Sneak Peek

I've been lazy - not doing much posting lately.  But I have been creating a lot of cards for a blog hop that launches this Saturday.  Each month a different TECHNIQUE will be highlighted.  I really LOVE playing with different techniques, so I'm delighted to be part of this group.  January's technique is a bit messy and smells really good!  Here's a quick and easy card to pique your interest:

I'm pretty sure this isn't finished yet, but I'm a little stumped about what more to do to it!  Any suggestions are welcome.

Be sure to stop by Saturday to check out what I've been doing lately, and follow the links for a lot of inspiration.  There's a prize too!

Stamping on Die-Cut Shapes

Yesterday I needed to make 40 kits for this little candy topper for a Make-It project.  Luckily, my friend Barbara was willing to loan me her Frosty Fun stamp and die, but the idea of stamping and die-cutting 40 snowmen was still a bit daunting, especially since I was having a pretty hard time lining up  the die with the stamped image and keeping it in place while running it through my Journey Grand.
Then I remembered a YouTube video I had seen about using a stamp positioner to stamp AFTER cutting, and decided to try it with the home-made positioner my husband made for me.

First I cut the snowman shape out of a scrap piece of card stock and put it into one of the corners to act as a placement template for the blank die-cut pieces.  The red showing through is a sheet of fun foam that cushions the metal back of the positioner, and the card stock is held in place by magnets.

Next, I placed the stamp right into the cut opening so it fit perfectly, and closed the acrylic door of the positioner so the stamp stuck to the door and would stamp in the same place every time the door was closed.

Here's my first try.  Every now and then part of the image didn't stamp perfectly, so I just re-opened the door, made sure the die-cut shape was still in the template's opening, re-inked the stamp, and stamped again.

And here are a few of the finished snowmen.  I was able to use my card stock much more efficiently by cutting blanks, and this was MUCH faster and easier than stamping, then placing and cutting, then doing it over and over again.  This is a technique I'll definitely use again, especially with images that are a little difficult to line up in the cutting die.

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.

July Swap

Occasionally I participate in a card swap with stampers all over the country.  It's a great way to get new ideas.  I made several copies of this card for the July swap, and can hardly wait to see what I get back!  This one was fairly easy to mass produce.  I love the way sponging with a bit of the yellow Pan Pastels makes the bulb light up. I also used silver Pan Pastels on the base of the bulb.  I got BOTH of these stamp sets free when I went to the Fun Stampers Journey Convention...already saving up for next year! ;-)


Supplies:
Whip Cream Card Stock (CS-0040)
Lemon Drop Card Stock (CS-0018)
Retired Black & White Paper Pack
Sun Rays (DI-0108)
Rich Sorbet Pan Pastels (JM-0082)
Brush Silver Pan Pastels (JM-0097)
Black Licorice Ink (IP-0041)
Happy Sentiments (SS-0304)
Delightful Light (SS-0344)
Foam Squares (AD-0084, AD-0085)

Spring Cards

My FSJ upline, Nanette Mueller, sent me this beautiful welcome card when I joined Fun Stampers Journey.  It shows off several of the brilliant, intense fusion ink colors.


Nanette also made these adorable corner pockets, made with the Decorated Sleeve Pocket die (which is on sale during the month of March) for the ladies in my class, with cute little bunny sticky notes inside.


I'm getting SO ANXIOUS for my starter kit to be here!