the CLASSroom

Faux Letterpress Video Tutorial by Julie Ebersole

 

*click on the pictures to en-biggan (enlarge)*

I can't walk into a stationery store without immediately being drawn to anything done in Letterpress. Luxurious, Italian milled paper, beautiful graphics and type, sometimes plain, sometimes done in bold colors. For a brief history on Letterpress, here's a wonderfully informative link: Hearts & Anchors, History of Letterpress

Those of us that adore the look and feel of this fine stationery have often coveted having our own press. But, even if we could afford it, there's also the dilemma of WHERE to put it . . . *chuckle*

This was all Ellen's idea, just so ya' know. *wink*

Yes. Julie> <Ellen

She looks at the Memory Box dies. And the Art Magnetic Masking Material. And then she gets that look in her eye. You know the look. Heh, heh, heh!!!

Today, we have a video tutorial to show you one method of achieving the look of Letterpress with some very simple yet highly versatile tools and supplies--and they don't take up anywhere near the storage space a press would require!

Enjoy the video here, or if you prefer to watch it in High Definition, just visit YouTube!

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Supplies & Materials:

Art Magnetic Masking Material
Memory Box Die, Fremont Crest
Watercolor Paper
Memory Box Die, Catillion Frame
Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Machine
Versamark Ink Pad
Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Lettuce
Ranger Clear Embossing Powder
Memory Box Die, Lavier Circle
Hero Arts Shadow Ink, Soft Pool
Hero Arts Chalk Ink, Punch
Hero Arts/Basic Grey Clear Design, "Peace, joy love" from Holiday Sayings Stamp Set
Hero Arts Clear Design, "Thank You" from Hello Luscious Frames Stamp Set
Hero Arts, Blush Paper Pack
Doodlebug Designs, Ladybug Twine
Tweezer Bee

Bookmarks From Scraps by Sharon Harnist

Happy Wednesday, everyone!  I love Memory Box’s line of Notecards and Envelopes -- they are easy to grab for a quick card base and have the pretty matching colored envelopes included!  Often, I cut down these A2 card sized card bases (5.50” x 4.25”) and make smaller notecards -- 4.25”, 3.50” or 3” square, and am then left with these scraps:

So I recently set out to make something out of these leftover scraps (most were 2” x 8.50”) and the first thing that came to mind was bookmarks!

         (Click on any photo for a larger view)

To make these bookmarks for my girls sturdy, I adhered my Memory Box colored scrap notecards (unfolded) to 2” x 8.50” pieces of Ellen’s Craft-a-Board. On the left above, I used Meadow and Wisteria, and on the right I used Currant and Licorice. I used more pieces of my leftover notecards (the reverse/inside of Memory Box notecards and cardstock is white) and punched with Open Scallop Edger Punch to make the white scalloped edging.

Next, I stamped a few Lockhart stamp images (Bennie Bear and Crown of Royalty) with Memento Tuxedo Black onto Copic X-Press It Blending Card and colored them with these Copic markers:

Next, I cut out the images and adhered them to Inchie Arts White Inchie + Squares.  For the bear, I colored a white Inchie + Square with YG01 and YG03 Copic markers -- I love that I can make any color of Inchie, Inchie +, or Twinchie Square I want, just by coloring a white one!  I adhered the crown image to a Black Inchie + Square.

Then to personalize each bookmark, I used Kim Hughes’ Paper Smooches Alphadot clear stamps to spell out each girl’s name, “Good Reads” and “Was Here”.

By changing this basic idea around and using more “grown up” or seasonal stamps and paper/cardstock colors, these will also make great gifts for teachers, friends and family for any of the upcoming holidays!

Thanks for visiting the CLASSroom today!  ~ Sharon

Stamps: Lockhart Stamp Company-Bennie Bear #1011, Crown of Royalty #2125; Paper Smooches by Kim Hughes Alphadot clear stamps; 2.50” Round Acrylic Block with Grid;
Paper: Memory Box Notecards & Envelopes-Currant, Licorice, Meadow, Wisteria; Copic X-Press It Blending Card;
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Ranger Adirondack Dye Ink-Purple Twilight;
Copic Markers: Bear-YG01, YG03, BV02, BV04, E41, E42, E43; Crown-RV00, RV55, T0, T2
Accessories: Essentials by Ellen Craft-a-Board; Inchie Arts White Inchie + Squares and Black Inchie + Square; EK Success Open Scallop Edger Punch; 

Very Vintage Christmas by Julia Stainton

I'm not sure if it is all the new and fabulous Christmas product in the Ellen Hutson LLC store or whether is was Julie Ebersole's stunning Holiday card found here on the CLASSroom earlier this week, but I've been so inspired to create for Christmas! If you're feeling the same way, why not join me today for a tutorial on creating some sweet and vintage Christmas ornaments. If you're not quite there yet, that's OK, file the idea away for closer to the holidays.

One of my very favorite styles to design in is vintage. For me, vintage and Christmas just go hand in hand. I love creating holiday cards but I really thought it would be fun to create some vintage-style Christmas tree balls that I could pull out and use each year.

First I started off with a clear glass ball I picked up in my travels. If you have small children in the house, you can even do these with plastic or paper mache balls and get the very same look...just a little more child-friendly. Can you tell I've had more than my share of children who LOVE redecorating the tree? It's not always pretty.

The Claudine Hellmuth Studio Gloss Multi-Medium is an all-round great product. It's perfect for decoupage and adhering things as well as so many other uses.I've just brushed it onto the glass ornament and then laid on torn pieces of tissue paper and then smoothed it out with more Multi-Medium and my paint brush. To easily hold onto the ball but keep my hands clean, I just placed my finger down the neck of the ball.

Once it's all smooth and well-adhered, I applied another generous layer of Multi-Medium and then sprinkled it with some Krystallos Vintage Glass Glitter. It's absolutely stunning looking glitter! Allow to dry before moving the glass ball.

One thing you may want to notice is the Non-Stick Craft Sheet I am working on. It's perfect for messy projects using liquids such as glue, paint or mists. It just wipes clean and totally protects my work surface.

The ornaments are simply beautiful on their own but it's always fun to add a sweet tag. It makes it easy to give these away as a gift. I've created my own little tags using the Sizzix Tiny Tabs and Tags die. I always love cutting a bunch of these from different cardstocks while I have my die out and storing these sweet tags to have on hand. It's so much easier and quicker that way.

Each tag was inked and then embellished. I've tied on some silk ribbon and some beautiful Maya Road Dangling Chandelier Beads.

On the other ornament tag, I decided to stamp some beautiful Christmas images from the Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium Stamp Set 3.

And here's a final closeup. Anyone in the mood for some Christmas crafting?

Thanks so much for joining me today in the CLASSroom! Have a wonderful weekend!

 

Supplies: glass Christmas ornaments, Paris Collage Tissue paper by 7 Gypsies, Claudine Hellmuth Gloss Multi-Medium, Claudine Hellmuth Studio Artist Brushes, Krystallos Vintage Glass Glitter, 1/4" white silk ribbon, Tiny Tabs & Tags Die by Sizzix, Non-Stick Craft Sheet by Ranger, Dangling Chandelier Trinket Beads by Maya Road, Wood Vintage Snowflakes by Maya Road, twine, Jet Black Archival Ink by Ranger, Christmas Emporium Stamp Set 3 by Graphic 45, Vermillion Archival Ink by Ranger, Snowcap White Pigment Ink by Ranger

Holiday Card Boot Camp Winners and Poppystamps Dies

We have our winners for the upcoming...

Our THREE lucky winners are...

A huge thanks to Jennifer McGuire for this generous prize! I have shared these three lucky ladies information with Jennifer and she will be contacting you soon with your free class information! I can assure you that this class is going to be fabulous, so if you haven't signed up yet you will most definitely want to join in this wonderful learning opportunity!

Poppystamps Die Info and Sandwich

Poppystamps dies are so cute and whimsical! These are going to be so very versatile! Below are just some of the new designs we have received in AND there are more to come.

We wanted to make certain that you knew exactly what the dies looked like and provide you with a simple sandwich once again for cutting.

Pictured above is the Grand Madison Window on an A2 cardfront (4 1/4" x 5 1/2"). I can only begin to imagine the creative designs you will all achieve with this design!

As you can see when you cut out the window the additional etched details appear to create a beautiful sill and crown portion.

Once again I used my favorite die cutting machine, the Vagabond, to create this sample. I use the exact same sandwich as when cutting out Memory Box die designs, so if you are currently working with other low-profile dies you will use the exact same sandwich. Following is the Poppystamps sandwich:

I have positioned the plates askew for the photograph above - when cutting you will want to have them positioned directly atop one another.

Following is the sandwich as pictured starting at the base:

• Solo Platform
• Solo Shim (this comes with the Platform, but because it can be damaged after loads of use it can be purchased separately)
• Solo Thin Die Adapter
• Extra shim if necessary - this can be as thin as a piece of copy paper to as thick as a piece of Craft-a-Board. Some machines and dies have a "sweet spot". If you cut out your die image and it is not quite cut all the way through simply add a shim to your sandwich.
• Acrylic Plate or Cutting Pad - I typically keep my extended pad out because it can be easily used for the longer dies such as the rosette. (These cutting pads are too wide to fit in the Cuttlebug.)
• Cardstock
• Poppystamps Die - Position with "blade" side facing down towards cardstock. I like to hold my die in position using tissue tape - this helps keep the alignment perfect. Yes, it's the perfectionist syndrome - LOL!
• Acrylic Plate or Cutting Pad

Now simply send your sandwich through your Big Shot, Big Kick, Vagabond or Cuttlebug and enjoy!

Congratulations again to the lucky winners of the Holiday Card Boot Camp and thank you all for sharing in the excitement. It was so fun to read how many of you create special cards - I just have to share that Erica and her daughter Emily, have you all beat! She is attempting to make about 200 c,ards this holiday season!!! Yes, they have started - LOL!

Serene Snowfall by Julie Ebersole

*click on images to enlarge*

This beautiful Bare Oak Tree by Memory Box is so perfect for a winter-time scene, altho it could also make a great Halloween scene, too! :)  I must admit, I love images that have a lot of flexibility and I even have a spring/summer scene in my head that it would be perfect for!

If you're mailing out a lot of cards this holiday season, you may want to consider a design that is flat, but still has enough sha-zaaaam! to inspire the recipient to oooooh and aaaaaaah, UKWIM?!

This is such an easy way to achieve that and one of my favorite types of holiday designs!

After embossing the tree with Versamark and clear powder, I placed a torn strip of paper to act as a mask--this will help define the horizon line in the scene.  Tearing the edge can give you an artfully rustic effect, but if you wanted a more graphic look, you could cut a smooth edge.

I sponged Aqua dye ink over it all to create the "sky"--love the subtle hue of this particular shade.

After removing the mask, you can see the the snow-covered ground all around the tree.

To add some interest and a punch of color, I laid down some narrow tape flush along all four edges.

I removed one liner paper at a time, and then burnished this gaaaaw-jus shade of glitter into the tape with my finger tips. This micro-fine glitter gives fantastic coverage, creating an elegant sparkly look that is smooth and velvety (is that possible?  Smooth & velvety at the same time?! *chuckle*)

A quick hand-written greeting, and I couldn't resist creating some "snowfall" with a white gel pen, and then mounting the finished panel to a silver metallic card base.

Yes, I oooohed and aaaaahed when I finished it! :)

Thanks for stopping by the CLASSroom today!  Have you started your holiday cards yet?

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Supplies & Materials:

Bare Oak Tree by Memory Box
Versamark
Clear Embossing Powder
Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Aqua
Be Creative Tape, 1/8"
Galvanized Silver Cardstock
Regal Red Glitter Ritz, Microfine
Copic Multiliner SP, 0.3 Black
Uni-ball White Gel Pen

A Most Happy Haunted House with Susan Tierney Cockburn

It is such a pleasure to once again welcome Susan Tierney Cockburn here to the CLASSroom! You can find Susan creating some of THE most delicious baked goods on her blog My Mother's Apron Strings, so if you are tempted by wonderful desserts and loving stories you will most definitely want to visit her blog and leave her a comment on one of her delicious creations there! Susan's fine eye for detail ALWAYS amazes me - I hope you enjoy taking in this beautiful haunted house. Yes, I have to laugh when I say it, but it IS beautiful, while still being haunting. Thank you Susan for sharing this marvelous creation and story with us! -Ellen

This is the second house I have made using Eileen Hull's house by Sizzix and I find so much inspiration evoking in this case, a childhood memory, into a project I can share.

I was almost eleven and a dear friend had decided to have a Halloween party at her grandparent's old house before the family had it torn down. I helped with re-creating a haunted feeling --- adding spider webs, vats of gelatin, wooden coffins, etc. It was as authentic as anyone our ages could make. We had a great time when the rest of our classmates came for the party and I really hated to see the house get demolished a month later.

After that occasion, I saw haunted houses differently, knowing the family that had actually resided there. This replication I did for my Halloween table centerpiece reflects that feeling --- a little spooky, but also joyful. The urns, lining the path to the front door, with its "Welcome" sign, are full of brightly colored chrysanthemums. The smiling Jack O' Lantern on the fence looks mischievous!

Jack the crow on the branch of a "Tim Burton-like" tree acts as the watch dog to anyone approaching, the pumpkin patches surrounding the house waiting for pies to be baked, and the graves with the familiar "pushing daisies" symbol, marks past ancestors --- Emma Gonner and Heidi Osamigo.

Kale, maple leaves, sunflowers and all things beautiful we find in the fall surround the decrepid structure.

All the colorful fall beauty down to the tiniest of lady bugs on one leaf in memory of my daughter, Kelly. When I showed the house to my 3-year old grandson, he asked "Where's the Ghosts, Mimi?" I said, "Ari, this is a Happy Haunted House!" and left it at that. -Susan

Eileen Hull's Sizzix 3-D House Die Cut, Precut 3-D House

Dreamweaver Translucent Embossing Paste

Ranger - Distress Ink -- Black Soot, Pumice Stone, Bundled Sage

Punch Bunch Punches: Medium Begonia Petals (Kale), Mini Sunflower (Chrysanthemums and Daisies), Mini Maple Leaf (pumpkin vines), Mini Oak Leaf (fall leaves), Mini Ivy (ivy trailing up house), Small Sunflower (sunflowers by the fence), Small Tri-leaf (side bushes)

Martha Stewart Punches: Spider Web border (shutters), Mice border (mice running across back of the house)

Neenah Paper for Chrysanthemums, Sunflowers, Daisies

Double-sided Mulberry Paper for leaves

Copic Markers: Chrysanthemums - YR09, Y19, V15, RV17; Flowering Green Kale - BG93, YG63; Purple Kale - V15, BV08

Copper Foil - "silver side" used to create smoke stack

Viva Pearl Pen - Red berries and ladybug, Black for ladybug

Flower Soft - Christmas Green and Sage for the landscape; Koala Grey, Sand and Earth for the path to the door and grave sites

Styrofoam sheet to cut tombstones, then wrapped in mulberry paper and colored with Distress Ink

Fantasy Film - Dandelion for the window panes

Sakura Gelly Roll Metallic Pen - Gold to make Jack O'Lantern face

Faber Castell - XS Black pen to outline the face

Sculpey Clay - to create flower urns/gray and crow?black (baked as directed 275 degrees for 15 minutes, then brushed with Sculpy's Satin glaze to seal)

Witch hat is a gold charm covered with mulberry paper, then sponged with Bundled Sage Distress Ink and finally Metallic Rub-ons in Olive

Glue - The Ultimate

Spider webbing stretched finely to recreate webbing around parts of the house

Floral Supplies: Sycamore pods for the tree, moss in lichen for roof, honeysuckle vine twisted to construct the tree trunk and branches, as well as small wreath above the front door, flower pods that resemble pumpkins

Boot Camp... Yes, You Definitely Want To Attend!

Boot Camp evokes a quiver when you hear those words, but when you combine them with the words Holiday Card, Jennifer McGuire, Kristina Werner and a FABULOUS group of designers... guess what --- it is no longer scary, but TOTALLY EXCITING!

Have you taken a peek at your calendar recently? The holidays are just around the corner! We are here to help you check hand crafted holiday cards off your to-do list!

Join Jennifer McGuire, Kristina Werner and 12 of their most talented friends (yes, our very own Julie Ebersole is included!) as they walk you through how to create your own 2011 holiday card in Holiday Card Boot Camp. Whether you're hoping to create a card that includes photos, a newsletter, a gift card or more --- you're sure to be inspired. This class includes easy to mass-produce cards, 16 videos, card sketches, and stamping and cardmaking techniques.

Holiday Card Boot Camp runs November 7-21, but all content will always be available after signing up! This fabulous class is only $29 and includes many prizes (yes, we have included a prize you will absolutely LOVE), along with a special discount code to our store Ellen Hutson LLC!

For more class information or to register, click here.

AND guess what --- I get to give away THREE free spots in this class :-D So tell us how many holiday cards you are thinking of making this year when you leave your comment below on this post (one comment per person please.) You have until 11:59pm Monday, October 17th, 2011 to be included in this random drawing. We will announce the winner here sometime on Tuesday - good luck and let the holiday card making begin!!!

Breast Cancer Challenge Winners!

A huge thanks to all those of you who participated in our Breast Cancer challenge! Sometimes it is the little things that can count the most in life and my hope is that in some way the small kindness' we show others will brighten their days. I know that recipients of the cards you create will appreciate them so very much.

We have two winners!

Kathryn created this beautiful card - the way she used the ribbons to create her flower is so innovative!

and our second winner...

Jen created this beautiful duo-tone pink card in honor of a special aunt.

Thank you again to all - Jen and Kathryn if you could please send your snail mail address to us at [email protected] we will get your new stamps sent right out to you!

Faux Dry Embossing With Die Cuts by Sharon Harnist

Welcome to the CLASSroom today!  Do you ever need a quick hostess, anniversary, house warming, holiday or birthday gift and opt for the traditional bottle of wine?  Or maybe even a flavor-infused bottle of olive oil for for the culinary inclined?  Then I have a nice gift tag option for you today, using a faux dry embossing technique!

          (click on any photo for a larger view)

To make the process easy, I started with a standard #8 shipping tag -- Tim Holtz’s new kraft tag -- I'm loving these!  Next, die cut or punch a 1-3/8” to 1-1/2” circle in the top of the tag (over and removing the tag’s reinforced hole).

Then I scored underneath the die cut hole, about 2 inches from the top of the tag:

Next, I die cut several leaves using Tim Holtz’s Tattered Leaves and Memory Box’s Maple Leaf dies out of the same kraft tag and adhered them to my tag.  Trim off any shapes that hang over the edge of the tag:  

You could then just leave the leaves as is and use them as a background for any kind of project or card, or to make them stand out a little, you could sponge some Distress Ink around the edges of the leaves, to help highlight them a bit:

Or I opted to sponge Versamark Champagne Dazzle ink over my leaves, to give them an elegant sparkle:

Next, I stamped my sentiment with Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto Memory Box Concord Grape cardstock and cut it into a banner shape.  I secured the sentiment to the tag with a Hinge Clip tied with lilac twine.  To add a little more color to my tag, I backed it with more Concord Grape cardstock and die cut the lower edge with Tim Holtz's On The Edge-Scalloped die.

I hope you’ll give this faux dry embossed look a try with your favorite dies!  ~ Sharon

Stamps: Hero Arts ClearDesign-Truly Appreciated; 3” x 4” Acrylic Block;
Dies & Tools: Sizzix Tim Holtz Bigz Die-Tattered Leaves and On The Edge-Scallops; Memory Box Maple Leaf die; Scor-It Mini Scoring Board;
Paper: Ranger Inkssentials #8 Kraft Tag; Memory Box Concord Grape cardstock
Ink: Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black and Versamark Champagne Dazzle; Ranger Tim Holtz Old Paper Distress Ink
Accessories: Tim Holtz Hinge Clips; Ranger Ink Blending Tool; We R Memory Keepers Secondary Twine (lilac); 

Breast Cancer Awareness and a Thank You Challenge

Life takes so many twists and turns and it is one of those tough twists I share with you today. It was a complete shock to receive the phonecall from my mom this past June telling me that she had breast cancer. I don't know why it had never dawned on me that women of all ages can be struck by breast cancer. For some odd reason I had thought that if you passed menopause and not had to face breast cancer you were "home free." It was stunning to attend the class where I learned how to care for my mom after surgery to find the room filled with elderly women.

One of the messages I would like to convey today is that no matter your age, young and old alike, we must continue to do our breast self-examinations AND if we find a lump we must act on it immediately. I am so very grateful that my mom is still here with us and continually improving. It has also rung the bell in my head that I must to do this and that I must get a physical each year. My life is so busy that sometimes I just don't do a very good job of taking care of myself, but if I don't take care of myself I will not be here to take care of my children - not an option in my opinion!

The second message is one that I hope will help make another small difference. There are some wonderful people who have helped my mom (and therefore me) throughout this time and what better way to say thank you than with a special card! It is so very important to let other's know how much they are appreciated by saying thank you. Life get's so busy and yet it should never be too busy to say thank you. 

Today and tomorrow we are featuring the Unity Stamps on our site and we have a special challenge for you, so please read through this post and join us in saying thank you or making it easier for someone else to do so!

 

One of the wonderful things about the Unity stamps is that many of the sets we carry are coordinates to the very popular 6x6 paper pads! For example today's project is a combination of Unity stamps produced using Cosmo Cricket images.

In thinking about this design the idea of creating another type of ombre background came to me. Ombre simply means to shade, or create a graduated change in color tone.

Begin by stamping these trendy women using a Distress embossing ink pad together with clear embossing powder. After heating use an ink blending tool in a swirling motion, being certain to start on your non-stick craft sheet to avoid leaving a "print" on your project. Work your way from the lower edge of the cardstock up your project without reinking so that as you move upwards the color becomes less intense until it completely disappears. I recommend practicing on a piece of scrap cardstock to see how much ink works best.

Tip: To add additional interest you could start at the opposite edge with a different color and work your way back in to the first color.

Create your focal point by stamping the bra on patterned paper and cutting out. To make the sentiment pop off the colored cardstock I used Butterscotch Adirondack embossing powder. The little clothespins and gemstone are the finishing touches to this simple card.

 

stamps: Unity Stamps: Upcycle's Hey Girlfriend and Sexy, Silly, and Sassy
ink: Distress Embossing Ink, Watermelon Adirondack Dye Ink
paper: Cosmo Cricket Upcycle Paper Pad
accessories: Cosmo Cricket Upcycle Jewels, Hero Arts Mini Clothespins

Breast Cancer Awareness Challenge

So here is our challenge - the first is to make certain that you do your self-examinations and schedule a physical/mammogram if you haven't done so yet this year. This first challenge is one that may save your life --- please do it!

The second is one that we can see that you are joining in and are excited to reward you with a special prize! This month Splitcoaststampers is hosting a month long series of Hope You Can Cling To challenges and asking participants to send the cards to a Cancer Center in Texas. We would like to encourage you to participate in this worthy cause! You could also contact a Cancer Center near you --- having blank thank you cards available to patients and family members will spread that feel good spirit and help bring positive thoughts to many.

These two simple words "thank you" do make a difference in life!

You have until 11:59pm Pacific Daylight time , Wednesday, October 12 to add your Breast Cancer Thank You note below using the InLinkz tool. We will be doing a random drawing and awarding TWO individuals a beautiful selection of Unity Stamps we have pulled from our inventory valued at approximately $50 to our lucky winners --- it is our way of saying thank you to all that participate. Good luck and go create something "pretty in pink!"

World Card Making Challenge and True Scrap Winners

WORLD CARD MAKING DAY CHALLENGE WINNER

THANK YOU everyone for joining in the fun and creating for our World Card Making Challenges! The winner of our grand prize package is...

 
 

CONGRATULATIONS goes out to entry #8 - Pamboe created this fabulous foldout card using Julie's color challenge! Please send your snail mail address to us at [email protected] so we can send you your fun goodie package to play with!
 

---

TRUE SCRAP WINNERS

We have THREE lucky winners for the True Scrap Live event coming up this month, October 20-22!!!

 
 

Our first winner is #18
 

Congratulations Judy Stiles!
  

The Random Number Generator then picked two more lucky ladies to receive videos :-D

Congratulations go out to Rebecca Ednie and Kathy R! If you could send your information to [email protected] she will be helping you with your goodies for this event.

It's not too late to sign up and join in the fun! The first pre-event Virtual Crop begins today so don't delay!

True Scrap Learning Opportunity

It is a privilege today to share some information with you about an upcoming papercrafting event called True Scrap October 20-22, LIVE!, as well as offer you the opportunity for a chance to win a spot in this fun and jam-packed weekend of classes! But it gets even better! We are not only giving away a winning spot for True Scrap LIVE but have been given the go ahead to give away TWO recordings from April's event! That gives you THREE chances to win! Oh how fun!!!

 
For complete information visit True Scrap at this link.

The first True Scrap event took place in April 2011 and is now available on videos, but even more fun is the new event these talented women have put together! True Scrap is an online papercrafting event that is LIVE! This event brings a fabulous group of instructors direct to your computer. You will have the ability to learn, interact, and experience the fun, excitement and inspiration of a live event, all from the comfort of your own home! With 17 cutting-edge classes, five virtual make-and-takes, a pre-event virtual crop, a prize and a special discount code to our store, Ellen Hutson LLC, True Scrap attendees get the best of live papercrafting events without the hassle or the high price tag of heading to a destination event all for one low price! Total cost is $127 --- that's less than $8/class!

Four of the classes that immediately grabbed my interest were:

 Jennifer McGuire's Super Stamping Secrets II

 
Stamping on Scrapbook Layouts with Nichol Magouirk

 
Ready, Set, Distress! with Nic Howard

 
Get Organized to Make the Most of Your Scrapbook Space with Aby Garvey

... and there are 13 more!

For complete information and to register for this event
please visit:

True Scrap at this link.
If you have any questions about this event please email Lain at [email protected].

To participate in this randomly generated drawing please tell us what you enjoy most about paper crafting before 11:59 Pacific Daylight Time Sunday, October 9th - we look forward to hearing from you! We will be back to announce the winners of this drawing, as well as the winners of our World Card Making Challenge grand prize on Monday.  We will also be announcing another fun new challenge for you to participate in! Have a marvelous weekend!

Fall Leaves Combo by Julia Stainton

Before you know it, it will be time for Thanksgiving. If you're American, you still have lots of time to prepare, but if you're Canadian like me, well... you have a couple days left. Today I have a couple quick projects that are fun and festive for the season. Better yet, you can easily change them up to suit any occasion.

As I looked through my supplies, I realized that I didn't have anything directly Thanksgiving themed on hand. But that's ok. By using what I have creatively, I can design for almost any occasion.

To start off my card I stamped the card base in white ink with this Hero Arts stamp. It adds a great distressed look which always works for a fall-themed card.

Now here's a little trick for the stamping...

I wanted the text to be the background and also on the die cut leaf. I could have just stamped the card after I'd adhered the leaf but with even the slight difference in surface height between the papers, I'd would have ended up with a halo like effect and the text would not have stamped cleanly right through.

First of all, stamp the text directly onto the card base. Sorry, I forgot to take a photo of this step but it's pretty basic, right?

Next stamp your text onto a scrap piece of cardstock as in the picture below...

I wanted my leaf to be an exact way across the text for design purposes but also wanted the text stamped on the leaf to line up perfectly with the text beneath it. By laying my die cut leaf on the text stamp scrap paper, I can see exactly how I want me leaf to be on the final card and also easily line up the text.

Once you have the leaf lined up the scrap paper, stamp the text onto the leaf and remove the leaf.

Now you can line it up perfectly onto the text on the card for a seamless look. It's really quick and easy and gives a great look. Try it and see!

I also wanted to include a sentiment on my card but didn't have any Thanksgiving ones. Sending you Warm Thoughts from the Hero Arts set seemed to work well in a pinch. I tried stamping it but with my design, it just didn't look right. The sentiment was too long. I decided on just stamping the "warm thoughts" portion. Because this is a clear stamp, it can be easily cut apart. Really. It's OK to do this. The stamp will be fine placed back on the storage sheet and you can easily put it back together on an acrylic block if you want the entire sentiment. Don't worry! The stamp police won't come and get you. ;)

To finish off my card, I stamped my sentiment onto some Sticky-Back Canvas and stapled it on. A sanded button adds a fun look and the twine adds a tiny hit of color.

Next I decided to make a few quick pillow boxes to hold treats on my Thanksgiving table. I've used the new Lily Bee Harvest Market Collection Kit for these little boxes and also for the die cut leaf in the above card.

When you're creating for a crowd, it's always a good idea to keep it simple so that you don't get overwhelmed. Simple is classic and always in style.

These little boxes are die cut from the Sizzix Bigz Pillow Box die and are so easy to put together. You can even die cut a couple layers of paper at a time to speed things up even more.I just adore this Sizzix die. It's a timeless must-have in my opinion!

This time I've used a different leaf that is die cut using the same die and sanded the edges to define them. Wrapping them with twine and add a Leaf Trinket Pin quickly finishes off the project.

Supplies:

Harvest Market Collection Kit by Lily Bee Design

Kraft Layering Papers by Hero Arts

Snow Chalk Ink by Hero Arts

Clear Design: Dictionary Greetings stamp set by Hero Arts

Clear Design: Find Joy stamp set by Hero Arts

Cling Aged Print Frame Background Stamp by Hero Arts

Jet Black Archival Ink by Ranger

Sticky Back Canvas by Claudine Hellmuth

Tonic Non-Stick Serrated Scissors

Sew Easy Baker's Twine by We R Memory Keepers

Button by Basic Grey

Tiny Attacher by Advantus

Sanding Block by Advantus

Tattered Leaves die by Sizzix

Pillow Box die by Sizzix

Leaf Trinket Pins by Maya Road

Thanks so much for joining me today in the CLASSroom! Hope you enjoy creating for Fall!

WCMD Blog Candy Winners

A huge thanks to all those of you who joined us here in the CLASSroom and left some love for the designers of our fabulous World Card Making Day challenges. We appreciate you stopping in. You still have plenty of time to create and enter your project in our grand prize drawing above, so don't delay!

Now on to our winners! Congratulations go out to the following:

EHWCMD Challenge #1

 
 
 

Congratulations Michelle!

EHWCMD Challenge #2

 

 

 

Congratulations Kelly!

EHWCMD Challenge #3

 

 
 

Congratulations Lori!

EHWCMD Challenge #4

 

 
 

Congratulations Amy!

If the winners of our blog candy could please send your snail mail address to us at [email protected] we will get your goodies out to you asap!

Have a fabulous week and remember there is still time to create and enter your challenge project on our World Card Making Day "Challenge Blog Candy" post. For complete details please read through that post.

WCMD 2011 - Sketch Challenge Julia Stainton (EHWCMD4)

Welcome to World Cardmaking Day fun at the CLASSroom! I'm excited to be bringing you a sketch challenge to get you creating today. Everyone loves a sketch challenge, right? I love creating sketches and I especially love a sketch challenge so I hope you'll join me and have some fun!

Here's the sketch...

 
Feel free to click on the image to enlarge and print it out.

I hope you enjoy this sketch. It's a square card that has many possibilities. I can't wait to see how you interpret it. Please feel free to turn it or flip it to suit your needs.

For my sample card for this sketch, I decided to put together a few of my favorite things. I love stamping with white ink on Kraft cardstock. It's such a classic and subtle look and isn't the Hero Arts Lace Background stamp stunning?

I was originally thinking patterned paper for the squares when I designed the sketch but decided to use squares of Printed Canvas to add texture to the design. The Ultimate Glue works really well for adhering this canvas to the card design.

To add in the circle to my design, I've traced a punched circle in pencil onto my card and then stitched over it. You can also try hand-stitching for this sketch detail or use your imagination.

To add color to my design, Glimmer Mist is perfect for altering flower embellishments. I love being able to customize them to each project.

The sentiment on this card uses both chipboard letters and stamping. I only wanted part of the sentiment (the word friend) and so I very carefully just inked up the one word and stamped it onto the canvas. To get a perfectly crisp impression when stamping on canvas and other fabrics, try using the Ranger Jet Black Archival Ink. I find it works the best of any ink I've tried for this.

Supplies: Kraft Layering Cardstock by Hero Arts,  Lace Background Stamp by Hero Arts, Thank You for Being My Friend stamp set by Hero Arts,  Printed Canvas by Prima Marketing, Caribbean Blue Glimmer Mist by Tattered Angels, Twine by Jillibean Soup, Snowcap Adirondack Pigment Ink by Ranger, Wedding Shoes Innoscence Flower by Prima, sewing machine, Jet Black Archival ink by Ranger, Leaf Trinket Pins by Maya Road, Alterable Ledger Alphas by Jenni Bowlin

Thanks for joining me today in the CLASSroom and happy World Cardmaking Day!

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SKETCH CHALLENGE

Come join in the fun and create a card using the fabulous sketch Julia provided above!

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

We know you use fun supplies when creating, BUT we want to hear what is the most unusual found object (repurposed object) you have incorporated in to a paper crafting project. Please leave your answer to this question and some love for Julia in the comment section on this post for a chance to win the delicious goodies shown below.

 

All comments must be made by 11:59pm Pacific Time on Sunday, October 2nd to be eligible.

WCMD 2011 - Inchie Challenge by Sharon Harnist (EHWCMD3)

Hello, everyone ... I hope you are enjoying today's challenges and getting some cards made on World Card Making Day!  One of my favorite products/techniques to work with are Inchies, so my challenge to you today is to make a Fall themed card using an Inchie to spotlight a larger image!  IF YOU DON'T HAVE INCHIE ARTS INCHIE SQUARES, YOU MAY USE A 1-INCH PIECE OF CARDSTOCK.

For my card, I chose my favorite new Fall Lockhart Stamp Company images, this fabulous Autumn Gate.  I stamped it with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Copic's X-Press It Blending Card twice.  I hand trimmed around one image and then lightly colored the image a little with some lighter muted Copic colors (E30, Y00, YG61, YR00, T0, T1), to replicate what this gate might look like at dusk.  Normally when doing a spotlight technique, the larger image is left uncolored, but I liked the tiny bit of color on mine.  You may do either on your challenge card.

For the spotlighted "Give Thanks" wreath, I used a piece of cardstock with a 1-inch square punched out of it to use as a template to place over the second stamped image, to determine exactly what part of the image I wanted to use:

I used a pencil to trace around the square template and then I cut out the 1-inch image, leaving the right edge of the banner and bow extending beyond the edges.  I colored the 1-inch image with these Copic markers: (E31, E33, V15, Y15, YG61, YG63, YR12, and Orange, Melon & Lemon Atyou Spica Glitter Pens).  Alternately, you could just stamp the part of the image you want to highlight onto the Inchie Square (or 1-inch piece of cardstock), and/or punch or trim your cardstock image to be one inch square.  I then adhered the cut out image to an Inchie Arts Dark Cream Inchie Square and mounted the Inchie to my larger image.  The Inchie Square gives a wonderful bit of dimension and depth to the Spotlight Technique.  If you are using a 1-inch piece of cardstock for your spotlight, you may want to pop it up on foam tape, to make your spotlight stand out from the rest of your image.

To finish my card, I die cut a Maple Leaf from Memory Box Jack O Lantern cardstock, crumpled it up and then sponged it with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink.  It is mounted with 3D foam squares to the Memory Box Paprika notecard base.  A black button and Black Baker's Twine complete my card.

I hope you have fun trying this Inchie Spotlight Technique! ~ Sharon

Stamps: Lockhart Stamp Co-Autumn Gate, 
Dies: Memory Box Maple Leaf die; Sizzix Tim Holtz On The Edge Die-Scallops, 
Paper: Memory Box-Paprika notecards (card base), Jack O Lantern cardstock (leaf); My Mind's Eye Lost & Found 6x6-Sunshine, Copic X-Press It Blending Card; 
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Ranger Distress Ink-Brushed Corduroy; 
Copic Markers: E30, E31, E33, V15, Y00, Y15, YG61, YG63, YR00, YR12, T0, T1; Orange, Melon & Lemon Atyou Spica Glitter Pens,
Accessories: Inchie Arts Assorted Neutral Inchie Squares; Black Baker's Twine; black button; Scrapbook Adhesives 3D foam squares; Ranger Ink Blending Tool; 

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INCHIE CHALLENGE

For our Inchie Challenge simply create a Fall-themed card using an Inchie Square or 1-inch piece of cardstock to spotlight one area of your stamped image.

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

Fall is filled with traditions -- what tradition do you look forward to each fall?  Be certain to leave your answer and some love for Sharon on this post to be entered in a random drawing for the fun goodies shown below.

 
All comments must be made by 11:59pm Pacific Time on Sunday, October 2nd to be eligible.

WCMD 2011 - Holiday Card Challenge by Ellen Hutson (EHWCMD2)

Welcome! We are now on to challenge #2 and we are going to get you working on your holiday cards!

What could be more fun then combining a current trend with a holiday card? Ombre is everywhere - fashion, home decor and most definitely paper crafting! So for today's card I wanted to share how to create a very sparkly ombre look.

 

I am loving the Memory Box dies and used three separate dies for this project - the Classic Ornament, Crisp Bows and Bitty Scallops. Doesn't this Crisp Bow make THE perfect ornament hanger when turned upside down? (I am going to let you in on a little secret - we have another brand new release arriving soon and you are going to LOVE what is in store --- yes, I have to tease just a little. I wish I could share the details, but I'm sworn to secrecy. Watch Facebook for updates in the next couple of weeks! :-D)

 

To begin I adhered some Be Creative Tape to a piece of Natural White cardstock and then diecut the ornament in the Vagabond.

Remove the backing and apply glitter to one half of the sticky shape. Carefully pick it up and gently shake the glittered surface to disperse the glitter unevenly into the center section. Then dump the remaining glitter off the surface avoiding the lower half of the ornament. Burnish only the top 1/3 of the ornament with your finger to embed the glitter into the sticky surface, leaving the center section untouched.

Leaving this center section alone will allow the second color of glitter to join in with this first color for a perfect ombre look. 

 

Add the second glitter color on the lower half and shake the ornament ever so slightly to allow the red glitter to mix with the center section. Again dump the excess glitter off the lower edge of the ornament to avoid getting red glitter on the top 1/3 of the ornament.

Your project should look similar to the photo above. Now burnish (burnishing means to rub the glittery surface with your finger --- by rubbing the surface with your finger you will embed the glitter in to the adhesive and achieve a beautiful, velvet like surface) the entire ornament surface. I went back over the surface several times with my finger to make certain the glitter was firmly embedded in the adhesive before proceeding with the next step. I did not want any stickiness to be left for the gold leaf to affix to. 

 
Adding dimension to this glittery surface is easy when using Design Adhesives. I like to cut the individual shapes out of the adhesive strip before applying to make it easier to keep my designs separated.

Remove the backing from the adhesive element and position. Place the backing behind the ornament and then press the adhesive firmly against the glitter surface and rub in to place using your finger.

 

Trim away excess adhesive and remove the backing to leave adhesive exposed.

Apply gold leaf flakes to all the exposed Design Adhesive elements and press the gold leaf flakes firmly into the adhesive using your finger.

The easiest method of removing the excess gold leaf from your project is to use an inexpensive bristle brush as shown above. Swirl the brush over the surface of your ornament and the bristles will remove the excess gold leaf and at the same time burnish the gold leaf into the adhesive. There is nothing that looks as elegant and expensive as gold leaf!

TIP: Collect excess gold leaf in a tupperware container and save for use next time! It is incredible how long this product will last if you save your bits and reuse!

 

Can you imagine this glitter ombre technique as a sky behind a manger scene, beautiful evergreen trees, Christmas bells... the list goes on and on, and on!

So now it's your turn - head into your craft room and pull out your holiday season celebration stamps and papers. Create a card or project for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and/or any celebration your family recognizes during the holiday season! Join in the fun!!!
 
stamps: Hero Arts Music Collage

ink: Adirondack Meadow Dye Ink, Antique Linen Distress Ink

paper: Neenah Classic Crest Natural White, Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium 8x8 Paper Pad, Memory Box Crimson Notecard

accessories: Glitter Ritz - Apple Red & Kiwi Green, Be Creative Tape, Fancy Frames Design Adhesive, Gold Leaf Flakes, Memory Box Dies - Classic Ornament, Crisp Bows, and Bitty Scallop, Pearls

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HOLIDAY CARD CHALLENGE

We hope that this challenge helps give you a jump start on your holiday cards :-D Create a card to use this upcoming holiday season!

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 your favorite current trend and do you see it reflected in the paper crafting world? 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 Sunday, October 2nd to be eligible.

WCMD 2011 - Color Swatch Challenge by Julie Ebersole (EHWCMD1)

Hiya!  I'm so excited to be presenting a Color Swatch Challenge in celebration of World Card Making Day!

These colors are very contemporary, but lend themselves well to a wide range of possibilities, no matter what your personal art style may be!  I have an example to share that I hope will inspire you in new ways!

The large floral image in the Lauderdale stamp set was clear embossed, and then Adirondack Dye Inks (see supply list for specific colors) were sponged over the top to color them in quickly.

To provide a little more contrast and a hint of pattern, the Friend Definition was stamped with Snow Cap pigment over black card stock and used to accent the focal panel.

Did you know the Donut Edger Punch makes a great "scallop" edge if you tuck it just a wee bit further under the top layer of paper?  Cool, eh?!

Stamping the sentiment onto the distressed red toned card stock (Indie Bloom 6x6) and then framing it with white gel pen gives it some visual weight and helps tie the design altogether.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to design a project incorporating the color combination featured at the top of this post!  (insert Mission Impossible theme music here)

Snap a picture of it, and follow the directions below --- hook us up with a link so we can ogle and drool over it!  And, to submit your entry for the candy, of course.

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Supplies & Materials: 

Basic Grey/Hero Arts, Lauderdale Clear Design 
Clear Design: Sending Smiles 
Cling Friend Definition 
Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Lemonade 
Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Red Pepper 
Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Aqua 
Archival Ink Pad in Jet Black 
Adirondack Pigment Ink Pad, Snow Cap 
Versamark Ink Pad 
Clear Embossing Powder 
A5 Cardstock, Black 
F4 Cardstock, Water 
Basic Grey Indie Bloom 6x6 Patterned Paper Pad 
Edger Punch, Donut Chain 
Uni-ball Impact White Gel Pen

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COLOR CHALLENGE

Use the color inspiration above to create your card or project!

Once you have completed this challenge please be certain to link directly to that specific project in our WCMD Challenge Blog post!

BLOG CANDY

What is your current favorite color combination? Be certain to leave your answer and some love for Julie in the comments section of this post to be entered in a random drawing for the fun goodies shown below.

 

All comments must be made by 11:59pm Pacific Time on Sunday, October 2nd to be eligible.