Masculine cards

 Masculine birthday cards

stamps used:  SU-waterfront stamp set, MFP&stamps-happy birthday, Unity stamp co.-Amazing saying, Sunday Int'l-mesh background, Penny Black-tree, SU-clelebrate, MFP&stamps-happy birthday

Like everyone says masculine cards are one of the most difficult cards to create ... or ... is it just me?  Anyway, I need two masculine birthday cards for September, so I figured I better get a head start on making them.

Card #1 (top card) I got out my SU (Stampin' Up) waterfront stamp set, which I haven't used in a while, so I thought it would make good masculine cards.  Made a scene with some of the images in this stamp set ..... I like the way it came out.  I die cut the stamped card with Hero Arts infinity postage die set, then die cut straight layers with another Hero Arts infinity die set.  Layered it all on a black note card (A2 size) to finish it off.

Card #2 (bottom card) I really went old school using wood mounted stamps from back in the day.  The mesh is stamped with a kraft ink, then over stamped with the tree/sayings with black ink.  Simple but effective, I think.

Let me know what you think of my masculine cards in the comments.

Thanks for stopping by and come back again soon.

***not affiliated with above companies just satisfied customer***

Sketches for May

 Sketches for May

stamps used:  Altenew stamp co. and Sunday International

stamps used:  Sunday International and Unity stamp co.

I'm still doing sketches from Pixel's Maven Retreat blog.  Trying to keep up with going out of my box, because my friends know I'm not a fan of sketches.  Also using things that are already die cut from my stash instead of letting them hang around for years.  

The top card is a blended background with stripes of foil and a big flower in the corner.

The bottom card have two of the gelato backgrounds I did months ago that have been cut in half diagonal. You can see how to do the gelato background here.  The smaller rectangle is also a blended background that has been die cut.  The saying was stamped onto a scrap piece of white cardstock then cut into a banner.

Thanks for stopping by.  come back again soon.

***not affiliated with any of the above companies just a satisfied customer***

Explosion fold card with video

Explosion fold card

The explosion fold card has been around for years ... I decided it would be fun to bring it back to life. Scroll down in this post to see video or you can go to my you tube channel. below are horizontal cards.

stamps used:  Catherine Pooler Pinecone Greetings stamp/die set, Sunday Int'nl Greetings 1 atc

Explosion fold diagram template

vertical explosion fold cards

thank you for stopping by.  come back again soon.

***not affiliated with stamp companies just customer***

Joseph coat technique

stamps used:  Hot Potatoes, DeNami Design, Sunday International

(unfortunately these companies are no longer in business and I don't know if any have been taken over by other companies.)

Joseph's Coat technique is an old technique that is coming back.  Basically this is a resist technique with a fancy name.

Basic instructions:

1.  color sheet of cardstock by stippling, sponging or blending on different colors.

2.  Cut the colored cardstock into four pieces 4" x 5 1/4"

3.  stamp bold images with clear ink and clear embossing powder.  The colors will show thru the clear embossing.

4.  color the embossed piece with a dark ink.  I used a purple ink pad which I just dragged over the piece to cover it.

5.  buff the card to remove any ink from the embossed images and you are done with this technique, now you can create your cards.

What do you think?

thank you for stopping by and come back soon.

Thursday Tutorial - Just a little Hello

Paisley Just a little Hello

Intermediate
Supplies





Stamps: Cloisonné Words & Phrases MS333EZ, Cloisonné Paisleys MS340EZ

Inks: Ranger Archival ink Jet Black, Distress Ink broken china, Adirondack alcohol blending solution, Adirondack alcohol inks – sail boat blue, stream, cloudy blue

Paper: Marco glossy kromecote, turquoise cardstock

Accessories: Ranger Liquid Pearls white opal, May Arts sk01 white silk ribbon, Ranger applicator tool with felt, foam mounting tape, double stick tape

Directions:

1. Cut 8 ½ “ x 5 ½ “ turquoise cardstock. Fold in half to form notecard.

2. Place a piece of felt on Ranger applicator tool. Squeeze on alcohol inks (will refer to AI) sail boat blue, cloudy blue & stream to felt. Tap applicator all over glossy kromecote cardstock. Next squeeze AI blending solution onto same felt on AI applicator. Tap this over the inked card to blend all the blue AI inks on card.

3. Stamp paisley background image on AI card with Archival jet black ink. Cut out and layer onto a piece of black cardstock approximately ¼ “ larger. Tape layered paisley piece to right side of turquoise notecard.

4. With left over AI inked piece stamp small paisley three times and cut out. To finish the three paisleys edge with Sharpie black pen for a professional finished look. Set aside till ready to assemble.

5. Punch a small hole in the fold of the turquoise notecard. Thread May Arts white silk ribbon through hole and tie a knot.

6. Mount one of the cut out paisleys with mounting tape over the knot in the ribbon.

7. Tape the other two paisleys with double stick tape above and below the mounted paisley.

8. Dot white opal Liquid Pearls on the three cut out paisleys. Allow to dry.

9. Inside card – cut 4 x 5 ¼ “ white card. Stamp paisley three times on right side edge with Distress ink broken china. Stamp little hello saying with jet black ink in center of card.

10. Tape stamped card with saying to the inside of card.

Thursday Tutorial - Hoppy Birthday envelope card

Hoppy Birthday envelope card

Supplies
Stamps: Anthony & Burt Best Sellers #FSP58 (SI)
Ink: Ranger Archival Ink Jet Black
Paper: #10 envelope, K&Company decorative papers, white & light green cardstock
Accessories: Pebbles Pearlescent Chalking Set (SI), pointed Q-Tips, EK Success 1 3/8” circle & tab punch, scoring board or bone folder & ruler

Directions

1. Seal the flap of the envelope, using double stick tape.

2. Trim ¼ “off each end of envelope. Envelope will now measure 9” long.

3. Score 4” from the left end of envelope on your score board. Fold envelope along the score line. This will form the two pockets of your card.

4. Cut out half circle with 1 3/8” circle punch on the top flap of each pocket. This will create an opening for cards that will be inserted in pockets.

5. Cut piece of decorative paper 3 ¾ “square and tape to center of front pocket. Re-punch half circle you created before on the pocket.

6. Cut two pieces of decorative papers 4” x 3 ¾ “.

7. Add double sided tape to one of the 4” x 3 ¾ “papers and slide into the front pocket just far enough to match the top edge of the back pocket. This will cover the envelope of the interior of the front pocket and the top of the back pocket.

8. Re-punch half circle on the back pocket.

9. Add tape to the second 4” x 3 ¾ “piece of decorative paper and insert into the back pocket to cover the blank envelope and give it a decorative inside.

10. To make tags for inside the pockets: Front pocket - cut light green cardstock 3 ½ “ x 3 ¾ “and white cardstock 3 ¼ “ x 3 ½ “. Back pocket – light green cardstock 3 ½ “ x 4 ¾ “ and white cardstock 3 ¼ “ x 4 ½ “.

11. Stamp For me? saying with Archival ink Jet Black and lilly pads on 3 ¼ “ x 3 ½ “ white card. Color in lilly pads with Pebbles pearlescent chalks using the Q-tips. The pointed Q-tips give better control with the chalks in smaller areas. Tape stamped card to light green card with punched out tab and insert into front pocket.

12. With Jet Black ink stamp Hoppy Birthday and cattails on 3 ¼ “ x 4 ½ “ white card. Color in cattails with Pebbles pearlescent chalks with pointed Q-tips for better control of chalks. Tape stamped card to light green card with punched out tab and insert into back pocket.

13. Stamp Anthony & Burt with cake image on white card and color with Pebbles pearlescent chalks using Q-tips.

14. Tape to front of envelope card. Re-punch half circle with 1 3/8” circle punch.

15. Tape a piece of decorative paper to the back of envelope card to finish off card.

Hoppy Birthday Tag

Thought it would be fun to show you a fun birthday tag.

Just a fun little birthday tag that can be used as a card or tag attached to a gift.  All the images are from Sunday International Rubber Stamps .  I colored the frog image with my Prisma color pencils, yes I'm getting back to my basics in coloring.  Also on the tag are grungeboard pieces that I painted with Ranger Ink Paint dabbers.  I do like using the dabbers they are just so convenient .... all in one paint and paint brush.  Sometimes the paint does get a bit thick so I just add some water and clean out the dabber.  That seems to work for me. 
I will be starting back up my Thursday Tutorials this week.  The first Thursday Tutorial for 2011 will be a pocket card.  Please stop by to check.

Gingersnap Color Challenge - Coffee and Cream

Just under the wire for Gingersnap Creations Color Challenge - Coffee and Cream. 
Here is my card:

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
***please join my following.  blog candy contest to start in a few months.***

Thursday Tutorial - Crane by moonlight

Crane by moonlight

Intermediate

Supplies
Stamps: Cloisonné Origami Cranes #MS342EZ (SI)

Ink: Ranger Big & Juicy Tutti Frutti, Archival Ink Jet Black

VersaMark watermark stamp pad

Accessories: white embossing powder, Ranger Heat it tool, self sticking crystals, 1 ½ “ EK Success paper shaper, Stickies adhesive notes, Speedball brayer

Directions

1. Punch out 1 ½ “circle with EK Success paper shaper. Tape circle to 3 ½ “square glossy cardstock in top left hand corner. This is called a mask.

2. Brayer color on glossy card over circle mask till you get a nice blend of colors.

3. Remove mask and stamp small cranes with VersaMark watermark stamp pad three times on card.

4. Sprinkle on white embossing powder and heat set with Heat it tool.

5. Brayer more color over embossed cranes with same Tutti Frutti ink pad.

6. Buff card with tissue to remove any ink off embossed cranes.

7. Ink large crane with Archival Ink pad Jet Black in the center of card. Allow a couple of minutes to dry.

8. Add small black self sticking crystal to eye of large crane.

9. Add three black self sticking crystals to the bottom right of card.

10. Layer stamped card to 3 ¾ “square black card then layer onto olive green 4” folded card.

11. Brayer another 3 ½ “ square glossy card with Tutti Frutti ink pad and stamp small crane three times on the bottom of card with Jet Black ink.

12. Layer stamped brayered card onto black card then to the inside of card.

Thursday Tutorial - Vase on Stampbord

November 2010

Vase card on Stampbord

Intermediate



Supplies

Stamps: Mini Cloisonné Containers #MS334EZ (SI)

Ink:

Ranger Distress Ink Pads-wild honey, dusty concord

Ranger Archival Jet Black

VersaMark watermark ink pad

Accessories: Ampersand Stampbord & scratch knife, Krylon Pale gold Leafing pen, Copic pens-E29, YG97, Ranger Blending tool with sponges

Directions:

1. On folded purple note card stamp small round vase randomly on front of card with VersaMark ink pad.

2. Tape three rectangle pieces of Stampbord to work surface with removable double stick tape to hold while stamping.

3. Stamp tall vase with Ranger Archival Jet Black ink to the three pieces of Stampbord. Allow to dry for a minute.

4. Using Ranger Blending tool blend Distress wild honey on two sides of pieces of stamped Stampbord. Repeat the process with Distress dusty concord on remaining sides.

5. Scratch out design inside vase with scratch knife. Freehand leaf design and ground with scratch knife.

6. Add color to leaves with Copic green YG97 and add shadow to side of vase with Copic brown E29.

7. Remove the removable double stick tape from the Stampbord pieces.

8. Outline the edges of all three pieces with Krylon Pale gold leaf pen.

9. Tape all three finished Stampbord pieces to a piece of black cardstock and layer onto stamped purple note card.

It's been awhile....

Hello my loyal, I hope followers,
    I have been among the missing with my posts because of computer problems but hopefully all will be well again soon.  I can now post pictures but only if I take picture with camera.....unfortunately our printer/scanner is not compatible with new computer so can't scan which I miss because it is so easy to scan.

Here is a picture of a card I made for Sunday International Rubber Stamps and more design team where I stamped on Stampbord.  This is a great product to stamp on because it accepts most inks.  Will have instructions for this card in my upcoming Thursday Tutorial.

Thursday Tutorial - Tag Kimono card

Tag Kimono card
Intermediate

Supplies
Stamps: Sunday International Rubber Stamps and more    Cloisonne Origami Cranes Michael Strong MS342EZ (SI)
Ink:  'The Ranger Ink Archival Jet Black (SI), Ranger Adirondack Wild Plum, Butterscotch, Lettuce
Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Inks Wild Plum, Butterscotch, Lettuce, Silver Mixatives (SI), Adirondack Alcohol Blending solution (SI)

Accessories: Ranger Inkssentials Blending tool & AI applicator with felt, manila tags(SI), Ranger Pop It double sided tape, SizzixTim Holtz   Alterations (embossing folder) Texture Fades Woodgrain, ribbons, flower brad
Directions

1.Cut goldenrod cardstock 10 ½” x 5 ¼”, fold in half to form 5 ¼” card.

2.Tape 5” square black card to front of base card.

3.Color two small tags with Adirondack Wild Plum & Butterscotch using blending tool.

4.Stamp the two small cranes with Archival Jet black ink on the small tags. Highlight the cranes with Prisma white color pencil.

5.Add pink & white ribbons to tags. Set aside till ready to assemble.

6.Color the big tag with Adirondack Wild Plum, Butterscotch & Lettuce inks using the blending tool.

7.Run the colored big tag through Sizzix personal die cutting machine with the Woodgrain Texture Fade embossing folder. With a sanding tool lightly sand the tag just hitting the embossed image.

8.Tape the two small tags to the sides of the big textured tag. Put flower brad through hole in the big tag.

9.Mount tag kimono to base card with Pop It double sided tape.

10.Stamp big crane on a piece of cardstock with polish stone technique.

11.Polish stone technique: squeeze out all the AI (alcohol inks) colors onto felt on applicator. Squeeze just one drop of silver mixative onto the same felt on applicator. Mixatives go a long way, you only need one drop. Tap, tap, tap applicator with all the AI on it all over a piece of glossy cardstock. To blend colors add a couple of drops of AI blending solution and repeat the tapping. This will blend the colors and give you that polished stone effect.

12.Cut out big origami crane and mount it with Pop It tape to bottom of big tag on card.

13. Tape 5” black square card inside card.

14. Stamp two small cranes with Jet Black ink in the two bottom corners of a 4 ¾” square white card.

15. Tape to inside of card.

Thursday Tutorial - Paisley corner bookmark

Paisley Corner Bookmark

Supplies
Stamps: Michael Strong Cloisonne Paisleys MS340EZ (SI)
Ink: Ranger Distress Ink broken china, Archival Ink Jet Black
Paper: white cardstock, any decorative scrapbook paper
Accessories: Ranger Inkssentials Opaque white pen, May Arts white silk ribbon, Martha Stewart border punch, scoring tool
Directions:

1. Mark the center of three sides of 4” cardstock square.
2. Place 4” square on scoring tool so two of the marked spots are aligned in one groove.
Score between the markings.
3. Repeat the process with remaining marked sides to make another diagonal score line.
4. Fold the score lines.
5. Punch border punch to the bottom of the bookmark.
6. Cut a piece of 2 ¾” square cardstock. Cut 2 ¾” square in half diagonally. Save both pieces.
7. One of the triangles goes on the front of bookmark.
8. Turn bookmark over, fold your corners back and put double stick tape over them.
9. Tape second triangle over the flaps. This will keep bookmark closed.

Decoration:

10. On craft sheet (tip: palette paper can be used instead) press Distress broken china ink pad. Spritz the ink with water then press white cardstock into the ink to create a splotchy ink background.
11. Dry with heat tool.
12. Stamp paisley design on broken china colored cardstock with Archival Ink Jet Black.
13. Outline the image with Inkssentials opaque pen. Add dots and lines to add more dimension.
14. Layer paisley piece onto decorative scrapbook papers. Set aside till ready to assemble.
15. Cut a piece of May Arts white ribbon and place out on craft sheet and color with same Distress broken china ink. Allow to dry for a few minutes or use a heat tool being careful not to scorch ribbon.

Assemble:

16. Tape decorative paper to front of bookmark with double stick tape.
17. Tie colored ribbon around bookmark with a knot.
18. Tape decorative paper to back of bookmark to hide wrapped around ribbon. Your corner bookmark is now complete.

Thursday Tutorial - Happy Birthday step card

It's been awhile since I posted a picture of this card and said I would do tutorial ..... sorry took so long but here it is.

Happy Birthday Step card

Supplies

Stamps: Mini Card Stamp Set – It's A Party MSET05 (SI)  Sunday International Rubber Stamps and more
Ink:     'The Ranger Ink   Archival Ink Jet Black

Accessories: Lyra Aquacolor crayons, ribbon, Fiskars personal cutter, Score It score board, Waterbrush (SI)
Directions
1.Base card cut at 5 ½” x 8 ½”. Score base card in half at 4 ¼”

2.Turn card long ways on cutter and line it up at 3 ½” mark.

3.Line up cutting blade at 1 ¼” and cut to 6 ¼” mark.

4.Turn your card and score on Score It board (can use bone folder & ruler) at 1 ¼”... score to cut line only.

5.Move card to 2 ¼” and score to cut line only.

6.Move card to 3 ¼” and score to cut line only.

7.Flip (turn) card to opposite end and score at 2 ¼” up to cut line only.

8.Fold card in half.

9.Fold all score lines in accordion style starting with mountain fold, valley fold and so on.

10.Stamp cake image on piece of white cardstock with Archival Jet Black ink.

11.Touch waterbrush to Lyra Aquacolor crayon to color image.

12.Tape cake image to blue card, tie blue ribbon around stamped image. Tape cake image to red card and then tape to last mountain fold on base card.

13.Stamp little cake twice with Archival Jet black ink color in with waterbrush and Aquacolor crayons. Cut into square and tape to blue & red squares approximately ¼” bigger. Tape two finished little cakes to the valley fold on base card.

14.On a piece of white cardstock apply color randomly with waterbrush & Aquacolor crayons then stamp Happy Birthday with Archival Jet black ink. Tape to red cardstock then to first mountain fold on base card.

15.Stamp balloons with Archival Jet black ink and color in with waterbrush & Aquacolor crayons. Tape to blue card, tie ribbon around the bottom. Tape balloons with ribbon to red card then tape to side mountain fold panel on the base card.

Thursday Tutorial - Life's a Beach

Lifes a Beach

Beginner                         

Supplies

Stamps: Life's a Beach EZMount #MSET06 (SI)

Ink: Staz-On black ink pad

Accessories: Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations On the Edge Brackets/Parentheses, Offray rick rack ribbon, Prisma color pencils – true green, chartreuse, grass green, burnt ochre, terra cotta, metallic blue, cream

double stick tape
Directions

1.Cut out light yellow cardstock at 8 ½” x 5 ½”. Fold in half to form note card.

2.Run a piece of bright green cardstock through personal die cutting machine with Alterations On the Edge Brackets/Parentheses die. Tape this to front of note card approximately 1 ½” from the top with double stick tape.

3.On a 4 ¼” x 2 ¾” piece of white cardstock stamp palm tree on left side and saying, Lifes a Beach on left side with Staz-On black ink.

4.Color in leafs of tree with Prisma true green color pencils. Coloring the outer edges of leaves with a heavy pressure of true green pencil and lighter pressure to the center of leaves.

5.For the coconuts use Prisma terra cotta pencils using the same technique of heavy pressure for more color on the edge of coconuts and lighter pressure for less color in the center.

6.For the trunk of tree use Prisma burnt ochre on the left side of tree trunk. Blend the burnt ochre with Prisma cream pencil.

7.Color the vine around the tree trunk with Prisma metallic blue.

8.Color the grass with all three of the green Prisma pencils.

9.Scribble a little green and terra cotta under the grass to represent the ground.

10.Tape the bright green ric rac ribbon to the top and bottom of the stamped layer.

Thursday Tutorial - We Salute you!

We Salute You

Beginner

Supplies
Stamps: Anthony & Burt Best Sellers EZMount FSP58 (SI)
Ink: Ranger Archival Ink Jet Black
Paper: Ranger Gloss Paper
Accessories: Pebbles Pearlescent chalking set – Jewel Tones, corner rounder punch

Directions

1.On piece of 5 x 3 ¾” Ranger gloss paper stamp saluting frog and saying with Archival Jet Black ink.

2.Allow to dry.

3.Add color to frog and flag with Pebbles Jewel Tones chalks using small cotton balls with tweezer that come with chalk set. The chalk will sink into the gloss paper and set on it's own.

* this is a fun & easy coloring technique but very effective*

4.Corner round the two right sides of the stamped piece.

5.Cut out blue cardstock at 5 ¼” x 4 and round the same two corners.

6.Round the same two corners on red note card.

7.Tape all layers to front of red note card with double stick tape.
enjoy!

Thursday Tutorial - 100% American

100% American

Intermediate

Supplies
Stamps: Anthony & Burt Best Sellers EZMount FSP58 (SI)
Ink: Ranger Archival Ink Jet Black
Paper: Ranger Gloss Paper
Accessories: Lyra Aquacolor crayons, Aqua paint brush, May Arts sx01 white ribbon

Directions

1.Stamp saying 100% American and frog with Archival ink Jet Black on Ranger Gloss 8 ½” x 5 ½” card. When folded in half it creates a note card.

2.Allow the images to dry for a couple of minutes.

3.Fill the Aqua paint brush barrel with water and squeeze to allow the water to flow out and dampen the brush.

4.Take the wet Aqua brush to the Lyra Aquacolor crayons to get color.

5.Brush the color onto the image in selected areas. Stripes on flag red, blue behind the stars, green for frog body, yellow for frog eyes, orange for fly eyes and light blue for wings.

6.Loosely brush color under the feet of frog to represent the ground.

7.Cut a piece of white ribbon at 14”.

8.Place the ribbon on table. Brush light blue from Aqua crayon with Aqua paint brush over the ribbon to create a matching color ribbon.

9.Tie colored ribbon around card in a knot.
***Tip***
Adding color to any white ribbon with color mediums is a great way to match to a card.
enjoy!

Happy 4th of July!

It's fireworks day!  Actually it started last night with some young adults in our neighborhood shooting off firecrackers.  We are having a quiet day at home today and hopefully it will stay quiet tonight. 
Enjoy your day!

Fun fold cards

Check out these fun fold cards.....explosion fold, accordion step card and an easel card.  The explosion card has a great Halloween image on it, the easel card has a faerie from Faerie Song Art Stamps ~ Fantasy Themed Images.  The accordion step card has a fun birthday theme from one of Sunday International Rubber Stamps their EZMount Mini Card Stamp set that have their own CD container.  Closer view of accordion step card coming up soon in my Thursday Tutorials.  enjoy!

News from Sunday International Rubber Stamps

Exciting News For Sunday International Rubber Stamps



Around July 1st Sunday International Rubber Stamps will be announcing a fabulous new line of stamps they will be carrying! The Design Team will be busy creating greeting cards and projects featuring the stamps. The stamp designer is well known in the industry and we think you will be excited as we are!! Please check back here or visit the Sunday International website around July 1st!
Please note free shipping through June 30th for U.S. orders!

Enjoy!