the top layer permanently.

That's it!

I really struggled with what to share for punches, as there is just so much out in blog world that has already been done.  This is something I haven't seen, (which doesn't mean it's not out there!) although it's by no means new.  Next week I will share another simple technique with punches.  See you then!

Recipe:  Stamps:  Seasonal Icons (SU)  Paper:  Whisper White, Holiday Happenings DP  Ink:  Baja Breeze, Versamark  Accessories:  White ep, Baja Breeze striped grosgrain ribbon, 1 3/8" circle punch, scallop circle punch, packing tape, Dazzling Diamonds, re-positionable adhesive, waxy back of a sticker sheet

Technique Tuesday; Watercolour Crayons direct to Rubber

 

Each month I choose a Stampin' Up! product as my Feature Product. For the month of September I am featuring Watercolour Wonder Crayons! All 5 sets of Watercolour Wonder crayons, as well as the Aqua Painters are on special this month when purchased through me. My Technique Tuesday feature during the month of September will feature different ideas and techniques for using them. As well, throughout the month of September, you can expect to see projects on my blog featuring watercolouring, and I will be demonstrating with the Watercolour Wonder crayons during all my September workshops.

Here is the special for September:

• 10% off Watercolour Wonder crayons and the Aqua Painter through til September 30th
• My September hostesses will receive 20% Off!

If you wish to place an order, you may contact me via email. I accept all major credit cards. Canadian orders only please. Sorry, them's the rules!

Technique Tuesday:  Watercolour Crayons Direct to Rubber

This technique for Watercolour Crayons is similar to using markers, however the effect is a little more watercolour like...which should be obvious.  It also provides another option for those who may only have the crayons and not the markers.  In addition, today I'm working with Stampin' Up!'s textured cardstock which gives a very unique and I think appealing look, almost like painted canvas.  Here's what you'll need to get going:

  Solid image stamp set.  I'm using the new and gorgeous "Inspired by Nature"

Watercolour Wonder crayons

Water in a mist sprayer.  You really want a fine mist sprayer.

You may also want an aqua painter, and an old CD or plastic dish just to spray a bit of water on.

  Start by misting the rubber.

You really want a light mist.  If you find it's puddling, then take your finger and touch it, then wipe it off your finger.

I find using anything other than your finger often takes off more than you need.

For my card I am only going to use two of the flowers, so I did take a paper towel to dry off any mist that got on the third flower.

  Begin applying colour to your image with the crayon.

Be gentle.  If you have enough mist, your colour should go on very easily.

If you find some of the rubber has dried, then spray some mist on an old CD and dip your crayon into the water beads then go to the rubber.

Avoid misting more once you have started applying colour as it will bead and bleed.

  Once you have finished colouring and are ready to stamp your image, give the rubber one final mist. 

Again, you need it to be a fine mist.  To much water will just make your image bleed and mix the colours more than needed.

Quickly after the mist, stamp your image.

Allow the stamp to remain on the paper for a few seconds to allow the water and colours to transfer without causing a suction when you lift the stamp.

  I stamped the image on Very Vanilla textured cardstock.  Isn't the effect just fabulous???  You can click on the picture to get a larger view.

Depending on how clear your image transferred, you may wish to take an aqua painter and fill in any big gaps.

Looking at this now, I should have left it, because the effect is wonderful.  However, at the time, I felt the need to fill in the gaps and ended up smudging some of the colour.  It doesn't take much since it's quite wet.

I recommend allowing your image to sit while you assemble the rest of the card.

For the record I used:  Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Really Rust, Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard, Garden Green and Old Olive crayons.

  Here is the completed card.  I sponged around the Very Vanilla using Close to Cocoa and Really Rust.  I layered the image on Chocolate Chip card stock, and attached it to the Really Rust card base.

The right panel is Tres Chic, and I just inked lightly and randomly along one side of the stamp with Really Rust, then I took my Chocolate Chip pad and stamped randomly over it.  I figured the Chocolate Chip pad could handle a bit of Really Rust.  Then I cut off a 1" strip and sponged around it same as the focal image.  Chocolate Chip twill ribbon is tied around a hardware buckle on the right panel, and I added a circle clip tied with More Mustard and Pumpkin Pie grosgrain ribbons to the focal image.

The sentiment is from "Amazing to Zany" and is stamped in Chocolate Chip, then punched out with the small oval punch and placed in an oval bookplate.

And there it it!  I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and will try the Watercolour Wonder crayons using this technique!

Did you know I'm now a Dirty Dozen Alumni?  Oh my gosh, it seems like yesterday I was beaming with the news that I "got the call" and this was my last month.  What a ride and a priviledge it has been; one that I still can't believe is over.  The  Fan Club Gallery opened to Fan Club members yesterday, so be sure to pop in and welcome the two newest Dirty Girls:  Jennifer Buck and Mary Jo Albright.  You probably are already familiar with their amazing talent, but check them out anyway, and send them your best!

Happy Tuesday!!  Have an amazing day and thanks so much for dropping by!  I always love it when you do!

Technique Tuesday: Watercolour Crayons direct to paper

 

Each month I choose a Stampin' Up! product as my Feature Product. For the month of September I am featuring Watercolour Wonder Crayons! All 5 sets of Watercolour Wonder crayons, as well as the Aqua Painters are on special this month when purchased through me. My Technique Tuesday feature during the month of September will feature different ideas and techniques for using them. As well, throughout the month of September, you can expect to see projects on my blog featuring watercolouring, and I will be demonstrating with the Watercolour Wonder crayons during all my September workshops.

Here is the special for September:

• 10% off Watercolour Wonder crayons and the Aqua Painter through til September 30th
• My September hostesses will receive 20% Off!

If you wish to place an order, you may contact me via email. I accept all major credit cards. Canadian orders only please. Sorry, them's the rules!

Technique Tuesday:  Watercolour Crayons Direct to Paper

Today I want to share more of the versatility of the Watercolour Wonder Crayons showing a quick tutorial using the crayons direct to the paper.  If you have ever used Stampin' Up!s Watercolour Pencils, this technique will be familiar.  It's quick and simple, and I find it works well on most papers.

You will need:

Line art stamps

Waterproof ink

Watercolor Wonder Crayons

Aquapainter

Paper; I am using Naturals White.  I prefer it to watercolour paper for this technique, as I find the crayon colour is harder to blend when it gets in the textured areas of the watercolour paper.   

Start by stamping your image in waterproof ink.  If required allow drying time before using the squapainter.

Begin applying the colour by using the crayons like crayons!

When applying the colour, apply directly to the areas that will be the darkest, you will blend and move it from there.

Do not colour your entire image in.  You will not be able to achieve a blended watercolour look if you do.

Whey you are done with the crayons your picture might look like  a 4 year old coloured it.  That's good.

For the record I used:  Ruby Red, Apricot Appeal, Brocade Blue, Old Olive and Garden Green and Almost Amethyst (to outline the bird)

  Ensuring you have water flowing to the tip of your aquapainter, begin blending your colours.

Now I have no suggestions on how to do this best...it's certainly not my forte.  Do avoid over blending, and tap any previous colour off your brush as you move to the next colour.

Your paper may warp somewhat depending on where you need to apply the aquapainter.  When I adhere it to my card, I use a lot of adhesive to ensure the paper lays flat.

When you are done your image might look like this...or better!

Here it is on the finished card:

  The stamp set is "A Little Birdie Told Me" and I chose my colours from the new Washington Apple designer papers:  Riding Hood Red, Pumpkin Pie and Apricot Appeal.  I added some Felt Fusion flowers secured with some little flower brads I recently "re-discovered"; framed the sentiment with some retired Hodge Podge and tied some Riding Hood Red Ribbon around to finish it off!

Now it's your turn to this method of using the watercolour crayons.  It's quick and easy, and probably familiar. 

I hope you are off to a wonderful day!  My dh is home from work this week, and with going camping every time he was home this summer, we have stacked up a lot of projects that have to be done now before the snow flies.

I'll try to pop in and show you what I've been doing if I get to stamp.  If you don't hear from me, think yard work, trips to the dump, repairs and winterizing.  Such fun!

Have a great day, and thanks for dropping by!  I always love it when you do!