Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Easy Masking Technique - Video Tutorial

Oh, yeah!  It's Wednesday . . . and that means I've got a video tutorial for you! 
Masking is an easy way to step up a card.  There are lots of ways to do masking when stamping.  There is fussy cutting masking, and then there is the easy way out.  I chose an amazing technique straight from an on-line class I purchased from Stampin' Up!
I show you two different masking techniques here!
There is more information on this card right here.

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Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Masking - An Amazing Technique

There are lots of ways to do masking when stamping.  There is fussy cutting masking, and then there is the easy way out.  I chose an amazing technique straight from an on-line class I purchased from Stampin' Up!
 I have a complete video with all the easy how-tos coming up tomorrow.
It will simply amaze you.

I used the Stampin' Spritzer with some rubbing alcohol and ink refill.  I really like the splattered look on the card.  It's really cool how every card is different, too.

There are 17 of these cuties for the Administrative Professionals Week at work.  I was asked to create cards to put at everyone's place setting for the big lunch tomorrow.  Those Administrative Professionals are pretty amazing, so this card is fitting.
What I used:
Paper - Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Pumpkin Pie, Night of Navy (for the inside)
Stamp Set - You're Amazing
Ink:  Night of Navy Classic Ink Refill, VersaMark (You could also use Cherry Cobbler)
Paper Doilies, Tombow Multi-Purpose Adhesive, SNAIL adhesive, mini glue dots, Vintage Faceted Buttons; 1-1/4" Square Punch, Scallop Edge Border Punch, Paper Snips.
Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Stampin' Spritzer, Night of Navy Classic Ink Refill, Rubbing Alcohol.
Hope things are amazing for you today.

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Monday, April 22, 2013

Goblet Tags - Administrative Professionals

We are celebrating Administrative Professionals at work this week

Smoothies are on the menu for Monday, in some beautiful, huge goblets.  To make them extra-special, I made this little goblet tag for the stems

Just a little something to make it more special.  Easy, quick, special.  What more could you want from a project?
I used:
Paper - Rich Razzleberry, Sahara Sand, Pool Party, Silver Glimmer, and Champagne Glimmer
Ribbon - Island Indigo, Tangerine Tango and Pool Party colors from Sale-A-Bration that just ended
Punches - 1-3/4" Circle, and Large Scallop Oval
SNAIL adhesive and Mini Glue Dots, Paper Snips, Crop-A-Dile (to punch the holes - it's a retired item these days - I still reach for it a lot, though!)

Hope you have fun celebrating the people who do the little things in order to make the big things go smoothly - hence the smoothies everyone is getting today - get it?
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Friday, April 19, 2013

Seriously - Paper Pumpkin

Yay!  The Paper Pumpkin arrived!!
It's so fun to get this little package in the mail.  Seriously!
And that's what the stamp set it called in this one:  Seriously.
How cute is that?  The ink spot is Cherry Cobbler.  And the embellishments?
Seriously cute.  Simply and trendy.  And how easy is that?  You get everything you need to make these cards.  Love it!
The speech bubble and the sentiment paper?  All die cuts, ready for stamping and placing on the card.
I know just the person to get this card.  Seriously.

Do you know someone who could use this today?

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Thursday, April 18, 2013

From Brazil - With Love

My sweetie is coming home today. He's been in Brazil.  Here's a picture that he sent me while he was gone:
He e-mailed this to me while I was at work one day.  He said this was the view for him while he was eating lunch.

When I showed it to one of my bosses, he said, "If I sent pictures like that to my wife, I'd be in trouble when I got home!"

My husband would complain that it was chilly there and only about 68 degrees.  The boys and I would laugh and say that we would gladly trade our 48 to 54 degrees outside for his 68!  I guess it's all what you get used to.  My hubby had been in an area that was about 90 and then traveled to another area that apparently was cooler.

I'm looking forward to seeing him later.

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Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Video Tutorial - Ombré Technique

Oh, yeah!  It's Wednesday . . . and that means I've got a video tutorial for you! 
Join in on the ombré style trend!  Ombré is all about colors and shading.  After watching this video, you'll know a great ombré technique you can use with your favorite colors!
Ombré is a French word meaning 'to shade'.  In art, it means beautiful color gradation!

Color is an amazing thing!  It sets a mood, shares a feeling, and can even brighten your day.  This tutorial is all about using this ombré technique, along with some favorite stampin' supplies, to make cards that will amaze your friends and family.  They'll love the way your cards look, and you'll love knowing you're on top of trends.

What I used:
Stamps:  From My Heart (#126555 wood, #126557 clear)
Paper:  Whisper White (#100730); Garden Green (#
Inks:  Garden Green (#        ), Wild Wasabi (#          ), and Certainly Celery (#        ), VersaMark (#102283)
Big Shot with Multipurpose Platform (#113439)
Labels Collection Framelits (#125598)
Paper Snips (103579)
Stamping Sponges (101610), 
Heat Tool (#129053)
Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon (#        )

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Monday, April 15, 2013

Garden Markers Easy Tutorial

Do you like to garden?

Do you like to mark your rows with Garden Stakes?

Well, here's an easy step-by-step tutorial for you on making your own great Garden Markers:
These are great because -

  • You write on them with a permanent marker
  • they don't rust
  • you can use them again and again
  • they are easy to move for mowing and putting back in place
  • they also are shiny, so birds will be deterred from your garden as well as having your rows marked
So let's get to it.
  1. You need a Big Shot (#113439)
2. Garden Stakes - I got mine from Orien located in Arizona online.  These look really nice and were a good price. 
3.  Aluminum step flashing - it's inexpensive and available at home-improvement stores.  My package came with 10 sheets - lots of projects to make with that!

4.  Some Dies for cutting the step flashing.  You can choose from a variety for fun and creativity.
5.  Run the step flashing through your Big Shot with the die of your choice.  I found it best to use a "shim" for better cut edges, especially on the dies with scallops.  I used a piece of real red card stock here as a shim.
6.  Here you can see I used the Circles #2 die for the step flashing.
7.  Then I like to run my garden stake marker through the big shot with an embossing folder to add interest and a bit of "artsy-ness"  In other words - it's just plain fun.
8.  I like to add butterflies and other embellishments to my garden stake creations because it's fun and, after all, it's a garden and butterflies are something I see a lot in mine.  I use a crop-a-dile to punch holes in the garden stake marker, both for my decorations to be adhered with the silver brads, and also to attach the marker to the stake.
Some finished markers.
Hope you find this tutorial useful.  These markers are easy to make and really add a lot to your garden.
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Thursday, April 11, 2013

Basketful of Goodies

I am donating a basketful of goodies for an auction being held this weekend.  It's all Stampin' Up! stuff.
Two of my amazing co-workers, Meg and Stephanie, put together the presentation for me.  Didn't they do an amazing job?  I gave them the basket and a pile of stuff - they turned it into this.  They created an incredible piece of art.
Look at all those goodies!
Seriously, the bow alone is this gorgeous piece of art.  When Meg and Steph were done with the basket, they wheeled it on a cart to stay by my desk and everyone who walked by would just stop and stare . . . no joke.  Stop and stare.  They were amazed by this - well - amazing basketful of goodies.
They even wrote down all the items I had donated.  I typed it up, framed it, and adhered the list to the basket.
Don't you think they do great work?  What a team.  Thanks, ladies!

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Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Video Tutorial - Ink Pad Watercoloring

Oh, yeah!  It's Wednesday . . . and that means I've got a video tutorial for you!  We're watercoloring!  And Using those Ink Pads.
This is a colorful card that will cheer anybody up.  Everyone has a cozy, safe place they dream of enjoying . . . maybe it's a real spot for you, maybe it's just a wonderful place in your imagination where you can escape from it all.  This card captures one of those dreamy spots.
Summer Silhouettes is a great stamp set for watercoloring
I love the soft effects you get from the blender pens - and the control is nice, too!
With the blender pens, you can have the image soft or add more color - whatever fits your mood
Markers are another great way to add color to an image, but I enjoy the heat embossing and then the blender pens the best.
What a great thought to carry you through the day
Anyone would love to get this card from you.


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Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Just Lean On Me April Showers Watercolor

April Showers . . .   It's that time of year.
Using the Lean on Me Stamp Set
I hadn't broken out the Lean On Me stamp set, even though I've had it for almost a year.  I love the images and thought I'd use it for lots of occasions - yet there it was.  Unused.

After a day of getting lots of things done around the house, vacuuming, meals, dishes, and laundry, it was time for me!  And some watercoloring.
CASEd from Michelle Zindorf
I love this puddle of water!  Can you just see that it's a puddle with the shine?  That's Crystal Effects.

Fellow Ohioan Michelle Zindorf had this step-by-step tutorial listed yesterday, and I was so excited to do it.  She used markers, I used a blender pen and my ink pads because that's what I had handy.  I also used the Tasteful Trim and my Big Shot for the detailed "ribbon" to finish off the card instead of what Michelle used.  You can check out her wonderful tutorial on this card right here.
Hope any April showers you're having truly bring those May flowers your way.
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Monday, April 8, 2013

Dudes Build Cards - Where Could Mine Be?

Dude, You're Welcome Stamps and Kit (#132807)
I think this picture is a hoot!  Dudes Build Cards.  They really do!

I actually bought this kit for my guys.  The older son dug into it right away and did a thank-you card for someone (probably a grandparent or the like since they're always being super nice and giving him stuff).

The hubs liked it, laughed, and said he'd like to use it.

The younger son looked at it and mumbled that he'd use it - sometime.

Now I can't find it.  Don't know where it went.  But it obviously went somewhere.  Does that happen at your house?  Things disappearing?

Guess I'll be ordering another one!  It would be nice to find the first one though.
Kit includes:
* Four wood-mount stamps (double-mounted) with the perfect sentiment for every occasion
* Twelve 4" x 6" postcards in four different (manly) colors
* Twelve gray envelopes
* A Basic Gray Classic Stampin’ Pad
* An instructional guide (for the most novice stamper!)


This kit really is cool.  The envelopes are this great gray color that I've never seen through SU before.  Very nice.  Let me know what you think of yours.

If you haven't yet, and you'd like to order one, just go to my online store.  
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Friday, April 5, 2013

Masking Technique Easy Tutorial With Summer Silhouettes

Learning new stuff is good - techniques that are easy to master are even better . . .
Easy Masking Technique

  • First, the grid paper

Grid Paper
  • Then a large pack of Post-It Notes - and I've found through doing lots of different masking techniques, using the real deal is the best.  Just head to an office supply store and pick up a pack or two - it's a good thing.

Large pack of Post-It Notes

  • a piece of Whisper White card stock (#100730) cut to a 4" x 5-1/4"
Whisper White card stock
  • Placing the Whisper White on the grid paper so that it's centered between the 2" marks . . . 
Center that paper so it's easier to make straight lines 
  • Line the Post-It Note paper so you have 1/4" covered on one side and then measure off about 1-1/2" to 1-3/4", whatever you would like, for your image - keep the sticky part on your card stock so the sticky edges are what you're working with.
Placing the Post-It Notes on
  • Using a Stampin' Sponge (#101610) and Soft Suede ink in a circular motion, cover the unmasked area of Whisper White with ink.
  • Ink up the leaves of the Summer Silhouettes (#126445 for wood and #126447 for clear) in Lucky Limeade ink (#126984) and stamp the image in the unmasked area a few times.
Soft Suede sponged background with leaves
  • Ink up the Seed Pod stem in Lucky Limeade ink and stamp it a few times.
Adding the Seed Pod Stem image
  • Ink up the Seed Pod top in Daffodil Delight ink (#126944) and stamp over the top of the Seed Pod Stem.
Daffodil Delight Seed Pod tops
  • Ink the small flower in Regal Rose ink (#126947) and stamp around the leaves.
Adding a nice pop of color with the small flower image
  • Remove the masks.
The mask is removed
  • Re-Inking the leaves, stamp them off on the grid paper, and then stamp on the blank area of the Whisper White.
Stamp off the leaf image on the grid paper
Stamping the lighter image on the blank area of the card front
  • Stamp the Sentiment you wish - I used the "Thank You" from Curly Cute (#117014 for wood and #120510 for clear).
Adding a sentiment

  • Cutting the Lucky Limeade card stock (#122977) at 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" and scored at 4-1/4", it's burnished with a bone folder for a nice, crisp folded card base.

Getting the card base ready

  • Simply adhere the card front to the base of the card with SNAIL adhesive (#104332).  I decorated the inside of my cards and also gave a quick stamp to the envelopes.

Masking is a great technique to know

  • How about that?  Really an easy technique to master, isn't it?  Give it a shot and let me know how you do.  I'd love to see what you come up with.

CASEd from Sandi MacIver


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