(click on the pics to en-biggan)
I had seriously way too much fun making this Halloween design--this tiny shopping bag is to die for--LITERALLY!!!
I can't help but have a lot of fun when it comes to Halloween--it's the Mister's birthday! Candy, cake AND ice cream???!!! Oh, yeah, baby!!!
This week's video shows you how the whole thing came together and you can watch it right here, or hop over to YouTube to watch it in HD! Enjoy!
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SUPPLIES & MATERIALS:
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Hello and welcome to the CLASSroom for World Card Making Day Challenge 3 ... I'm so glad you joined me today for a sketch challenge! I LOVE using sketches, they make the process of creating a card SO much easier, I think . . . half of the hard work is already done for you! All you have to do is choose some paper or cardstock, a stamp or embellishment and you're all set to go!
There's a Fall chill in the air so for my card today, I chose this beautiful Big Pumpkin image from Lockhart Stamp Company:
It was stamped on Copic X-Press It Blending Card, die cut with MFT Die-namics Stax Traditional Tags and then colored with the Copic markers (Y21, YR01, YR12, YR16, YG03, YG63, E50, E21, E23, B0000). Here are a few step-out photos for you (click on any photo for a larger view):
Start with Y21 in the centers of the pumpkin sections, where the pumpkin is the roundest (standing out closest to you) and would reflect more sunlight:
Next, base coat the entire pumpkin with lightest YR01 (I did try to avoid coloring over the Y21 entirely, so that the very centers would still retain the yellow color, but blended the edges of the Y21 where it met the YR01):
Then add deeper shading with YR12 in the crevices of the pumpkin:
Go back and blend everything with lightest YR01 and then add darkest YR16 to the far left and right sides of the pumpkin that would be furtherest from you, and near the bottom of the pumpkin:
Finally, add a few shadows with E23 along the bottom of the pumpkin. Next, color the pumpkin stem with E21, E23 and vines with YG63. Color the flowers and their centers with Lemon and Orannge Copic Atyou Spica Glitter Pens. Finally, airbrush the sky background with B0000 and the ground with E21.
I used a date stamper and word **celebrate** to stamp on the end of my tag, along with the date of the recepient's birthday. To make the perforation marks on the end of the tag, I used Tim Holtz's Design Ruler and a paper piercer.
Here's your sketch to follow:
I hope you have fun with it! For my flags, I used My Favorite Things' Fishtail Flag Die-namics Stax dies, but you could also hand cut your paper or use pieces of ribbon. Enjoy!
So what's my answer to the question below that YOU need to answer? I think you can probably guess . . . my favorite papercrafting tools are Copic markers!!
~ Sharon
Other: Paper piercer, chocolate rick-rack trim; linen thread
SKETCH CHALLENGE
Now it’s your turn! Create a card using the sketch above as inspiration! Once you have completed this challenge please be certain to link directly to that specific project in our WCMD Challenge Blog Candy post!
BLOG CANDY
What is the tool you use most when papercrafting?
Be certain to leave your answer in the comment section on this post to be entered in a random drawing for the following goodies. All comments must be made by 11:59pm Pacific Time on October 7th to be eligible.
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Hello and happy weekend, everyone! Ever since Ellen started her tissue paper series (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), I had this idea I wanted to try with dimensional tissue paper shapes and here's what I came up with:
How much fun is this dimensional pear?!! I had a blast creating it and it was so simple . . . my head is spinning with all the die shape possibilities! Here's all you need to do:
1. Die cut as many layers of tissue paper you can TWICE with your selected die shape. Here, I used Memory Box's Classic Pear:
2. Stack the two die cut pear tissue paper stacks together and stitch down the center.
3. Next, put adhesive on one side of the stitched pear and fold that side of the tissue paper over to the other side. This will hide the stitching in your finished shape:
4. Die cut another pear shape out of coordinating paper/cardstock, to use as a base for your tissue pear and adhere the tissue pear to the die cut base using double-sided tissue tape:
5. The last step takes just a little bit of time/patience but is worth it -- Fan fold, separate & fluff the layers of tissue paper so they form a dimensional shape:
I stamped a greeting onto the die cut leaf (from Hero Arts ClearDesign All Occasion Messages, which sadly, seems to be out of stock at this time but it was the only one I could find to fit, so my apologies!). To make the greeting stand out and sparkle, I traced it with Pitch Black Copic Atyou Spica Glitter Pen.
The card base is a Memory Box Parsley Notecard and the fabulous patterned paper is from Echo Park's For The Record 2-Tailored 6x6 pad. A button tied with black baker's twine completes this card.
I hope you'll find some fabulous things to do with this fun technique . . . I know I will definitely be trying it again!
EDITED: A few of you mentioned in the comments below that this card would require a box to mail or couldn't be mailed at all . . . quite the contrary! The beauty of using tissue paper is that it's thin and all you have to do is part the tissue shape in half again and lay it out flat and it won't be any more bulky than the button!
~ Sharon
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(click on the pics to en-biggan)
Faux embossing. Faux embossing?! How can it be faux???!!! *chuckle* This fun (and surprising!) technique has been around for a long time--I thought it would be fun to share it again. It's one of my favorites because people always have to run their finger over it to prove that it really is an optical illusion!
NOTE: More often than not, this technique is applied to mid-tone or darker colored card stocks; you begin by stamping the image in a tone-on-tone fashion, i.e. stamping the image with a red ink that is slightly darker than the red card you're working on, such as cranberry ink over red paper.
But, I've found I also love the look on KRAFT card stock, and when I played around with different colors of ink, I found I didn't have to stick within the tone-on-tone rule of thumb! I could start with different colors of ink, such as Tangelo, Bahama Blue, and Pear Tart all on the Kraft paper, just as I did on this particular card!
This technique tends to work best with bold/solid type images, as opposed to outline or detailed--the Savvy Stamps Cityscape is PERFECT for achieving this effect! As you can see, I first stamped it with Bahama Blue Memento Ink onto Kraft card stock.
The next step is to thoroughly clean the stamp--use a good stamp cleaner like Ultra Clean, and after cleaning, tap the stamp against a piece of clean white typing paper to make sure there is no residual ink of any kind remaining on the surface of the stamp. This will eliminate any contamination of blue ink into your Snow Cap pad. Trust me, you'll be extremely glad you did this because a clean white Snow Cap pad is a happy Snow Cap pad! And, when a Snow Cap pad is happy, it stamps mo'h bettah. 
Just ask me how I know... !
Now you're ready to re-ink the stamp, but this time with Adirondack Snow Cap, a fast-drying white pigment ink! I love this particular white ink because it does dry fairly fast on porous card stocks (on glossy/coated card stocks, you will need to heat emboss it because it is a pigment ink and will never dry on non-porous surfaces). I also love that it looks very bold and striking against dark colored card stocks and it's become a staple ink that I always keep handy right on my work surface!
Stamp the cityscape a 2nd time, right over the top of the previously stamped blue cityscape, BUT don't worry about being precisely/directly on top--you want the 2nd stamping to be slightly "offset" from the first. You can stamp it slightly higher and to the right, or lower and to the left--whichever direction you prefer. I usually eyeball it by crouching down to eye level with the stamp so I can easily see and align the bottom edge of the rubber image to the bottom edge of the image stamped on the card, and I typically offset the 2nd stamping (Snow Cap ink) slightly high and to the right.
Here's a closer shot of the end result:
The Cityscape was first stamped with Bahama Blue Ink, and the speech bubble with Tangelo ink. "HEY" was used (stamped with Brilliance Graphite Black) from the same Studio Calico/Hero Arts "Hey Y'all" stamp set
Inside the card, I stamped the "Miss You" with Pear Tart first.
The colored inks, beneath the Snow Cap, create a sort of "drop shadow", giving the illusion that the images are actually dry embossed onto the paper surface--a fantastic and cleverly deceptive way to create a "dimensional" look!
A smidge of patterned paper, some corner rounding and detailing the edge with a the White Gel Pen complete the look.
To re-cap:
Have fun playing around with this technique and thanks for hangin' with me in the CLASSroom today!
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SUPPLIES & MATERIALS:
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Do you have a favorite stamping technique? I have many. Some of my favorites I haven't done in a long time. How can it be a favorite then you ask? Well, it's just one that always makes me happy with how it turns out. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I do.
I loved the look of frosted glass and you can incorporate that look easily into your stamping projects. What you need to start with is some kind of clear acrylic accent. I'm using a Tim Holtz Fragment tag for mine.
When you start off your acrylic accent will be perfectly clear. We want to make it look frosted and sandpaper is a quick and easy way to do that. Simply sand the surface of the acylic horizontally and vertically until you get a nice smooth frosted look. It will look like sea glass. You only want to sand the top surface for this technique.
It's hard to see the frosted look but I've place my tag onto a piece of patterned paper in hopes that you can get an idea of what this step looks like.
Next up...some very simple stamping. A fairly defined simple image works best for this technique. You don't want too much fine detail or the embossing powder will all melt together. I've chosen a pretty Hero Arts flower, inked it with Versamark Ink and then stamped it onto the sanded acylic surface.
To finish off the technique, apply clear embossing powder to the stamped image and remove excess. Use your heat gun to apply heat until all the embossing powder is melted. Voila! You're Frosted Glass Technique tag.
You can see how the embossed image shines and makes the translucent "frosted glass" clear. Sweet, right?!
Thanks for stopping by the CLASSroom and have a fabulous weekend!
Supplies:
sewing machine, Solar White Cardstock by Neenah, Graceful This & That 6x6 paper pad by Echo Park Paper Co. , twine, ClearDesign: Blossom Art Stamp Set and ClearDesign: Yummy Treat stamp set by Hero Arts, Round Pearl trinket pins by Maya Road, Tim Holtz Fragments Charms by Advantus, Versamark Ink by Tsukineko, Jet Black Archival ink by Ranger, Clear Embossing Powder by Ranger, Sanding Block by Advantus
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Today's post is going to be super quick because I want to give you time to head over and sign up for the Summer Card Camp 2011 if you have not already done so --- you do not want to miss out on the fun Jennifer and Kristina have planned for you! Registration is open until June 29th, so that means you only have two more days.
This weeks color combo made me think of sherbet!
What better fit than these darling little cones from the Basic Grey Hero Arts Life of the Party. I know who is going to grab this card for a friend's birthday this summer!
To color this image I used a combination of Copic markers and Prismacolor pencils.
Then using the same Walk in the Park decorative paper together with some felt flowers and fabulous Wild Plum embossing powder I quickly whipped up a second birthday card. I love having color combinations to inspire me --- it makes the creative process go so very quickly!
Not only can you achieve color with markers, inks and pencils, but you can add color with buttons, felt, embossing powder and so much more. Look in your stash to see what you have in these delicious colors! Then head over and sign up for some fun and join in the challenges - in addition to the amazing inspiration there are some awesome goodies awaiting some lucky participants!
stamps: Hero Arts ClearDesign Life of the Party Birthdays
ink: Distress Embossing Ink Pad, Memento Tuxedo Black
paper: Echo Park 6x6 Walk in the Park, Memory Box Mango and Bayou Cardstock
accessories: Sizzix Flowers #3 Original Die, Rose Felt, Basic Grey and Cosmo Cricket Buttons
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This little telephone is insanely cute AND versatile! I just had to use it to announce today's winner because of the cute little "checklist" that you can use to accompany it! You must check out the new Lockhart images --- it is so hard to pick a favorite from this new release.
The winner of our Memorial Weekend blog candy is...
My flowers are my favorite thing in the garden. I LOVE my little purple iris' that are blooming right now. Might be because I love purple???
Posted by: cheryl l. | May 29, 2011 at 05:29 AM
Cheryl please email us at customerservice@ellenhutson.com (or you could call us too - LOL!) with your snail mail address so that we can get your new goodies out to you!
Today I wanted to remind you that Copics can be used to enhance designer paper! By simply stamping your image directly on designer paper and then coloring selected portions you can add interest and depth to stamped designs. The key to incorporating color is to select colors that compliment the colors in your designer papers. Test your colors in a corner that will not be used before beginning.
Another tip I would like to share today is selecting papers that emulate a mood or emotion. For example this bold, sunburst design really made it feel like the phone is ringing.
I couldn't help myself... I had to try putting an actual "cord" on my phone. My using the very fine tip of the Quickie Glue pen I was able to add twine to my image. I love the end result.
This phone is perfect for paper piecing, coloring and I believe I am going to have to Zentangle it as well---too much fun!!!
A little bling to designate what it is that I am hoping we will receive today, as well as my interpretation of the counter on which the phone is sitting, and this vibrant project is complete. Thank you to all who took time to leave your comments this weekend - I loved hearing from you! I can just envision the glorious blooms and I want SO BADLY to taste the fresh, vine ripened tomatoes!
stamps: Lockhart Telephone and Mail Check List
ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers - YG21, YG25
paper: Echo Park Splash 6x6, Memory Box Mango Cardstock and Key Lime Distressed Dots
accessories: JilliBean Green Twine, Quickie Glue Pen, Pistachio Green Memory Box Jewels
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We are celebrating a special day today at our home - I can't believe how quickly 17 years have flown by!!! My baby is now taller than I am, blows me out of the water when it comes to Math and Physics, and can run like the wind.
She also loves music; quirky music.
Her voice is beautiful and she is not afraid to sing in public. She's going to shoot me when she sees this photo of her singing this past weekend at the Relay for Life, but I just couldn't help myself. She has so much personality :-D So what better place to hear a wide mix of musical groups than Seattle's Music and Arts Festival, Bumbershoot.
"Real" tickets are not yet available and in order to make our gift to her something a little more special I created a "faux ticket" to put in the card. As you can see I once again used Tissue Tape to keep my design perfectly positioned. The light adhesive leaves no marks --- yeah for the little tricks!
Next I needed a "muscial" image. I found "Tyler" rocking his guitar amongst the Creeper Crew, but I needed a female version. Using a Faber Castell's XS PITT Artist Pen I changed up the hairstyle as shown above turning Tyler into a girl :-D
The colors of the Bumbershoot logo coordinated PERFECTLY with Splash --- I love a happy coincidence. The second was the realization that the edger punch I wanted to use, aligned perfectly with the striped paper!
A little bling with some Chartreuse Glitter Ritz and Amber Rhinestones, some punched musical notes and we now have a cute way to present our little gift. Happy Birthday sweetheart --- You Rock!
stamps: Creeper Crew - Tyler from the Creepin' Kit
ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Black XS Faber Castell PITT Artist Pen, Copic Markers - E0000, E000, E11, R11, R24, YG0000, YG00, YG03, YG25, YG61, E34, E37, E27, BG11, B93, B97
paper: Echo Park Splash 6x6 Paper Pad, Memory Box Persimmon Notecard
accessories: Chartreuse Microfine Glitter Ritz, Be Creative (Sookwang) 1/4" Tape, EK Success Open Scallop & Musical Symphony Edger Punch, Copper Rhinestones
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