Bookmark Keepsake Card

This is the commercially made card that I received for Easter. It's a clever idea of combining a card and bookmark. The right side of the card had a line of perforation and pulled off to become a bookmark for the recipient.

So, first of all I planned a design that was one layer and with a right edge that would make a pleasing bookmark. Then after stamping I had to make that perforation line. I'm sure I have a perforation blade somewhere but do you think I could find it. So, I wound up using a seamstress tracing wheel and stratightedge to make my perforation line. 

Here's my card...

To give it a little more pizzazz I used my chalk pen to color in with white on some of the flowers and also used Clear Wink of Stella on the centers. 

That's all for this week and commercial card inspiration. Tune in next week to see what I'm creating.

Masking Today

 Today's commercial card copies are one layer cards but they involve a lot of masking. It was fun to make them and see what I had in my supplies to create the copies.
First card up is the pretty butterfly card. I really liked the background and vibrant colors of the butterflies.

So  I pulled out some stamp sets and started with a piece of Sahara Sand cardstock. First I stamped the large center butterfly using Pacific Point, Pear Pizzazz, and Watermelon Wonder.  I made a mask of the butterfly by stamping onto copy paper and then fussy cut that out. I placed that mask over the stamped butterfly and then stamped the flower using Pear Pizzazz ink. Then I used my Chalk Pen to color the open spaces on the flower. I really liked how this turned out... going to have to do some more. Then I stamped my smaller butterflies. I used Pear Pizzazz and Soft Suede on the lower one and Delightful Dijon, Calypso Coral and Watermelon Wonder on the top butterfly. I cut masks of the flower and small butterfly and covered them so that I could stamp the swirl with Versamark ink. Then with the masks still in place I sponged color on the background using Calypso Coral, Marina Mist, Pear Pizzazz and Watermelon Wonder. Once the background was done I stamped the body and antenna for the large butterfly in Basic Black and the body and antenna of the small butterflies in Soft Suede.  Then I layered on Whisper White card base... I guess technically this isn't a one layer card. This card was a lot of work but I love how it turned out!

The second commercial card that also inspired one layer stamping required the use of mask again so that the lacy edge would be underneath the flower image.

Here's my card. I couldn't really find a floral stamp in my collection that was the look I wanted. I finally decided to use Bloom with Hope set and combined two images to make this larger flower. I used my markers to color the stamp with Garden Green and Watermelon Wonder on Pistachio Pudding cardstock. Then I colored in the flower and leaves with the fine tip of Watermelon Wonder, Garden Green and Old Olive markers. I used my white gel pen to add more lines to the flowers. Then I made a mask for that little flower so I could stamp the white border. If I hadn't had the commercial card as an example I probably would have thought this card was in need of something more.  I learned that some blank space is okay, it's all in positioning the elements.

What a mess!

These are the two cards I used for inspiration today. Again they have the same basic layout. I started with the card to the left and created quite a mess.

 Here's the mess... I wanted to use Glimmer paper as a mat but also wanted it to be in the Rich Razzleberry color. So I thought I would use my Razzleberry marker... didn't get much color with that... so tried direct to ink pad... a little better but it didn't want to dry and I wound up with smudges of Razzleberry everywhere! On top of that I was trying to mock the gold dots on the background of the commercial card; so I used my dotted embossing folder and inked it with silver Encore pad before running it through the Big Shot. I wound up with silver smudges there, too. Realize now I should have used a Sharpie to color the glimmer paper. And could have embossed the dots and then used silver pen to fill them in. 

Then I remembered I had Blushing Bride Glimmer Paper. So, I changed my color scheme and came up with this card. By the time I had the background images colored and stamped on the Whisper White cardstock I decided using the textured embossing folder was just going to make it too busy. So quit while I was pleased with the background and moved on to layering my other elements. I used Clear Wink of Stella on the tree and grass to give some sparkle to that image as the commercial card had sparkles on the pathway and church building. It's a nice touch that doesn't show up in the photo. 

The second card went together much more quickly and with no mess! I embossed some Shimmery White card stock and then used Clear Wink of Stella to add more sparkle to the embossed design. It is so pretty in real life but hard to get a good photo. I'm really happy with the Clear Wink of Stella; now thinking about ordering the Gold. Then it was a matter of coloring the stamped image. Instead of using lots of layers of cardstock to get the same framed effect as commercial card I decided to free-hand a line using Watermelon Wonder marker and then layering on Watermelon Wonder cardstock which I trimmed freehand to match the wavy look of the drawn line. 

I also used the inside of this commercial card for my card interior. See how the flowers are hanging upside down. I would never have thought to do that. But I did give it a try and am pleased with the way it looks. 

Glittery Background

 It's not real easy to see in this photo but the purchased card had glittery swirls for the background. Again I thought the easiest way to duplicate the cross overlay would be to use some vellum. Since confirmation is coming up in May I decided to stay with the cross as a focal point but the expression I wanted to use made me change the orientation.

 This card is for the girls being confirmed. I used the swirl from Everything Eleanor. I stamped the sentiment with Soft Suede ink and then let it dry. Then I stamped just two times with Crumb Cake ink on Crumb Cake cardstock and immediately sprinkled with Iridescent Ice and then heat embossed. Then I filled in the background using VersaMark ink and again embossing with Iridescent Ice.

The card for boys was made in the same way but I used two stamps from Gorgeous Grunge stamp set to make the card.
Both crosses come from the Blessed by God stamp set and were stamped with White Staz On on vellum. A little fussy coating and a couple of glue dots to adhere them and the card front was finished.

Inspiration

This week I am inspired by commercially made cards received from family and friends for Easter.  I usually put cards that we receive on the mantle or dresser top for a week or so. Then I look them over one last time and recycle them. As I was looking at the cards from Easter I decided that I would challenge myself to use them as inspiration for my card making.
So, here is today's first challenge. I received two cards that were really pretty similar in their layout. For the first one I wanted to mock that fade out of the background behind the sentiment block. So, I used a piece of vellum and stamped it with White Staz On Ink for the frame and then used Black Staz On for the sentiment. Rather than stamp a large background I decided this would be a good time to use some DSP with large design.

 The second card with this similar layout really made me think of the retired Four Frames stamp set. So I used it here with the "hello" from A Dozen Thoughts. Again I opted to use some large print DSP for the background.

Hand Sanitizer Holder

I got this idea and instructions from Dawn Griffith's blog. It is easier than it looks. I started with a piece of 2-1/8" x 11" piece of Lost Lagoon cardstock scored at 1/2", 2", 3", 6-1/4", 7-1/4", 9-1/2" and 10-1/2". I added DSP (pieces measuring 2"x2-1/8", 2"x3-1/8" and 2"x1-78" to to three sections that make up the front and back of the holder. The stamped medallion is made using the Amazing Birthday stamp set and circle and scallop circle punches. Before assembling the holder you use a circle punch to make the hole for the lid to poke through and little holes on each side of that for the thick Baker's twine. You also make holes in the very top section for the Baker's twine. Thread and knot the twine and then use a strong adhesive to glue the half inch tab to the rear panel. Then carefully jiggle (it's a fairly tight fit) the hand sanitizer into place. I added some little punched posies and pearls to the front to dress it up a bit.

Tissue Holder

This is a cute and super easy "perk me up" gift to make. It holds a pocket tissue packet.

I found this project on Splitcoast Stampers. You start with a 4-1/4" x 11" piece of cardstock, scored at 1/2", 3", 4" and 6-1/2". You can punch the upper corners if desired to round them. Fold along the score lines. Attach Designer Series Paper (3 pieces measuring 3/4" x 4", 2-1/4"x 4" and 3-1/4" x 4". Stamp sentiment on the 3/4" piece of DSP. Use the small oval punch to make an opening for the tissue. You can make a decorative edge by punching a piece of the cardstock with the small oval punch and then using the scallop oval punch to punch again giving you an oval scallop ring to glue to the edge of the oval opening. Attach flowers and leaves and pearls to the top. 

Use a strong adhesive to glue the 1/2" tap of cardstock to make the holder. Insert the packet of pocket tissues. 

Hershey Nugget Treat Holder & Ghiradelli Treat Holder

 I didn't get a chance to post the Nugget Treat Holder yesterday so I'll post two little gifts today.
The top two photos show the Hershey's Nugget Treat Holder. I used a piece of cardstock cut a scant 2" x 7", scorec at 3" and 4".   You also will need a piece of Designer Series Paper cut 1-1/2" x 6-1/4", scored at 2, 3, 5 and 6 inch marks.
I used the Scallop Tag Topper punch on each edge of the card stock. This gives you a decorative edge and the hole for tying close.
Wrap the DSP around the scored and folded cardstock base to make the holder. Add three Hershey Nuggets or other wrapped candies and then add crochet ribbon and twine to close.
I also used the Bow Builder punch to make the bow for the front. CASE:  Dawn Griffith

This little Ghiradelli Holder goes together so quickly with Washi tape and a punched image. Start with a scant 2" x 5-1/2" piece of card stock, scored at 2-5/8" and 2-7/8". Punch each end using the Scallop Tag Topper punch. Decorate front with Washi tape and Punched star topped off with rhinestone. Fold card stock, insert Ghiradelli square and tie shut with twine. It's that easy! CASE: Mary Fish

Little Gifts

This week I'm going to share a few little gifts I've made. Today's is a lip balm holder. I got this idea from Angie Leach's blog.
I used my Big Shot and the second largest framelit in the retired Labels Collection. (I'm sure you could use the new Lots of Labels framelits.
When using the Labels framelit you just have to line up the center points between score lines on the Simply Score and then count over three 1/8" marks on each side and score along these lines.
Then fold the scored cardstock in half and make two cuts from the folded edge to the score line. This makes the little holder for the lip balm.

 Here's the finished gift.

Dry Embossing on Designer Series Paper

This card was made using my Big Shot and an embossing folder on Designer Series Paper. When you run the DSP through the embossing folder it breaks the fiber and will leave the white showing. I used a sanding block and carefully rubbed on the raised edges to bring out more of the white. It makes for a very quick and elegant background.
This embossing folder is retired but there are lots of new ones that would look pretty, too. The stamped expression comes from the retired Watercolor Wishes stamp set.

Painter's Tape Background

Today's technique uses blue painter's tape. It's pretty simple. Just tear off a strip of painter's tape and gently press it to an ink pad, trying not to get ink along the long edges of the tape because that will leave lines in your image. For me, that is the hardest part. (I take a peek at the stamp after I've inked it and if it looks heavy along the long edges I press the edges only on a piece of scrap paper. ) After inking the tape gently press it to the Whisper White card stock, then remove. Be careful if you press it too hard it might tear your paper when you pull it back up. I actually tore one edge of this card and had to trim that off. This changed my layout plans to had to add the ribbon, which I like. A happy accident!
I used Pistachio Pudding for the lowest layer, So Saffron for the middle and Pool Party for the top. I used a new piece of tape for each color. The stamps are from Thoughts and Prayers stamp set and Butterfly Basics stamp set.

Shadow Stamping

Today's technique is called shadow stamping. I learned this on Dawn Griffith's blog.

 

For this technique you will need either to use Photopolymer stamps or a Stamp-a-ma-jig because you are double stamping the solid image. 

I started with a piece of Whisper White cardstock. I stamped the flower image once with Tip Top Taupe ink. then I cleaned the stamp and inked it with VersaMark ink. This is where my Stamp-a-ma-jig came into use. Using it I stamped with the VersaMark just to the lieft of the Tip Top Taupe image. Then I heat embossed with white embossing powder. To get the stamped image to stand out even more I used a sponge and Tip Top Taupe and sponged the white cardstock, using a tissue to remove the ink from the embossed image.

I layered that stamped piece onto Island Indigo cardstock and added some Tip Top Taupe lace trim. Then layered again on Tip Top Taupe, Whisper White and Island Indigo card base.
The image and expression come from the In The Meadow stamp set. It's such a pretty stamp set.

Crayon Resist

 This is a technique I learned when I was very new to stamping. You stamp with Staz On ink on glossy paper. Stampin' Up! used to sell glossy white cardstock. While I still have a little of that in my stash I wanted to see if photo paper would work as I have lots of that.
You stamp your images with the black Staz On ink. After they have dried take a white crayon and roughly follow the stamped outline. You don't want to be exact and you don't want to color on the black lines.  I've included some close up photos so you can get a better look.
After using the white crayon, grab some ink pads and daubers and rub on color. After you have the color rubbed and have given it a little time to set grab a paper towel and wipe off excess. You will have white lines.  In the top card I used the crayon to outline all the lines on the flowers, leaves and butterflies.  In the lower sample I just outlined the flower petals and the butterflies.
The other difference between the two cards is the background. In the top one I daubed the green on the leaves and then used the residual ink on that same dauber to fill in the rest of the background. In the lower card I didn't sponge the entire background. There is a mixed reaction in my house about which looks best. What do you think?

Here you can see the white outline pretty well. I used the point of the crayon on the top card and the flat bottom of the crayon on this card. I also found it best to use brighter colors of ink. These cards were made using Melon Mambo, Garden Green and Tangerine Tango and Daffodil Delight (flower centers).
I decided to do 1/8" border of black and white card base to more closely resemble the sketched lines on the card. The black rhinestones are from a Holiday catalog purchase many years ago. It's fun to look through my inventory and see what I have and then to actually use it! LOL!!!

Technique Week

This week I'm going to focus on some different techniques. This card using a masking technique. I used one of my square framelits to make a rectangle frame on a piece of copy paper measuring 4" x 5-1/2 " overall. You could use a pair of scissors or a square punch (punching multiple times) to also make a frame. Then I used some washi tape to attach that piece of copy paper to the same size of White Shimmery Paper.  I sponged Tip Top Taupe and Perfect Plum to make a background.

You are going to have to take my word on this one. I just couldn't get a good photo to show the shimmer in the paper. This is a white card stock that Stampin' Up! offers that is a little heavier than their regular Whisper White card stock. What makes it really special is the little bits of white sparkle embedded in it.  With shimmery paper you get little bits of white shimmer that pops through the sponged area. Very tiny, hardly visible unless you are looking for it. And of course the white frame around that sponged area has lots of shimmer. I stamped the images with Elegant Eggplant which drew out the subtle Purple Plum areas in the background.

This card is also a CASE from Linda Heller.

Cotton Paper Assortment

For this card I used Stampin' Up!'s Cotton Paper Assortment to make the flower. You can find instructions for making it in a SU! YouTube video. It is really quick and easy to make. I used a smaller flower framelit for my flower so it would fit on a corner of my card. Of course, this is not a card you are going to want to put in an envelope and mail. You'll want to hand deliver this card or enclose in a gift package or bag. Another thing I love about this card... The Cucumber  Crush tag was laying on my desk from a previous projecct, as was the small scrap of Designer Series Paper and the Crushed Curry ribbon. It just sort of fell together!

Here's a close up of the flower.

Essentially you cut the flower shapes and line them up on top of each other sort of cattywampus and then staple in center. Starting with top layer (center of flower) scrunch the paper. Repeat with following layers. As I said there is a SU! You Tube video you can watch. 

Watercolor Paper

For this card I made a frame mask cut to the same size as the watercolor Paper. (Next week I'll give you more details on that technique). Stampin' Up! offers packs of 5 - 6"x 9" watercolor paper. This is great to use when your using Aqua Painters to add color to a stamped image. You want to be sure to use permanent ink for your stamped image. I used StazOn black ink. Then I used Rose Red and Wild Wasabi ink and my aqua painter to fill in the color. I also used some Soft Sky and my aqua painter to color in the background.
After the color had dried I used my 01 tip Project Life Black Journeling Pen to add the black outline to the stamped area, This is the first card I made: I learned it is better to focus on the edge of the paper rather than the stamped image when freehand penning this frame. The second card I made had a more even frame but I liked the colored flowers on this one better so decided to share it since the focus was on watercolor paper. Each card is a unique work of art!

Glimmer Paper

This card uses some Silver Glimmer Paper from Stampin' Up! I used the Hexagon punch to punch the one hexagon of Glimmer Paper and the 4 hexagons of Designer Series Paper. I added a Pink Pirouette stamped flower and some candy dots as embellishments.

Foil Sheets

For this card I punched 1" circles out of Silver Foil sheets, Lost Lagoon, and Blackberry Bliss card stock.
Then it is just  a matter of aligning those circles and adhering to the Whipsper White card stock. I glued down the circles and had some that overlapped the edge of the white card stock. When all were adhered I trimmed off the overlapping pieces. The decorated white card stock is layered on a piece of Lost Lagoon card stock and Blackberry Bliss card base. I got this card idea from Linda Heller at Stamping School.

Paper Options

This week I decided to concentrate on the many special papers available from Stampin' Up! This card uses the Irresistibly Yours Specialty Paper. It is paper that has embossed images on it. In this case, the white flowers. So, all you have to do is add some color to the paper and then wipe the ink off the white embossed flowers. I used sponges to add the Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral and Rose Red color. SU! offers these papers every so often. Of course, you can make your own by stamping any image with VersaMark ink and heat embossing with white embossing powder.
This card also uses a little piece of gold foil for the banner. See another card using silver foil tomorrow.

Colorful Party Wishes

This card for the class will introduce participants to the Big Shot and Embossing Folders. I'll have the card bases pre-embossed and just demonstrate the process in order to save some time. Then the participants will get to use sponge daubers and fussy cut the cake. They will also learn about stamping off, since I think the cake is too dark using the Crushed Curry directly to paper. The candle is punched using the new Party Punch pack.