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.

Happy New Year!

Wow!  I hadn't realized just how long I'd been on a "break!"  I didn't even get the December technique posted, and it's almost time for the January class and technique.  Life during the holidays did me in, I guess.  But the Christmas decorations are down and it's 2017, so I'd better get busy.  I did manage to get all my Christmas cards finished and mailed *PHEW*... I'm starting to think I need to get going on next year's cards now (I actually have an idea!).

The December technique was a very simple one I borrowed from a children's activity:  Bubble Paint Background.  All you need is a straw, a container, a little paint, and some liquid dish soap.  Mix paint, water, and a little dish soap together in the container, and use the straw to blow bubbles!  Fun, huh? (Be sure to cover your work area with newspaper or paper towels!)

Now, simply touch your card stock lightly onto the bubbles to create different backgrounds for your cards or stamping. Experiment with different colors and more or less paint. 
I'll try to catch up on my blogging and do better in 2017.  Happy New Year!

November Technique - Black Magic

Here's my November technique club sample, showcasing the Black Magic technique.  This technique has been around for quite awhile.  It's fun and a little different to stamp on black card stock instead of white, and see the colors pop.  This can be quite stunning with a bold floral stamp, but I decided on something a bit more in keeping with the season.

The technique is simple:  stamp a solid image with white ink on black card stock, and color the image when the ink is completely dry.  Watercolor pencils are often used as the coloring medium, but I've used regular colored pencils here.  After coloring, embellish a bit with a white gel pen, and it's ready to make into a card.

 I masked the pumpkin and the "hello" before stamping the leaf, to make it appear the leaf was behind the other images.
 Be sure the image is completely dry.  You can use a heat tool to dry it and set the white ink.
 I colored the image with some Crayola colored pencils I picked up for 50¢ at a thrift store!
 And finally, I doodled a bit with a white gel pen to make the images stand out a little more.

October Technique - Bleach

 This month's Technique Club uses common household bleach. Remember to be very careful with bleach, not to spill it or get it on your skin, clothing, or other surfaces.
Before starting, I decided to experiment with different types of black ink for my base image.  Some sources I looked at said to use Staz-On, others suggested heat embossing the image first, and still others didn't stipulate any particular ink.  (Oh - one more thing!  It's a GOOD IDEA to wear an apron!!!)

Memento Tuxedo Black was the least successful.  The bleach lightened the black lines, and the image looked smeary.  I think the VersaFine Onyx Black probably came out best, but Staz-on Black and FunStampersJourney Black Licorice Fusion worked well also.

Step 1:  Stamp image on colored card stock.  Different colors will yield different results.  I test the bleach on a corner of the colors I'm thinking about using first.  The dark blue and red I tried bleached to an ivory or yellowish color.  I didn't try black, but I think that would give a rather striking effect.

Step 2:  Using a small paint brush (not one of your GOOD ones!!) or a cotton swab, lightly paint the areas you wish to lighten.  I found I have more control with a brush...I go out of the lines more with a swab.  As the bleach dries, the color lightens.  For lighter color, go over the area again after it dries.

Step 3:  This may be as far as you want to go, but if you want to add a bit of color, I recommend wax-based colored pencils.  I think the bleach might continue to work on markers or watercolor, but not sure.  That's an experiment for another day!  Here's my final sample, using a touch of green on the leaves:

Bleach can also be used to stamp with, using a "stamp pad" made of bleach-moistened folded paper towels on a saucer or other non-porous surface.  Clean your stamps well with water after stamping with bleach.

September Club Technique - Watercolor and Alcohol

Our September club technique uses watercolor and rubbing alcohol to add interest and texture to a background piece.  It's pretty easy - just lay down a watercolor wash and drip, splatter or dab on some rubbing alcohol.  The color around the alcohol will spread and lighten.  I added some bits of more intense color after adding the alcohol, to give it a bit more interest.  After you try the technique, make a card using your watercolor and alcohol background. And please share your creations! Here's mine.  I used an older sentiment stamp from my stash, the FSJ doily die, and FSJ Butterfly Prints and matching dies.
 
To get started, you'll need watercolor paper, watercolor paints or crayons, water, rubbing alcohol, and paint brushes.  I also like to use a bit of masking tape to hold my paper flat while I'm working, and an acrylic block to use as a palette.

Mix up some water and color on your palette so you'll have it ready for your wash.  Then spritz your paper (or brush with clear water). Paint color over the entire surface.

Next use a paint brush, Q-tip, or cotton ball to splatter or drip alcohol onto the wet color wash.  I think my starting color should have been darker so the contrast would show up better.  The alcohol will look grayish when you first add it, but will soon dry.

I dipped the tip of my small brush directly into my wet paint and just touched the damp paper here and there since I didn't think my original color was intense enough. I like the look of this step better than the final piece after it dried!!

Finally, let the background dry, or dry with a heat tool, trim and use it to create an element on your card.  Have fun!

August Club Technique - Watercolor Lift

Our August club technique is "Watercolor Lift."  This simple technique seems to be all over the internet right now! Basically, large areas of color are protected by clear embossing, and then the rest of the color is "lifted" to create a softer look.  I tend to use splotches of color, but I've seen beautiful cards done with horizontal blocks to create a smoother look.  After you try the technique, make a card using your watercolor lift background. Here's mine: Share your creations on our group Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/315796892088019/>

1. Cover watercolor paper with random patches
of color using water-based markers.

2. Spritz with water to blend edges.  Let dry
completely or use heat tool to speed drying.

3. Rub dry surface with Embossing Buddy or
dryer sheet. Stamp image with clear embossing
ink such as VersaMark.

4. Dust with clear embossing powder. Tap
off excess.

5. Heat embossing powder until it melts.

6.  Embossed areas will protect the color beneath the image.

7. Spritz with water again.

8. Soak up water with paper towels. Extra
color will lift, leaving behind the darker
color behind the embossed image.