the CLASSroom

A Card for Mom by Julia Stainton

With Mother's Day in a few short weeks, now seemed like the time to get busy designing a special card for my mother-in-law. I turned to the springtime prints of my Victoria Park paper line to get a soft and pretty look that I'm hoping will make her smile.

I love using journaling cards in card designs and so I try to design cards that will work well with both cards and scrapbooking projects.

For this design I've chose the celery damask card that you can see on the bottom right of the packaging detail. I wanted to think outside the box and came up with using the index card as a panel on a belly band for my card design. This keeps the card itself very simple and the band slides on top of the card to embellish it and keep it closed.

A front opening card works well with a belly band and I've folded the outside panels to meet in the middle. For a 4.25"x5.5" card, score 2 1/4" from each end and fold. At the point of this photograph, I haven't yet adhered the patterned paper to the panels but it gives you an idea of how it works.

The index card is pretty but I decided it needed a few stamping details as embellishments to take it up a notch. This beautiful floral stamp is from a Basic Grey Plumeria stamp set from Hero Arts. It was stamped in black ink onto the patterned paper and then cut out.

Quick Tip: Adhere the paper to a layer of cardstock before cutting out to make it firmer and less likely to bend.

The image was then stamped on the pink print paper and paper pieced twice more. The littlest flower is popped up for an accent and some dimension. A Desert Sand Memento Marker works great to add some quick shading to both the petals and leaves.

The stamping is accented with some vintage buttons, a twine bow and some pretty trinket pins.

The Lily Bee Design stickers are perfectly sized for card designs and make it easy to add in your own custom sentiment. You'll love how many sentiments you can make from one single sheet of them.

A little stamping detail balances the right side of the design.

Finally, here's a look at the belly band removed from the card design. To create the band, simple cut a strip of cardstock and wrap around your card design. Adhere the ends to the back of your sentiment panel.

Thanks for joining me today in the CLASSroom! Have a wonderful and creative weekend!

 

Supplies: Victoria Park Index Journaling Cards by Lily Bee Design, Victoria Park 6x6 Tiny Tablet and Victoria Park ABC Stickers by Lily Bee Design, Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink and Jet Black Archival Ink by Ranger, pinking shears, vintage buttons, Solar White Cardstock by Neenah, Basic Grey Pattern Hearts and Flowers Stamp Set from Hero Arts, Desert Sand Memento Marker by Tsukineko, twine, Crystal Trinket Pins by Maya Road, Pear Tart Memento Ink Pad by Tsukineko, Chewing Gum Dye Ink Pad by Jenni Bowlin

 

Misting Mania by Julie Ebersole

Today's topic is misting! And, while I'm featuring Mister Huey's Mists by Studio Calico, the technique is pretty much the same whatever the brand.  You can even make your own mists, but if you're an instant gratification girl like m'self, sometimes it's fun to just collect a whole bunch of pretty colors and get right to it! Mister Huey's comes in a fun and hip range of colors, including metallics, and an opaque white that looks AWESOME on dark card stock colors!

One thing I would advise, no matter what brand you're working with, is to shake the bottles from side to side and avoid shaking them up and down; if you're working with a mist that has any pearlescent or shimmer added to it, it can clog the nozzle.

It's also a good idea to wear an apron to protect your clothing, just in case you get a little (over) zealous. *wink*

I almost always have a box laying around from a recent shipment, so I keep one for misting--I like the ones with fairly deep sides, because then I can plop it right on my work desk and not worry about any over-spray getting onto my work surface.

I often toss a piece of white typing paper into the box to test and see how the colors look--sometimes, the actual color doesn't match the bottle label. Also, if there's any clogging going on, I know right away and won't have ruined my project.  A few "test" pumps also helps reduce "splotches" or blobs, and allows me to see how close or far away I need to be to get a finer mist.  Generally speaking, the further away, the finer the misting.  I don't mind the blobs, tho and tend to think they look artsy. *grin*

 

One thing I wanted to mention is that you can use stencils to create patterns onto your project with the mists, and you can also use masks, and even stickers or the negative part of stickers, punches and die cuts to create masks and stencils!

It dawned on me that the negative portion from this sheet of stickers would make an AWESOME large scale honeycomb/hexagon pattern, so I peeled it away carefully and tapped the palm of my hand against the sticky side so the oil from my hands would reduce the tackiness; I wanted just enough for it to hold on the paper, but still be removable.

Into the box it went. Initially, I gave it a light dusting, keeping a little further distance--roughly 16-18", and then I came closer, to get more intense; I don't mind having a few blobs, as I've mentioned.

I'm kind of impatient, so I took a clean paper towel and blotted away the mist that was still wet on the sticker sheet so I wouldn't make a mess when I removed it from the paper. After removing it, I stored the sticker on a recycled piece of acetate from some packaging; this "mask" won't last forever, but I'll probably be able to use it a few more times, at least.  Cool!

It's not uncommon for a mist to make the paper curl--some cause more curling than others and depend on how heavily they are applied, how wet, etc.  I found that if the paper curled, I could hold onto it with tweezers, continue drying it with my heat tool, and applying heat on the back and the front seemed to work well and reduce the curling. When it's dry, you can also place it under a heavy book overnight and that ought to do the trick. If you're patient. And not at all anxious to zoom on to the next step. Like some peeps I know. *insert rolling eyeballs*

 

It made a great patterned paper for this "Bee happy" design! YAY!

I also played around with some red mist--Overdue on kraft card stock.  I concentrated the color towards the upper left corner--SO FUN!!! I was also able to stamp the little jet airplane over the top with Archival black ink--it's possible if I used a non-permanent ink that the misted areas would "resist" stamp ink, so it would probably be a good idea to test that before trying it on an actual project.

See the little flair sticker?  I've always wanted to put those on a card--this is the first time I've gone and done it! They are *uber* fun! I punched a partial circle, 1 1/8" size for the flair to nestle into. Such a great look!  I think this makes a great up-lifting (OK, sorry for the pun) masculine design! :)

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope this encourages you to play with mists--they are TONS OF FUN!!!

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SUPPLIES:

STAMPS:  Technique Tuesday Birds & Bees; Hero Arts/Studio Calico Airmail

INK:  Archival Black, Adirondack Sunshine Yellow; Versamark

MISTS:  Custard, Overdue (I think both of these particular colors are retiring, so you may wanna snag 'em while you still can--they are AWESOME!!!)

PAPER: Neenah Solar White, Sweet Corn Card Stock, Kraft, Black; What's Up 6x6 Pad by Basic Grey

TOOLS: EK Success Circle Scissor Pro, WR Memory Keepers Corner Chomper (1/2" radius), 1" & 1 1/8" circle punches

EMBELLISHMENTS:  What's Up Flair Stickers; Black & White Baker's Twine; Off-white Twill Ribbon; What's Up Title Stickers by Basic Grey

OTHER:  White Embossing Powder; Black & White Diagonal Piano Stripe Washi Tape (from my collection); 3D Dots; Jenni Bowlin Memo Quilted Stickers (the negative part)

Spring Scene Blog Candy Winner

Thank you all for welcoming Kittie so warmly here in the CLASSroom! I knew the instant I saw her work that you would all appreciate it so very much - don't forget you can always follow each detailed project she creates on her blog Kittie Kraft!

Now on to the winner of our  little thank you goodies shown below:

The random number generator picked...

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS Wanda!! Please send us your snail mail address ([email protected]) and we will get your goodies right out to you! For all those who have been watching for updates on the dies please stay tuned to our Facebook page we try to keep hot items updated there. Many of the dies did arrive these past couple of days and we are hoping that more will be on their way shortly - we have lots on order, but we are never quite certain when they will drop on our doorstep ;-D Thank you to all for your amazing support - we truly appreciate it!

Lockhart Window Card by Sharon Harnist

I love window cards ... having a pretty surprise on the inside of a card is a little different and unexpected, I think! 

For this window opening, I used a Lifestyle Crafts tag die to cut the opening in a Lagoon Memory Box notecard -- your opening doesn't have to be just a boring square!

To add a little extra color to the cardfront, I layered Springy colors of Meadow and Taffy Memory Box notecard to frame the opening on the inside of the card.

Next, I stamped this darling new Lockhart Stamp Company Garden Swing onto Copic X-Press It Blending Card and then added to the length of the swing's chains, using the same Copic Black Multiliner 0.1 that Karen Lockhart uses to draw her images:

Next, I colored the swing with Copic BG10 and BG53. Then I customized the swing's cushions with Copic markers: I used YG03 to make leaves simply by pressing the tip of the marker sideways onto the paper:

Then I used R81 to make flower petals in the same manner:

To give the flowers and leaves a little more definition, I used Copic Atyou Spica Glitter Pens in Pink and Melon:

Lastly, I used W1 to shade the cushions and W2 to shade the swing a little more:

And when you open the card up, you find the ...just because... greeting on the inside, along with a pretty strip of paper that matches the swing cushions:

I hope your Spring is filled with pretty garden swings and cool drinks ... just because!

~ Sharon

Stamps: Lockhart Stamp Co-Garden Swing & Just Because...
Dies: Lifestyle Crafts Tags dies; 
Paper: Copic X-Press It Blending Card; Memory Box Lagoon, Meadow & Taffy notecards & envelopes; Lily Bee Design-Head Over Heels 6x6 Tiny Tablet,
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; 
Copic Sketch Markers: BG10, BG53, R81, YG03, WO, W1, W2
Copic Atyou Spica Glitter Pens: Melon & Pink
Copic Black Multiliner 0.1,

Spring Scene by Kittie Caracciolo

It is an honor to bring you the beautiful work of Kittie Caracciolo! Her love of flowers and attention to detail is apparent in the projects she creates. Her blog, Kittie Kraft, is certain to inspire you as it is loaded with highly detailed projects similar in style to the one she brings to us today.

Please join me in welcoming Kittie here in the CLASSroom by leaving a comment for her here. You will have until midnight Wednesday, April 18 Pacific Daylight Time to leave some love for Kittie and be included in our random drawing for some of the goodies Kittie used to create this BEAUTIFUL card! 

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I love creating scenes with Poppy Stamps and Memory Box dies. Let me show you the steps that I took to create this fun spring garden fence and window scene.

I die cut the Small Madison Window and matching Small Madison Window Shutter using Neenah Solar White card stock.  I used the leftover window pieces as a little brace to attach the window and shutters together securely.

I die cut the Arboscello Tree using Neenah Solar White card stock and watercolored the branches with Brushed Corduroy Distress reinker and the leaves with Peeled Paint Distress Reinker.

I die cut a Poppy Stamps Picket Fence using White Solar White cardstock and several sections of Poppy Stamps Grassland Border using Memory Box Meadow.  I attached two sections of the grass to the back of the fence and one to the front.

I attached the window, fence and tree to the Memory Box Water card base. I used a few rolled up glue dots on the back of some of the tree leaves to attach to the window.

I die cut just the flower portion of the Memory Box Spring Border several times using Memory Box Water and Cotton Candy card stock and Hero Arts Lilac and Poppy card stock.  I cut the flower heads off and formed them by pushing them down into a mat with a stylus. I die cut the top portion of the Poppy Stamps Gentle Leaf and tucked into the tall grasses to soften.  I used the point of my paper piercer to pick up the tiny flowers and I used Glossy Accents to attach the tiny flowers to the stems.

I have become addicted to playing with dies and creating outdoor scenes. It is so much fun.  I hope my project inspires you to give it a try.

Paper: Neenah Solar White, Memory Box Water, Meadow and Cotton Candy Cardstocks, Hero Arts Poppy Chalk Ink and Lilac Shadow Ink

Ink:  Ranger Peeled Paint and Brushed Corduroy Distress Reinkers

Accessories:  Poppy Stamps Small Madison Window and Small Madison Shutter, Picket Fence, Grassland Border, and Gentle Leaf Dies

Memory Box Spring Border and Arboscello Tree, Stylus, Mat, Glossy Accents, Brush, Glue Dots

The following entries are the winners:

For the three seats in "A Cut and Above", the latest Online Card class!

• 95- Madeline Morcelo
• 225- Tricia
• 181- Carol Woodley

CONGRATULATIONS!!! We know you will really enjoy this informative class! If you lucky ladies would please contact me via [email protected] with your email address, I can have the admin team at Online Card Classes get you all hooked up. :) Thanks to all of you for entering! --Julie

Watercolored Canvas by Julia Stainton

Canvas is such a wonderful textured fabric that is so popular in the papercrafting world right now. Is it any wonder with its beautiful texture and limitless possibilities? Recently I ordered some Canvas ATC's. That's Artist Trading Cards if you are unfamiliar with the term.

ATCs are usually 2.5" x 3.5" in size. Many crafters collect and trade them and they are a great little panel to experiment on.  I had thought to use them as a base for embellishments. I've done that and it's a great way to use them. The other day I decided to take a more artistic approach and use them to make a little stamped canvas panel for a birthday card for a friend. I'm pretty excited with how it turned out so I'll show you how I did it.

First of all I used a Craft Sheet to protect my work surface. This will get slightly messy with inks and water so this makes it super easy to clean up. I'm using a Hero Arts Basic Grey Stamp from the Konnichiwa line called Floral Blossoms. Using Jet Black Archival ink I inked it up and stamped my canvas ATC. Heat setting at this point will make your ink permanent.

Next I've added in my first layer of color. To do this I first mist the canvas with water so that the color will bleed all over the canvas and give you a beautiful watercolored look. A Mini Mister is perfect for applying water over your canvas. Apply inks to your canvas with a waterbrush and just get lots of color onto the canvas. It really doesn't look too exciting at this point but don't worry. It's easy to pick up ink by squishing your ink pad lids into the ink pad and then using the lid as a palette. After this step, use a heat gun to dry the canvas well.

Next build up the color slowly by adding in more color and shading with ink on your brush. You can also use dye-based markers to add in more precise details.

White gel pen makes it easy to add white highlights for a finishing touch. I really like the look of stamping over the entire piece when done with some text or a subtle background stamp. I've over-stamped this piece with the Old Letter Stamp in Aquamarine Archival Ink.

When creating a detailed panel, I always love to keep the focus on my mini work of art. That means a nice clean and simple white card base and a couple simple accents.

Thanks for joining me today in the CLASSroom!

Happy creating!

 

Supplies: Stitches ATC Canvas by Prima Marketing, Floral Blossoms Basic Grey Konnichiwa Cling Stamp by Hero Arts, Old Letter Writing Stamp Set by Hero Arts, All Occasion Messages Stamp set by Hero Arts, Jet Black Archival Ink by Ranger, Aquamarine Archival ink by Ranger, Crystal Trinket Pins by Maya Road, Wood Buttons by Maya Road, Crushed Olive Distress Ink, Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink, Tumbled Glass Distress Ink, Worn Lipstick Distress Ink, Wild Plum Adirondack Ink and Sunshine Yellow Adirondack Ink by Ranger, Rose Bud Memento Marker by Tsukineko

3 SEATS TO GIVE AWAY IN "A CUT ABOVE" ONLINE CARD CLASS

Are you a die cutting expert or do you consider yourself a novice? Do you prefer a traditional die cutting machine or would you rather use your computer to design what you’ll be cutting? Or maybe you’re just not sure! Never fear, we’re here to help! Join Kristina Werner, Jennifer McGuire, guest instructor Nichol Magouirk and many great guests, including our own Julie Ebersole, for A Cut Above, as they show you the ins and outs and everything you need to know about the various die cutting systems.

You’ll leave class with the knowledge of numerous tips and creative techniques for using the Big Shot, Vagabond, Cuttlebug and Grand Calibur with various types of dies and embossing folders, as well as the Silhouette Cameo. The first half of class will be devoted to traditional die cutting methods and the second half will be focused on the increasingly popular Silhouette (Cameo, SD, and original Silhouette). Simple to complex, beginning to advanced – we’ll cover it all!

This three-week interactive class includes free downloads (including from guest artist Ali Edwards), BIG prizes, galleries, a Q&A forum and lifetime access! Class runs April 16 to May 7, but content will be available for a lifetime.

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     GIVEAWAY    

 

As an official sponsor of "A Cut Above",  Online Card Classes has generously granted us 3 (THREE!!!) spots to give away! That's right!  You could win a spot in this exciting, info-packed class!

To enter, please leave a comment (one comment per person, please) on this postby Thursday, April 12th, 2012 9:00 Pacific Time. We will draw and announce the winners this Friday, April 13th, 2012

There's also a giveaway over on Julie's blog, Paper Trufflez--click HERE to enter over there, too!

Heat Embossing Tips by Julie Ebersole

*click on the pics to en-biggan*

I can still remember the awe I felt when I first learned how to heat emboss a design on my cards--that gorgeous, shiny, raised texture you saw on store-bought cards. Magical! And, who'da thunk we could achieve that effect so easily?!

Here are some tips & tricks for achieving great embossing results on your projects!

First, start by prepping your paper surface.  I like to use an Embossing Magic Pouch to eliminate moisture, static cling, and any residual skin oils that my fingertips might have left behind on the paper surface.  Simply pounce the pouch across your paper surface. Don't worry about the powdery residue; after you finish embossing, it can be easily cleaned off with a soft brush.

This initial step is a good strategy when embossing dark papers with white embossing powder, as it will help prevent stray embossing powder from sticking to unwanted areas and only to your stamped image.

You can ink and stamp your image with either Versamark ink or Ranger Distress Embossing ink (Distress Embossing Powder smells of cinnamon, which is kinda cool!); both of these are clear and contain glycerin, the ingredient that creates the "tack" that will hold the embossing powder to your paper surface while you melt the powder with your heat tool, fusing it to the paper.

Depending on what your desired effect is, the grind of embossing powder can make a difference.  In the sample shown here, I used Hero Arts White Embossing Powder, which I love for its finer grind than most standard white embossing powders. It has a nice, opaque white finish and embosses evenly. Due to its finer grind, it often works very well for embossing sentiments, which can sometimes "blur" if the powder grind is more coarse.

Once you've applied the embossing powder and tapped off the excess (returning it to the jar for future use), double check for any stray flecks of embossing powder--sometimes, depending on your climate, you may still have a little static or humidity in the air that causes a few particles to cling despite your careful preparation; just flick them away with a small paint brush.

Pre-heat your heat tool; you want it to reach its maximum temperature before you begin embossing the powder. Start with the heat tool about 6" from the paper surface, bringing it just close enough to begin melting the powder. You want to see that granular powder become glossy and shiny and then quickly move onto another area. It often helps to tilt the project in the light to make sure all the embossing powder has melted and no longer appears grainy anywhere.

Take care not to over-heat the powder by getting too close or lingering too long; it is possible to scorch the paper and melt the powder so much it actually burns off the paper. Heat tools can exceed temperatures of 300 degrees; take precautions to protect your fingers/hands by using tweezers to grip/hold your project if it is somewhat small.

I'm often asked if a hair dryer will work for heat embossing; the answer is, "No." LOL!  Hair dryers have too high an air flow, and do not reach high enough temperatures to melt the powder.

Once you've finished embossing, allow the project a few seconds to cool down, to avoid smearing the embossing. In some instances heat embossing can warp the paper somewhat.  To combat this, there are several things you can try:

• "Warm" up the paper gradually with your heat tool, keeping it at a little further distance and then when the paper feels sufficiently warmed, move the heat tool in close enough to melt the powder
• Immediately after embossing, heat the opposite side with the heat tool to reverse the warping
• When completely cool, place the paper under some heavy books overnight to re-flatten it
• When all else fails, be a little more generous with your adhesive (and use a strong one, like Be Creative Tape!) when mounting the paper to another layer, taking care to cover the entire surface for the smoothest/flattest adhesion

 

Doesn't this cluster of roses look fabby?! I love the clean, crisp embossed effect!

It only takes a few extra steps to achieve professional looking results when embossing and I hope these tips have been helpful! If you have any other methods or tips that have worked for you, please chime in! We'd love to hear them!

Thanks for stopping by!

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SUPPLIES & MATERIALS:

STAMPS: Hero Arts/Basic Grey Konnichiwa Cling Stamp Floral Blossoms Set, Hero Arts Cleardesign Thank you For Being My Friend Set

INK: Versamark; Adirondack Eggplant Dye Ink

PAPER: Neenah Solar White; Basic Grey Plumeria 6x6" Paper Pad

TOOLS: Ranger Heat It Tool; Embossing Magic

OTHER: Hero Arts White Embossing Powder; 3D Dots; Tombow Dot Runner

 

Seeing Dots by Sharon Harnist

Karen Lockhart released her new Spring 2012 stamps last week and I couldn't wait to color this adorable Polka Dot Bike . . . especially since my sweet 9-year old daughter crashed her bicycle this weekend and broke her arm, poor thing!  

I guess this card might have been good to give her, with a different sentiment, maybe, LOL!  Her day was definitely NOT perfect that day!

I stamped the images with Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto Copic X-Press It Blending Card and colored it with fresh, pretty colors of Copic Markers.  The image was then trimmed to 3" square. To finish the edges, I adhered Copic's Double-Sided High-Tack 1/8" Tissue tape to the edges:

and then covered the tape with Microfine White Glitter. The image was adhered to a 3.50" square of Memory Box Currant notecard, trimmed with pinking scissors.  I love the frosty look of glassine bags and was thrilled to find these adorable 3.50" Glassine Envelopes in Ellen's store!  

I slipped the notecard in and decorated the outside of the envelope with Tattered Florals die cuts (from Currant and Cherry Blossom Memory Box notecards) and Doodle Assortment-Bright Twine.

I sure hope this notecard helps to make someone's day perfect! ~ Sharon

Stamps: Lockhart Stamp Co - Polka Dot Bike & Thanks For a Perfect Day sentiment
Paper: Copic X-Press It Blending Card; Memory Box notecards-Currant and Cherry Blossom; 3.50" Glassine Envelopes; 
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; 
Copic Markers: C0, C1, E30, E31, R24, R27, RV52, RV55, T1, T3, T5, V15, Y18, YR04, YG95, 
Dies: Sizzix Tim Holtz Bigz Tattered Florals; 
Accessories: Doodle Twine Assortment-Bright; 
Other: Pinking scissors, Copic Double-Sided High-Tack 1/8" Tissue and 1/2" Foam tapes; Glitter Ritz Microfine White Glitter; hand-held hole and EK Success 1/2" circle punches; button