It's your day!

Happy birthday!  Here are two cards I made recently.  It was fun to pull out items I hadn't used in a while...stamps, layers, etc.

Ingredients:  white card stock, Bazzill card stock, Jet Black Archival Ink, Hero Arts 'Day to Celebrate' and 'Fern', black grosgrain ribbon, Tim Holtz Texture Fade 'Fancy Floral' and 'Stencil Text', Just For Fun floral stamp, paint chips

One stamp set - 4 ways (stamping with markers)

The last lesson featured stamping with markers. I actually hadn't done this in awhile.  I used to do it almost all the time.

Ingredients:  white card stock, Hero Arts (Super Solids Background S2057/Elm Leaf Drrawing H1867/My Heart Smiles D3314), Ranger (distress markers-shabby shutters/crushed olive/peeled paint/forest moss/tattered rose/dried marigold/rusty hinge/dusty concord), Sakura Gelly Roll Glitter pen

I have discovered that a lot of my older red rubber Hero Arts stamps are much harder now than when new.  I'm not sure if there's much I can do to make them softer, perhaps an emory sponge would make a difference.

I'm very glad I took this online card class and look forward to more like it.  The value is good and with the ability to always look back at the lessons, galleries and forums I know that I'll always have more inspiration at my fingertips.

One stamp set - 4 ways (Bokeh)

The third technique that was used is Bokeh...I'll describe it as the image getting lighter across the card.

Ingredients:  Hero Arts (Small Snow Bush E2254/Fairy Fern A3635/My Heart Smiles D3314/Elm Leaf Drawing H1867), Ranger (distress inks-wild honey/crushed olive/forest moss/peeled paint), Art Accentz Clear Micro Beedz by ProvoCraft, Amy's Embossable Tape (Amy's Magic), white card stock

I didn't like the masked look of the leaf...way too naked and white.  I stamped the leaf onto the tape and applied it over the masked area and applied the micro beedz (messy as glitter!).  Sad but true, the sticker on the micro beedz container was dated 2005.  And it apparently had never been opened.  

The embossable tape had never been used either.  I was afraid to look for a date...the outside layer had discolored over the years but was perfectly fine otherwise.
 
Sad, sad, sad.

One stamp set - 4 ways (masking)

The second way to use the stamp set is by masking an element (or several).  I masked where I placed the sentiment, the leaves and around the window.

Ingredients:  Hero Arts (Super Solids Background S2057/Elm Leaf Drawing H1867/Small Snow Bush e2254/My Heart Smiles D3314/Fairy Fern A3635), Ranger (distress inks-tumbled glass/broken china/crushed olive/peeled paint), white card stock

One stamp set - 4 ways (layered)

Yesterday was the last day of class for the Online Card Classes 'Clean & Simple 3'.  It was nice to be reminded of older techniques with new twists and new (to me) techniques.  This lesson was all about using one stamp set in 4 different ways.  I didn't have a stamp set that would work the way the teachers used it so I created my own from several older Hero Arts stamps. 

This sample shows some layering of the stamps I chose.

Ingredients:  white card stock, Hero Arts stamps (Super Solids Background S2057/Elm Leaf Drawing H1867/Small Snow Bush E2254/My Heart Smiles D3314/Fairy Fern A3635), Ranger (Watermark Resist Ink, distress inks - mowed lawn/salty ocean/picked raspberry/peacock feathers), clear embossing ink, white embossing powder, Sakura Gelly Roll White pen

Textural effects - embossing powder

Last share for today...the use of embossing powder to create a 'layer'.  I'm really loving this Online Card Class 'Clean & Simple 3'.  Some things I knew about, others I didn't but am trying them and liking them.  Watch for more of these ideas to show up in future projects!

Ingredients:  created my own cloud stencil from scrap paper, Tim Holtz Layering Stencil TS003 Rays, Ranger Clear Superfine Embossing Powder,  Clear UTEE, Tumbled Glass/Squeezed Lemonade/Spiced Marmalade/Barn Door distress inks), Versamark ink, Wordsworth S169-F 'Sending Sunshine', Marvy Wet Looks Embossing Markers

The stamp is actually a small square sentiment but I used a stamp positioner to create the single-line version.

Textural effects - embossing paste

This lesson features embossing paste and the different things you do with it.  Some things I just never thought about.  Guess I have some more things to try next week!  By the way, I smeared the archival inks over the stencil once the paste was dry.  In hindsight I probably should have used more of a water-related color for the stencil but I didn't.  Oh well.

This stamp had never seen ink - ack! But reading it made me think of using a clock some how and tides make me think of waves...wavy pattern to the stencil.  Bear with me....it's been one of those days.  Sigh.

Ingredients:  white card stock, Ranger (Tree Branch/Potting Soil Archival Inks, Pumice Stone Distress Ink, Jet Black Archival Ink), Studio 490 Translucent Embossing Paste, Dylusions Stencil DYS34216, Tim Holtz Layering Stencil Clockwork THS013, and the sentiment is by The Artful Stamper, a Canadian company.

Textural effects - dry embossing

Homework for Day 9 and 10 complete!  Here's the first of my 3 cards for the Online Card Classes 'Clean & Simple 3'.  The lesson was all about achieving textural effects.  First up is dry embossing.  But not just running card stock through an embossing folder.  Let's alter the allover pattern somehow.

Ingredients:  Provocraft 'Argyle' embossing folder, white card stock, Hero Arts F2361 'Smiles & Laughter', Jet Black Archival ink, black and brown colored pencils

Day 7 - Watercolor made easy

So says the teacher at Online Card Classes Clean & Simple 3!!!  But I did better than I anticipated so I'm quite pleased. 

Ingredients:  140# Strathmore watercolor paper, Ranger Tree Branch Archival ink, water color palette, Hero Arts LL240, Sizzix Pattern & Stitches/Running Stitch A2 Border Texture Fade 657198

Bit of a mishap with the texture fade in that it slipped at the top of the card.  Oh well.

Day 7 - Tracing Images

This technique was a bit challenging.  I had to really search for an image that I thought would work.  I will definitely try this one again but use different colors.

Ingredients:  Stamp Camp S149, Ranger (Old Paper Distress Ink, Wild Honey/Barn Door Distress Markers), Sakura Black Glaze Gel Pen, JustRite Small Pre-inked Stamper, white card stock

Day 7 - Technique 2 - Online Card Classes

Simple Copic Coloring

Day 7 of the Clean & Simple One Layer Cards 3 class (Online Classes).  Looks like we're going to be doing a lot of coloring...this sounds like fun!

Ingredients:  Spellbinders Flying Beauties S4-123, Sizzix 'Dream', white card stock, vellum, Tombow markers (885/993/173/526/685...instead of Copics), Sailor Corp. of America Silver Rolling Ball Pen

Graffiti stamping

Online Card Classes 'Clean and Simple 3'...

Ingredients:  white card stock, tan card stock, Ranger (Jet Black/Cornflower Blue/Dandelion/Leaf Green/Hydrangea Archival Inks), Studio 490 (Let Your Art Have Wings LCS022/It's Face Art LCS026/Remnants of Art LCS066), Sizzix (Caged Bird)

If you are careful you can cut this die out without the extra wing and cage.  I still got a crease line but that's life.

Masked backgrounds

Online Card Classes 'Clean and Simple 3'...

Age...it's just a number!

Ingredients:  Ranger (Frayed Burlap/Crushed Olive/Tumbled Glass/Wild Honey/Worn Lipstick Distress Inks, Jet Black Archival Ink), Studio 490 (Art Parts LCS014)

Iron-off embossing

Online Card Classes 'Clean and Simple 3'...

Ingredients:  Ranger (Wild Honey/Spiced Marmalade/Barn Door Distress Inks, Distress Embossing Ink, clear embossing powder), Hero Arts (Big & Bold Friends H3288), watercolor paper, red Bazzill card stock

Stamp layering

Online Card Classes....Clean and Simple 3...

Ingredients:  white card stock, Hero Arts (Great Smile H3361/Large Circle Solid E2835/Dot Design B2964/Small Circle Solid A2832/Large Harlequin Background S3413), Ranger (Jet Black Archival Ink, Cool Peri/Sailboat Blue/Purple Twilight/Lettuce/Sunshine Yellow Adirondack Pigment Inks)

Masked frames 3

Online Card Classes 'Clean and Simple 3'...

Ingredients:  white card stock, Spellbinders (Octagons Lage S4-185), Stamp Oasis (The Foliette Word Collection), Rubber Stamp Tapestry (Butterfly Blooms SFL-34049), Ranger (Jet Black Archival Ink, Scattered Straw/Peeled Paint/Gathered Twigs/Milled Lavender/Seedless Preserves/Dusty Concord Distress Inks)

Masked frames 2

Online Card Class 'Clean & Simple 3'...

Ingredients:  Sizzix Baroque Label mini mover & shaper, Stampers Anonymous (Latticework Layering Stencil), Studio 490 (Dreams of Art LCS06), Ranger (Jet Black Archival Ink, Dusty Concord/Faded Jeans/Peeled Paint Distress Inks), white card stock

Masked frames 1

Clean and Simple 3 class...

Ingredients:  white card stock, Spellbinders (Nested Butterfly S4-171/Classic Circles Large S4-114), Studio 490 (Dimensional Rose Art LCS015/Art Fit For A Queen LCS040), Ranger (white embossing powder, Jet Black Archival Ink, Mowed Lawn/Festive Berries, Ripe Persimmon, Squeezed Lemonade Distress Inks), Tsukineko (Versamark)

Scenic stamping

Another day of Clean & Simple 3...

Ingredients:  Ranger (Jet Black Archival Ink, Gathered Twigs/Pumice Stone/Stormy Sky/Frayed Burlap/Tumbled Glass Distress Ink), Art Impressions (Sadie K-1685/Ghost Town Left J-1617/Ghost Town Right I-1613), Hero Arts (Wander Message C3282), white card stock

Faux letterpress

Another sample from Online Card Class Clean & Simple 3...

Ingredients:  red Bazzill card stock, white card stock, Sizzix Heart #1 38-0800, Versamark ink (Tsukineko), Ranger (Adirondack Snow Cap Pigment Ink, Jet Black Archival Ink, Fired Brick Distress Ink), Hero Arts Fantastic Flourishes CL106/Four Dolls CL297/Just Wanted CL175, Stampers Anonymous Worn Text CS156

Faux layered die cuts

Another example from Clean & Simple One Layer Cards 3...

Ingredients:  white card stock, Hero Arts Winter Headline C3990, Bazzill blue card stocks, Spellbinders dies (Ovals Large S4-110/Rectangles Large S4-132), Sizzix snowflake mini mover & shaper, Ranger (Stormy Sky Distress Ink and Distress Marker), Tsukineko Sheer Shimmer Spritz

Faux metal

I'm taking an on-line card class called "Clean & Simple One Layer Cards 3".  The link will take you to the site where they have many classes listed that have been taught.  If you aren't familiar with their format, once you've paid for your class ALL the info is available forever.  While you can't add photos to the galleries once they are closed, nor make further comments or ask questions in the forums, the overall content is at your fingertips for inspiration or clarification later in life.  And the class fees are quite reasonable.  A list of supplies used is given but I have yet to buy any thing, preferring to use what I have on hand. 

Each day several techniques are shared, complete with videos, step by step photos downloadable in PDF form, as well as additional samples by the other teachers.  I won't be describing my efforts, just sharing the results. 

First up is Faux Metal.

Ingredients:  white card stock, Hero Arts stamps (Large Circle Solid E2835/Dot Design B2964/Small Circle Solid A2832/Buttons A1052), Sentiment (River City Rubber Works 1717-H), Ranger (Wild Plum/Lettuce/Stream/Cranberry Adirondack pigment inks; Jet Black Archival Ink; Detail Silver Embossing Innk), Tsukineko Versamark ink, Staedtler Maxum Gel Green pen

Think

Do you follow Paula Cheney's blog (one lucky day)?  I found myself quite taken with the experiments her granddaughters were conducting one rainy day so I tried my hand at one.  Can't wait to get my own copy of Tim's Compendium of Curiosities Vol. 3 and get busy trying new things!

On a manilla tag I used Stampers Anonymous Burlap Layering Stencil and Barn Door, Wild Honey and Iced Spruce distress inks.  Other items found on the card:  Bazzill and black card stocks; Studio 490 'Card Art Essentials' LCS020; Jet Black Archival Ink; Sizzix (Fanciful Flight); DMC craft thread

I did play with this technique a few more times but I'll share the results at another time.  Isn't it fun to just play and try new things?

Tim's 12 Tags of 2014 - March

I was planning to work on Tim's March tag for 2014 last week when it was snowing and blowing but didn't get it done.  Between shoveling and making soup I was too busy. 

It's still too cold and still too much snow on the ground to think of birds, nests, spring....lol.  But we'll be  planning a road trip soon so I thought it would only be fitting to use the auto set from Stampers Anonymous.  Love the idea of smudging and 2nd generation prints...and what a great way to make use of residual ink on your stamp!

Here's what I used:  Stampers Anonymous 'Road Trip CMS128', Harlequin Layering Stencil; distress inks (Broken China, Vintage Photo, Antique Linen, Weathered Wood, Black Soot, Pumice Stone, Festive Berries, Mowed Lawn), Pumice Stone distress marker, Mowed Lawn distress paint; tissue tape; twine; ribbon; word bands

I can't decide which version I like best...which is your favorite?

Travelogue birthday card

I don't normally make such involved birthday cards but it happens on occasion and this is one of those.  The college recipient is majoring in tourism...I don't think any further explanations are necessary.

***Before I go any further, I have a Nikon camera that downloads the photos to ViewNx 2.  I have no idea how to successfully crop and resize there so I've tried Irfanview withvery little success.  I still get this black outline around the photos.  I used to use MS Picture but it doesn't work with Windows 8 and have not had any success getting it on my new computer.  

One day to posting...I have now found a new program that works so easy but I can't find where these are stored so I can edit them properly.  I'll probably find it the day after the post goes live.  Sigh.*** 

I did create a monogrammed tag to dangle from the suitcase as well as tiny tags inside with the recipient's name.  I punched 3 holes using my Crop-a-dile so that I could loosely create joints using jute.  The back cover is similar to the front but different travel labels were used.  On the back page I used some OLD Stampers Anonymous narrow kraft/black paper stencils for locations.  Over this I stamped the sentiment on tracing paper so the first layer is muted and in the background.  I used A Dymo labeler for comments on some of the pages.

Ingredients:  Tweed cardstock, white cardstock, Ranger (clear embossing ink, clear embossing ink, distress stains, distress inks, archival inks, Multi-Medium, Glossy Accents); Detail Brass embossing powder (PSX); Life's Journey decorative paper (K & Company), Stampers Anonymous (Travel Labels CMS108, Air Travel CMS102, Warehouse District CMS124, Road Trip CMS128, Travelways CMS162, On The Railroad CMS127, Remants CMS130, Tiny Things CMS164, Simple Sayings CMS155, Rays layering stencil, clockwork layering stencil); Vintage Valise die (Sizzix); Avery sticker paper; Printers' Type & Printers Lowercase alphabets, Brushstrokes Upper & Lower Case alphabets (Hero Arts); Sakura Micron Pen; tiny tag

So proud!

One of my nieces will be graduating from the University of Illinois this spring.  And now she knows what she'll be doing this fall...attending grad school so she can get her masters degree in social work!  She's so excited...and we're so proud of her determination and hard work. 

I think she'll be tickled to receive a card acknowledging her efforts.  Keeping the card in the school colors of orange and blue, here I am jumping for joy at her recent announcement.  lol

Ingredients:  "Millie" M1932 from Art Impressions; Prima Marketing Flowers; Bazzill cardstock; watercolor paper; distress markers; Stampers Anonymous CMS155 "Simple Sayings"; Jet Black Archival Ink; Spellbinders 'Labels  Four S4-190; Provocraft "Congratulations" embossing folder; Martha Stewart branch punch; Stickles

Meteorological spring

Today is meteorological spring.  Looking out my window you’d never know it.  Another snow storm hit yesterday and another is expected for tomorrow into Monday.  Never mind the arctic temperatures.  March has roared in like a lion.  East central Illinois has had such mild winters the past few years; we’ve really been spoiled.  But here’s my offering to Mother Nature…perhaps she’ll let up and start the cycling process towards the spring equinox on March 20.

I add plenty of distress inks to create my background then overstamped the bird and nest (after stamping off once onto scrap paper) using archival ink colors.  I love the lighter effect and really makes the black text pop.

Ingredients:  specialty stamping paper; Stampers Anonymous CMS181 Nature Walk; 'Spring' by Hero Arts; Spring colors...by Penny Black; archival inks (Jet Black, Fern Green, Cornflower BLue, Potting Soil); distress inks (Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed, WIld Honey, Shabby Shutters, Crushed Olive, Peeled Paint); Sugar Cookie cardstock by Bazzill, green cardstock