Mixed Media Portrait Video

I created this mixed media painting awhile back, and realized, I never shared it! So I thought it might be a good way to start of week.  I've got a short video as well, explaining the process. Enjoy!

Acetate Stamping Tricks Video

It's been awhile since I've shared a video with you, but I think you will learn a few new ideas for stamping on acetate.  I've used Joy Clair Stamps and Imagine Crafts inks, so be sure to check out those sites.

Joy to the World

 Happy Thanksgiving! I think this means we are officially in the Holiday Season.  I've got a blog post up over on the CardMaker Magazine Blog, and would love to give you a little peak.

Supplies used: Cardstock from WorldWin Papers; Shimmery Cardstock, Festive Wonder Festive Frame die (#S-FW-EF6-FF) and Decorative Doily die from Crafter’s Companion: Merry Christmas Sentiments stamp set from Joy Clair; VersaMark watermark ink pad, Brilliance pearlescent olive ink pad and gold embossing powder from IMAGINE Crafts/Tsukineko; gold micro beads from Martha Stewart Crafts; 1-inch satin reversible stitched edge ribbon from May Arts Ribbon; Tattered Flower Large punch, Spiky Floral Medium punch and Holiday Greens die set (#658759) from Sizzix; Grand Calibur Circles dies and die-cutting machine from Spellbinders® Paper Arts.

Simple Passion Flower

I love the beauty of this Passion Flower stamp from Technique Junkies - and originally, I was going to color the image with my Spectrum Noir markers.  I stamped the image in Memento Ink (Bahama Blue) - but the image was so pretty just as it was. I was afraid I would loose some of the detail on this stamp if  I did anything else to it at all. I paired it up with an embossed wood grain panel, and it actually became a cool masculine card (even though it's got a flower and bow - lol! 

June Tutorial for Crafter's Companion

 Watercolors, Masking, and Embossing, Oh My

Crafter’s Companion US supplies:

Sheena: PoppiesStamp

Stamp-It Australia, Dreamer: Once In a Lifetime Stamp Set

Spectrum AquaMarkers: Orange, Sunset, Scarlet, Aquamarine, Teal

Crafter’s Companion Watercolour Cardstock

VersaMark Ink

Other Supplies:

Heat Tool

Imagine Crafts Sheer Shimmer Spritz ( Sparkle), Embossing Powder: Gold, Black

DCWV Corrugated Cardstock

WorldWin Cardstock, Vellum

Round Watercolor Brush 

Coarse Salt

Tombow Removable Adhesive

May Arts Ribbon EM94 1.5" Net

Button

 Directions:

1.  Stamp the poppy image onto the watercolour paper using watermark ink. (Be sure to stamp a little of the image off to the side and bottom).  
2. Sprinkle with black embossing powder and heat set.
   
3. Using the Spectrum Aqua markers, add a little Orange to the bottom of the flower and Scarlet at the tops of the flowers, leaving white space in the center.
4.  Spray Sheer Shimmer Spritz onto the craft mat. Using a watercolor brush, blend the colors together with the Shimmer Spritz.  This will create a beautiful glimmer to the colors.
   
5.     Use the fine tip end of the Spectrum Aqua markers to color the stems.
   
6.  Stamp the poppy image onto vellum to use as a mask. Since the vellum is clear, this will make it easier to align the colored image and the mask.
   
7.  Cut around the mask, including inner areas of the stems.
   
8.  Use removable adhesive to place the mask on the colored image.
   
   
9.  Stamp the script image over the poppies, using watermark ink. Sprinkle with gold embossing powder.  Remove the mask before heat setting.
   
10.  Replace the mask and use the darker blue marker to add shadows around the poppies, and the lighter blue to add color to the background.  Blend using the brush and Shimmer Spritz. 
    
11.  Sprinkle coarse salt over the wet watercolor and allow to dry.  Brush away the salt.
12.   Remove the mask. Add panel to card base as desired.

Shutter Card Tutorial for Crafter's Companion

Crafter’s Companion US supplies:

Sentimentals - Phrases Stamp Set

 Textures Embossing Folder - Hessian

The Big Score

 Die’sire Essential Dies – Flowers for All Occasions

Dies’sires Classiques Collection – Wildflower Trio

Sheena – Acorn and Leaves Die

 Shimmering Cardstock – Pink Pearl

 Construction Cardstock 12” x 16”;

Other Supplies:

 May Arts Ribbon

 Want2Scrap Pearls

Xyron Adhesive

VersaFine Ink – Onyx Black

VersaMagic Ink – Pink Petunia, Spanish Olive

 Directions: 

Cut construction cardstock 6” x 15”. 

       Using the Big Score, score as marked above. Cut as marked above. 

      Fold the scores as shown.

Cut mats for each section of the card:

-          5 ¾” x 1 ¾” (2 for front, 2 for back)

-          2 ¾” x 3 ¾” (2 for front, 2 for back)

-          4 ¾” x 3 ¾” (1 for front, 1 for back)

-          ¾” x 2 ¾” (6 for front, 6 for back)

-          ¾” x ¾” (8 for front, 8 for back)

       Adhere the mats to the card base, using double sided tape.

Cut the panels for each mat:

-          5 ½” x 1 ½” (2 for front, 2 for back)

-          2 ½” x 3 ½” (2 for front, 2 for back)

-          4 ½” x 3 ½” (1 for front, 1 for back)

-          ½” x 2 ½” (6 for front, 6 for back)

Emboss the panels using the Hessian embossing folder.  Adhere to card.

 

    Die cut the flowers and leaves. Shape with stylus. Adhere to card.

Stamp the sentiment. Mat with matching cardstock and adhere to center panel. 
      Finish card with pearls and ribbons as shown.

Oh So Shabby Mother's Day Card

Are you intimidated by Shabby Chic styles? No need to fear, they are really pretty easy and very fun. I'm going to show you in a few steps how to add some easy techniques to achieve this trendy look.
 So Shabby Mother's Day Card Supplies:

• Core Essentials Pastels
• Sand It Gadget
• Darice Embossing Folder Large Petal Background
• Verve Stamp Sets:
• Petaloo Flowers
• Cheesecloth
• Want2Scrap Pearls
• Memento Luxe Ink - Angel Pink

 Step 1. Begin with a 4 x 6" card base.
 Step 2. Cut a slightly smaller panel and emboss. Sand the raised design.  
Step 3. Cut remaining mats as shown for card. Use a distressing tool to roughen the edges.  
Step 4. Have you ever wished that you could match embellishments to a patterned paper, and you just didn't have the right colors? It is so easy to create your own designer papers using Core'dinations and a simple background stamping. That way, you can create whatever you imagine. Randomly stamp a small image using an opaque ink.  
Step 5. Machine stitch the stamped panel and the backing panel together.  
Step 6. Add flower clusters, cheesecloth and sentiment as shown.
See, it's really easy to put together your own shabby chic card. Here are the key ideas to incorporate to get this look -

• Soft, muted colors
• Distressed edges
• Stitching
• Sanded embossed designs - especially florals
• Lots of layers with textures

Crafter's Companion New Release - Kimono

Crafter's Companion has a beautiful new release out - Kimono - and it has stamps, dies and embossing folders! They are running some specials right now on bundles from the collection, so be sure to check it out!

Kimono Release:  Paper Moon
Spectrum Noir Markers: PL1, PL3, PL5, CG1, CG2, CG3, CG4, 

GB2, LY1, FS1, BT7, BGR1, GT2, Blender
Spectum Noir Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock
irRESISTible Pico Embellisher - Gold

May Arts Ribbon NP10

Graphic 45 Patterned Paper: Birdsong

Happy Easter! with video tutorial

Happy Easter! I hope you all enjoy the blessings of the day!  I have a card and video to share with you today, for the celebration.

Supplies:

Imagine Crafts: Creative Medium Purple Iridescent; irresistible Pico Embellisher: Gold; Delicata 4: Bronze Burst, Golden Glitz; Diamond Trowel Palette Knife;  Sponge Dauber;  Radiant Neon: Electric Purlple; Neon Amplify! : Electric Purple; VersaMark; Imagine Embossing Powder:  Gold

Stampendous: Cling Winged Cross

Dreamweaver Stencils:  Corner Flowers

May Arts Ribbon:  GC07

Art Institute Glitter:  Bonnie Blue

Want2Scrap Pearls

Fun Stampers Journey: Journey Rectangles Die

Spellbinders: Grand Calibur

Xyron Adhesive

Heat Tool

Cardstock

Challenges:

Stampendous/Dreamweaver -April Showers (The flowers are showered in glitter, thus bringing the May Flowers) 
Simon Says Monday Challenge: Pastels