Super Saturday Tutorial & Tip Double Up

You asked for it… you got it!  Today I’m sharing a very short Finger Tip Double Loop Bow Video Tutorial.  I kept it short and sweet… no frills, just the facts.

Also, as a little extra, I’m sharing a fabulous tip on how to achieve perfect alignment when placing multiple items on a card or scrapbook page.  It’s a tip you’re going to love, and use often.

Double Loop Bow No Frills Video Supply List:

• 3/8” taffeta ribbon (supple ribbon is easier to work with, and you will need a few more inches when working with wider ribbon.)
• Your index and ring finger are your tools!
• Snips

Here we go… remember I said no frills!

Finger Tip Double Loop Bow Tutorial

Technique:

1. Pull 14” ribbon from taffeta ribbon roll.
2. Working with tail of ribbon, wrap 2 full revolutions of ribbon around extended ring and index finger.
3. Push ribbon tail through “v” between ring and index fingers.
4. Pull ribbon back to top, through finger tips, and across wrapped ribbon.
5. Wrap ribbon tail under/through top ribbon layer and pull in opposite direction.

Remember all those card sketches with multiple vertical panels in the past couple weeks?  Yesterday’s The Open Sea SFF429 card was just one of those type of sketches!

Here’s a handy tip on how I aligning multiple items on your cards and/or scrapbook pages!

Supplies:

• Grid Paper (graph paper can work in a pinch)
• A strip of scrap card stock at least 5.5” long

Technique: 

• Align card base with two vertical lines on Grid paper.
• Place scrap card stock strip along two horizontal lines on the grid paper… and at either the top most, or bottom most alignment position for the attachments.

 

• As you place multiple parallel layers onto the card base, butt them into the scrap strip of card stock.

Just sharing… I was pulling old photos from my phone yesterday, and came across this one of our family cats, Leo…

Take a close look… I’m still trying to figure out what he is using to open the plantation shutters!  All these years, and I thought he was just using his paw!

LOL.. Leo is much smaller these days, holding his own at 7 lbs… he still plays, but no longer has the strength to open the blinds… if his brother (below) wasn’t so busy sulking, perhaps he could help!

Hope you are safe and dry as these terrible storms make their way across the country!

Hugs,

Sharon

Technorati Tags: super-saturday,tutorial,tip,double loop bow,you tube,video tutorial,how to,ribbon,scrapbook,rubber stamps,cards,paper crafts

Sharon Field

The Open Sea Easel Card for Fathers Day

Welcome to Sketch Frenzy Friday… I’ve been having so much fun with the Open Sea Stamp Set that today you’ll see two more Sneak Peek cards using this phenomenally fun set!

Two cards… and a few close ups too.  I had to make two cards because I just didn’t like the first one I made, and luckily had enough quality stamping time to create one much more share-worthy!

This is the second card I made… A simple Fathers’ Day Easel Card using both The Open Sea stamp set, and Nautical Expedition Designer Series Paper.

The first card is a simple 3 x 6 easel card… here’s a view of it opened and upright for display.

In the photo below, I’ve folded back the front to display the entire inside of the card.  A strip of Nautical Expedition Designer Series Paper was placed very close to the bottom edge, and anchored… literally LOL!

The Summer Mini Catalog tells us that the colors Not Quite Navy, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Gray and Early Espresso coordinate well with the Nautical Expedition Designer Series Paper patterns… but I’ve found that some patterns also coordinate with Sahara Sand, and Night Of Navy Card Stock as well!

After Die-cutting a 3” circle using a Big Shot machine, the world image was stamped with Sahara Sand Classic Ink, and then the sailing ship was stamped with Night of Navy Classic Ink.

Did you notice how deep the water is?  The water image on the actual stamp is quite shallow… so I simply turned the stamp upside down and stamped extra water along the bottom edge of the 3” die cut circle to fill the extra space.

A White Gel Pen was used to color white caps in the the water, and also to fill in the billowing sails.

Daffodil Delight and  Cherry Cobbler Stampin’ Write Markers were used to add a little more color to the stamped compass image.

Here’s the original card I made… using Sahara Sand and Not Quite Navy card stock along with First Edition and Nautical Expedition Designer Series Papers.  LOL, guess I was in a rustic or grunge stamping mood that day!

Here’s today’s sketch SFF0429 sketch created by design team member Ros Davidson:

Sketch Frenzy Friday is actually a mini blog hop!  Next stop along the creative path is Tammy Baldwin.  Be sure to leave her a sweet comment!

See you tomorrow with a new Super Saturday Tutorial!

Hugs,

Sharon

Technorati Tags: ink,stamp set,designer series paper,blog hop,summer mini catalog,stampin up,sketch frenzy friday,design team

 

CS30H Butterfly and Bee Buttoned Up!

The Creative Sketches Design Team Challenge this week is a combination of sketch and holiday themed card. 

This is a card that just ‘evolved’ on my stamp table!  I had the sketch, and the stamp set I wanted to use… but had to really work at pulling all the sketch elements into the card!

I wish you could see this card in person!  Brushed Gold Card Stock Layers were embossed with the Square Lattice Textured Embossing Folder, and then painted using a sponge dauber and Champagne Shimmer Paint… difficult to capture all that sparkle with my camera but I think you can see it in the lower photo corner punches.

I really struggled with where and what for the sentiment of this card… and finally settled on ‘mother’ next to the bloom.  Here’s an alternate placement:

Isn’t it amazing how you can move one small element and it changes the card?

Here’s the Sketch for today’s Creative-Sketches Challenge:

Hope you’ll come play along with us… you know the drill:

1. Use the sketch shown to create a holiday themed card.
2. Upload to your personal blog or an online gallery (flickr, photobucket, splitcoast stampers, etc.).  Be sure to use the key word CS30H.
3. Copy url of the photo and visit the Creative-Sketches design team blog to link your creation using the linky tool at the bottom of today’s post!

Stamps and Supplies Used in Today’s CS30H challenge:

Stamps:  Flores Suaves

Card Stock:  Bashful Blue, Naturals Ivory, Whisper White, Brushed Gold

Classic Ink:  Early Espresso, Bashful Blue

Accessories:  Stampin’ Dimensionals, Big Shot Machine, Square Lattice Textured Embossing Folder, Vintage Wallpaper Textured Embossing Folder, Paper Daisies, Botanical Gazette DSP, Linen Thread, Jumbo Buttons, 3” circle Die, Mini Glue Dots, Paper Daisies, Narrow Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon, Signo White Gel Pen, Aqua Painter, Stampin’ Write Markers, Shimmer Paint, Sponge Dauber

See you tomorrow with another challenge from the Sketch Frenzy Friday Design Team!

Hugs,

Sharon

Technorati Tags: Creative-Sketches,Design-Team,Big-Shot-Machine,Challenge,Flores-Suaves,holiday,Mothers-Day,Paper-Daisies,Designer-Series-Paper,Butterfly

DCBD 225 The Open Sea Sneak Peek

A few weeks ago, The Open Sea arrived at my home, and I couldn’t wait to start using the lovely nautical themed images!!  The set was a free set I received from stampin up to thank me for demonstrating the Petal Cone Die Cake at last month’s Orlando Regional Event.

So… today I’m sharing one of the many cards I have made with this stamp set to date!  The layout for today’s Diva Coffee Break Designs Team challenge was a perfect excuse to share!

LOL.. I used all of the images from the Open Sea stamp set on this card!  Believe me, I tried to get the globe onto the front of the card… but ended up stamping it on the inside instead!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the new Nautical Expedition Designer Series Paper… and pretty sure you will too!  The Designer Series Paper patterns feature  ships, knots, bill of laden , stripes and more prints in the colors Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy, Early Espresso and Basic Gray!

After stamping the Sailing Ship image, I used a White Gel Pen to paint the sails of the sailing ship, white-capped waves, and portions of the compass.

Additional Compass Points were colored with Not Quite Navy, Cherry Cobbler, and Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Write Markers. 

Bakers’ Twine was strung across the front of card, looping through two eyelets set with crop-a-dile tool.

I really liked the layout for today’s challenge… of course, I really like to see layers on cards too! 

Here’s today’s Diva Coffee Break Designs Sketch Challenge… hope it will inspire you to play along with us this week!

Stamps and Supplies used in today’s DCBD 225 Challenge:

Stamps:  The Open Sea, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Card Stock:  Sahara Sand, Naturals Ivory, Night of Navy

Classic Ink:  Soft Suede, Night Of Navy

Accessories:  Mat Pack, Paper Punching Tool, Bakers Twine, Silver Brads, Silver Eyelets, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Signo White Gel Pen

Come on and play along with today’s Diva Coffee Break Designs Sketch Challenge… I dare you to have some fun with this sketch!

Hugs,

Sharon

Technorati Tags: The-Open-Sea,Diva-Coffee-Break-Designs,Challenge,Sketch,Markers,Card-Stock,Ink,Summer-Mini-Catalog,Sneak-Peek

UDI 33 Fabulous Florets Color Challenge

Today’s Utah Divas International Color Challenge included very bright colors Real Red, Poppy Parade, Regal Rose along with Always Artichoke and Very Vanilla.  I’m sure the design team will come up with some very interesting cards given that palette!

Large blooms from the Fabulous Florets stamp set seemed a perfect opportunity to merge these colors.  In the card shown below, I outlined the blooms with a Real Red marker, and then used an aqua painter to color the petals with ink from a Regal Rose Marker.

After adding additional color and highlights with both the Real Red and Poppy Parade Markers, dazzling diamonds were added to the center of each flower.

Three of the blooms were stamped directly onto the very vanilla card stock, and two were stamped onto a scrap of very vanilla card stock.  After cutting them out, they were pop dotted onto the card base.

The greeting was stamped with images from Vintage Vogue and Love & Care stamp sets, and popped onto the card too… and then the whole thing finished off with a double loop bow tied on my fingers, and attached with three mini glue dots.

Stamps and Supplies used in today’s UDI 33 Color Challenge:

Stamps:  Fabulous Florets, Love & Care, Vintage Vogue

Card Stock:  Always Artichoke, Poppy Parade, Very Vanilla

Stampin’ Write Markers:  Real Red, Regal Rose, Poppy Parade

Accessories:  Decorative Label Punch, Stampin Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Aqua Painter, 5/8” Satin ribbon (Very Vanilla)

Here is the lovely inspiration piece for today’s color challenge.

Why not play along with us at Utah Divas International this week! 

1. Simply create a card or project featuring all the colors in the inspiration piece shown above.
2. Upload your creation to an online gallery such as Photobucket, Flickr, or Splitcoast Stampers.
3. Be sure to use UDI 33 Color Challenge in your key words and/or blog post.
4. Copy the URL of the blog post or gallery item.
5. Visit the Utah Divas International blog and use the linky tool to add the URL copied in step 4.

See you tomorrow with a new challenge card from the Diva Coffee Break Designs Team!

Hugs,

Sharon

Technorati Tags: UDI,Color-Challenge,Utah-Divas-International,Design-Team,Poppy-Parade,Markers,Splitcoaststampers

Two more Water Colored With Marker Cards

Hope you had a wonderful weekend with family and friends!  Did you enjoy the Super Saturday and Sunday Tutorials this week? 

Today I’m sharing two more water colored with markers cards.  Both cards feature images from the Something Nice stamp set.

I resisted putting tiny pearl around the neck of this little bunny in a pot, adding them instead to the double loop bow and photo corner punch accent!

Both cards feature Designer Series Paper “Beyond the Garden” which may be found in the Summer Mini Catalog.  If you haven’t received your copy, please contact me and I’ll drop one in the mail!

Keeping it short and sweet today… see you tomorrow with a new Utah Divas International Challenge!

Hugs,

Sharon

Technorati Tags: summer mini,water color,markers,stampin up,tutorials,tips,designer series paper,catalog,technique

Folded Ribbon Trim Tutorial

Did you enjoy yesterday’s step by step Water Color with Markers Tutorial?  It can be a tricky process, but with a little practice, I’m sure you’ll accomplish wonderful works of art!

This weekend, as promised, I’ve got a bonus tutorial here on Created By You!  The folded ribbon trim on last week’s Sketch Frenzy Friday Card generated a lot of questions, comments and emails requesting a step by step tutorial… and I try my best to keep my readers happy!

Here’s a new card featuring the folded ribbon trim and featuring the summer mini catalog sneak peek stamp set:  Touch of Kindness.

The cute little kittens, butterflies, and grass were water colored with markers and an aqua painter.  Their tummy’s were filled with white paint from a Signo White Gel Pen, applied in small circles until the entire area was filled.

Of course, what you’re really here for is the folded ribbon tutorial… so here we go!

Supplies needed for the folded ribbon trim technique:

• 5/8” Satin Ribbon +/- 2x the length you intend to cover
• Mini Glue Dots
• Tweezers or plier
• Patterned paper
• NOTE:  if your pattern paper (designer series paper) does not have a linear pattern, drawing two lines with a ruler and pencil will help you keep your ribbon straight.

For today’s tutorial, I have intentionally chosen a linear patterned paper (designer series paper) which will help me align both mini glue dots and ribbon folds.

Step by Step:

1. Begin by placing a mini glue dot 1/4” from the edge of the card stock.
2. Attach the ribbon at an angle to the card stock.
3. Fold the ribbon along the line and place a mini glue dot beneath the fold.  The mini glue dot should be attached to the designer series paper and new ribbon layer, near the far edge of the ribbon (not the old ribbon layer)
4. Add another mini glue dot along the same horizontal line as you did in step one, and continue folding back and forth along the two horizontal lines.  Two mini glue dots will be added with each fold.
5. When you reach the end of the card stock, it may be necessary to fold the ribbon one more time before tucking it to the back of the designer series paper.
6. Place mini glue dots on the back of the ribbon ends, and attach to the back of the designer series paper.

The ribbon is not pressed completely flat… LOL, you could iron it if you wanted it flat!

For a little extra touch, I added a small strip of ribbon and a vanilla rosette.

Hope you enjoyed this mini tutorial!

Have a wonderful Easter!

Hugs,

Sharon

Technorati Tags: tutorial,folded-ribbon-technique,tips,summer-mini-catalog,water-color

Water-coloring With Markers Tutorial

There have been a lot of questions about my water colored cards over the past two weeks… So today’s Super Saturday Tutorial will walk you through the step-by-step process of water-coloring with markers!

You may recall some of the water-colored cards featured…. but just in case, here are the ones I’ve had the most questions about… LOL!

• On the Grow Embossed and Layered Card
• On the Grow CAS (Clean and Simple) Collection
• Magnetic Bookmark Card Super Saturday Tutorial
• UDI 29 Color Therapy

Of the four samples featured above, only one of them was done on water color paper… the rest were all water colored on regular card stock. 

If you are a beginner water color with markers artist, it is a good idea to start with water color paper.  The paper absorbs moisture and distributes both ink and water evenly.  That said, my suggestion for today’s tutorial is to start with water color paper… and then move on.

The image I will be working with today is from the “on the grow” stamp set featured in the Summer Mini Catalog.   A sneak peek, this item is not available until May 1st… but it’s well worth the wait!

Supplies needed for today’s Super Saturday Water Color With Markers Tutorial:

1. Stamps:   On the Grow (Of course, you may substitute any image you currently have on hand…. but I’m pretty sure you’re going to want this set!
2. Card Stock: 
   • Beginners will want to choose an 80 lb. or better cold press water color paper… Stampin’ Up! Water color paper is perfect for beginners!
   • Alternatively, choose an ultra smooth card stock 80 lb. or better… Stampin’ Up! Whisper White and Very Vanilla work quite well for this project.
3. Accessories:
   • Stampin’ Write Markers – water based markers with both brush and fine tips.  Today’s tutorial features the following Stampin’ Up’ Markers:  Marina Mist, Bashful Blue, Regal Rose, Old Olive, Pear Pizzazz, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink
   • Aqua Painter filled with water (use fine brush tip)
   • Basic Jewel Pearls – Optional
   • Basic Gray Classic Ink.  You may also substitute: Early Espresso, or Basic Black Classic Inks or  Stazon Classic Ink
   • Tile, clear mount block, or plastic to scribble ink.
   • Optional:  Heat Tool
   • Just in Case:  Absorbent Paper Towel

Step by Step – specific to today’s Super Saturday Water Color with Markers tutorial!

1. Ink image from “On the Grow” Summer Mini Catalog Set with Basic Gray Classic Ink, stamp onto Whisper White Card Stock.
2. Let dry over-night or accelerate the drying process by using a pre-heated heat tool*.
   • Note:  a pre-heated heat tool will work faster to dry stamped ink and embossed images as well, minimizing burning risks!
3. Use Marina Mist Stampin’ Write Marker to outline the vase image and everything that touches it.  This is a very important step which will help minimize bleed-through of both stamped  adjacent image outlines and/or color.   This photo shows three images from the “on the grow”  summer mini catalog stamp set.  The image on the far left has been enhanced with a Marina Mist Stampin’ Write Marker, following the stamped lines to outline the vase and everything that touches it.
4. The highlighting or shadow lines are not traced or marker-ed at this point.  Be sure to marker around everything that touches the vase…. flowers, leaves, grass, etc..
5. Use the brush tip of your marker, scribble Bashful Blue Marker onto tile, clear mount stamp, or plastic surface.
6. Dab excess water from the tip of the Aqua Painter, pick up scribbled paint and dab off onto scrap paper to check intensity and water flow.  Color the vase image from the outside marker-lined edges towards the middle.  Take care not to over-saturate the image**.
   • If image becomes over saturated, dab with  paper towel to absorb excess and control flow of ink.
   • Alternatively, set image aside and let dry or heat with heat tool to dry before applying more water and ink.
   • Brushing from the outer outlines, inward will leave a ‘white space’ in the center.. this is “a good thing, Martha!”

7. Use the Old Olive Stampin’ Write Marker to outline the leaves as shown in the image (above).  Take care to outline all areas which touch the vase or flowers.

8. Scribble Pear Pizzazz Marker onto chosen plastic surface and color leaves with aqua painter as in step 6.

9. Outline flower images with Regal Rose Marker, color with Aqua Painter and Pretty in Pink Stampin’ Write Marker scribbled onto surface (step 6).

10. Water diminishes the intensity of the outlines… re-outline appropriate areas with markers Old Olive, Regal Rose, and Marina Mist.  This will make the elements and parts POP!

11. Use a bashful blue marker to highlight the  ‘shadow’ lines of the vase (the stamped image scratchy lines in the vase)

12. Use Old Olive Marker to trace/highlight grass.

13. Scribble Pear Pizzazz Marker onto tile or plastic surface, pick up with aqua painter.  Dab off and paint/wet grass line.

14. Add leaf veins with Pear Pizzazz marker. 

15. Use a VERY LIGHT TOUCH, add lines to leaves with Old Olive Marker.

16. Re-highlight vase lines with Marina Mist Marker.

    • Note/ Tip:  As marker and water dry, the hue and intensity of color will lighten.  To make your image “pop” it may be necessary to re-apply ink layers until desired affect is achieved

      

17. Determine light source… where the light is coming from, and where the shadows will fall***. 

18. Scribble Bashful Blue Marker onto Tile or plastic.  WET with water from aqua painter to make a VERY SMALL puddle of ink and water.

19. Dab-off aqua painter, and paint shadow around entire image, lighter on the side with the light source***, heavier where there is little or none. 

    • TIP:  stamp several images in advance, determine the light source and add the shadow  before coloring the rest of the image… this will save a lot of time and aggravation if you do it.  LOL.. I forget all the time!

20. Recap Photo:

21. If desired, add pearls to the center of the flowers.

    

    • In the photo shown above, medium pearls were added to the bouquet on the left and small pearls to the flowers on the right

22. Detail on the middle image shows outline of the leaves, including areas touched by both flowers and vase.

Hope you enjoyed today’s Super Saturday Water Color With Marker Tutorial! 

Tomorrow I’ll be sharing another tutorial on how to do the fancy fold zig zag ribbon shown on yesterday’s Sketch Frenzy Friday Card Share… I really should wait until next week… But what the heck!!

Hugs,

Sharon

Technorati Tags: water-color-with-markers,on-the-growing Green,stampin-up,aqua painter,embossed,super-saturday-turorial,tutorial,summer-mini-catalog,online-shopping spree

SFF 422 Over The Hill Birthday?

I was going for classic… but, viewing this card on my screen I think it’s most appropriate as an over the hill birthday card!  Even though I tried to bling it up a bit… it’s still seems quite dark and dreary to me… what do you think?

Today’s Over the Hill Birthday card was made using the Sketch Frenzy Friday Design Team Sketch Challenge SFF422.

The sole stamped greeting is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set, which was trimmed and curled to make a ruffled banner across the corner of the card.  Four Basic Jewel Rhinestones flank the birthday banner, a meager and failed attempt to make it pop.

The flower focal image was created by punching First Edition Designer Series Paper with the 2-3/8” and regular scallop circle punches.  The smaller punch was used for 7 layers/punches and the larger 2-3/8” punch was used for the bottom 4 layers.

First Edition Designer Series Paper is available in the current Occasions Mini Catalog which expires at the end of the month.  The First Edition DSP is lighter bodied / weight than our typical DSP’s and well suited for crinkled flowers.  The paper is lighter, so there’s twice as much in the pack… with 24 sheets total, 6 designs and four sheets each.

The ribbon was zig zagged across the bottom of the card using mini glue dots placed beneath the bottom fold on each zig and zag.  Using polka dot patterned designer series paper helped align the ribbon as I worked across the surface… and then added more rhinestones for bling.

Today’s sketch was designed by Robbie Rubala … it’s a CAS design, hope you’ll play along with us, or at least visit each design team member blog!  I can’t wait to see what the others have done with this sketch!

 Sketch Frenzy Friday operates somewhat like a mini blog hop or blog tour.. next stop along the way is Tammy Baldwin.  Can’t wait to see what she did with the sketch!

Stamps and supplies used for today’s Over the Hill Birthday Card:

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes

Classic Ink:  Basic Gray

Card Stock/ Paper:  Very Vanilla, Basic Gray, Neutrals Designer Series Paper, First Edition Designer Series Paper

Accessories:  Scallop Circle punch, 2-3/8” Scallop Circle Punch, 5/16” Neutral Brads, 5/8” Satin Very Vanilla Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots, Basic Jewel Rhinestones

Stop back tomorrow for another free Super Saturday Tutorial!

Hugs,

Sharon

Technorati Tags: Over The Hill,Scallop Circle Punch,Punch,Teeny tiny wishes,Classic,Rhinestones,Birthday Card,Designer Series Paper,First edition,Bling,Sketch Frenzy Friday,challenge,Design Team

CS 29T Chalk Pastels Happiness Shared

Welcome to today’s Creative-Sketches Design Team Challenge!  Each week the Creative-Sketches challenge changes… and today’s challenge features a card layout AND the Chalk Pastels Technique!

If you’re unfamiliar with the technique, it’s quite simple…

• Stamp your image with Versa Mark Ink, and then use the sponge applicator included with your pastels to apply color. 
• It helps to work in a circle motion. 
• Reapply chalk to acquire more intense color, and use an eraser to remove chalk from areas you may have colored unintentionally. 
• Sometimes a fixative is applied to the finished product to keep all the chalk in place… inexpensive hair spray works well enough for cards. 
• If you’re scrapbooking a family treasure, you may want to invest in an art quality fixative… just read the fine print to ensure it is archival safe.

Here’s the card I created for today’s CS29T challenge, featuring the Happiness Shared Stamp Set, Certainly Celery 5/8” Satin Ribbon, and a Double Loop Bow tied on my fingers.

It’s also a sneak peek of a new Summer Mini Catalog item, and one I’m happy to see Stampin’ Up! offer… a Postage Stamp Punch!  Isn’t it fun? 

Both greeting and solo flower image were attached to the card with stampin’ dimensionals, and the Double Loop Bow was secured with three Mini Glue Dots.

Here’s the sketch for today’s challenge:

Hope you’ll play along with us!  Create a card, or scrapbook page using the Chalk Pastel Technique described earlier in today’s post, and the sketch shown above. 

1. Upload your design to an online gallery such as Flickr, Photobucket, or Splitcoaststampers …
2. Right click on your uploaded photo, and copy the photo URL.
3. Then visit the Creative-Sketches Design Team Blog and use the linky tool at the bottom of the post to enter your name and design URL.

See you tomorrow with a new Sketch Frenzy Friday challenge based design!

Hugs,

Sharon

Technorati Tags: Technique,chalk pastels,creative-sketches,sponge dauber,color,design,design team,challenge,stampin up,happiness shared

DCBD224 CAS Butterfly, Sponging & Pearls

Is it just me, or are the recent color challenges a little strange?  Maybe I’m just in a stamping funk!  This week’s Diva Coffee Break Designs Color Challenge is bold and bright, featuring Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, and Tempting Turquoise.

Today’s color challenge card share is CAS… Clean and Simple, featuring the Strength and Hope stamp set and classic inks in challenge colors… hope you like it!

The Strength and Hope stamp set was created by Stampin’ Up! to help make a difference in the fight against Breast Cancer.  With the sale of each set, Stampin’ Up! is donating $2 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).  The stamp set features four images, two of which are shown on the card above.  It’s also one of our founder, Shelli Gardner’s favorite stamp sets and causes (along with the Ronald McDonald House, of course!).

To make today’s color challenge card:

• I cut a piece of scrap card stock to 3-3/4” x 5” and punched a 2-3/8” circle in what was approximated to be the middle.  This piece was then used as a mask for a Whisper White card stock piece of the same size.
• Holding the two layers together, a stampin’ sponge was inked with Tempting Turquoise Classic Ink.  Using a light swirling motion, the tempting turquoise ink was applied within the circle… moving from the outer edges towards the middle. 
• The resultant circle is not uniformly colored, and intentionally lighter in the middle.
• The flourish image from Strength and Hope stamp set was stamped in the upper right and lower left corners of the sponged card stock, using Rich Razzleberry Classic Ink
• A second mask was cut 2-3/4” x 4” and two opposing corners were rounded. 
• TIP:  if you want a wider corner round, use a sanding block to gently ease it into shape.
• Aligning the mask on top of the stamped cardstock, a dot was placed on the mask to approximate the beginning and end of the lines which I planned to draw.
• Tracking the mask, the fine tip of a Melon Mambo Stampin’ Write Marker was used to draw a line around the corners, stopping and starting at the dots on the mask.
• This stamped piece was mounted onto a 2-corner rounded 4” x 5-1/4 piece of Melon Mambo Card Stock, and then attached to an A2 Card (4-1/4” x 11” scored at 5-1/2”).
• After stamping the butterfly onto a scrap of whisper white card stock with Melon Mambo Classic Ink, it was cut out with Paper Snips and mounted on the card front with stampin’ dimensionals.
• TIP:  use your paper piercing tool to create a curved wing by rolling the tool across the back of each wing.  Place the dimensionals close to the center of the Butterfly and glue the center area directly to the card with Multipurpose Liquid Adhesive… it will make the butterfly pop!
• Tiny pearls were added at the ends of each drawn line… this was an easy way to mask differences in line lengths too!
• One large pearl and four smaller pearls were added to the butterfly ‘body’ creating the illusion of both head and body.

Here’s the DCBD official color challenge:

Hope you’ll play along with us this week!  Visit the Diva Coffee Break Designs Team blog, and upload your creation… we love to see your creativity too!

Hugs,

Sharon

Technorati Tags: Strength & Hope,Breast Cancer Research,BCRFCURE,Color Challenge,CAS,Clean and Simple,TIPS,Divas,stamp set,Shelli Gardner,Heart,Ronald McDonald House

UDI 32 Embossed and Bright Best Wishes

This Utah Divas International color challenge almost seems a repeat of last week’s but it’s not!  You can see the difference in last week’s UDI31 Challenge Here.  I have to admit I did make both cards on the same day… I suppose that accounts for the similarities!

The Four Frames, Silhouette Sentiments and A Good Egg stamp sets were used on today’s Color Challenge Card, along with the Elegant Lines Textured Embossing Folder.  I love the look of embossed vellum, don’t you?  Here’s my card for today’s Color Challenge:

Looking at the card above, I suddenly realized that I somehow used a retired punch for one of the flower layers… Yikes, I’m in trouble now!

The floral background was stamped in Basic Black Classic Ink onto the Daffodil Delight background.  A White Gel pen was used to add bright white centers to each flower, and random tri-dotted images. 

I used my craft and rubber scissors to remove the center rubber from all my four frames stamps.  If you do this, make sure you put the label on first, or you have the potential for a big mess… trust me, I’ve got first hand experience on that one LOL!

Removing the center rubber is usually a good idea for both wood mount and clear mount stamps.  On wood mount stamps, sometimes pushing down on the ink pad and paper a bit too hard will result in an inked center…just where you DON’T want the ink!

Of course, with clear mount stamps, it allows you to stamp a greeting, and then visually center and stamp the frame so that the greeting is aligned just where you want it!  The last step is to punch it out with the Designer Label Punch… and then I used a Daffodil Delight Marker was used to add a little color to the four frames image.

Here’s today’s official color challenge inspiration photo:

Had I looked at the inspiration piece prior to making my card, I may have used the Fabulous Florets Summer Mini Catalog stamp set instead… I might do that tomorrow!

Hope you’ll play along with the Utah Divas International Design Team this week!  Just click on Utah Divas.. it will take you right to the site where you can use the linky tool to upload your very special creation!

Stamps and Supplies used in today’s UDI 32 Embossed and Bright Best Wishes Card:

• Stamps:  Silhouette Sentiments, A Good Egg, Four Frames
• Card Stock / Paper:  Vellum Card Stock, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Basic Gray, Basic Black
• Classic Ink:  Basic Black
• Accessories:  Big Shot Machine, Elegant Lines Textured Embossing Folder, Neutral Brads, White Gel Pen, Designer Label Punch, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Basic Jewel Rhinestones, Paper Daisies, Daisy Punch (retired), mat pack, paper piercing tool, Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Write Marker.

On a personal note… finally heard back from all family in North Carolina, and everyone is doing well.  Some without power, a few limbs down, but very thankful for prayers and blessings that kept them safe throughout the storms!

See you tomorrow with another challenge from the Diva Coffee Break Designs Team.  Hope you’ll stop back by to say hi!

Hugs,
Sharon

Technorati Tags: four frames,paper daisies,stamp set,vellum card stock,card stock,embossing,big shot,mat pack,paper piercing

Paisley Petals DSP… Three Cards Today!

This is a crazy weekend around our house… DD is on her way to Pennsylvania, helping a couple good friends move and relocate.  I was very happy to hear they reached their final destination just south of Harrisburg without too much trouble from the storm barreled East yesterday!

As I write, I’m still waiting to hear from my Sister, Niece, and Nephew… and my DH’s Brother’s family who live in Raleigh… hope to hear from them soon!

Today I’m sharing random cards I created while playing around around my stamp room.  This first one features the Just Believe Stamp Set, embossed Card Stock Vellum and lovely Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper.

I just love the look of embossed Card Stock Vellum, don’t you?  The vellum on the card shown above was embossed with the Finial Press Textured Embossing Folder using my Big Shot Machine. 

Using adhesives with Vellum can be a bit tricky… here I’ve buried one side beneath designer series paper, and anchored the other side with brads.

Another card featuring the Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper… this is one I almost used for the 1st Wednesday Card Club.  A little hesitant because of the colors… they are kind of wild:  Bashful Blue, Peach Parfait, and Paisley Petals DSP.

LOL… this next card was one of those just playing around cards… I think it was originally a design team challenge that went wrong when I realized I had used the wrong colors!

The stamp set used:  Nature Walk… I’m really going to miss this set when the Occasions Mini Catalog expires at the end of April!

Paper Daisies are flanked with Blossom Petals Punched and embossed leaves.  A strip of Basic Gray Card Stock was run through the paper crimper because I didn’t have basic gray ribbon, and the background paper is another sample of the gorgeous papers in the Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper Pack which is part of the Spring is Blossoming Promotion.

See you tomorrow with a new Utah Divas International Color Challenge! 

Hugs,

Sharon

Technorati Tags: Paisley Petals,Designer Series Paper,Just Believe,Nature Walk,Four Frames,Occasions Mini,Card,Vellum,Card Stock,Embossing,Big Shot,Spring is Blossoming,promotion

1st Wednesday Card Club–2 Cards & A Tote

I hope you enjoyed yesterday’s Super Saturday Tutorial for a Quick and Simple Magnetic Bookmark Card.  It’s one of the projects we’ll be doing when the new clubs form in June.  If you’re interested in joining the Card Club, please contact me!

Last week’s 1st Wednesday Card Club was a blast!  We made three projects… two cards, and a cute 1/4 sheet tote, ate a yummy Swiss Chicken Casserole with honey mango tossed salad, and had yummy cupcakes for dessert!

Here’s a photo of just one of the cards we made…

It had a punched 3-D butterfly!

We also made this 1/4 sheet tote.. the folds were a little tricky, and the tote was a perfect size to hold Biscoff cookies (the ones they give you on the airplane).  It’s also perfect for holding chapstick!

Those cookies are pretty yummy but they definitely are not a healthy little snack!

The little totes are super easy to make, got to give the designer credit… you can get the complete directions and see a video tutorial for this little tote at Frenchiestamps.com  October 2010 HERE.

You’ll see the third card on Tuesday for the Utah Divas International Color Challenge.

See you tomorrow with a couple more cards, I hope you’ll stop by to say hello!

Hugs,

Sharon

Technorati Tags: card club,1st Wednesday Card Club,Tote,Card,Frenchiestamps,magnetic,bookmark card,super saturday tutorial,tutorial