Creating a Background with One Stamp Set

Coloring books are in trend now. I haven't joined the trend yet but there are a lot of products out there that is very tempting to purchase and color. How about you? Do you have a coloring book? Anyway, my project is inspired by this trend. Since the coloring trend has expanded to 12 x 12 paper and coloring cards, I decided to create my own coloring sheet. I am using Altenew Striped Florals. I cut a light pink cardstock at 8.5" x 5.5". I used an anti-static powder tool to prepare the cardstock. I stamped the large images first randomly using Versamark ink. I stamped several images at a time, then pour embossing powder over the images. I am using Ranger Embossing Antiquities Verdigris powder. I heat emboss the images. I repeated this process until I filled up most of the cardstock. I used all the stamps in the Striped Florals set. I couldn't say how long this process took me since I was doing it intermittently. The cardstock withstood the heat and I think a big factor to this is allowing the heat gun to be hot before heating the embossed images. The embossing powder I used also took some time to melt so heating the gun first prevented warping of the paper.

Now, it is time to color. I am debating on what medium to use. Since this is a regular cardstock and I went thru all that trouble to make this coloring paper, I chose color pencils. I am using Staedtler Ergosoft colored pencils and a blender pen.

This is the moment wherein I have to take chances on this coloring sheet I've invested time on. I cut this in half at the 8.5" side to create a 4.25" x 5.5" panel. I die cut this panel using My Favorite Things Die-namics Stitched Companion-Diagonal and kept all the negative spaces. I also cut a fun foam using the same die. The die cut fun foam flattened after it got run through the Big Shot but allowed some time, it went back to its original size.

Using the positive cut as a guide, I adhered the negative cuts to a white note card. I adhered a transparent film on the back of this positive cut. For the sentiment, I cut a pink vellum to fit the bottom space. I stamped the sentiment using Versamark ink and the Misti Stamping tool. I poured white powder to this and heat set it. I adhered this to the matching negative cut. I adhered the fun foam, poured glitters and sequins to the foam tunnels, and sealed it with the front panel.

Thanks for visiting my blog. Have a brilliant day!

Maria Giselle B.

I am submitting this creation to:

http://altenewblog.com/2016/03/01/march-challenge-from-places-abroad-france-video/

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-anything-goes-25/

http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.de/2016/03/challenge-317-stitching-real-or-faux.html

Masked Stamping & Copic Coloring

My youngest son loves My Little Ponies. This inspired me on how to color the unicorn of the Paper Smooches Spectrum stamp set. I created a mask of the unicorn by stamping the unicorn onto a Post-It note. I allowed the stamped image to dry on the Post-It note. Even if I use a dye ink to stamp on the Post-It note, it smudges if I touch it right away. 

I stamped the first unicorn on the left side of an Express It paper. I used a Memento Desert Storm ink because I plan to do no line coloring of the unicorns. I used the second generation ink for the image which just means stamping the image onto a scrap paper first before stamping it on the Express It paper. I lined the mask on top of this unicorn. Repeating the process described, I stamped the unicorn onto the right side of the first unicorn. I repeated this process another time to create three unicorns with the illusion of one is slightly in front of the other. 

I don't have the Copic markers that match the colors of the My Little Ponies that I chose (Pinkie Pie, Apple Jack and Rainbow Dash.) I just got by with the closest that I have. Thanks to Google, I also found this website that guided me in coloring the unicorns (http://andypriceart.deviantart.com/journal/Copic-Markers-and-Pony-colors-408215100.)

After I colored the unicorns, I colored the horn with Copic Spica in clear for sparkle. I cut out the unicorns and used a blade to cut in between the unicorns. To ground the unicorns, I cut a textured kraft colored cardstock using a Mama Elephant stitched border die to create a hill. I embossed the sentiment on the right side of the hill using Versafine and black embossing powder. 

To create the background, I used Prima Color Blooms to create splatters of colors. I used Cotton Candy, Soft Teal and Tea Stain. I splattered the colors on a Strathmore Bristol paper. After this has dried, I die cut this panel using a Simon Says Stamp Double Stitched Rectangle die. I also used this to create a stitched impression on the bottom part of the stamped hill.

I adhered the hill on the bottom of the color splattered panel, then adhered the unicorns on top of the hill. I matted this panel with a patterned paper, then adhered this to a white note card. I added Glossy Accents to the horns of the unicorns. I also added white dots on the nose of the unicorns using a white Gelly Roll pen.

Thanks for viewing my blog. Have a brilliant day.

Maria Giselle B.

I am submitting this creation to:

 

http://papersmooches.blogspot.com/2016/03/march-challenge-birthdays.html

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-cute-and-cuddly/

Hexagon Flower Quilt Card

 

I was trying to finish this card for the previous Hero Arts Challenge but my life got so hectic that I did not finish it on time. But I decided to finish off the project since I did scrap about 4 pieces of stamped panels before I came up with this final piece. I was really going to quit the idea after the third try but I just couldn't let go of creating a quilted look out of my old hexagon stamps.

Hexagon became a fad shape a couple of years ago and I am one of those who joined that craze. I am using the Hero Arts Clear Hexagons stamp set for this project. After choosing which die inks I'll be stamping with and after searching the net for a quilted flower pattern, I stamped the striped hexagon stamp onto a white Neenah Solar White card stock. Since I am only using this stamp, I made sure I clean off this stamp in between colors by cleaning it with a baby wipe, then with a dry rag, stamping it off to a scrap paper, then stamping it again onto the scrap paper after inking it with the first color. There is a new product out in the market, the Lawn Fawn Stamp Shammy which you can use to short cut the tedious process I just described. I don't have one and so far, it is sold out at the Lawn Fawn site but I saw a shammy at Michael's, at the art section, if you want to try it out.

For the center of the flower, I flipped the striped hexagon stamp to create a solid hexagon shape. double stamped this to make the color darker & bolder. The key to creating this quilt background is to be sure the image is overlapping each other during stamping. But if you created a gap, no worries. Just stamp the image again.

After I filled up the panel with hexagons, I felt there was still something missing to pop out the flowers. I accented the flowers by using coordinating color pencils and traced a line around the hexagons on the flowers and leaves. I also colored the solid hexagons with Wink of Stella Glitter pen.

This is when I had a difficulty finishing the card that's why I didn't make it to the deadline. I can't find in my stash a Hero Arts sentiment that will stand out in this busy background. Does this happen to you? Anyway, after a night of sleep, I was able to finish the card. I trimmed the panel to 4" x 5 1/4". I haven't broken in the Heidi Swapp Minc Machine I've bought since November.

Using the Heidi Swapp Toner pen, I lined the outer edges of a white card base. I had difficulty using this pen. Somehow the ink, after priming, is not freely flowing in writing a straight line. It will be light in some areas so I had to repeat lining on it again. I also used Lawn Fawn dies, 'Thanks' and 'Thinking of You' to come up with the 'Thank you' sentiment.

I cut a piece from a solid rectangle printed using a laser printer. I got the template from Jennifer McGuire (http://www.jennifermcguireink.com/images/2015/04/Toner-Paper.pdf.) After I die cut the sentiments, I noticed some of toned areas are bare of toner. I used the toner pen to cover-up these areas. I cut a piece of foil larger than the front of the base card. I sandwiched this inside the Minc carrier and fed it thru the machine. I had the heat setting at 4.

I used the same foil to add foil to the sentiments. Depending on how perfectionist you are, I had to run this through the Minc twice since there were areas not foiled. I adhered this to the lower left corner of the panel. I adhered the panel to the foiled card base.

Thanks for viewing my blog. Have a brilliant day!

Maria Giselle B.

I am submitting this creation to the following:

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/blog/work-it-wednesday-february-2016/

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/?p=4171

IT'S MY FIRST TIME TO USE THE MINC MACHINE!

Easter Egg Shaped Card

I love creating cards that I can mass produce and have my kids hand to their friends, teachers, or to my friends and co-workers.

My most recent purchase is the Paper Smooches Easter Egg Dies. I have no immediate project for it not until I saw Paper Smooches Blog Challenge for this month. I can't help but think of a project that is timely and that ties with this month's challenge.

You know how you see those kraft colored eggs in the store? That inspired me to come up with this card. I die cut a kraft colored card stock using the egg die. I die cut the egg twice. I inked the edge of the egg with a Tim Holtz Distress Ink Vintage Paper. I embossed the top and bottom portions of the egg. You can emboss the whole egg since I was going to cover up the flat portion anyway. I used the Li'l Inker Design Quill Swirl Stitched Pattern die to emboss the egg.

I cut a strip of a pearl blue card stock. I cut this at 1/2". I adhered this to the center of the egg where there is no embossing. I die cut the ribbon using the same card stock. I curled the bow part using a  stylus just to train the card stock and prevent it from cracking. I tried using a liquid adhesive to adhere the parts of the bow but despite using a tweezer to press the pieces together while the glue is drying, it won't stay adhered. So, I turned to the Mini Glue Dots to do the job.

I scored another kraft egg die cut, around where the strip ends at the top. I made tick marks to ensure alignment. Fold the card stock at scored line. Stamp a sentiment on the top flap, making sure it will be upright when this flap is unfolded. I used sentiments from Paper Smooches Chit Chat and Recipe For Success stamp sets. I also used the smiley face from Paper Smooches Spectrum stamp set. Apply adhesive to the bottom part of the egg. Line up the eggs, then press to adhere.

Thanks for visiting my blog. Have a brilliant day!

Maria Giselle B.

I am submitting this creation to:

http://papersmooches.blogspot.com/2016/02/february-challenge-fun-cute.html

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/blog/work-it-wednesday-february-2016/

Masculine Interactive Birthday Card

I was asked by a friend to create a card for her husband's birthday. I have a plan for the lay out but I was having trouble choosing the patterned paper for the background. After taking a trip to Scrapbook Factory here in Illinois, I got inspired by a card sample featuring one of their on-sale wooden block stamps. It is an image of a pick-up truck.

After I revived my Cricut Imagine (Hoo-hoo!), I cut a car from the Cricut Going Places cartridge using water color card stock. I kept the negative cuts on the front of the card for further embellishing. I water colored the card using Zig Kuretake Gansai Tambi. I mixed up some colors to come up with the gray bumper. I also mixed the pearl color with the palette I created to make the bumper shimmer. I colored the wheels black. Once it is dry, I doodled lines to accent the tire marks. I gold embossed the negative cut for the front of the card using Wow! Ultra Embossing Powder. I water colored the headlights. I adhered a piece of acetate to create a windshield. I applied a piece of tape to the back of the car to support the negative cuts that I want to piece in. I did apply a small amount of liquid glue to this pieces to secure it. I also applied Glossy Accents to the headlights.

For the pole embellishment, I stamped this on a water color paper using Ranger Archival Ink in black. I stamped the sentiment using a Close To My Heart stamp set. I masked the sentiment so it will be accomodated to the design. The sentiment is stamped using Versafine Onyx Black and heat embossed using clear powder. I also water colored the pole. I fuzzy cut the image.

For the background, I die cut clouds onto an Inkadinkado masking paper using a Taylored Expression Rolling Cloud die. I attached this on a white notecard. I inked the clouds using Simon Says Stamp Die Ink in Sea Glass. I moved the cloud mask up and changed the alignment to create variation.

For the ground, I applied a tape to where I plan to ground the car. I am using a Lawn Fawn Chevron Backdrop. I used different hues of gray for the solid chevron stamp. I stamped another chevron pattern from the same stamp set using a white pigment ink. I allowed this to dry.

To balance the card, I partially die cut an opening to the right side of the car using an Avery Elle-ments Custom Panel die. I adhered an acetate to the back of this. I trimmed a gray card stock to matte the panel. I applied foam adhesive to the back, making sure to keep the acetate free of foam tape. I applied sequins and seed beads to this well. I sealed this using another gray cardstock. I adhered this to an A4 note card.

I adhered the pole using liquid adhesive. I used dimensional tape for the signs to pop it out. For the car, I trimmed the adhesive of the Action Wobbler so it won't show. I adhered this to the front of the card.

I also created a customized envelope for the card.

Thanks for viewing my blog.

Maria Giselle B.

I am submitting this creation to:

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/blog/work-it-wednesday-february-2016/

My Take on Distress Ink Lifting by Jennifer McGuire

 

I was so impressed by Jennifer's card technique that I can't wait to try it myself. Watch her tutorial here: Distress Ink Lifting by Jennifer McGuire.

I created this card for my husband for Valentine's. I was late in finishing it but the idea was in my head especially after watching Jennifer's video and getting the Simon Says Stamp Sentimental Circles stamp set in the mail.

I start with inking a Neenah Solar White 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" panel with Tim Holtz Distress Ink Candied Apple. After allowing this to dry, I embossed the Lawn Fawn Stitched Heart to it, more onto the left side of the panel. I used a Spellbinders Silicone Mat underneath the card stock to make the impression onto the card stock without cutting it.

I applied water onto the inside of the heart and allowed it to dry. I have a bigger space to work with compared to the image Jennifer used in her video. I think that was a factor and the amount of water given the size of the area I am trying to lift the ink from. I allowed this to air dry. I highlighted the edges using Tim Holtz Distress Ink Peacock Feathers. This time, I rubbed the pad onto a pallete, spritz the area with water, and used a water brush to apply the ink onto the heart image. This gave me control on coloring the edges. I allowed this to air dry again. On the next round of blending, I used Tim Holtz Distress Ink Tumbled Glass. I rubbed the pad again onto a palette. This time, I spritz it with a WPlus9 Shimmer Spray Mist, then picked this up with a water color brush to paint over the inside of the heart.

For the sentiment, I got the idea from the Simon Says Stamp Sentimental Circles but I want it to surround the heart. I carefully cut the circled sentiment. I cut a heart using the same Lawn Fawn Stitched Heart die. I used this as a guide to lay-out the sentiment around the heart. I am also using the Misti tool to properly align the message. I also masked some words that was not along the edge of the heart.

I powdered the area to be stamped on since I am going to heat embossed the sentiment. I stamped the sentiment with Versamark ink. With the Misti tool, I was able to re-stamp the sentiment since I miss some parts during the first stamping. I poured Hero Arts white embossing powder to this, then heat set it.

To finish off the card, I trimmed 1/8" off each side, then adhered this to a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" white note card. I also added some red sequins and applied a dot of Viva Decor Pearl Pen in Pastel Rose to the center of the sequins.

Thanks for viewing my blog.
Have a brilliant day!

Maria Giselle B.

Valentine's Give-away with Doodlebug

I created this base from a die on sale that easily cuts and scores the elements to create a mini note card. I am using a Doodlebug Design patterned paper for this project with Sweet Things: Tiny Valentines as the focal point. This patterned paper can be cut apart and it is an instant Valentine's!

After I trimmed the patterned paper, separating the icons, I ran each thru the Big Shot using a Lawn Fawn Stitched Square die for more detail. To mat the square icons, I cut any coordinating paper at 2 3/8" x 2 5/8". I added detail to this by using a Mama Elephant Postage Die. My paper is smaller than the die so I had to match the edges to the die to get the proper corner cut. I wish I have more Doodlebug patterned paper from this collection to use for this purpose. I just used scraps that coordinate and fit the measurement above. 

For the mini note card,  I maximized a 12 x 12 Doodlebug Design Kraft in Color patterned paper by cutting it at 6" x 3" being mindful of the orientation of the design. I am going to gatefold the mini note card so the pattern should be vertical. i scored this at 2" and 4 1/2". Using a We R Memory Keepers Envelope Notcher Punch, I punch a notch on the 2" side, making sure the notch is towards the edge of the paper. 

Now, it's time to start embellishing the note card. I adhered the Doodlebug Tiny Valentine to the Postage die cut. I adhered a foam to the back of this for added dimension. I adhered this to the outside of the note card. I embellish some of the Tiny Valentine with stamping, adding glitters, using a white gel pen. 

I lined up some Doodlebug Chevron washi tape on a white card stock. I die cut a Paper Smooches Heart die to this and adhered this heart onto the notch using a Glue Dot for added embellishment. I placed the lollipops inside these note cards which held well, not requiring any adhesive at all. But if I planned this well, and if I had more time, I would have punched two circles on the center to which I will thread a twine to hold the lollipop. The raised design on the front will conceal this and at the same time, keep it secure with the additional glue.

Thanks for visiting my blog. 

Have a brilliant day!

Maria Giselle B.