Spring Break Scrap Card Challenge 2

You may notice I'm using the Labels Framelet quite alot in this challenge... I had pre-cut about 8 sets of Labels for a class that was weathered out... last year....

Supplies: by Stampin' Up:
Sizzix Big Shot:  Labels Framelets, Window Frame Framelets, Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Embossing Folder;  Stamps: Raven and sparkle dot; Arrow Punch; Ink: More Mustard and Early Espresso, Black Embossing powder; Paper: Paper: Pocket full of Posies; Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Whisper White, Early Espresso
Other Companies:
 Ink:  Versamark, Staz-On Jet Black (available through Stampin' Up)
Nestabilities Dahlia,

Spring Break Scrap Challenge 1

Amongst my piles of crafting goodies, I found a couple of old stamp boxes filled with die cut papers, baubles, and experiments.  Some of these I've had for a long time - so it was time for a scrap card challenge!  The object was to use all, only and nothing but scraps, and make as many cards as possible.  Even the card bases and stamped images were scraps left over from other experiments.

Items used:
Labels and Oval Framelets by Stampin' Up
Sparkle Sizzlits die (Sizzix)

Stamps: Heart, Key and Postmark:  Stampin' Up; Crown: Tim Holtz
Paper: Pocket full of Posies by Stampin' Up
Cardstock: Night of Navy (base), Soft Suede (large framelet) Baja Breeze (Oval)
Other:  Self adhesive cork, stringed price tag (craft supply)

New Spring Mini Catalog ideas

For this card, I cut and taped all my large ovals, then used a tabletop paper cutter to slice down the center.  A Stamp-a-ma-jig was also helpful getting the quilt-looking stamp lined up to create the band across the front.


Supplies:
 "Oh, Hello" bundle  - "Oh, Hello" stamp set and Ovals Collection Framelets - item number 131102 $44.95 wood mount bundle;  131101 $38.95 clear mount bundle

Card Stock:
Raspberry Ripple (In-Color 2012-14) - 126842 $6.95 for 24 sheets
Gumball Green (In-Color 2012-14)  - 126840 $6.95 for 24 sheets
     (also available in the In-Color 2012-14 Card Stock Collection: 126838 $6.95 for 20 sheets, 4 each of 5 colors)
Very Vanilla - 101650 $8.50 for 40 sheets
Basic Black - 121045 $6.95 for 24 sheets
Crumb Cake - 120953 $6.95 for 24 sheets
     (also available in the Neutrals Card Stock Collection 119707 $6.95 20 sheets, 2 of each neutral color)
Designer Series Paper Regals Collection (More Mustard used here) 117154 $21.95 for 40 sheets of double sided 12 x 12 paper, 4 each of 10 colors)

Ink:
Raspberry Ripple Classic Stampin' Pad:  126859 $5.95
Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad:  126975
Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad:  126980
Gumball Green Classic Stampin' Pad:  126861

Punches:
Elegant Butterfly Punch - 127526 $15.95
Blossom Punch - 125603 $16.95
Boho Blossoms Punch - 119858 $16.95

Other Tools:
Stampin' Up Big Shot by Sizzix - 113439 $99.95
Blender Pens - 102845 $9.95 for 3
Stampin' Dimensionals: - 104430 $3.95 for 300
Sponge Daubers: 102892 $10.95 for 12
Stamp-a-ma-jig: - 101049 $11.95
Tabletop Paper Cutter: - 106959 $45.95

Quick Christmas Gifts

Need a gift to go fast?  How about something for the Grandparents who have everything.... Then you and I have something in common... This was my solution.  A simple collage, saving one frame for a little card front or scrapbooking action... there you go... Merry Christmas!

Supplies:
Collage frame (this one was from Kirkland's gift store)
Photos of your wonderful, awesome, children, pets, garden, vacation... whatever
Paper crafting tools used here:
Framelets Ornament Keepsakes dies (127186 $24.95)*
Ornament Keepsakes stamp set (128048 wood mount $34.95; 128501 cling mount $25.95)*
*The Framelets Ornament Keepsakes dies and coordinating stamps are sold together as a bundle for a 15%  discount
Spellbinders Nestablilites Vintage Ornaments [discontinued]

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas to all!  This is a photo of the Christmas Card I sent out this year.

Supplies: Rejoicing With You stamp set (item 126300 wood $21.95 or 126302 cling $16.95)

Northern Flurries embossing folder (120902 $7.95) 

3 1/2 inch Circle die (122125 $17.95) 

Versamark Ink (102283 $7.50)

Gold embossing powder (109129 $4.75)

Uni-ball Signo gel pen (105021 $3.95)

Stampin' Dimensionals (104430 $3.95)

Brushed Gold Card Stock (102935 $7.95 for 10 sheets)

Natural White Card Stock (102316 $7.95 for 40 sheets)

Riding Hood Red Card Stock (111348 $6.95)

Stampin' Pads: Cherry Cobbler  (126966), Midnight Muse (126860), and Garden Green (126973) $5.95 each.

Sponge Daubers (102892 $10.95 for 12)

Retired items:  Round Tab Punch and Peaceful Wishes (branches)

I like to keep Christmas cards simple, because, like most stampers, I send lots of cards. 

First I cut all my card stock first, embossed the card front and stamped the back with my personalized stamps -name and website ;) .  

Next, I cut out all my "ornaments" from Riding Hood Red card stock using the circle die and Big Shot- the 3 1/2 inch circle die can cut 3 sheets of card stock at a time, so that went quickly.  I stamped the angel in Versamark Ink on Riding Hood Red card stock and heat embossed it with gold embossing powder.   That was the longest step in the process, and I did about 5 at a time to keep the assembly line rolling without drying too quickly.  

I sponged the edges in Cherry Cobbler Ink, and added little shiny marks with the Uni-ball Signo gel pen.  The ornament tops were cut from Brushed Gold card stock using the Round Tab Punch, folded and stapled to the ornaments.  

The last step for the front was to stamp the branches on the background, and sponge the edges.  The edges by the branches were sponged in Garden Green, the remainder of the edges were sponged in Midnight Muse.  The ornament was adhered to the background using Stampin' Dimensionals.

For the inside, I got clever - I scored a sheet of Whisper White card stock into 4 rectangles, 4" x 5-1/4" and stamped my sentiments in color and signed them with a Cherry Cobbler marker, and color copied it to make enough inserts for all my cards.  Slice slice slice and they were perfectly sized to glue inside the cards with the 2-Way Glue Pen (100425 $4.50) and was done!

Stamping with Embossing Folders

Stamping with Embossing Folders

This technique is so easy it's ridiculous, and what's funny is that it took me so long to find out how to get this look! All you need is an embossing folder, card stock, and classic dye ink.

First, open the embossing folder and ink the raised portion on the inside.  This is the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder from Stampin' Up.

Next, carefully place your card stock squarely on the inked side of the folder.

Last, close the folder and press down with your hand, or use a bone folder or empty acrylic block to create nice even pressure. DO NOT RUN THIS THROUGH THE BIG SHOT. 

Just open the folder and, voila! A fabulous delicate background for your card.

Another way to stamp with embossing folders is to ink the “deep” side of the folder, place your card stock, and run it through the Big Shot. Gives a bold textured look.

Cleanup is a snap, just run the folder under the tap and dry it off. Very simple.

Enjoy!

Acrylic Distress Technique

Happy October!

Here's a card that we made in my last class using the Acrylic Distress Technique. This is a very simple technique to try out, and it looks fabulous.

All you need is acrylic paint and a sponge brush, card stock (I used Very Vanilla (101650) but any light color will work); an embossing folder and your Big Shot; sand paper and ink. I used my new Stampin' Up sanding block (129367), it's a great little tool, and has a large sanding surface on the back and a narrow one on top.  It comes with sandpaper that has a Velcro backing so it just sticks right to the block.

First, paint a light coat of acrylic paint on the card stock to be distressed and allow it to dry thoroughly.  This color is "Key West" by Apple Barrel.

Next, run your painted card stock through the Big Shot using your embossing folder. Make sure the raised portion of the design you want to distress will come through on the painted side. I used the Lacy Brocade embossing folder from this fall's Holiday Mini Catalog (127819).

Cut or punch the painted card stock, if desired. I used the Apothecary Accents framelets dies (127003). Sand the raised area until card stock shows through.  Make sure your paint is thoroughly dry, otherwise the card stock will tear.

Using a sponge dauber, lightly sponge ink onto the sanded portions of the card stock. Be sure to sponge along the edges as well. The ink will stick to the exposed card stock more than the paint, darkening the design. Soft Suede (126978) is the color used on this card.

Finally, combine your acrylic distress background with your other card elements! Pop! Easy and elegant.  The phrase on this card comes from the World Treasures stamp set (126765w/126767c) and is also available in French (128228).

Enjoy!