March Class - Masculine Cards

Thanks to a suggestion from the lovely ladies in my February class, we'll be focusing on some cards for the menfolk in our lives on March 4th. I'll be sure to take a selection of sentiment stamps also, so they can be personalized a bit. I'm glad they mentioned this idea - I tend to focus a bit much on flowers. If you happen to stop by, let me know what you think!
  

February Technique Blog Hop

FEBRUARY - So Sketchy

Welcome to a Year of Card Techniques 2017, a year-long series of monthly blog hops focusing on techniques for card makers.  Each month we feature a different technique, card fold or product.  We’ve assembled a team of ten card makers who range from new to advanced, so you’ll get a great variety of cards and ideas.

If you arrived here from Claudia's blog, then you're on the right path.  Don't worry if you missed a stop - I've listed the links for the entire hop later in the post. Remember, we love to hear from you, so please follow along and leave a comment. There will be a special prize waiting for one of you each month this year, selected from all comments on the hop. See prize details below, and please join us the third Saturday of each month for a new technique.

Our challenge this month was to create cards inspired by this sketch. It really WAS a challenge for me!  I'm pretty good at copying other people's cards :-) but hadn't worked from a sketch before. I think it was a good creative stretching exercise - and I think I'll try doing it again one of these days. Here's what I came up with (apparently I tend more toward horizontal layouts if this selection is any indication!!!).

I decided to rotate the design for this all-occasion card.

This one was inspired by a fellow coach, Jeanne Bobish.
My photography leaves a little to be desired!

I suppose the shark should be lower to match the sketch...

Glass Blooms - my favorite stamp set

I used masking and glittery gel pens on this CAS one-layer card.

A couple scraps of marbled paper from last month and a leftover piece
of a watercolor technique I was trying.

I tried to stay fairly true to the sketch on this one.

The cupcakes are paper-pieced - another piece of marbled
paper left from last month!

This super-cute stamp set called "Easter Bunny" is the February Prize, sponsored by Claudia Henderson. Its retail value is $17.95 but you can get it free! Be sure to comment on all the posts for a chance to win. It will be given away to some lucky someone chosen from all the comments on the hop as of March 4th. The winner will be announced on March's hop. 

And here's today's lineup in case you get lost along the way. Thanks so much for visiting!

Theresa - http://scrapsbygracie.blogspot.com/…/february-technique-blo…
Amanda - salnclts76.blogspot.com
Kim - http://katydidcards.com
Sandy - http://www.scrapbookblessingsclub.com/.../february...
Claudia - http://claudiahenderson.blogspot.com/.../a-year-of-card...
Wilma - You are here!
Jearise - http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com/
Lisa - http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com/.../a-year-of-card...
Jodie - http://stampin-jodie.blogspot.com/.../a-year-of-card...

Magic FSJ Paper Molding

The other day, Fun Stampers Journey president and co-founder Richard Garay demonstrated a really cool technique in this video. I thought about trying to do this in class, but after trying it myself decided it would probably take too long and be on the messy side. So I'll just show you how I did it instead.  (Watch Richard's video to get a much better explanation!) The finished piece is hard to the touch, and can be added to a card or made into a pin or hair ornament. I'll post my finished card later - I still have a few layers of glaze to go!

1. Smear color onto Whisper White card stock. It's called direct-to-paper inking...just rub your ink pads around on the card stock.
2. Now stamp your image over the colored area. I'm using the flower from Peach Blossom (SS-0342).
3. Smear Journey Craft Glue over back of image. (I know, I know....lot of smearing going on!) Cover the entire surface with a thin layer - use the spreader on the "bottom" of the glue bottle.  Glue to another sheet of card stock.
4. Repeat step 3 until you have four layers of card stock glued together with the image on top.  If you'd like, you can use Black Licorice as the last piece of card stock.
5. Cut out the image, through all four layers of card stock.  Don't let it dry first! Gotta cut while it's wet.
6. Mold and shape the image with your fingers, giving it a 3D look. Let dry, occasionally re-shaping so it doesn't flatten out.,
7. If you used Black Licorice card stock as your back layer, blacken the cut edges with a black sharpie.
8. Thin Journey Glaze with a spritz of water and brush on surface of image.  Give the piece about 8 or 9 layers of glaze, allowing to dry between each layer.
9. If desired, you can add a bit of Sparkle Dust to the last layer of glaze while it's still wet.

Image stamped over ink smeared on card stock.

Glue image to four layers of card stock. Spread glue thinly over whole surface.

Cut out image while glue between layers is still wet.

Shape with fingers. Continue to shape as image dries to create 3D look.

Brush with thinned Journey Glaze and let dry.  Repeat for 8 or 9 layers of glaze.

I'm working on this butterfly, too, but I think I like the Peach Blossom better so far!

   

Stamp of the Month Challenge

From the Heart Stamps hosts a Stamp of the Month Challenge on their blog - if you participate one month, you receive the free digital stamp for the next month.  There's also a weekly sketch challenge.  They have lots of adorable digital stamp sets, and are based here in Colorado.

This month's challenge was to create a card using Hogs and Kisses Pigwit, so here's my card.  This time I created it the front panel digitally, then did a touch of Copic coloring on Pigwit and mounted it to a card base. I think he came out kind of cute!


If you're interested in the challenges, take a peek at the FTHS blog.  Here's a link to this month's challenge and all the entries: http://fromtheheartstamps.com/community/2017/02/01/free-stamp-of-the-month-february-2017-hogs-kisses-pigwit/.

Bloom Box Club

Had a great class yesterday.  I always love seeing how the ladies put their own individual touches on the cards, and enjoy the great socialization.  I'm blessed with a really NICE bunch of people!!  Our newest member, Shirley, mentioned how much she enjoyed everyone and how helpful they all are.


At our class I shared these cards I made using the Glass Blooms set and following the February 2016 Bloom Box samples.

If you're interested in getting together, making cards, and learning new techniques, Deb is starting a Bloom Box Club.  You can sign up for a Bloom Box subscription on her website (www.funstampersjourney.com/DebMuniz), then join us every month when we get together to make the cards.  The subscription is for 6 months, and then continues month by month unless you cancel it. The cost is $24.95 per month. With shipping and tax, mine came to $33.14.


Your Bloom Box will be delivered to your address automatically each month.  It contains a full-sized red rubber stamp set and all the paper and embellishments needed to make 4 cards, along with a full-color booklet of instructions. We'll provide ink and any other necessary supplies at the club meeting.

Everyone who signs up for Bloom Box during the month of February will receive this set:
This is the month that finally tipped ME over the edge! Not sure if I love the colors or the image best. The actual stamp set will be available to anyone in May, but Bloom Box sets are exclusive for three months.