Where Women Create: Techniques Thursday & Ramblings…

On random Thursdays, my Where Women Create Group meets to explore and expand our crafting horizons.  It is a fun group, and although we do a lot of stamping and stamping related product exploration, we sometimes get very little ‘done’… Don’t get me wrong, we accomplish volumes, coming up with new uses for products I’ve purchased through Stampin Up, educating and challenging each other in techniques, artistic applications, and methods.  They love seeing all my blog post cards and items in person, and it’s a day of fun, friendship, and outside the box thinking… pushing our creativity to the max.

Today’s cards and canvas are shared from earlier sessions of Where Women Create… I had just posted my vellum butterflies and soft sponged sky technique, and was sharing the cards, the process, and of course the technique.  Everyone wanted a little hands on time with the techniques…  so we all made vellum butterflies using All a Flutter, stamped and sponged a background… and then decided collectively to try the technique with the turtle image from the Natures Nest Stamp set.

I’ll show you some of the cards… and an altered canvas made during the session, but please remember they were all experimental, and part of the creative process.  I was able to snap a couple pictures before some cards left… but they were all still in the ‘work in progress’ or WIP phase when they left the creative play date… none completely finished! 

As you can see, all the cards are similar yet different!  With permission from the card makers, here they are!

Mer’s card.. I can hear her saying “But it’s not finished”… I know, I know!!!  I love how her sky turned out… she added whispy clouds with a white signo gel pen, sponged her grass, and added a gold paint pen border too!

And here’s Tee’s card… with white signo gel pen dotted border, and a hand-drawn and hand written banner across the top… she to use her butterfly on another project instead.  Tee has such lovely handwriting, doesn’t she!

Here’s my prototype:

I think they would all make fabulous 3D ATC’s don’t you?

Here’s an altered canvas made during one of the sessions… using various found items or bric a brac including stamped images, backer mesh from tiles, broken shell pieces and golden mediums…

The Key and Crown images are from the Artistic Etchings Stamp set, and the swirls are drawn with a toothpick and re-inker.  Can you see the tiny pearl at the water’s edge?  It’s kind of like a Where’s Waldo puzzle canvas… the more you look, the more you will find.  As I pulled supplies out of my scrap pile, and embellishment drawer, we reminisced about Paula’s Stamp Store in St. Mary’s Georgia… talk about eye candy!!  We all really miss Paula, her fabulously decorated store and creativity!  (The drilled gold coin came from a goody bag I received at the Creative Palette Convention Paula organized a few years back… boy we miss that convention too!)

Perhaps you have a creative play group of your own… then you know that it’s like a mental health day!  Stamping with friends just can’t be beat…

Did you know that two new stamp clubs are starting again this week?  The First Wednesday Card Club meets at 11am, and the First Thursday Card Club meets at 6pm (on the first Wed. and Thurs. of each month).  It’s a great way to earn hostess benefits and free product without hosting an in home workshop!! There are still a couple seats open… if you’d like to join, please contact me or use the tab at the top/right on this page!  There’s nothing like stamping with friends!

Hugs,

Sharon

Technorati Tags: Where Women Create,stamping,friendship,techniques,vellum butterflies

A Softly Blushing Bride Glossy Ghost Questions Answered

A few years ago, when I took my Glossy Ghost card to the Stampin Up Convention in Salt Lake City, it was quite a hit!  Even in the dim lighting on the convention floors, people were seeking me out for the card and technique details.  Quite a first convention experience for me!  Since that time I’ve changed the technique a bit, adding color to the glossy card stock surface with a brayer, and of course have had a few questions as well.  So today, I hope to clear up some of those questions!

Today’s card was made for a splitcoaststampers swap I recently participated in.  The swap required us to use new in-color card stock and stamps from the new Idea Book & Catalog.  My card features Blushing Bride, Crumb Cake, Craft, and Glossy White Cardstock and the stamped image from the Silhouette Sentiments Hostess Level One Stamp Set along with Basic Jewel Pearls, and textured embossing folders:  Elegant Lines and Perfect Polka Dots.

I’ve been answering private queries about this technique for a while… from people who experienced both success and failure with this technique, and I’m posting answers to most often heard questions today.

If you’ve already read or tried the glossy ghost technique (posted on the FREE tutorial tab at the top of this page)… you know the basics:  Stamp image with Versamark Ink, let it dry, and polish with a soft cloth to finish (NO embossing powder needed).

Since making the first card and writing the tutorial, I have also discovered a few extra tips…

• Use an older/drier Versamark Ink pad… your image will dry more quickly and be ready for the ink and brayer.
• Use a heat tool (carefully) to dry the image.  Tilting it in light, you can see whether it is still wet or not.
• IF your versamark is not completely dry, when you polish or brayer, the image will smear… and that’s yucky!
• Load your brayer ONLY as wide as your ink pad.  This is a fabulous tip I learned from Michelle Zindorf in one of her very educational brayer classes (she’s a fabulous teacher, if you get a chance, take her class!!!)
• Start and end your brayer movement OFF the cardstock (another fabulous MZ tip).  Believe me, it makes a big difference!
• Once you have added ink to the Versamark stamped image with your brayer, allow it to set for 20-30 seconds before polishing with a soft tissue to remove excess ink from the stamped image.

Stamps and Supplies used in today’s Blushing Bride Glossy Ghost Card:

Stamps:  Silhouette Sentiments

Ink:  Versamark, Soft Suede, Blushing Bride, Crumb Cake

Cardstock:  Blushing Bride, Whisper White, Glossy White

Accessories:  Big Shot Machine, Perfect Polka Dots and Elegant Lines Embossing Folder, Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Basic Jewels Pearls, Stampin Dimensionals, Brayer, Crumb Cake, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Sponge Dauber

Did you get one of these swaps, if so I hope you liked it!

Tomorrow is another edition of the Diva Coffee Break Designs Team… and it’s a color challenge this time, and I’ve got two cards to share with all of you!  Hope you’ll stop by and say hi!

Hugs,

Sharon

Technorati Tags: glossy ghost,splitcoaststampers,stamp,technique,brayer

More Simple and Elegant Golden Christmas Cards

Last Tuesday, I shared two simple golden Christmas cards featuring the Northern Flurry Textured Embossing Folder >>View them HERE<<,  and in my Splitcoast Stampers Gallery HERE.  You seemed to like them a lot… so today I’m sharing with you two more, using most of the same supplies!  First up, a card featuring the lovely Dasher Stamp (one of my very favorites).

Isn’t he lovely?  I’ve added Basic Jewels Rhinestones to the Northern Flurry Brushed Gold Background and to Dasher’s antlers.  I just love the affordably priced Basic Jewels Rhinestones and Pearls!  They were one of my very first must have’s when the New Idea Book & Catalog was released!  Each package contains 150 jewels in three sizes for just $4.95… a real bargain!!  (If you don’t already have a catalog, you can click on the catalogs tab at the top of the page, they’re found on page 188 of the Idea Book & Catalog.)

A stripe of tombow mono adhesive was added to the lower half of the embossed image, Gold Chunky Glitter was poured over the adhesive, and tapped down with my fingertip to make sure it was completely adhered.  Here’s a close-up:

I love the rhinestones in his antlers, don’t you?

Here’s a second card, featuring the Basic Jewels Pearls, and Northern Flurry Embossing:

The Embossed White Greeting “Merry Christmas” is from the Bells & Boughs Stamp set.  Hmm.. I see a boo boo on this photo, do you?  LOL, I left ONE of the tiny pearls off the snowflake on the right.. probably wouldn’t have even noticed had I not blogged this card!  Yikes.. it only takes a second to add another one, and will do that this morning!

TIP:  I pick up the Basic Jewels with the tip of some teflon coated paper snips (sadly, not Stampin’ Up!).  Opening the snips slightly and placing the tip just underneath the pearl or rhinestone, and closing slightly,  allows me to both pick up both jewel and adhesive, and to perfectly place the Basic Jewels where needed.

Have a wonderful Sunday with friends and family!

Hugs,

Sharon

Technorati Tags: double embossed,basic jewels,splitcoast stampers,dasher,rhinestones

Thank You for Your Royal Blog Tour Votes!

I just found out I will be one of the Honorary Queens for the Next Royal Blog Tour!!  Thanks so much for all of your votes!  I am deeply honored!

Super Saturday Tutorial: Shadow Box or Gift Box?

Most of my tutorials are driven by reader requests and reader comments, but this one came from a stamp messy desk!  Stamping inspiration can come from just about anywhere… and this week’s Super Saturday Tutorial comes from a pile of supplies in my Stamping Studio!  Looking around at the mountainous mess I had created, I spotted this stack of stuff (I have removed the clutter from the photo to protect the innocent neat followers):

And from the mounds and messes, comes today’s Super Saturday Tutorial!  Is it a shadow box or a gift box?  Could be either!

 

Assemble Your Stamps and Supplies for Today’s Super Saturday Shadow Box Tutorial:

Stamps:  En Francais, Just Believe, Day of Gratitude

Classic Inks:  Chocolate Chip, Early Espresso

Card Stock:  Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Early Espresso

Accessories: 

• Glitter Brads
• Paper Daisies
• Big Shot Machine
• Paper Trimmer with Scoring Blade
• Paper Piercing Tool
• Scallop Square Sizzix Die
• Heavy Window Sheet
• Tombow Multi Adhesive
• Red Sticky Tape
• Early Espresso Stampin Write Marker
• Sponge Dauber
• Bone Folder
• Stampin’  Dimensionals
• Itty Bitty Punch Pack:  Flower

Step 1: 

Cut Cardstock

• Early Espresso (for Lid) 8 1/2” Square (shown as crumb cake cardstock in many photos.. sorry!)
• Sahara Sand (for Bottom) 6 7/8” Square, and 3.5” x 7” piece for ‘kick stand’ (optional)
• Very Vanilla 5 1/2” square, cut with Sizzix Scallop Square Die and Big Shot Machine
• Heavy Window Sheet:  6 7/8” square

Step 2: 

Score the 8 1/2” square of Early Espresso Card Stock (Lid) at .75” and 1.5” on all four sides, use a bone folder to crease all scored lines well.

Step 3: 

Cut on the 1.5” line and UP to the 1.5” line along two parallel sides.

 

Step 4: 

Now you’re going to place a line of Red Sticky Tape along the bottom edge of two 1.5” score marks along the sides that have tabs.. IMPORTANT:  DO NOT PUT ON INSIDE SQUARE.  My photo does not show red sticky tape on the tabs.. but it is OK if you put some there… you can do it now or later :)

Step 5:

Remove the protective layer from the Red Sticky tape, and fold down on the 3/4” scored line.

HOT TIP: Gently scraping the tip of your paper snips along the surface of the protective film helps the film release easily.  You can then lift it with the tip of your snips… some people use their fingernail to do this.. but I find that my snips work much better!

Step 6: 

Place the Sizzix Scallop Square Die just inside two pairs of parallel lines.

 HOT TIP:  Use grid paper to align both card stock and die, the die will be lined up at 3/4” along both X and Y axis.

Note:  The scored lines will be overlapped along two ends of the Scallop Square Die.

Step 7:

Fold the taped sides UP along the edges of the Sizzix Scallop Square Die…

Make the proper sandwich (Cutting Plate-Card Stock – Die – Plate) AND run it through your Big Shot Machine with the sides of the cardstock held in the upward position.

Remove from the Big Shot Machine, remove center scallop square die cut and save for a future card.

Step 8:

If you haven’t already, Add Sticky Red Tape or Tombow Multi Adhesive between the layers of the little loose flaps.

Add Sticky Red Tape along the bottom edge of the remaining two 1.5” scored lines.    IMORTANT NOTE  Be sure to add the red sticky tape to the same side of the cardstock as you did in Step 4.

 Step 9:

Work one corner/side at a time.  Remove the red sticky tape protective liner attach each corner flap.  Be sure to form a neat and square corner.

Step 10:

Add a little Tombow Multi Adhesive or Red Sticky Tape to the top of the corner flap pieces before folding the entire 3/4” edge over and forming the shadow box lid.

 

 Step 11: 

Remove protective blue film from heavy window sheet, and add Tombow Multi Adhesive or Red Sticky Tape along four edges on the same side of the sheet before inserting inside box lid.

Step 12:

Score the Sahara Sand 6 7/8” square (box bottom) at 3/4” along all four sides, use a bone folder to crease.

Step 13:

Cut corner flaps to 3/4” scored line on two parallel sides.

Step 14:

Work each corner one at a time.  Add Tombow Multi Adhesive to the back of each flap, attach to the inside box side and hold in place until set.  Take time to form 4 neatly squared corners!  (See photo in step 9)

Optional:  Add a ‘kick stand’ to your shadow box for display purposes!

Score the 3.5” x 7” piece of Sahara Sand Card Stock at 2”, 4”, 4.75”, 5.5” and 6.25”, bone fold along each score line.

Fold mountain/valley/mountain/mountain as shown in this photo:

Add  Tombow Multi Adhesive ALL along the edge flap shown with the red strip in the photo above.   If you choose to use Red Sticky tape, you will need to put two lines.. one as shown, and a second nearer the scored ‘mountain’.

Attach the two ends, folding the glued flap to the inside… your ‘kick stand’ will look like this:

Attach the ‘kick stand’ to the bottom edge of your box base (bottom) using Tombow Multi Adhesive or Red Sticky Tape.  (In humid climates, I prefer to use Tombow Multi Adhesive as it seems to hold much better than Red Sticky Tape over time!)

Finishing Up:

Decorate your box!

• Stamp and decorate the Very Vanilla Cardstock Scallop Square Piece.  In the featured sample, the En Francais stamp image was stamped first with Chocolate Chip Classic Ink, the tall floral image from the Just Believe Stamp Set was stamped next (inked with Early Espresso Classic Ink) and then a sponge dauber was used to highlight the edges of the card stock with Early Espresso Classic Ink.
• Attach the stamped scallop squre to the inside/center of your box bottom with Tombow Multi Adhesive.  Note:  Using Tombow Multi Adhesive gives you a little ‘play time’ to move an align the scallop square as needed.
• Stamp the 2nd larges flower from the Paper Dasies with Early Espresso Classic Ink and the large medallion image from the Day of Gratitude Stamp Set.
• Use Early Espresso Stampin’ Write marker’s brush tip to add polka dots to the next size daisy from the Paper Daisies kit.  HOT TIP:  Gently touch your marker tip to the paper, and it will bleed as a dot… the longer you leave the marker on the paper, the larger your dot will become!
• Use a sponge dauber and Early Espresso Classic Ink to add a bit more color to the tips of both paper daisies.
• Punch a scrap of Early Espresso paper with the floral image from the Itty Bitty Punch Pack.
• Use a paper piercing tool to pierce the center of the bitty punch flower.
• Use a paper piercing tool to align the centers of the bitty punch flower and paper dasies.  Push it all the way through the three layers to make the hole a bit larger.
• Add glitter Brad to the paper daisy ensemble.
• Attach to the outside/corner of box lid with three stampin dimensionals.

Don’t you think this box would make an excellent presentation for a handmade necklace?  And it’s a gift that keeps on giving too!

Hope you enjoyed today’s tutorial, and will give it a whirl!  I’d love to see your box creations too… upload your Shadow Box Creations using the Inlinkz tool (below).

Hugs!

Technorati Tags: tutorial,stamp,saturday,sizzix,scallop square,shadow box

Sketch Frenzy Friday Challenge SFF082710

Today’s fabulous sketch frenzy friday challenge is brought to you by Susan Grant!  You know her from the blog Art From Your Heart, the one that’s after my blog in the Sketch Frenzy Friday line up!

Wasn’t sure what I would do with this sketch… all I could envision was a baby card (see the bib?)… but after some stamp and play time, here is the card I came up with:

As you can see, I’m still enjoying the Love Letters Designer Series Paper.. Black and Vanilla (and Riding Hood Red too)… What’s not to love?  The 5/8” Very Vanilla Satin Bow was tied in exactly the same manner as I shared in last weekend’s Perfect Ribbon Bow Tutorial – no special equipment needed, just the same method my DH taught the kids to tie their shoe laces with twenty something years ago!  (LOL… I heard MS has copied my DH’s bunny ears poem too!) 

If you noticed on the card, the ribbon behind the bow is indented, as if the bow were tied around it… but it’s not!  I usually add a little brad to pinch the ribbon, or in this case, a couple mini glue dots and pinch the ribbon before attaching the bow with mini glue dots.  I always use three mini glue dots when attaching a bow, to ensure it doesn’t come untied… one is placed directly behind the knot, and the other two are attached to the loops on either side of the knot.  If the tails are long, I’ll sometimes add a little tombow mono to the tails as well, but not a glue dot… when pressed hard against a surface, the dot will show through the ribbon!

Stamps and Supplies used for today’s SFF082710 Card Share:

Stamps:  Just Believe

Paper:  Love Letters Designer Series Paper; Very Vanilla and Basic Black Card Stock

Classic Ink:  Basic Black

Accessories:  Sizzix scallop oval die, big shot machine, 5/8” Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, mini glue dots, sponge dauber, corner rounder, basic jewels:  Pearls 

To play along with us this week, visit the Sketch Frenzy Friday Blog I’ll be watching for your creations!

Next stop on the Sketch Frenzy Friday Challenge Hop is Susan Grant (she made this week’s sketch so I can’t wait to see what her card looks like!).

See you tomorrow with another Super Saturday Tutorial… hmm, wonder what I’ll be teaching you then…

Hugs,

Sharon

Technorati Tags: sketch,sketch frenzy friday,challenge,stamps

Voting Extended for Next Royal Blog Tour Queens!

Special Announcement:

After experiencing a bit of a glitch… and now that has been resolved!  You can still vote for the next Royal Blog Tour Queens  simply by clicking on the photo below!

Every vote counts, and I truly appreciate your help!

Thanks,

Sharon

Simply Sweet Cards for Beginners and Seniors

Whether you’re a seasoned stamper or a beginner, every now and then it’s fun to take a break to make quick and easy or simply sweet cards!  Today I’m sharing 2 more card shares… cards for my popular beginner and senior stamping groups!
Even beginners enjoy learning new techniques… and this card taught them how to mask and sponge!  The card stock mask was cut to the exact same size as the card front (in this case 5” x 3 3/4”) and die cut with a sizzix oval die.  Having the mask the same size as the card front ensured both placement and straightness on the card front!

After aligning the card front and mask, the oval opening was sponged with Marina Mist Classic Ink (for the sky) in the upper portion of the oval opening, and Old Olive Classic Ink in the lower portion of the oval opening. 
The trees were inked with Always Artichoke Classic Ink, and then the tree trunks were re-inked with an Early Espresso Stampin Write Marker.  No need to remove the Always Artichoke ink since the Early Espresso ink is darker, it covers the first layer completely.  A gentle ‘huff’ of warm breath over the inked stamp rehydrates it before stamping directly over the mask opening and sponged surface.  It sometimes helps to stand when stamping through a cardstock mask… giving you more leverage to press firmly and hard on the stamp without rocking it.
This card could have just as easily been made a single layer card… but I wanted to step it up a notch, and added a single mat of Early Espresso Card Stock (5 1/4” x 4”).
Here’s the second simply sweet card we made:

Sometimes it can be a little difficult to line up a stamp with a small piece of cardstock… so to ensure their success, the Whisper White rectangle (where the thank you image is shown) was actually cut about 1/2” larger than needed.  I brought along a fiskars paper trimmer and showed them how to use it to trim the stamped image to the correct size.  Since many had not used a paper trimmer before, it was another learning experience too!
Stamps and Supplies used in today’s card share(s):

Masked Lovely Tree Card
Stamps:  Plant Hope, Thank You Kindly
Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Early Espresso
Classic Ink:  Marina Mist, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Early Espresso
Accessories:  Stampin Sponges, Early Espresso Stampin Write Marker, Big Shot Machine, Sizzix Ovals Die
Elegant Thank You Card
Stamps:  Elegant Thank You
Card Stock: Whisper White, Bravo Burgundy
Classic Ink:  Bravo Burgundy
Accessories:  5/8” bravo burgundy grosgrain ribbon, Big Shot Machine, Vintage Wallpaper Textured Embossing Folder, Stampin Dimensionals, Fiskars Paper Trimmer

Tomorrow is another edition of Sketch Frenzy Friday, the team has been working very hard to bring new sketch based ideas and cards your way, hope you’ll stop by and say hi!
Hugs,
Sharon

Technorati Tags: stamps,card stock,ink,big shot

Diva Coffee Break Designs DCBD 191 A Special Sympathy Card

Are you ready for another great sketch challenge?  This week’s Diva Coffee Break Designs Team is a fun paneled and layered look, and my sample features the God’s Blessing Stamp set and Elegant Soiree Designer Series Paper!  Here’s the sketch:

After a momentary brain blip… this is the card I came up with for the challenge!  My color cues for the card were taken directly from the Elegant Soiree Designer Series Paper.  Knowing I’ve probably almost bored you to death with verbiage from the Word Play and Occasional Quotes Stamp Sets, the God’s Blessings stamp set was used. 

Of course, I had to add some texture, and embellishments… brads, neutral buttons, the lattice textured embossing folder, and Very Vanilla 1/8” taffeta ribbon were called into service.  Can’t really see it very well in the photo, but the basic black cardstock beneath the button was crimped to add just a little more texture.  The button was attached with 3 mini glue dots so it will stay put, and the word block was popped up with stampin’ dimensionals.

Hope you like the card, and will put on your stamping hat and play along with the team this week at Diva Coffee Break Designs!

Stamps and supplies used in today’s card share:

Stamp:  God’s Blessings

Paper:  Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Sahara Sand

Classic Ink:  Early Espresso

Accessories:  Silver brads, neutrals buttons, 1/8” very vanilla taffeta ribbon, stampin dimensionals, mat pack, paper piercing tool, big shot machine, lattice textured embossing folder, mini glue dots, paper crimper

Thanks to everyone who took the time to vote for me in the Royal Blog Tour Contest yesterday!

Hugs,

Sharon

Technorati Tags: stamp,design team,diva coffee break designs,sketch

Golden Christmas and Royal Blog Tour… Vote Today

Today is the big day… the official voting day for the next honorary Royal Blog Tour Queens… be sure to cast your vote and THANKS!!

Today I’m sharing two cards made with the new Northern Flurry Textured Embossing Folder!  I’ve been having a lot of fun with this folder and have already created an entire stamp camp venue around the folder… doesn’t that sound like fun?

Also, couldn’t help but add a little extra ‘bling’ using the basic jewels Rhinestones too… hope you like these simple, quick, yet elegant cards!

First up… no bling, just beautiful brushed gold card stock and an embossed greeting to enhance the double embossed background.

The brushed gold background on this card was double embossed… first with the Pretty Polka Dots Textured Embossing Folder, and a second time with the Northern Flurry Textured Embossing Folder.  I like the mixed background, don’t you?  Kind of looks like mini snowflakes out playing with the big boys!  Very Vanilla narrow grosgrain ribbon adds a little extra to the card too, don’t you think?  The greeting on this card is from the Word Play stamp set, and embossed using a heat tool, versamark ink, and Detail Gold Embossing Powder.

Now… are you ready for the bling card?  I kind of went crazy with the rhinestones, and added some detailing with the New Chunky Gold Glitter as well!

Same Stamp used on this card… but no double embossing… just the Northern Flurry Textured Embossing Folder doing a solo act!  A little extra detailing was added using the ever popular mat pack and paper piercing tool… it just seemed to need a little something… here’s a close up showing both glitter and piercing:

To attach the chunky glitter, I ran tombow mono adhesive along the edges and then scooped the glitter on top.  After patting gently with my finger and brushing off any excess, it is secured well. 

Stampin’ dimensionals were used on both cards to pop up the greetings on both cards… Tomorrow I’ll be sharing a special sketch based card for the Diva Coffee Break Designs Team… I think you’re going to like it!!

Before you leave, please vote for the next Honorary Blog Tour Queens… I’m so honored to have been nominated by my readers!  You can visit the Royal Blog Tour Site HERE.

Big Thanks to all of you… and Hugs,

Sharon

Technorati Tags: royal blog tour,queens,northern flurry,emboss,stamp

Royal Blog Tour… Vote Tomorrow

I’ve been asked to post a reminder that voting will begin tomorrow for the honorary Royal Blog Tour Queens…  I’ll have a link on tomorrow’s post as well, hope you’ll stop by and cast your vote!

Hugs,

Sharon

Technorati Tags: Royal Blog tour,Vote,Queens

Rings on her Fingers… Bells and Boughs, Chunky Glitter to Go!

And a wonderful scrunch ribbon too! 

Did you enjoy this weekend’s ribbon tutorials?  The Super Saturday Tutorial featured a Scrunch Ribbon, and Sunday a simple tied bow…  I’m still stuck on Scrunch Ribbon, so today’s card share (humor me) has another scrunch ribbon AND a sneak peek from the new Holiday Mini Catalog too, the Bells and Boughs Stamp Set!

Bells and Boughs was a must have stamp set the minute I spotted it in the Holiday Mini Catalog… what’s not to love with these traditional sketch designs?  The chunky Gold Glitter was another perfect match… showing off the poinsettia flower centers perfectly!  Difficult to photograph… take a peek:

And.. the scrunch ribbon technique was a fun addition to the card too.. are you ready for the full frontal view?

I’m really enjoying this stamp set… couldn’t help decorating the inside of the card with the same image…

I had a stamping faux pas… and got some unintended inky stuff near the bottom of the card… so I added a 1/8” line of Early Espresso card stock, and an additional poinsettia bloom as well, just another one of those stamp opportunities... or creative opportunities as I like to call them!

The images were all stamped with Early Espresso Classic Ink, and then the flower images were in-lined (traced along the inside of the stamped image lines) with a Blushing Bride Stampin Write Marker.  After scribbling a little of the marker on a clear acrylic block, the ink was picked up with my Aqua Painter, and the rest of the floral images were colored in, the same technique was used to color the leaves using an Old Olive Stampin’ Write marker.  Boughs were scribbled directly with an Old Olive Stampin’ Write Marker, and then painted over sparingly with an Aqua Painter…

Stampin Up! Supplies Used on Today’s Bells and Boughs Card Share:

Stamps:  Bells and Boughs

Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Blushing Bride, Early Espresso

Classic Ink:  Early Espresso

Accessories:  Red Sticky Tape, Gold Brads, Gold Chunky Glitter, Stampin’ Write Markers, Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, Tombow Multi Adhesive, Aqua Painter, Paper Snips, 5/8” early espresso satin ribbon

Hope you enjoyed today’s card share… inside and out!  Be sure to stop by tomorrow for some more stamping ideas, and to vote for the Next Royal Blog Tour Queens… the competition is pretty tough, so I really appreciate your vote!

Hugs,

Sharon

Technorati Tags: scrunch ribbon,stamp,tutorial,ink,royal blog tour

9 Steps to Tying a Perfect Ribbon Bow – Free Tutorial

Good morning! 

Let’s start your week with a wonderful surprise… another FREE Tutorial:  9 Steps to Tying a Perfect Ribbon Bow.  

This bow was featured on Friday’s Sketch Frenzy Friday Card….

And, Melinda left me the following comment:

simply elegant! Great job! And might I add I think your bow is OUTSTANDING!!!! Give me lessons PLEASE!

Well, Melinda, you asked for it, and since I read ALL comments, today’s post will feature a fabulous step by step pictorial tutorial on how to tie an elegant ribbon bow… hope you’re watching!

No special tools or equipment needed for this simple yet elegant bow…. all you need is ribbon, and a sharp scissors!  In today’s Perfect Ribbon Bow Tutorial, I’m using some super wide ribbon to magnify the steps… it works just as well with smaller ribbon too!

9 Steps to Tying a Perfect Ribbon Bow

Step 1:  Gathering the ends of your ribbon, make two loops or “bunny ears”

Step 2:  Wrap one “bunny ear” around the other…"

Step 3:  Fold the bunny ear down…

Step 4: And around..

Step 5:  And back through the hole!

Step 6:  Now, gently pull on the ears… and manipulate the center knot if needed.

Step 7:  Work slowly, pulling alternately on the bunny ears and tail…

Step 8:  Downsize your bow until it’s just about right…

Step 9:  Tighten the bow… but not too much!   

  Tip:  Don’t pull too tight or your ribbon won’t look very pretty!

Hope you enjoyed this step by step tutorial!  Be sure to check back each week for a FREE Super Saturday Tutorial!

Have you placed your vote yet for the Royal Blog Tour Queens?  I’ve been nominated this year… the first time EVER!  I’m so excited, and hope you’ll take a moment to vote for me!  Visit www.TheRoyalBlogTour.com to cast your vote On August 24th! 

Hugs,

Sharon

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