Show it Off!

Hi, bloggin' Buddies!

I love Art Impressions stamps! If you are also crazy about the gals and guys they have, you MUST watch the great videos (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMO-KODUbW4 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIhQllryQSc) done by Bonnie Krebs for coloring their characters. I have been studying them for days.

I have always used Copics to color Ai characters, but Bonnie shows us how to use inexpensive water-based markers as a water color medium - with so many tricks to keep the images animated and the process simple. I am honestly amazed!

I decided to try these methods with a new stamp set that is available at Michaels, Spare Me SC0680. My friends and I have a long-standing joke about bowling, so this set is perfect.

Now, this is only my first try, so I have lots more practicing to do, but I love the results and the process was pretty quick and lots of fun.

I kept the card design simple so as not to detract from the fun image. I just used some bowling-themed patterned paper from my stash, some great glitter paper and some twine. And that is our fun vintage bowling pin ashtray in the background.

The current challenge on the Ai blog is to "Show off your Stamp" by including it in your photo, so I've done that. 

I urge you to watch the videos and give it a try - I bet you'll be as blown away as I am. I can't wait to try it on some of their larger images.

Thanks for the visit,

Color Burst

Howdy, Bloggin' Buddies!

I've been playing with my long-neglected Color Bursts. They are very intense watercolor powders that almost explode with vibrant colors when wet. I used them on some wet watercolor paper, sprinkling the color on very lightly, to make some fun backgrounds. The color pack I used is called Caribbean Brights. And bright they are!

I added some sprinkles of Heidi Swapp Gold Color Shine and a shiny gold die cut which I made using the Poppystamps "Mod Flower Border" die. I believe it may be retired, but I was able to find one.

The gold-embossed (Hero Arts Powder) sentiment is from the Simon Says Stamp set called "Banner Sayings". It is paired with a banner die which I did not use today.

The beautiful gold cardstock is one that I got at my LSS in Sacramento, Paper Garden Boutique. A delightful place!

This is a fun technique with a great product, but shellack of control is a little difficult for me. I guess I need to work on that!

I hope you are having a great week - I see the weekend from here. Thanks for the visit.

Smooching

Hello, Bogging Buddies!

Last week I did a demonstration of the Smooching Technique (with appropriate homage to the amazing Laura Bassen!) for a card-making group of which I am a member. It all went well and everyone seem to enjoy it.


I made the background of this card as one of the samples for the demonstration. I used Perfect Pearls as a final spray to give it a pearlized effect and to blend the colors. When it was dry I also sprinkled it with some water droplets and blotted them to remove some of the ink.

The design of this card (including the slanted cut and the black fun foam die-cuts) was inspired by a card I did in a recent class I took taught by the ever-inspiring Julie Ebersole. That is one of her floral dies ("Wild Garden") from the Essentials by Ellen line. The cute script is a Wise Die from Paper Smooches called "Thanks Word". The fun foam cuts like butter and adds great dimension.

I just can't seem to get enough of this technique, in all its variations. I usually prep for 4 or 5 card bases when I want to do this technique. The backgrounds can be used in so many different ways and styles.

I hope you will give it a try, and if you've already done it - well, try it again with a new twist.

Thanks for the visit - have a happy and creative week!

Don't Spill the Beans!

Hello, dear Bloggin' Buddies!

Happy Monday to you all.

I have had the idea for this card - using the "Coffee & Tea" Wise Dies from Paper Smooches with my Fuse Tool to make a fun shaker card - for some time now. It was the current challenge at Paper Smooches, "Black and White with a Touch of Color" that motivated me to action. That's one thing great about challenges - they prompt us into doing.

Is "coffee" a color?! You bet it is - it's one of my favorites! Ha!

I made the background by randomly stamping with the "Cyber Cafe" set on white cardstock.

Then I made the shaker with the Fuse Tool and filled 'er up with some  stamped beans I heat embossed and fussy cut, some sequins and some tiny beads.

I can almost smell the brewing now.

I'm happy with the fun result.

So, grab a cup and get a great start to your week. Thanks ever so much for your visit!