the CLASSroom

World Card Making Day Sale at www.ellenhutson.com

 

Yes, that's right - we would like to offer you, our readers and customers, a special coupon so that you can do some thrifty shopping prior to World Card Making Day. This offer is valid on Thursday, October 1st and Friday, October 2nd. EVERYTHING in our store (in-stock items only) will be included in this sale. This offer cannot be combined with any other coupon code. Please note that once an item is no longer visible on our website it means that we are currently out of stock on that item - so shop early!

Just a few items to note that might help with some of the confusion on checkout.

• the discounted price will be listed on each individual product line and not at the end of the invoice after you have entered the promo code,
• upon reaching the checkout page you will find the place to insert the following promo code - please type the code exactly as shown - WCMD15
• please do not hesitate to call us at 425-427-2745 between the hours of 8:30am and 4:00pm or send an email to [email protected] if you have questions or are experiencing difficulties in ordering,
• please be advised that we will ship your orders promptly, but due to higher volumes, we are anticipating a slightly longer delay in processing all orders. We fully anticipate that we will be able to have all orders shipped within one week, and hopefully much shorter than that, but we do not want to disappoint those of you who know we always try for same or next day shipping. Thank you so much for your understanding.

Funky Flower Card by Kim Hughes

I just adore those little Robin's Nest Dew Drops so I thought of a way to make a fun flower center with them.  I would love to see your uses with them

 

Supplies:

Dew Drops Bottle, Water

Distress Ink Pad, Frayed Burlap

Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Peach Bellini

You Light Up My Life (Memory Box)

Cosmo Cricket 6" Mini Deck Paper Pad, Jolly By Golly

Florals, White Rounded

Scrapblock, Daisy Chain

Spellbinder's Nested Flower

Crystal Clear Plastic, 8" x 8" sheets

EE Notecards and Envelopes, Endive (Memory Box)

 

run the flower die through on a thick clear sheet.  You may need to cut the die shape out with scissors

 

Bend the flower petals in towards the center.  Add bunches of large Zots to the center of the clear flower

 

Press dew drops on top of the adhesive center (do not adhere the clear flower center to the large white flower...yet.

 

Add a stamped pattern to the white flower by inking up the daisy chain stamp and press the flower on top...rub across the petals with your fingers or place some scrap paper over the flower and press on the paper

 

 

draw a leaf shape onto the inside of a card base and cut 2 identical leaves

 

Add machine stitches to each leaf.

 

Stamp the sentiment onto the same paper as the leaves and cut paper strips.

 

To complete the card, add the large flower to a Cosmo Cricket paper base.  Tear the left side of the paper and add under the patterned portion.  Machine sew along the tear and add the sentiment to the bottom left corner.   I hope you have enjoyed this sun-shiney flower card.

Thank you for stopping by :)

World Card Making Day "Blinkie Linkie" Blog Candy

Yes, that's right - we would like to have your help sharing our upcoming World Card Making Day (otherwise known as WCMD) events with everyone around the world! We would like to share the "projects and challenges" our team is creating with as many as possible. So how can you participate?

Simply link others to Ellen Hutson LLC by following the step-by-step instructions below if you have a Typepad or Blogger account:

Typepad users:

• Select and copy the following code: <a href="http://www.ellenhutson.com"target="blank">img border="0" src="http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz243/ellen_hutson/EHLLC-WCMD-Blinkie.gif"/></a>
• Go to Typepad dashboard and create a new "Typelist," make it "Notes"
• Paste the code above in the note section - you can leave the title section blank
• Activate your Typelist by clicking on "Design" and then "Content"
• Add the new Typelist and publish changes
• You should now see our "Blinkie" on your blog!

ETA: I apologize for any confusion in how it is that Blogger users can add this blinkie to their blogs. Thanks to Nikki for providing the code for Option 1 below!!!

Blogger Users Option 1:

• Go to your home page and select "Layout"
• Select "Add Gadget"
• Paste the following code in the HTML space:<a href="http://www.ellenhutson.com/"><img style="DISPLAY: block;MARGIN: 0px auto 10 px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 125px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt=""src=http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz243/ellen_hutons?EHLLC-WCMD-Blinkie.gif border-"0"/></a>
• Select "Save"
• You should now see our "Blinkie" on your blog!

OR Blogger Users Option 2:

• Go to your home page and select "Layout"
• Select "Add Gadget"
• A list pops up, click on the "+" next to "Picture"
• Paste the following code in the "Link" box: "http://www.ellenhutson.com"
• Select "From the Web" in the "Image" box and in the box beneath paste the following: "http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz243/ellen_hutson/EHLLC-WCMD-Blinkie.gif"
• Select "Save"
• You should now see our "Blinkie" on your blog!

Once you see our "Blinkie" on your blog come back to this post and leave a comment with a link to your blog. The deadline for comments and links is Friday, October 2nd at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Using a Random Number generator a winner will be picked on Saturday, October 3rd.

The winner of our "Blinkie Linkie" blog candy will receive our October Stamp of the Month packet, along with all three stamps - trust me when I tell you it is a good one and one of my all time favorites!!! So you have to wait until October 1st to see what goodies will be included - insert teasing little grin.

Be certain to come back tomorrow for more "news" - I think you will like what I'm going to share!

World Card Marking Day Countdown - Announcement

We are counting down the days until World Card Making Day and we are creating something fun just for you right here in the CLASSroom as well as some savings when you are shopping for the holiday season ahead!!!

If you are a subscriber to our newsletter you have received our announcement and one word "hints" about what it is that we have planned. (To subscribe to our newsletter simply go to our home page and scroll all the way to the bottom. Enter your email address and click go - it's much easier than Monopoly once you pass "go" - insert silly grin.) Stay tuned each day until October 1st for a little sneak peek with what we have in store for you!

Bee Mine by Debbie Olson

I'm loving the Sweet Bee stamp set from CHF's Rummage Bin Collection! Today I'm pairing it with some Basic Grey Lemonade papers in a card for my sweet husband. Hmmm--he may have to make a frame, because it would look nice in our bedroom or bath. Finished size is 5-1/4" square.

First I chose my stamp set and papers. I knew that I needed some nice warm tones to go with the bee and honey theme.

I stamped the lace piece in Versamark and heat embossed it with vanilla embossing powder.

Next I stamped the pussy willows in Memento Rich Cocoa ink and colored them with the Copic markers listed on the picture before distressing the edges with Antique Linen Distress ink.

Here are some of the miscellaneous bits and pieces that I'm trying to work into my card layout.

This is my finished card background. I chose knotted twill rather than a silk bow because I thought it would be more "guy appropriate" with knotted twill. (So we're all ignoring the tiny floral pattern in the bottom layer, right?)

Here is a close up of the "B mine" sentiment, along with its gold embossed, bejeweled crown.

And here is how I hid the "do list"--with two honey-combed hearts. I used an EK Success Binding Edge punch for the top of the "honey" panel. Copic markers that I used were W1, Y21, Y26, and 0.

I ended up using a combination of two sentiments inside, as well as the bee image. The bee wings both inside and on the card front are coated with Diamond Stickles for a sweet bit of shimmer.

Thank you for visiting the CLASSroom today!

Shabby Mini-Calendar by Julia Stainton

I've been very much intrigued with altering packaging lately. When I saw the cute little CD case the Webster's Pages Mini Calendars came in, I wanted to make my own altered calendar holder with it. With a few supplies, it was easy to create a holder than could be hung on the wall and also open to switch out the calendar pages. The case comes with twelve sheets (3 each of 4 designs) that complete a year.

To go more with the style of the paper, I painted the edges of CD case packaging with Claudine Helmuth Gesso. Use a dry brush to get a streaky effect and allow to dry. It will probably take about 1/2 hour depending on your humidity. Gesso is a primer that will hold very well onto the plastic case.

While the paint dries, it' fun to make some multi-layered flower embellishments with the Nested Dahlia die. I punched a couple sizes out of coordinating Webster's Pages paper.

To use the calendar pages, simply fill in the dates in the appropriate spaces and circle the month at the bottom. I like using the Copic Multiliner pens for this as I know they are not going to bleed or run.

My stamped sentiment is one of my favorite phrases & I think goes well with a calendar. It's from the On the Desk stamp set and is stamped in Tuxedo Black Memento ink and then die cut with one of the dies from the Spellbinders Ribbon Tags Trio. To add a little more white to the project and fluff up my die cut flower, I layered it over a flower, White Rounded Florals, that I wrinkled the edges on. To finish the project, I opened the CD cover and looped a length of silk ribbon through each side and then knotted it.

Have a creative weekend! Thanks for stopping by the CLASSroom!

Magical Birthday by Sharon Harnist

I was so excited to get hold of my favorite Webster's Pages' new Petite Paper Pad ... and it did NOT disappoint!  Their gorgeous papers in a smaller scale and 6-inch paper pad -- what could be better?  Not much!  These papers are perfect for cardmakers or anyone that prefers scrapbooking on a smaller scale.  These would make a quick and beautiful brag scrapbook, too. 

This wonderful rose pattern is from the Magical Wishes & A Sweet Life pad -- I think it's fabulous you get two different Webster's collections in one pad for such a small price!  I decided to make a birthday card and thought some pretty glitter would go well this paper.  Martha Stewart's glitter set is fabulous -- with 24 wonderful colors to choose from, I was sure to find the perfect match for this paper!

Here's how I glittered the sentiment tag.  I pressed the tag die into the Essential Glue Pad, "inking" the inside of the die with the glue.  Then I die cut my sentiment that had been stamped onto Neenah Classic Cream cardstock with Peeled Paint Distress ink.  I didn't bother embossing the tag, since it would be covered with glitter.

Then I carefully took the cardstock out of the die (it may be a little bit flimsy since this die is so intricate, with narrow swirlies and the paper is wet with the glue) and sprinkled the glitter all over the tag.  NOTE: Please remember to immediately clean the glue off your die, using mild soap & water or a baby wipe!

The left side of the card is a pattern from the reverse side of this paper I used -- I just hand trimmed the printed bracket and adhered it to the left side of my card.  More leftover paper (from trimming the 6" piece of paper down to 4-1/8" x 5-3/8") was used to punch the butterfly.

Three ivory buttons accent the bottom left of the card and some leaves from the patterned paper were cut out and tucked underneath them.  The edges of the paper were distressed and then machine stitched to the cream A-2 sized (4.25" x 5.50") card base.  Thanks for visiting today!

• Stamps: Kim Hughes Silhouette Blooms II
• Paper: Webster's Pages Petite Paper Pad-Magical Wishes, Neenah Classic Cream
• Ink: Ranger Peeled Paint Distress Ink
• Accessories: Spellbinders Tag die, Essential Glue Pad, Martha Stewart Essential Colors Glitter-Golden Beryl & Classic Butterfly punch, Buttons, Tim Holtz Paper Distresser, sewing machine

Kitty Wishes by Kim Hughes

Crazy maybe, but I am really looking forward to Christmas this year...the music, the shopping and of course...creating Christmas cards.  I just love it all!!  This new image by Karen Lockhart is just the sweetest.

Supplies:

*New* Karen Lockhart Limited Edition 2009 "Nicholas & Kitty"

Scrapblock, Vintage Text

Copic ( Y000, YR24, YR21, B21, B00, YG63, E00, R21, R27)

Flower Soft, Soft Ivory, Flower Soft Glue

Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Pitch Black

Cardstock, Neenah Classic Solar White

I stamped on white card stock and cut out the snow globe.

I started with coloring the trees.  First with the lightest shade and then a darker green.  I colored darker in come areas with the same darker green marker.

and I blended a little with the Y000

I colored the kitty first with YR21 and came in with the darker orange to add dimension.

I then colored the bows red and the gift/tag pink.

I colored the snowman's coat, hat and mitten with B00 and came back with B21 to add dimension.  I blended with B00

I colored the nose with YR21 and added it to the trees, kitty and gift.  It tends to tie in all of the colors together.

I decided that my snow globe needed some "snow"

Add flower soft glue to the bottom and press Flower Soft onto it.  Allow to dry and remove excess.

I created a simple mask or stencil with a punched square.  I chose 4 strong colors from my stamped image.

I placed my square stencil over another piece of white card stock and colored with a Copic marker.

I repeated with 3 more colors. I cleaned up the edges with the pen tip.

I inked up the Vintage Text Scrapblock and stamped over the 4 base squares.

Lastly, I cut around the 4 squares to use as my card base.  I propped the snow globe up onto dimensional dots and let the sweet scene speak for itself.  That darling scene was a treat to work with. I am so glad that you stopped by.  :)

Christmas Cheer by Debbie Olson

Today's post is a short and simple one. I don't know about you, but the closer I get to Christmas, the more I need to simplify my cards in order to actually finish them. I just got a package of the new Webster's Pages Petite Papers Holiday Collection, as well as a Mona Lisa Vintage Christmas Expressions stamp set. These two pair beautifully to make an easily mass-produced card.

After stamping the sentiment, I die cut it with a Ribbon Tags 2 die, edging the die cut with some distress ink. The Champagne Dew Drops are actually off white; for some reason they have a blue-green cast in the photo--probably from the ribbon. 

I used a Spellbinders Create a Flake 2 die to cut the snowflake, and then ran it through a Xyron machine and glittered it with some crystal glitter. (if this snowflake die is temporarily out of stock and you are in a hurry to get started the Snowflake Wonder die set would work the same way.) I did not emboss these since I was coating them with glitter.

The pattern is so pretty on the Webster's Pages mini papers that they make really elegant card fronts. I did just a bit of sewing to frame the card front, and I added a bow. That's it--simple and easily reproducible!

Thank you for visiting the CLASSroom today.

Just Believe by Julia Stainton

I love fabric and this week I was inspired by a gorgeous Fabric Fancies tag by Webster's Pages. It's a gorgeous light-weight printed fabric that is pre-cut and just beautiful. The fabric has been sized (lightly stiffened) so that it is extremely easy to work with. While I was getting inspired, I must have had my thumb over the Christmas tree as I couldn't wait to make it into a hope card. Next month is breast cancer awareness month and I always like to make a card or two. I was momentarily stumped when I noticed the Christmas tree (and yes it would be beautiful on a Christmas card) but came up with an idea on how to make it work. Being able to use product for occasions other than the one intended is a great way to make the most of your supplies. Don't be afraid to think outside the box.

I pulled together the papers and goodies that I wanted to work with. I love fancy brads and this new package of Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses Stitched Brads toned in perfectly. This is also a Christmas themed product but I chose out the dotted pink and red brad as it worked with the colors and wasn't Christmas-specific.The 6x6 papers are a mixture of patterns from the Magical Wishes & a Sweet Life paper pack and the Postcards from Paris & Sweet as Cherry Pie.  Each paper pack consists of two lines of papers, 36 double sided papers in each. Card base is Neenah Classic Solar White.

To plan out my design, I cut the layers and decided on using another piece of gorgeous paper to fussy cut a floral embellishment. Fussy cutting is taking a printed element, usually on patterned paper and cutting it out. Webster's Pages papers are especially wonderful for this technique and I'm loving the smaller Petite Papers packs. You can see the corner detail on the green floral paper and how beautiful it would be to cut out.

To fussy cut your images simply cut around the edges with small sharp scissors. A great tip is to cut slowly and turn the paper rather than the scissors to get a really smooth edge.

 

The Tim Holtz Paper Distresser works great to give detail to the edge.

Another detail I added is stitching. While the design would have held up without it, I like the extra touch and wanted to see how the fabric tag would stitch. The answer: really well!

To create an awareness ribbon, simply twist one end over the front and fasten with the brad.

This tiny butterfly was also cut out of the patterned paper. I covered it with Ranger Glossy Accents and then sprinkled with Twinklets Diamond Dust. After allowing to dry, I adhered the butterfly and embellishments to complete the card.

Have a creative weekend and thanks for stopping by the CLASSroom!

Halloween Decor by Sharon Harnist

You've been seeing a few new Fall & Holiday stamps from Karen Lockhart and today I'd like to show you one of my favorites from this latest release, another in her series of "In The Window" stamps -- Halloween! 

I thought this image would be cute as a home decor sign or door hanger, so I picked up an inexpensive metal sign on sale at the craft store to alter.  Alternately, you could always recycle something you already have or die cut Craft-A-Board into any shape you'd like and use that as your base.  Above is how mine started out!

And here's my altered decor:

 

I started by adhering some of Basic Grey's new Eerie 6-inch patterned paper to the metal sign, using decoupage glue.  After adhering the paper to the sign, I also gave it a top coat of decoupage glue, to protect the paper.

I stamped the image and colored it with these Copic markers and Spica Glitter Pens in silver (spiders & web) pitch black (banners), and chocolate (pumpkin trendils):

After coloring and cutting out the stamped image, I layered it onto more of the Eerie patterned paper die cut with Spellbinders Labels Two and adhered everything to the sign with more decoupage glue. 

  

Using Red Liner tape, I adhered the pom-pom trim.  Then to finish, I wrapped silver tinsel pipe cleaners around the wire hanger, to give a bit of a festive feel.  Happy Fall!

• Stamps: Lockhart Stamp Company In The Window-Halloween
• Paper: Basic Grey Eerie 6x6, Neenah Natural White
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers & Spica Glitter Pens (shown above)
• Accessories: Spellbinders Labels Two dies, Royal Coat Decoupage glue, 1/4" Red Liner Tape
• Other: Metal sign from craft store or recycled, pom-pom trim, silver tinsel pipe cleaners

Butterfly Wishes by Kim Hughes

 

How often do you give your loved ones a card for no reason?  I know that I don't do it often enough.  So, I decided to start today, with this card.

Supplies:

ACardstock, Neenah Classic Solar White

Basic Grey Buttons, Wisteria

Gemstones, Smooth Clear Round

Basic Grey 6x6 Patterned Paper Pad, Wisteria

COPIC Sketch Marker G82, Spring Dim Green

Silk Ribbon, by the yard

Cosmo Cricket 6" Mini Deck Paper Pad, The Boyfriend

Martha Stewart Craft Punch, Classic Butterfly

Scrapblock, Vintage Text

Distress Ink Pad, Frayed Burlap

Memory Box stamp: You Make My Heart Flutter

other:

scalloped edged scissors

vellum

brown pen

 

start by punching a butterfly from scrap paper and choose your base paper.  I inked up my Vintage Text Scrapblock and stamped over the butterfly punch.

 

Once I added the pattern onto the butterfly shape, I traced the image with a brown pen.  Repeat.

 

I then colored 2 clear crystals with a Copic marker so that it will coordinate with my base paper.  These gems are for the butterfly bellies.

 

I stamped the sentiment in the lower right corner of a white card stock base.  I thought that vellum would add a soft touch to my card.

I brought in some red and purple for a unique color combo.  I used scalloped scissors to add a decorative edge.  Draw a straight line on the back of your paper for easy cutting.

 

hide the adhesive behind the vellum, where the patterned paper on top is seen.

 

Assemble your card and add button accents.  My silk ribbon had creases in it from being folded, so I heated up my straight iron and pulled it through...creases gone immediately.

I am so happy that you stopped by, thank you :)

Fall Window by Debbie Olson

Have you seen Karen Lockhart's newest releases? I love her window series, and the Fall Window was calling my name when I started thinking about today's post! I chose some papers from the Cosmo Cricket Earth Love Mini Deck to compliment the Fall Window image and then started coloring with my Copic Markers. Remember that you can click on any picture in this post to see a larger version.

I began with the pumpkins, using the Copic markers on the left for the pumpkins and the ones on the right for the stems. If you click and see the picture larger, you will see that I have finished blending the pumpkin on the left. I left the two pumpkins on the right un-blended so that you could see what it looks like before blending. Also, I'm blending with the YR00 or YR12 marker--not the clear blender.

Here it is with all of the pumpkins blended.

Next, I worked on the curtains, shown here, using the three green Copic markers shown below that.

Apples are always fun. Because they are generally shiny, you can use a great range of values, even on a small surface.

The two markers on the left were the markers that I used for the light inside my window, and the four on the right were my apple colors.

For the shutters and corn, I used the Copic markers shown below. I also added some Spica Glitter pen, inking Mint or Sand over the vine-y runners, Peach over berries, and Buttermilk over some orange highlights.

Finally, I matted and randomly stitched around my focal image before mounting it to my card front. I love coloring Karen's images; they are so well thought-out in terms of shading that they are relatively simple to color, even when they are small, detailed images.

Thank you for visiting the CLASSroom today!

Quite the Pear by Julia Stainton

One of the things I love most about this time of year is the harvest of late summer fruits and vegetables. Beautiful days and cooler nights make us start to think about cooking more and using warm and rich colors. I love pears and this fun sentiment, We make quite the Pear, reminded me that my anniversary is coming up. Twenty years...where did they go?! As hubby isn't a hearts and roses kind of guy, I thought this would be a fun card to create for him. The pear, canning label and sentiment are from the CHF ATC set, Can It.

The new Cosmo Cricket Mini Decks are making me swoon. The scaled down prints are perfect for cardmaking and smaller projects. This Early Bird Mini Deck has a fabulous pear print that works perfectly for this design. When choosing matching patterned papers, I love to add a stripe print and for a coordinating hit of color, the red dotted paper. Across the top edge of this paper I punched a fun border with the Binding Edge Punch.

I like stamping images on paper other than white cardstock and for this design, I chose Kraft cardstock by Memory Box. Colored pencils work really well on this paper and can be sharpened to get into detailed images.

To add a highlight after coloring, simply take an eraser and remove color where you wish.

The image was then cut out with fine scissors. I left a little border around the image but it can also but trimmed right on the line if that is your preference.

 

When putting my card together, I adhere and stitch the layers before adhering to my Vanilla Bean Memory Box note card.

I adore chipboard buttons but didn't have one that matched my project. It was super easy to make a matching one using supplies I had on hand. Save the cardboard backing that comes in 12x12 paper packs as a great resource for making these custom buttons.To make the button die cut cleanly together, I first adhere the patterned paper well to the cardboard. The Spellbinders Circle Dies die cut the button perfectly and even leave a nicely embossed edge on the button.

After sponging the edges of my button with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink, I punched out the holes in the button using a small hole punch. Some fun Martha Stewart Baker's Twine ties up the button and around the pear branch. For the final touch, the sentiment is stamped, crumpled and pinned to the button.

Thanks for stopping by the CLASSroom today!

Tri-Fold Gift Card Holder by Sharon Harnist

With the holidays and Fall birthdays fast approaching, I thought I'd revive a tri-fold card/gift card holder I originally made back in May 2006 and update it a bit (you won't be able to view that May '06 link unless you are a SCS Fan Club member).

I adore rich, dark reds, so these new Memory Box Spiceberry 6x6 patterned papers were calling my name!  I selected this pattern because of the tree branches and decided this sweet Memory Box Owl Branch would accent them pretty well.

I started with a 5.50" x 11" piece of Memory Box Crimson cardstock and scored it on the back side at 4.25" and 8.50" (Memory Box cardstock has a white core/back).  This will leave you with a 2.50" flap that will fold to the inside of the card (showing the crimson color) and become the pocket for your gift card:

Next, I die cut the edge of the longer end (opposite the small flap) of my card base with the Curved Rectangle Mega Nestabilities ... the Labels 8 would work well, too.  I also die cut the dotted & tree patterned papers (lower edges only) and adhered them to my cardfront.  For a little bit of added interested, I sanded the edges to bring out the white core of the cardstock and accentuate the angles of the die cutting.

I stamped the owls and their branch with Memento Rich Cocoa ink onto Neenah Classic Cream cardstock, cut them out, and then colored them with these Copic markers:

The sentiment from Mona Lisa Moments Essential Expressions was stamped onto Sage cardstock and then die cut with the smallest Labels Trio die and anchored to the cardfront with a tied clear button that was customized by placing a punched circle of coordinating patterned paper underneath it! 

The inside crimson flap was notched out by die cutting with Classic Circle Nestabilities and then machine stitching the edges, forming a pocket:

I hope you'll find some uses for this quick & easy gift card holder -- I know I will!  Thanks so much for visiting the CLASSroom today!

• Stamps: Memory Box Owl Branch, Mona Lisa Moments-Essential Expressions 
• Paper: Memory Box Spiceberry 6x6 patterned paper, Crimson cardstock, Sage cardstock.  Neenah Classic Cream cardstock
• Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Copic markers (shown above) 
• Accessories: Scor-It board, Spellbinders Curved Rectangle Mega Nestabilities, Classic Circle Nestabilities & Labels Trio dies. Clear Card Buttons, Martha Stewart Baker's Twine, Sanding block 

Halloween Greetings by Kim Hughes

Happy 9/9/09 :)

I get excited about Halloween when I see all of the aisles of candy in stores, so I thought I'd create a card to prepare us for such a fun holiday.  I realize that it's a  not a huge card giving holiday, but why not, right?

Supplies:

 

Craft-a-Board

 

Cut-N-Dry Stamp Pad Foam

 

Memory Box 6x6 Cardstock, Dewfrost, Memory Box 6x6 Cardstock, Twilight

 

Halloween Greetings

 

Web Crawler Memory Box stamp (web and spider on one stamp)

 

Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Pitch Black,

 

Dew Drops Bottle, Cowboy

 

other:

 

Buttons

 

Cut Craft a board and Stamp pad foam to the same size as the web stamp.

 

 

Heat the grey side of the Stamp Pad Foam with a heat gun.  I heated it for about 1 minute.  Press the red rubber stamp onto the hot pad.

 

 

Once you lift the stamp, ink the entire surface with Pitch Black ink

 

 

Press the foam stamp onto the craft a board.  By creating a foam stamp, you are creating a reversed image of the original.

 

 

then use the white side of the Stamp Pad Foam to ink the edges of the craft a board.

 

...until it looks a bit "spooky"

 

then use some paper scraps to design your card.  Stamp sentiment in the lower right corner

 

 

And then use the same foam pad to chalk the edges with pitch black ink.

 

 

Assemble the card and add 2 button accents to anchor the main panel.  I added some machine stitching to add interest.  Stamp a spider accent next to the sentiment and add a dew drop to the spider's body (I think it looks eerily real, but it adds such a fun touch)  As I sit back to look at the finished card, it reminds me of Charlott's web as she hangs out in the barn.  This card will be mailed out to someone, for sure...are you with me?

 

Thank you for joining me today.  :)

Gesso Goodness by Susan Roberts

A couple of months ago here in the CLASSroom, Ellen featured 3 beautiful tags that she created using Gesso.  I had never used it before but was so inspired after seeing her tags, that I knew I was going to have to give Gesso a try.

On her Tag #2 she states, "I painted a layer of gesso directly on to my red rubber image (you will find another image below showing the amount of gesso that I use. If you slather on a layer that is too thick you will lose all the stamp details. If the layer is too thin, it will dry quickly and not leave a nice impression. Experimenting with the amount of gesso to use will be gained by experience only."  Well it was time for me to experiment and gain some experience!  Just exactly how much was "too thick" and how much was "too thin"?

To begin my experiment I decided to use the largest and detailed image from the CHF "Key Elements" set.  I applied a truly thick layer of Gesso on my rubber image and then stamped the image 3 times.

Each resulting stamped image had less and less Gesso.  Oh my!!  The results were incredible!  Where more Gesso did compromise the detail, it made up for in fabulous lumps and bumps (aka TEXTURE)!!

(Be sure to follow Ellen's advise to immediately wash off the Gesso from your rubber stamp.  It rinses off quite easily before it dries... not so much after it dries!)

I chose to use Tim Holtz  Fired Brick Ranger Distress Ink.  So after the Gesso had dried I applied it directly from the pad to the image stroking it in all directions to emphasize all the texture.  The results made me giddy with delight!

 

Can you believe how fabulous that is!?!  And this is the image with the least amount of Gesso.  Check these out!

I lightly sanded the images before applying a second color of the Distressed Ink.

 

 

I cut out and matted each image and made 3 cards.  To show off some of the Basic Grey's "June Bug" and "Lemonade" Designer Paper Collections, I tore the front right hand edge completely off.

By adhering the designer papers to the inside of the card, some of the paper can be seen whether the card is open or closed.  These are such gorgeous prints!  I mixed and matched the two collections with 2 different patterns per card.

To make this set of cards more versatile, I chose to stamp the sentiments on separate detached strips.  This way, no matter what the need or occasion may be, I can easily add any sentiment desired.  A cute mini paper clip is attached to each card just for this purpose.  This could also be a fun gift set with several sentiment strips included for the recipient to add as needed.

 

I also had lots of fun layering and matching the Art Flowers to the designer papers.  I couldn't find a good pink or yellow to match on one of the cards so I used my Copics to color them for a closer match.

Gesso is wonderful.  It is extremely easy to work with and gives such fabulous depth and texture to a project.  And I've decided that there is no "too thick" or "too thin".  It's all goodness and just depends on the look (and feel) you want to achieve.  What could be better!?!

(Click image for larger view.)

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The following products used on these cards are available at Ellen Hutson, LLC.

Stamps: Cornish Heritage Farms:  "Key Elements", "Weave Backgrounder", "We Remember" ('With Sympathy' sentiment), "Wedding Centers" ('Happy Wedding Day' and 'Congratulations' sentiments), "Silhouette Blooms I" ('Thoughts of You' sentiment)

Papers: Memory Box: Granny Smith, Currant, Crimson; Neenah: Classic Cream; Basic Grey: "June Bug", "Lemonade"

Inks: Memento: "Tuxedo Black"; Ranger Distress Inks: "Fired Brick", "Old Paper", "Weathered Wood"

Accessories:  Claudine Hellmuth: Studio Gesso; Art Flowers; Dew Drops; Tim Holtz; Mini Paper Clips; Ribbon Lace; Ornare: Piercing Tool and Template

Welcome, Autumn by Debbie Olson

Yesterday was a good mail day. It brought some new toys to play with: the Cosmo Cricket Mini Decks, and a CHF Autumn Trees set. Today happens to feel more like summer than autumn, but I'm definitely seeing more trees changing--something that always makes me want to create fall cards!

I began with three sheets from the Earth Love mini deck and a couple of images stamped in Memento Rich Cocoa ink.

When I got ready to color in the green leaves, I had a bit of a quandary: I didn't have greens that were just right with the paper. So I thought that I would show you a bit about tweaking colors by the addition of warm or cool grays.

The original green trio that I used is shown on the left, and the tweaked versions, the top with WARM grays added over the colors, and the bottom with COOL grays added over the colors, shows you how you can manipulate color to be what you need it to be. [Remember that you can click on any picture to see it larger.]

Here is my almost-complete focal image with the chosen papers. It seemed to need something still, so I decided to airbrush a bit of grass and sky. 

I used Copic BG45 and YG63 for the backgrounds. I did not mask anything, so I was careful to spray lightly. When you are airbrushing, it's always better to start farther back from the image than you think you need to be and work your way closer as you want to deepen the color. It's much easier to go darker than to go lighter--trust me on that one!

I used the binder edging punch along the lightest patterned paper and did some machine stitching to add warm coziness. Buttons are great for adding warmth and pulling in accent colors as well. Don't be afraid to play with your marker colors; try new combinations on scraps of cardstock, and try tweaking colors with the warm or cool grays. It's okay--you won't hurt the markers since Copic markers do not cross-contaminate, and after all, it's only paper--enjoy!

Thank you for visiting the CLASSroom today.

Indian Summer Cheer

I came in to work today to put all the new Basic Grey goodies---Eerie, Eskimo Kisses, and Indian Summer---that arrived in our warehouse up on the store for you to enjoy some fun holiday weekend shopping. As I did so a friend going through a hard time right now was on my mind the entire time, so I decided to make a quick card to let her know that she is on my mind and in my heart.

The colors in this set are stunningly beautiful and I believe that these are some of her favorite colors. I utitlized the woolies bird (it sort of looks like a dove) to symbolize the peace that I hope she finds soon.

To adhere the ribbon in a very quick manner I typically now pull out my Glue Glider. The tiny little "striplets" work perfect for adhering narrow ribbon and really does stick!

I wanted to add just a little more pizazz to the bird, as well as bring more of the golden tone to it. On the other woolies in this packet I noticed little rhinestones adhered to a number of the embellishments. In this case I felt that the pearls had a softer, more serene appearance. I gently removed pearls and adhered them to the bird wing. It is super easy to affix these because they have an adhesive strip that keeps them moving along your project with a perfect distance spaced between each pearl.

Lastly I added a little stitching to the upper corner. Using an Ornare template (I apologize for using a discontinued one - I didn't realize that we are completely sold out of this particular one and sadly many of these designs are no longer available) I poked the holes and then used embroidery thread to complete the stitching.

When one needs to create a quick card I highly recommend these new elements, woolies and pops, that Basic Grey has created. They are beautifully designed and add a wonderful focal point to your project.

stamps:  Mona Lisa Moments Encouragement Expressions

ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

paper:  Basic Grey Indian Summer 6x6 pad, Memory Box Vanilla Bean

other: Basic Grey Indian Summer Take Note, Woolies and Glazed Brads, Ornare Template, Embroidery Thread, Websters Pages Classic Trim, Martha Stewart Simple Scallop Edger Punch, Glue Glider Pro, 24 Karat Pearls

snowpuff branch card by cindy lyles

This style card doubles as a holiday hello card or as a seasonal thank you. I've borrowed Debbie Olson's technique that I learned from her, of keeping the Nestabilities die in place while airbrushing.  This creates a wonderful edge to the die-cut cardstock.

Memory Box Snowpuff Branch image and CHF Kindness sentiment were stamped with Memento Rich Cocoa ink onto white cardstock.

The image was die cut and embossed with Nestabilities Labels One.  I left the die in place, and began airbrushing with Copic B21 - getting closer to the cardstock where I wanted darker color and kept the gun at a distance where I wanted softer color.

Using Ruby Red Liquid Pearls I dotted the 'berries' of the branch image.  Allowed to dry about 30 minutes (less in drier climates). 

Now time for some fun:  I traced a Quickie Glue Pen on top of a few branches, then scattered Flower Soft Ivory on top of the liquid adhesive to mimic snow.  Allowed to dry (about five minutes) then carefully brushed off excess flowers. 

Card base is Memory Box Kraft - size is 4-1/4" x 5-1/2".  Patterned papers are from Memory Box Dewfrost.  A Martha Stewart border punch was used for the Dewfrost paper edge, and red silk ribbon was added to complement the berries.

Snowpuff Branch image was stamped on the envelope with Memento Rich Cocoa ink, and again without reinking, on the card interior.  Strips of extra Dewfrost patterned paper add interest to the inside of the card.  Thank you for stopping by the CLASSroom today!

Custom Clock by Sharon Harnist

The first moment I saw this beautiful Graphic 45 Fashionista (Debutante) paper, I knew I wanted to make a custom clock out of it, so here it is!  I had always wanted to try making my own custom clock and finally found out how truly easy (and inexpensive!) it is -- this clock only took about 2 hours to make!

I started with a 12-inch round unfinished wooden photo frame I found at my local craft store.  Granted, round is a little bit out of the ordinary, but I've routinely seen plenty of square and rectangle shaped frames available.  The round piece in the center is where a photo would be normally.  It turns out these wooden types of frames are usually pretty good candidates for making clocks since the area the photo fits into is usually recessed on the back of the frame, making the perfect spot for the clockworks to fit into! 

I also purchased basic clockworks from the craft store -- I opted for longer hands than what came with the standard clockworks, and adhesive clock numbers also found in the same section of the store.  You could always use your own chipboard numbers or stamp them.

I started by painting the exposed areas of the frame that would not be covered with paper, using Claudine Hellmuth's black Studio acrylic paint.
TIP:I keep the cellophane packaging that comes with 12-inch patterned paper and use that on my work surface to protect it from the paint or glue.

Next, I measured and cut my patterned paper and adhered it to the wood frame using decoupage glue.  Then I came to a stumbling bock -- the center of the wood frame (that backs and holds your photo in place) was also wood and I had no way to drill a hole in it, in order to insert the clockworks.  And since hubby wasn't home, I wasn't about to try and find any kind of power tool of his to try and use!

My solution ... Craft-a-Board!  I simply traced the round wooden photo backer onto Craft-a-Board and cut it out simply, with scissors.  Then I covered the CAB with coordinating Fashionista (Le Fleur) patterned paper (again, using decoupage glue) and used this for the center of my clock.  The CAB was very easy to punch a hole in the center, using my eyelet hole making tool & hammer.

Next, I inserted the clockworks through the hole and assembled as instructed.  The photo above shows how the clockworks look on the back side of the clock/frame.

Finally, I wanted to customize the adhesive numbers, so I also gave them a coat of the black Studio paint, and then adhered them to the clock front.  To finish it all off, I decided to dry brush a little Traditional Tan Studio paint over the black -- just to give it a bit of a soft, worn look.

I can imagine all kinds of inexpensive (but don't look it!) custom clocks now -- in a variety of shapes, for any room or occasion!  I hope this gift/home decor idea gets your creative juices flowing, too!

• Paper: Graphic 45 Fashionista Collection-Debutante & Le Fleur
• Accessories: Craft-a-Board, Claudine Hellmuth's Studio acrylic paints-Charcoal Black & Traditional Tan, Royal Coat Decoupage glue 
• Other: Wooden photo frame, clock pieces

Western Hideaway card by Kim Hughes

Howdy friends.  This project was going in an entirely different direction until I saw the effect the Distress ink pad had on cream card stock.  I was pleased to see that it looked like denim.  So, I went with it.  This is an interactive card that I hope you will find fun to create.

 

Supplies:

Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Lettuce, Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Espresso, Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Cranberry

Distress Ink Pad, Weathered Wood

Kim Hughes, Collage Elements I, Kim Hughes, Happy Trails

Nestability Dies - Labels Three

Backgrounder, Fine Gingham

A2 Cardstock, Neenah Classic Cream

Basic Grey Buttons, Granola

H1 Notecards and Envelopes, Mocha (Memory Box)

other:

twine

star punch

Brilliance gold ink

 

Start with the Nestability die and cut a shape from cream card stock.  Score into thirds.

 

Use Distress ink to change the color and give it a denim look.

 

Press the pad onto the paper and turn with each press.  Cover both sides of the decorative shaped paper

 

apply ink to the fine gingham stamp to create a custom "flannel" pattern.  Press onto cream card stock.  Set aside.

 

stamp the sentiment onto cream card stock with bronw ink and cut the bubble letters out.

 

Adhere the cut sentiment onto the inside of the "hideaway" space.

 

punch a star from cream card stock and press gold ink over the entie surface (allow to dry)

 

 

tape twine onto the back of the denim paper and wrap around multiple times and tie in a bow.

 

gather supplies to create patterned cactus.  polka dots are from Collage Elements set and cactus is from Happy Trails set

 

press the green ink pad lightly onto the cream card stock

 

stamp cactus with the same green ink pad

 

stamp polka dot pattern with the same green ink pad once again.

 

then cut out cactus and use as accents.

 

To complete this card, add a tiny brown button to the center of the card and add the cactus behind the denim pouch.  Machine sew around the edge of the card.

Thank you SO much for stopping by :)

Stamp of the Month, September

Options, options, options! This month we have three different stamp options for you to select from. It is always so difficult to figure out how many stamp of the month packets to prepare each month - they never seem to last long enough, and yet I know that I just don't have the $$$ and shelf space to have too many. So we are trying something a little different. This month we are offering a stamp from each of the three manufacturers whose products we represent and kitting the paper in a separate pack. This will hopefully allow you to enjoy the kit, without duplicating your stamp purchases. Please note that once again these are available in limited supply.

It was such a thrill to open the boxes of Cosmo Cricket 6x6 mini deck paper pads! The scale of these papers... the colors... the coordinating ribbon trim... YUMMALICIOUS! I just couldn't resist, so this month I am pairing it together with Memory Box Pea Pod notecards and some very basic stamping techniques to offer up a variety of looks. It was SO much fun!

The first selection starts with the Lockhart Star Butterfly. I literally started laughing out loud the other day when I saw how Debbie created her masterpiece. Little did she know that I had selected the exact same ingredients for this month's stamp of the month. Her work is SO inspiring and for yet another layout using a very similar combination you need to visit her blog. 

 

Begin by coloring your butterfly image using the marker colors listed below. I have been wanting to play with Flower Soft to create antennae for some time now and I figured there was no time like the present. I shaped the flower soft wire using my round nose pliers and cut it with wire cutters. You can change the color of the wire by coloring it with Copic Markers - in this case I used N7.

Add a small amount of glue to the end of the antennae and sprinkle black flower soft on to these tips. Allow to dry.

By adding a strip of adhesive using my Glue Glider I was then able to attach the antennae to my butterfly body. Another strip once the antennae was in place and I was then able to affix the body to the card face.

Adding Cotton Candy stickles to my sewn trail and to the stars on the body and my piece sparkles in the morning sunshine.

This next image uses a very similar layout, but in a vertical format. I absolutely love how the Cosmo Papers make it so simple to create these rolling hills and the clouds... I think I need to find a grassy knoll someplace and just lie there for a spell and enjoy the last of these summer days.

The Memory Box Eclipse Tree is such an intriguing design. I decided to make one last flowery tree for the summer by stamping the top portion on the floral pattern. I then stamped the image one more time and cut out my tree trunk and branches, inking them with Antique Linen to create a color tone similar to the colors in the Cosmo papers.

I am showing you the tree as it is partly cut out to share this little tip. When cutting small areas it is best to cut out the main image, then remove the smallest sections first, finally cutting out the remaining larger ares. It is almost like carving a pumpkin. If you cut the large areas first and then try and remove the small areas there is nothing left to "hold" the paper securely. Another tip is to turn your paper, rather than your scissors as you cut. I hope this helps those who have a hard time doing "fussy" cutting.

To locate the tree in an appropriate position I placed it in position on my project. I then used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to perfectly position the stamped image that would place the dotted circle precisely where I wanted.

This last picture shows how easy it is to follow the lines of the paper to create your knolls.

 

Add some Icicle stickles, a little zig-zag stitching, button and trim to complete your card.

This last card has the Cornish Heritage Farms, Live Life Wisely Owl sitting in the flowery tree awaiting sunset. I can only begin to envisiou the beautiful brayered sunsets you will create with this silhouetted image!

The only thing of importance to remember when stamping this image on patterned paper is to be certain to locate the eyes in a light toned area of your patterned paper so that the eyes do not disappear. To add texture to this image I stamped the image using Adirondack Pigment ink and then embossed it using Walnut Stain Distress Embossing Powder.

I hope that you enjoy this month's selections and that all these options will provide you with inspiration to create some beautiful "earthy" cards.

stamps:  Star Butterfly (Lockhart Stamp Company), Eclipse Tree (Memory Box Company); Live Life Wisely - Owl (Cornish Heritage Farms) 

ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Antique Linen Distress Ink Pad

markers/pencils: Copic Markers - Y21, YR000, R11, R81, YG0000, G40, YG63, N7; Prismacolor Pencils - Pale Sage, Celadon Green

paper: Cosmo Cricket 6x6 Earth Love Mini Deck, Memory Box Pea Pod Notecard, Neenah Natural White

other: Off White Twill, Flower Soft Wire, Flower Soft Glue, Black Flower Soft, Cotton Candy Stickles, Icicle Stickles, Walnut Stain Distress Embossing Powder, Corner Rounder, Martha Stewart Twine, Urban Prairie Buttons, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Wire Cutters, Round Nose Pliers, Dotted Scallop Punch