Seeing Ink Spots

Friday, November 15, 2024

#TGIF499 Changing Leaves

This autumn the leaves have been bright and beautiful and a sight to see. In my neighborhood the leaves now lie on the ground and the tree branches are totally bare, but in my mind I can still see the wonder of nature. For #TGIF499 we are sharing projects that feature "autumn breeze and beautiful leaves."

For this card I used the stunning Changing Leaves Hybrid Bundle. I chose a palette of Berry Burst, Cajun Craze, Copper Clay, Pecan Pie, Pumpkin Pie, and Bubble Bath. I also included copper foil and Wink of Stella for shine and sparkle.

For the "hello" greeting I die cut that from Berry Burst Glimmer Paper using the Rustic Crate Dies. Did you notice the woodgrain paper? It's called Wood Textured 12" x 12" Specialty Paper. It comes all white so you can brayer it and make it any color you like. I used a brayer to add a light coat of Bubble Bath.

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Artisan Post #19 - Snow Days Scrapbooking Page

Several of us on the Artisan Design Team had an extra assignment to create a scrapbook layout using the new products from the recently released Scrapbooking Brochure. I was lucky to receive the Snow Day products which included the Snowy Scenes 12" x 12" DSP and Sticker Sheet, the Snow Day Stamp Set, and the Snow Day 12" x 12" Two-Tone Cardstock.

To see how I put this page together click the photo below to view a video on my YouTube Channel.

I can't say enough about the greatness of the new Two-Tone Cardstocks! Take a closer look at how I repeated a tearing technique for the border, the photo mats, and the "Sun Valley" title and date.

Monday, November 11, 2024

Artisan Post #18 - Iconic Imagery

I'm catching up on a few Artisan Design Team projects I forgot to post. This one was for our July. Our assignment for our Group was to create projects featuring the Iconic Celebration Suite Collection from #stampinupofficial. This was a new online exclusive Suite that was released in July. It's filled with "iconic images" for birthdays, holidays, love, celebrations, and seasons. It is still available in Stampin' Up!'s online store and it definitely covers a wide range of themes which you might totally enjoy.

I think my favorite touch that I included in both of these cards are the "star" shaped flowers.

Friday, November 8, 2024

A Paper Pumpkin Thing Blog Hop "Nests of Christmas"

How about checking out a few quick and simple alternative projects featuring the Nests of Christmas Paper Pumpkin Kit from October? Sounds good? Well, here they are.

My first card here uses products from the Nests of Christmas Kit and a little bit of green Natural Tones Linen Thread. I typically start out by making an alternative card with bits and pieces from the a kit and I rearrange them. It helps me get the creative juices flowing and it gives me a good sense of all the pieces.

There is a die cut in the kit that has a bird and two pine boughs. I like to fussy cut that apart into three separate elements. That gives more flexibility to retool the designs of the kit.

It made total sense to me to make a tag out of the remnant from the trifold card above. For this tag I did bust out the Merry Tags and More Dies that have been designed to compliment the Paper Pumpkin kits from October, November, and December. From the other trifold style card in the Kit I used the Shaded Spruce rectangle punch out from which to cut two sets of fern leaves. This tag was done in record time.

For this card I cut the frame side off entirely and then reversed the fold of the card inward. On the Shaded Spruce half of the card I scored at 2 1/8" to create a "Z" fold. The tag was die cut using the Merry Tags and More Dies.

Here's a look at the inside of the card. My plan is to sign the back of the card as there is plenty of white open space.

This is another super quick card. I started with a Thick Basic White card base and finished with more Natural Tones Linen Thread and Iridescenct Faceted Gems.

Thanks for stopping by today. Be sure to subscribe by November 10th to be sure to get your Filled with Joy Paper Pumpkin Kit in November. And now, have some fun visiting more blog posts filled with lots of alternative projects and the Nests of Christmas Paper Pumpkin Kit.

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Artisan Post #17 - Layers of Beauty

These floral themed cards were created with the Layers of Beauty Bundle which includes stamps, dies, and five decorative masks. I used a variety of Stampin’ Blends to add splattered dots of ink in all the right spots.

Here is a look at all the supplies I used to create these cards.

Stamp the large floral image from the Layers of Beauty Bundle, then use mask number one and a Small Blending Brush to add a light layer of color to the flowers. Add just enough ink so it’s varied from the white.

Keep mask number one aligned over the stamped floral image. Use a Bone Folder to repeatedly “knock” on the barrel of a Stampin’ Blend to add splatter dots of color. Start with two or three lighter Stampin’ Blend colors.

Switch to mask number two and add more splatters using a few medium toned Stampin’ Blends. Switch to mask number three and finish coloring by adding more splatters in darker Stampin’ Blend colors. Use masks three and four to color the leaves. Use Stazon Cleaner to remove splatters from the masks.

Color Basic White Cardstock to create different shades of paper. Use a direct to paper technique to make a more vivid shade by making short swipes in opposite directions across Basic White Cardstock. For a softer shade knock on the barrel of Stampin’ Blend to add splatters. To fill the paper I rotated the cardstock and then added more splatters with the dark Stampin’ Blend.

Monday, November 4, 2024

Artisan Post #16: The Best There Is

I had the opportunity to create two alternative projects for Stampin' Up!' this past May. I was given the Paper Pumpkin Kit called The Best There Is. I made a card and a mini-album that doubled as a coupon book.

Here is the card I made. I have slid the buckle off to be able to open the card. Along with pieces from the Kit I used the add on dies called Thanks and Beyond as well as Crumb Cake and Early Espresso Ink Pads, Textured Metallic Specialty Paper, Baker's Twine Essentials Pack, Glossy Dots, and Wink of Stella.

Here's a look at the inside of the card.

This is a look at the back side of the card's buckle. I believe you should skillfully address every visible layers of a hand made card. It's all in the details.

This is the cover of my mini-album that doubles as a coupon book. At the bottom of this post I will include a link to my Up!STYLE Your Paper Pumpkin Class where I give step by step instructions of how to create this card and mini-album. For now I am sharing a few of the pages.

Here is a link to the video of the making of these two projects!

Sunday, November 3, 2024

Gratitude for Creation Station

Welcome to our November Creation Station Blog Hop. Our theme for this month is "gratitude." I hand stamped a couple thank you cards that feature a rustic autumnal color palette.

Both cards include a unique mix of Basic Beige, Lemon Lolly, Wild Wheat, and Early Espresso inks all magically blended into Layers of Beauty. I love the stamps, masks, and dies that make up the Layers of Beauty Bundle--it's truly gorgeous and pretty easy to use.

Of the two cards this "hey. thanks.," is my favorite. I think it might be the Regal Flora DSP and how it juxtaposes with the stamped floral image and the bold text.

I am grateful for you and your visit here at my blog today. Do click the "next up" button to hop over to Mikaela's Crafty Oink Pen. Her stamp style is fantastic and she creates cards that inspire me. Let's go see what she has made.

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