the CLASSroom

Tag Art Journal Mini Album by Julia Stainton

Art journaling and mixed media projects are really hot trends in the crafting industry right now. Today's project came together from inspiration off this trend as well as few other influences in my life. I've been wanting to get back into more inky techniques and let me tell you, this is the messiest, inkiest and most fun project I've created in quite a while. It's also inspired by my daughter who loves to journal. It's the way she expresses her creativity and is a great outlet for her emotions. Art is my therapy, journaling is hers. I'm so excited to have created this tag art journal mini album for her to use. I know she'll fill it with inspiring quotes and thoughts.

 

The key to creating this project is to realize that anything goes. I didn't put together step out photos for this project but rather, different samples of the tags I've created. Each and every tag you create will come out differently and that is the beauty of this project. Nothing is ever wrong. It's just a beautiful mix of colors and patterns and each tag is an adventure in itself.

To create my tag mini album I started off with 10 manilla tags. They are held together with a ring clip so putting it together is so simple.

Tag Design Notes:

• Start of with your lightest color of Distress Stain.
• Add lots of color and stain to your tag. The more you add, the coverage will be better and the colors blend beautifully.
• Apply heat with a heat gun to dry the stains and speed up the process.
• Work on a Non-stick Craft Sheet to protect your work surface.
• Each tag is inked up on both sides. 
• Don't worry if you get color onto the reverse side of the tag. The more speckles and layers of color, the more interest in your tag.
• After the stains are dried, add more interest to your tag with stamping details.

I've repeated two things on each of the tags. The Old Letter stamp was partially inked and stamped on each tag in Tumbled Glass Distress Ink and the Picked Raspberry Distress Stain was used on every tag for continuity.

Another example.

A few of the tags, I've added even more layers of color by using masks. The above tag was layered over with a chevron mask and then the Picket Fence Distress Stain applied. I love how this white stain is opaque while all the colors are translucent.

This tag has a damask masked area...once again using the Picket Fence Distress Stain.

Once the album is clipped together, it can be written on. I find that a Copic 0.3 Multi-liner works great for the journaling as it is a nice line weight and is permanent.

To embellish the front I've put a book plate on the cover and then added in some pretty felt flowers and buttons.

A little canvas tag is also stained with Distress Stains and then stamped with the Vintage Rose Spray Stamp.

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

 

Supplies:

 

InLinkz.com

Hello, Monday 03.25.2013

Embossing sure is making a big come back lately, and I thought I'd have fun playing with some colored embossing powders by Ranger!  They look pretty spiffy on black card stock, don't you think?! I love the look! So bold and bright!

Had to add a little butterfly punched from vellum card stock--the card stock weight is perfect for propping the wings up for added dimension!

Enjoy the video here or on YouTube! You can also subscribe to our channel so you don't miss any of our webisodes! ;)

Thanks for joining me today!

SUPPLIES & MATERIALS:

 

Savvy Stamps, Poppy with Leaf (on side)	Savvy Stamps, Ornate Leaf	Savvy Stamps, Hello Tall	Memento Ink Pad, Tuxedo Black
VersaMark Inkpad	Bazzill 40lb. Vellum, 25pk	A Cardstock, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, 25 pack	A Cardstock, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Ream
A5 Cardstock, Black, 10 pack	Adirondack Embossing Powder, Lettuce	Adirondack Embossing Powder, Red Pepper	White Embossing Powder
Inkadinkado Embossing Magic Bag	Embossing Gun	EKSuccess Adhesive Remover Tool	Uni-ball Impact Gel Pen, White
Tsukineko Brushstix 3pk, Chisel, Brush, Dome Tip #2	Accents, Glossy	3D-Dots, 1/16" Thick	Sew Easy Baker's Twine, Black
Gemstones, Black Crystals	Medium Punch, Butterfly	Martha Stewart Scoring Board, Mini	Teflon Bone Folder

InLinkz.com

Copic Blender Bleaching by Sharon Harnist

Happy weekend to you all! I have a fun Copic technique to share with you today, that you can use with just about any rubber (or clear acrylic!) stamp. I used it on this tri-colored birthday tag:

It's pretty quick and easy, so here we go with the tutorial:

1. Airbrush one of Inchie Arts' new 3" White Art Squares with Copic R83 marker along the bottom third portion:

2. Then airbrush Copic Y21 in the center of the square:

3. Finish with Copic BG13 on the top third of the Art Square.

4. Use an alcohol prep pad to as a "stamp pad" and wipe it all over the Fantastic Birthday cake stamp. You could also use Copic Colorless Blender Solution, but the alcohol prep pad is a little more cost effective and works in the same manner as the Blender Solution would, by "removing" or pushing aside the color. Plus, it saves your Blender Solution for refilling your markers!

5. Then, quickly stamp onto the airbrushed Art Square. It will take just a few moments, but you will see the alcohol start to "develop" and remove the airbrushed Copic color! You can use a heat tool to speed up the process:

6. To prep the tag, use the birthday sentiment stamp as a spacer (or go ahead and stamp with Memento Tuxedo Black ink first), then start placing the My Mind's Eye Decorative Black Washi Tape washi tape (I LOVE these new 8-roll packs of two colors of coordinating tape!). I started with the chevron pattern at the top, used the Art Square as a spacer so I would know where to place the polka dot tape towards the bottom, then covered the sides with the striped tape:

7. Use Copic High Tack Double-Sided Tissue Tape to securely adhere the heavy weight matboard Art Square to the tag:

8. To trim the bottom of the tag, I custom colored White Pom Pom Trim with Copic BG13 Various Ink Refill, to match the airbrushing at the top of the Art Square.

9. Place the pom pom trim inside a snack-sized ziplock bag, along with a few drops of -0- Colorless Blender Solution and "knead" the baggie from the outside so the solution distributes over all of the trim. This will help ensure the next step of color will distribute more evenly throughout the trim. Then squeeze in a few drops of the BG13 Various Ink Refill and knead the bag again:

If you happen to get some heavier patches of color in spots, just squeeze in a few more drops of Blender Solution.

10. Remove the trim from the bag and blot with a tissue or paper towel; let dry.

11. Attach trim to bottom of tag, using the Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher.

12. Tie Maya Road Sparkle Silver Twine to top of tag.

And there you have a fun, unique birthday gift tag!

Thanks so much for joining me today!

~ Sharon

{Supplies}

HA ClearDesign Fantastic Birthday Stamp Set	Memento Ink Pad, Tuxedo Black	Copic Sketch Markers	Copic Various Ink Refill, BG13
COPIC Colorless Blender Solution 200cc Bottle	Inchie Arts 3" Art Squares, White	Copic Airbrush jSystem Starter Kit 1N	My Mind's Eye Decorative Tape, Red & Black
Pom Pom Trim, White, 3yds Precut	Tim Holtz, Tiny Attacher	High Tack Double-Sided Tissue Tape, 1/4"	Maya Road Twine Cording, Sparkle Silver

InLinkz.com

Pattern Play Class Seat Winners

Well it certainly would help if I actually set this post to go live!! We are happy to announce that we did drawn winners for the latest Online Card Class Pattern Play! The following lucky ladies are currently enrolled in class:

 

 

If you have not registered yet it is not too late - this class is filled with lots of little gems that will help you learn how to use those gorgeous patterned papers you have been hoarding :-D Enjoy!!!

Hello, Monday 03.18.2013

(click on the pic to en-biggan)

The camera trend is, well, trending! BAH HA HAAAA!!! And, I totally LOVE it! I have been collecting lots of camera embellishments to go with my stamps and dies. But, I am such a naughty little hoarder... *sigh*... I decided this week, that I was going to USE them and three card designs popped into my head, begging to be made real...

So, I hope you like cameras, too... 'Cuz when the little voices give me three ideas in one fell swoop, I have no choice but to ride the wave... I didn't even ride it to the end, but I got a good start. Heh, heh, heh! 

I also share a little tip for working with the Prima Marketing Metal Paper Clips in the video--if you watch and listen, you'll see what I mean. And, since I discovered that little trick, I'm stoked.  And, I want more of those Prima shaped clips!!! I'm kicking myself I didn't get the darn birds at the same time I got the cameras--cuz y'all know how I love me some birds, too!!! *chortle*

Hope you enjoy the video! You can watch it here or on YouTube and please subscribe to our channel!  We love sharing creative ideas with you!

Thanks for hangin' with me this Mundane morning and hope you have a gooder!

SUPPLIES & MATERIALS:

 

Clear Stamp Sheet, Say Cheese	Studio Calico ClearDesign, Oh Snap from Hero Arts	My Favorite Things Die-namics, Accent It - Cute Cameras	VersaFine, Onyx Black
Memento Ink Pad, Espresso Truffle	Prima Hello Pastel Collection, Metal Paper Clips	Studio Calico, Abroad Wood Veneer, Cameras	Essentials by Ellen: Sequins, Iridescent Orange Flame
Essentials by Ellen: Sequins, Iridescent Vanilla	Essentials by Ellen: Sequins, Iridescent Daffodil	My Mind's Eye Enamel Dots, Boy Crazy	My Mind's Eye Enamel Dots, Cute from Collectable-Notable by Jen Allyson
Dylusions Ink Spray, White Linen	Accents, Glossy	Studio Calico Snippets 6x6 Paper Pad	My Mind's Eye Decorative Tape, Green & Navy
Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm 6x6 Paper Pad	Lifestyle Crafts Dies, Nesting Circles	Lifestyle Crafts Dies, Nesting Squares	Honey Bee Non Stick Scissors
Paper Shapers Circle Punch 1/2""	EK Paper Shapers Punch, 1/2 Circle	Tweezer Bee	Tweezers, Stainless
Craft Knife, Fingertip	Ruler, Tim Holtz Design	Glue Glider Pro Tool with Pro Plus PermaTac Cartridge	Glue Glider Pro Plus Refill, High Tac 58'
3D-Dots, 1/16" Thick	Essentials by Ellen: Craft-a-Board 6x12, 12p	Cardstock, Black, 10 pack	A Cardstock, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Ream
A Cardstock, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, 25 pack	A3 Cardstock, Neenah Environment Desert Storm, Ream	Paper Trimmer, Tonic Guillotine 8 1/2"	Sew Easy Baker's Twine, Black
Doodle Twine Spool, Beetle Black	Sizzix Big Shot Machine, Black & Pink	Martha Stewart Scoring Board, Mini	Teflon Bone Folder

InLinkz.com

Wishing You Sunshine by JJ Bolton

We would like to give a HUGE welcome to JJ Bolton as she shares her guest post with us today. I have long admired the beautiful cards and projects she creates. Her work as a designer for Mama Elephant and Avery Elle showcases her clean and simple style in a wonderful way. You can find more of her work on her blog Ribbon Girls.

We would appreciate if you would help us thank JJ for sharing her creativity with us by popping over to her blog Ribbon Girls - you will find so much inspiration there! Don't delay - read her post here and then head over to her blog and leave a comment there. You know you are in the right spot when you see the following goodies. 

Thank you JJ for being so willing to showcase the Mama Elephant stamps and teaching us this fun technique! -Ellen

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Hi everyone!  It’s JJ dropping in at the CLASSroom!  Can I just say that I’m so delighted to be here?  This place is just flowing with creativity and every day I visit, I learn something new :)  I’m so excited to be sharing a couple projects using the new-to-Ellen Hutson-line, Mama Elephant stamps! 

When I first started making cards, I would finish a project but still have that nagging feeling that something was missing.  I pored over magazines, over blogs, over catalogs looking for that elusive element.  One day on a papercrafting forum, a poster said that her cards didn’t feel complete until she added some texture.  That was a light bulb moment for me!  I’m sure you all realized this MUCH earlier than I did ;), but it made so much sense!  We stamp 2D images on flat paper!  So since then, when I’m just not feeling a particular project, I add a wee bit of texture and see if that perks things up!  For the CLASSroom projects I’m sharing today, I added texture in the form of scoring.  Hope you like it!

My first project is a sunshiny card!  I’m so ready for Spring and I’m craving some sun!  My first step was to cut a card base and a panel from white linen card stock.  {Love this stuff by the way!  Thanks to Cristina Kowalczyk for the heads up on this stuff :)}  The folded card base measures 5-1/2” tall by 4-1/4” wide.  The panel is just a smidge smaller at 5-1/4” tall by 4” wide. 

Next comes the stamping!  Using the scallop border from Mama Elephant’s Modern Borders set, I stamped a wave background on the bottom half of the panel.  Since the stamps are clear, I just eyeballed it to create the seamless pattern.   

After stamping the waves, I added the sentiment (2 separate stamps from the So Breezy set).  I have to admit that I am ADDICTED to the sentiments in this set.  Something about the combination of the handwritten font with the outline letters is irresistible to me! 

And now for the texture :)  I wanted to create a scored sunburst around my sentiment.  There’s no tool to do this easily, so I adapted my trusty score board to get it done!  I took a long pin (a quilter’s pin works great if you got one) and inserted into the center of where I wanted the sunburst.  {If you can, hide the hole inside of stamped image}  After inserting the needle through the card, I placed it all on top of the scoreboard making sure that my needle was seated in a score groove.  I had already marked off an area on my scoreboard with washi tape as a guide (we’ll get to that next).  Just a note, I made sure that my card was in the middle of the scoreboard.  {This technique requires you to spin the card around the pin, so you need the open space}  After lining up my card parallel to the score grooves, I scored my first line starting from the pin and working outward to the edge of the card.  {Note to self, get a better bone folder!}  

After the first line was scored, I gently rotated the card panel around the pin (making sure to keep the pin held down firmly).  To get evenly spaced score lines, I used my washi tape guides.  As I mentioned above, I had already marked off 4 score lines on my board with washi tape to help me score evenly.  So the process was….score line, rotate panel so that the scored line is lined up with the washi tape mark, score next line, rotate panel so that the scored line is lined up with the washi tape mark, and so on.  The process is surprisingly simple (despite my complicated directions;)!

Once the scoring was finished, I was ready to add some color.  I masked the bottom of the panel over the waves and blended a mix of yellow and orange inks over the sunburst.  You can just blend the ink over the sunburst, or you can use a cloud stencil like I did for a little extra detail.  The stencil I have is so old I don’t remember where I picked it up, but you can easily make one with a cloud punch or even cut one by hand.  The bottom of the card got similar ink treatment with masking and blending over the wave stamping.  Panel done!

Now to glue my panel to the card base.  Originally, I was going to add the panel directly to the white card base but when it came down to it, the stark white frame was so distracting.  So I ended up blending a bit of ink around the perimeter of the card which gave the card a much more natural look. 

Here’ s the final product again.  I think the scoring gives this card just the little bit of punch is needed!  What do you think? 

After I made my card, I applied the same technique to create a full sunburst tag!  Of course, I had to use my neon inks;)  The sentiment is from another Mama Elephant set called Say What.  Really fun stamps in that set!  

Thanks so much for hanging in there with me today!  I really enjoyed making these projects and I hope that you found a little tidbit that you can add to your crafting arsenal!  Huge thanks to Ellen for the honor :)  

Mama Elephant Clear Stamps, Modern Borders	Mama Elephant Clear Stamps, So Breezy	Mama Elephant Clear Stamps, Say What	Sizzix, Tim Holtz, Movers & Shapers Base Die, Tag & Tie
A Cardstock, Essentials by Ellen: White Linen #100 Cardstock, 25 Pack	Memento Ink Pad, Tuxedo Black	Distress Ink Pad, Mustard Seed	Distress Ink Pad, Spiced Marmalade
Distress Ink Pad, Peacock Feathers	Aquamarine Archival Ink by Ranger	Hero Arts Neon Ink Pad, Neon Pink	Hero Arts Neon Ink Pad, Neon Yellow
Paper Trimmer, Tonic Guillotine 8 1/2"	Martha Stewart Scoring Board	Sponge Applicator, Sponge Dauber with Airtight Cap

InLinkz.com

Easter Window Card by Julia Stainton

It's an early Easter this year! We don't have to wait for April as Easter falls on the last weekend of March. This means that it can also sneak up on you and it's coming up quicker than you might think.

Do you make cards for Easter? I have a sweet window design to share with you today. It's actually more of a Spring theme with an Easter sentiment but you'll definitely see touches of Easter in the oval (egg) shaped window and the pretty lavendar and soft yellow color scheme.

Window cards are a little more work than regular card designs and so I don't make them as often as I should. I confess to being a very lazy crafter. I had so much fun creating this one though that another will be on my to-do list very, very soon.

What originally inspired this design was a sheet of Secret Garden 12x12 paper from Graphic 45. This particular one is called Springtime and one side is patterned and the other has the most gorgeous little images that can be cut apart as images, accents and journaling card type embellishments. It's seriously amazing just how many projects could be made from one single sheet.

And HELLO?! It's only a dollar. I just couldn't resist.

To go along with it I also purchased the Secret Garden Chipboard pieces. I wanted to use this particular frame for it's oval shape and it would make a great focal point for my card design. It's pretty basic. You just punch it out of the chipboard sheet. So why the image? I wanted to show you a little trick.

See the little paper "spurs" that are left after you punch it out? You want to get rid of those for a nice finish on your project. To do that, simply file off the extra paper bits with a Sanding Block or the Basic Grey Precision File Set.

As a picture is worth a thousand words...I have lots of step outs for you today. This first one is basically how I start designing a project. I lay some of the pieces together to see how the design layout will work. You'll notice that some of the pieces I started with didn't make the final cut. That's OK. Just go with the flow.

Here's where I start putting the card layers together. And actually, it's also where I decided that this card needed a window and not just another layer.

Once the layers are all adhered together I planned out exactly where my window needed to be and then traced the inside of the oval onto the card front in pencil. As this is just a touch smaller in size than what I want the opening to be I just cut a very tiny amount outside the circle.

I wish I'd had an oval die that matching up in size perfectly but I didn't so hand-cutting was the only option. This is good to know though so that you make a window and size and shape that you desire.

Because there are so many layers of paper and cardstock, you may have to cut the oval out a few times with your craft knife. The first time I cut it only removed the top layer of patterned paper as you can see in the above shot. You'll find that after you cut one oval, the next layers go really quickly.

To get a nice smooth edge to all those layers of cut paper, I pulled out my Precision File set again and just filed them smooth. This makes it almost look as if it were die cut.

Place your frame on and you have a nice window card design.

You can leave it open or you can also put in a piece of Crystal Clear Plastic to make it easier to adhere your embellishments.

It's always nice to finish the inside of a card but it's really essential with a window card design. Here's the beautiful image panel that I finally decided on adhere to the inside of the card. I'm very fond of florals and birds and so that's what I went with.

To finish off the inside of the card, stamp the sentiment and add a few little flowers and pearls as an accent.

 

The card front needs some embellishing too. I adore the new Maya Road Wood Birdcages and this one worked perfectly for the front of this card. Add in a few more pins and accents and it's complete!

Thanks for stopping by the CLASSroom and have a lovely weekend!

Supplies:

 

InLinkz.com

Online Card Classes Pattern Play Giveaway

Do you love patterned paper? Grab your favorites and join Kristina Werner, Jennifer McGuire and friends for Online Card Classes' newest class - Pattern Play. Make the most of your patterned paper stash while learning tips and tricks and discovering both clean-and-simple and advanced techniques. Pattern Play includes many card ideas - all with videos - and a variety of card styles. Add step-by-step pdfs, a forum, giveaways, shopping discounts (one is included to our online store www.ellenhutson.com :-D), additional inspiration and a gallery, and you'll be ready to use your pretty papers in fun new ways. Class runs March 18-25 (yep, it starts next Monday!) but you will have lifetime access to the content. Sign up now for only $16.

Register Here - Online Card Classes Pattern Play

We are excited to be giving away THREE seats in this class! All you need to do is tell us what your favorite patterned paper manufacturer is in the comments section below! Please leave your comment by midnight PST March 15 to be included in our random drawing for seats to this fabulous class!

Hello, Monday 03.11.2013

Do you love circles as much as I do? Like polka dots, they always make me so happy! And, they always look so mod, too! LOL!

I was playing with the Circle Punches Dies by Lifestyle Crafts--these dies are actually quite handy! You can punch out a whole bunch of same sized shapes all at one time just cranking them through your die cutting machine! They come in basic shapes, like the circles I used here, and they also come in some fun shapes, like bunnies & chicks, snowflakes, hearts, squares, etc.  Very cool!

My voice is back--YAY!!! So, you'll hear me yappin' away once again... :)

You'll hear (and watch!) me make a mistake on the first card and then I save it (*fist pump*) using the QuickStik--such a great gizmo!

Enjoy the video here or on YouTube and please subscribe to our channel so you don't miss any of our weekly webisodes! (I sooooo made that word up!)

Thanks for joining me and I hope you have a great Mundane! *snarf*

SUPPLIES & MATERIALS:

 

Studio Calico Cleardesign: Sundrifter Love This from Hero Arts Lawn Cuts Dies, Hearts Lifestyle Crafts Dies, Circle Punches Studio Calico Sundrifter 6x6 Paper Pad Studio Calico, Mister Huey's Color Mist, Inky Black Studio Calico Snippets 6x6 Paper Pad Bamboo Cord Spool, Black Amy Tangerine Ready Set Go Transparent Letter Stickers, Baxter 2 H4 Cardstock, Dove Gray A Cardstock, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, 25 pack A Cardstock, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Ream Tim Holtz, Tiny Attacher Crop-a-Dile Corner Chomper Tool Tweezers, Stainless Elizabeth Craft Designs Tweezers Be Creative (Sookwang) Tape, 12mm (1/2") 3D-Dots, 1/16" Thick EKSuccess Adhesive Remover Tool Sizzix Big Shot Machine, Black & Pink Lifestyle Crafts Dies, Easter Punches Lifestyle Crafts Dies, Butterfly Punches Lifestyle Crafts Dies, Flower Punches Lifestyle Crafts Dies, Pennant Punche Lifestyle Crafts Dies, Arrow Punches Lifestyle Crafts Dies, Star Punches InLinkz.com

Easter Poppies by Sharon Harnist

Hello and happy weekend! Easter comes around in just 3 short weeks, so I thought I would get a head start on a few cards. I finally purchased some Faber-Castel Gelatosand wanted to try them out, so I also have a few pointers I found helpful when working with them.

I purchased the collection sets -- I thought that would be a great way to find which colors I like best and would also give me a few hues in each color family, to work with.  

I found it helpful to have color swatches of each color, so I scribbled each one on an Inchie Arts Inchie+ Art Square and labeled it. I figured the Art Square would be sturdy enough to keep my sample safely right there in the package -- it sits perfectly right over the stamp that comes with each of these Gelato sets!

To work with the Gelatos on this particular Hero Arts Poppy Background stamp that has a lot of solid surface, first, spritz the stamp with water:

Then color directly on the stamp with the Gelatos:

The Gelatos I used were:

Cotton Candy & Blueberry from the Blue collection for the sky.
Green Tea from the Green collection for the grass/lower part of the image.
From the Red collection: Lavender for the flowers & Red Cherry for the flower centers.

By the time you are finished coloring the image, some of the Gelatos may have started drying, so you may need to lightly spritz the stamp with water again. This will also help blend the colors together a little. Then stamp onto Hero Arts Felt Finish Natural White Felt Finish Watercolor Paper. I love how this turned out -- it reminds me a little of a triple dipped-dyed Easter egg!

After stamping I used the watercolor brush that comes with the Gelato sets, lightly dampened with water, to go back and blend some of the colors a little and define the edges of the stamped image.

To finish my card, I trimmed the image and let the natural color of the pretty watercolor paper make a self mat. Then I popped it up on Copic Foam Tape on a Hero Arts Iris Folded Card.  Next, I stamped the Easter sentiment (from Hero Arts ClearDesign-Celebrate Everyday set) onto more watercolor paper with Soft Lilac Hero Arts Shadow Ink and die cut it with My Favorite Things Die-namics STAX-Fishtail Flags and tied it with Hero Hues Floral ribbon. It is also popped up on foam tape.

I hope you have a lovely Spring weekend ahead and get some crafting time!

~ Sharon

{Supplies}:

Hero Arts Cling Poppy Background	ClearDesign: Everyday Sayings	Hero Arts Felt Finish Watercolor Paper-Natural	Hero Arts Folded Cards, Iris
Hero Arts Shadow Ink Pad, Soft Lilac	Hero Arts Hero Hues Ribbon, Floral	Faber-Castel Gelatos Set, Blue	Faber-Castel Gelatos Set, Green
Faber-Castel Gelatos Set, Red	My Favorite Things Die-namics Stax, Fishtail Flags	High Tack Double-Sided Foam Mounting Tape, 1/2"

InLinkz.com

Introducing Mama Elephant with Kryssi Ng

We are so happy to share this special project with you today as we celebrate and announce the arrival of the Mama Elephant stamp line to our store! Mama Elephant is a small business based in NY/NJ. For childhood buddies, Kryssi and Angela, art and creating have always been our lifelong passion. They bring a collaboration of their aesthetic to Mama Elephant. Their stamps are designed with card makers and scrapbookers in mind with all designs carefully curated to provide optimal versatility with a wide variety of styles - modern, trendy, bold, graphic and most importantly fun!

I just had to know how the name Mama Elephant came about as I find it strikingly sweet and have come to find out that both Kryssi and Angela are devoted mamas to two small girls. Coincidentally, their daughters are name Ellie and Ella. They wanted their name and business to reflect the love they have for their children and family. Above all, like elephants, they never want to forget that their families are the root of everything they work for.

I would like to thank Kryssi for sharing this special project with us today as we celebrate the addition of this fun new line to our store! As well you can find tons (get it - tons, elephant,... ha, ha) of inspiration on their Mama Elephant Blog! -Ellen

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Take a closer look at your smaller stamps. They are great building blocks to create a graphic collage that makes a big, bold statement. With strategic placement and multiple sentiments, your finished work can make the same impact as larger stamps with a lot more visual interest. Choose stamps and sentiments that obviously work well together.

With CAS and one layered cards, placement of stamps is very important. You certainly don't want to overdo it. I wanted to create a "yahoo!" kind of card to celebrate Ellen Hutson carrying our line. And I was dying to use this luxurious linen cardstock that Ellen carries. It is as beautiful as I ever dreamed it was! CAS designers, listen up, this is perfect for you!



The first thing I stamped was the "That's What She Said" sentiment from the Say What set. It was easier to visualize where everything should go and balance out the card after the sentiment was stamped. I love that little bit of linen cross hatch pattern from the cardstock peeking out from the stamped image. I then went ahead and built a little collage using one of our newest sets, Rustic Spring. The little swing was designed to fit perfectly with the birdcage and birdhouse included in this set. I simply stamped the swing to suspend under the birdcage. I then stamped the small berry branch so the birdcage is hanging from it. Then I stamped the birdies. I usually take a step back after each image stamped. (Holding it at different angles and squinting your eyes works wonders!)

I then looked at my other stamps and picked sentiments that would either 1) work or 2) make my statement even cooler! "Oh yeah, baby!" played up my first sentiment so in it went! I also chose the  little "I heart this" banner from Smitten because it helped me convey my message and because of it was a reverse solid stamp just like "That's What She Said". it helped balance the design out. Finally, I colored in the birds and berries. Since I made the berries colorful, I was careful not to give too much color to the birds or else it would "compete" with the rainbow berries.

Mama Elephant Clear Stamps, Say What

Mama Elephant Clear Stamps, Smitten

Mama Elephant Clear Stamps, Rustic Spring

A Cardstock, Essentials by Ellen: White Linen #100 Cardstock, 25 Pack

InLinkz.com

Hello, Monday 03.04.2013

I still have Easter on the brain, so you're getting another dose of Spring-time creations this week! The ideas just kept coming, so since I was on a roll... 

But, you'll have to pardon me... I have a terrible, TERRIBLE head/chest cold, and I completely lost my voice.  I mean, COMPLETELY. :(  I laid down a music track for today's video and hopefully I'll be flexin' the golden pipes once again by next week.

Meantime, I have some additional tips to share that you otherwise would have heard on the voice-over:

• A 1/4" hole punch can be used to take "bites" out of your die cut "chocolate" bunnies (the bunnies card, by the way, was a card I'd seen in a store and have been dying ever since to recreate cuz it's hilarious!)
• I always prefer to stamp my sentiments, but if I simply don't have what I need, I will use my computer or alpha stickers (depends on how elaborate/lengthy the greeting is)
• Shape N Tape or Washi Tape is a great way to add a little bit of pattern and can serve as a substitute for patterned paper in a pinch
• I use a craft knife blade to separate Shape N Tape from the liner; my fingers are too clunky and can't get between the layers
• Due to Shape N Tape's size, you can die cut fairly large shapes from the sheets, but you can also cut strips to size, apply them to card stock and then die cut for a multi-patterned/multi-colored effect
• When applying Stickles glitter glue to tiny areas, I try to apply a drop but use a pin to spread it out

Enjoy the video here or on YouTube and don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel!

Thanks for joining me this Mundane!

SUPPLIES & MATERIALS:

 

Savvy Stamps, Hello Spring Memento Ink Pad, Pear Tart Memory Box Cardstock, Vanilla Bean Memory Box Cardstock, Squash EEE3 Cardstock, Pool B2 Cardstock, Bubblegum Memory Box Cardstock, Parsley A Cardstock, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Ream A Cardstock, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, 25 pack Savvy Stamps Dies, Grass Impression Obsession Dies, Chocolate Bunny Memory Box Dies, Family Ties Impression Obsession Dies, Egg Set Shape 'N Tape, Yellow Shape 'N Tape, Teal Blue Shape 'N Tape, Orange My Mind's Eye Decorative Tape, Green & Navy Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type Stickers, Yellow Sizzix Big Shot Machine, Black & Pink Stickles, Orange Peel Stickles, Yellow Glaze Pen, Black, 2 pk Sakura Quickie Glue Pen Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue, .88 oz 3D-Dots, 1/16" Thick Glue Glider Pro Glue Glider Pro Plus Refill, High Tac 58' InLinkz.com

Spring Blossoms by Julia Stainton

It's March! Spring is just around the corner. Officially just a few more weeks away! It will be awhile yet before we see much of Spring here in Canada but I'm totally getting in the mood for it with some pretty blossoms on today's card. It's a simple technique using Liquid Applique and is one of my favorites. Why is it that any technique that using a heat gun seems so much more magical?!

I've started off with one of my favorite new Hero Arts stamp sets, the Art of the Card Friend Collage set. It has a cling rubber background stamp and as I love, love, love background stamps, well...it's simply irresistable when combined with some beautiful timeless florals and a sentiment. I love being able to make lots of cards and designs all from one purchase.

First step...the background. I've stamped the background using the Aquamarine Archival Ink. Archival Inks are my favorites. You can heat set them to make them permanent and then do all kinds of great techniques over them.

Next, the beautiful swirly vines were stamped in Olive Archival ink and then heat set once again.

After trimming the panel to the size I wanted (3.75" x 5") I then sponged on lots of Distress Ink. Keep sponging on color until you get the saturation you want. The main part of the image is sponged with Tumbled Glass and Crushed Olive Distress Inks. Around the edges to add a bit of depth I sponged on Broken China Distress Ink.

Now we're ready for the fun part...adding in all those sweet little blossoms. If you've never used Liquid Applique is so quick and fun to use. Simply squeeze out tiny dots of the Liquid Applique wherever you want a little blossom. This product also makes for GREAT snow if you are creating holiday cards!

Use a Heat Gun to apply heat to the wet Liquid Applique dots. They puff up like tiny marshmallows to almost twice the size of the wet dot. You can leave them like this but I like to add a little color with chalk.

The Pitt Pastel Pencils are like chalk in a pencil form. Scribble some color onto a scrap piece of paper. You'll find this leaves some chalk dust and color that you can pick up with a cotton ball or a cotton swab. Dab it onto the heated Liquid Applique to color the blossoms.

Next step..the sentiment. Stamp it in Jet Black Archival Ink and then color in with a dye based marker to make it stand out.

Because of the dimension of the panel, I add the adhesive onto the card base and then adhere the panel to the card.

The final step is to add an embellishment. When using a lot of technique, I like to highlight that and keep the embellishments simple. For this card, a little Leaf Trinket Pin inserted through the top of the panel does the trick.

 Thanks so much for stopping by the CLASSroom! Have a fabulous and creative weekend!

Supplies:

 

InLinkz.com