Category: Cards

August 29, 2012

How to Create a Watercolor Mist Background

Usually when I sit down to create a card or other project, I start with an idea of what it is I’m going to do. More often than not, as I stamp, the idea develops into something a little different than what I originally envisioned. Today’s card is no exception.

I had planned to watercolor mist the background and cut it out with a die cut, but I had not planned to use the rest of the misted card stock until I started working on it. Using a plain white exterior would have given a totally different look and I’m not sure which I would have liked better but this is what I went with. I do like the way the stem extends to the bottom of the card.

Here’s a video on how to very simply create this background using the lid of your stamp case, a couple of markers and mist of water. http://youtu.be/rl7gFC0HRq8

This background uses Lucky Limeade and Daffodil Delight markers, colored on the lid of the stamp case, then misted and applied to the Whisper White card stock. After creating the watercolored background, I stamped the flower in Rich Razzleberry and added highlights with Dazzling Diamonds glitter glue.

I die cut the center image with the 3rd framelit from Labels Collection and die cut the exterior with the 4th framelit centered in the middle. Then I adhered both onto Rich Razzleberry card stock with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

This card is very soothing and pleasant in person. The pictures give a little different vibe. I will stamp a ‘praying for you’ sentiment in the interior and send this off to a young woman that my daughters grew up with who was just last week diagnosed with a brain tumor and had surgery this past week. She’s a very talented young 2nd grade teacher and we pray for her health and a full recovery.

Enjoy, Julie

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Summer Silhouettes w-#126445 c-#126447

Ink: Rich Razzleberry #126950

Paper: Whisper White #100730, Rich Razzleberry #115316

Extras: Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine #113439, Labels Collections Framelits #125598, Polka Dot Embossing Folder #117335, White Bakers Twine #124262, Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons #127555, Dazzling Details #124117, Dimensionals #104430, Daffodil Delight Marker #119677, 2011-13 In-Color Markers #123002

August 27, 2012

Watercolor For the Birds

Here’s the details on the card I thought I had posted in July, but Oops! I hadn’t.

This For The Birds watercolored tag card was inspired by the card on page 35 in the catalog. I changed the colors and simplified it a bit. Most of the work on this card is the watercoloring, which is actually quite simply done with Aqua Painters and Reinkers.

Watch the how to watercolor with reinkers tutorial here.

Use StazOn ink to keep your stamped outline from smearing when you paint it. And as you paint don’t be perfect. Leave some white spots, go over the lines, color some areas darker – this all adds to the charm of watercolor.

To create the circle reinforcement at the top of the tag, punch the small hole first and then punch out the 1/2″ circle centering the hole. And to cut the corners on the tag, consider using the diagonal scoring plate to score one corner then turn the tag over and score the other corner. Use the score lines as a guide to evenly snip off the corners and create the tag.

I love these cute birds! And anyone would be thrilled if you created this cute little friendship card just for them!

Enjoy! Julie

Card Recipe:

Stamps: For the Birds w-#126405, c-#126407

Ink: Black StazOn #101406

Paper: Naturals White card stock #102316, Baha Breeze card stock #111352, Patio Party Designer Series Paper #126916

Extras: 1/2″ Circle Punch #119869, Primrose Petals Stitched Satin Ribbon #126844, Linen Thread #104199, Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder #115964, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine # 113439

August 25, 2012

Speedy Recovery Card

A friend had out-patient shoulder surgery this week. She has been in pain for quite a while, so she was excited to have this surgery in hopes of some relief. I made this card to cheer her up and give her something pretty to look at while she is resting.

The flowers on this card are made with the flowers punched out with the Boho Blossoms Punch and the technique described in this tutorial below.

Paper Flowers Tutorial PDF

I punched five each of the different-sized blossoms from Regal Rose card stock, spritzed them with water, and layered them to create the three flowers. I then adhered each to a matching Bravo Burgandy blossom base.

The leaves were punched out of Summer Starfruit card stock with the Bird Builder Punch, the stems trimmed and glued behind the flower base.

To create the greeting label, I started with a Whisper White card stock, and repeatedly stamped the doily from the Delicate Doilies stamp set with Regal Rose ink stamped off once for a lighter application. The greeting is from the Thoughts & Prayers stamp set stamped with a StazOn ink pad.

After I did all my stamping, I positioned the Labels Collection Framelit to surround the greeting, ‘taped’ it down with post-it notes to keep it in place, and ran it through my Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine. I also die cut a second label out of Regal Rose card stock of the larger-sized framelit for layering.

To finish the card I embossed Whisper White card stock with the Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder, layered on Bravo Burgandy card stock, added ribbon and assembled the card.

This card reminds me of my friend’s gentle southern charm! I hope she likes it.

Enjoy! Julie

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Card Recipe:

Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers w-#113252 c-#127805, Delicate Doilies w-#122590 c-#122592

Ink: Regal Rose #126947, Black Stazon #101406

Paper: Whisper White #100730, Regal Rose #105130, Bravo Burgundy #105123, Summer Starfruit #126839

Extras: Big Shot #113439, Labels Collection Framelits #125598, Boho Blossoms Punch #119858, Perfect Polka Dots Folder #117355, Organza Ribbon #114319, Brights Brads #119740, Little Leaves Sizzlits #114511

August 23, 2012

Cotton Ribbon Flower Birthday Card

The Stampin’ Up! exclusive magazine for demonstrators is a wonderful source of inspiration. This past month it featured an article on stamping on ribbon using the new 7/8” Cotton Ribbon and the Border Banter stamp set, both on page 20 of the new Holiday Catalog. In the catalog you’ll see a candy box tied with the festive green stamped ribbon. Very playful and lovely!

My card uses the same layout and basic features of the stamped card found in the magazine. To create the ribbon flower, the ribbon is first stamped with Primrose Petals ink and ruffled in the middle and hot glued to a cardstock circle. Once the base of the flower was complete, I threaded a white twine bow into the clear Vintage Button and adhered that to the flower with glue dots.

The ‘make a wish’ greeting was also stamped on ribbon; this time using Black StazOn ink. A strip of Crochet Trim was affixed to the back of the ribbon and then the flag end was trimmed out with Craft Scissors. The Craft Scissors are wonderful and cut through ribbon and paper like butter!

A quick word about Craft Scissors and other tools – I used to think I was no good at baking cookies until I invested in long-lasting quality baking tools, like a baking stone and a cooling rack. When I started using the quality tools my experience with baking was transformed. Every batch was successful! Craft Scissors and other high quality Stampin’ Up! tools are invaluable in transforming your crafting experience into fabulous success!

The leaves are Little Leave Sizzlits cut outs. Using the tip of the Bone Folder, I creased the center of the leaves for a more natural look.

And finally, probably my favorite part of this card, the background! This background was featured in video #1 in the recent article 5 new Stampin’ Up! How-To Videos ! Starting with the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, I used a brayer to roll ink on one side of the open folder. Then I sandwiched the cardstock in the folder and gently rubbed the inked folder over the Primrose Petals paper. That’s it. Instead of embossing the card front I just used the folder to ‘stamp’ the paper creating this lovely background! Watch the video if you’re still trying to figure out what I did!

Try the new ‘stamping with an embossing folder’ technique. Order your cotton ribbon today and start stamping!

Enjoy! Julie

Shop 24/7 in My Online Store!

sweet essentials ribbon flower birthday card

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Sweet Essentials w-#126455 c-#126457, Delicate Doilies w-#122590 c-#122592

Ink: Primrose Petals #126858, Black Stazon #101406

Cardstock: Primrose Petals #126841, Summer Starfruit #126839

Extras: Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons #127555, Natural Cotton Ribbon #127844, Crochet Trim 118481, White Baker’s Twine #124262, Little Leaves Sizzlits #114511, Brayer #102395, Craft Scissors 108360, Vintage Wallpaper Folder #120175

August 22, 2012

Bordering on Romance Tag Card

The tag on this Bordering on Romance card is obviously the star of the show! And the lively color choice creates a lot of simple interest.

To make this project, start by creating a Whisper White card base. Cut the Wisteria Wonder, Cherry Cobbler and Lucky Limeade card stock to create the color block background. Then stamp the flowers with Versamark ink on the Wisteria Wonder and Lucky Limeade pieces to create the watermark. Stamp ‘Here’s to you’ in black StazOn and assemble card front.

To create the tag, start with a piece of Natural White card stock. Stamp the flower in StazOn ink. StazOn ink is a permanent ink that won’t smear when you watercolor the image. Use an Aqua Painter or blender pen with a bit of Cherry Cobbler and Lucky Limeade reinker to paint the flowers and leaves, and then punch out the tag with the Extra-Large Tag Punch.

After punching out the tag add Crystal Effects to the flower and leaves for shiny dimension. Crystal Effects is easy to use. Just gently squeeze out the liquid gloss and direct it where you want it with the tip of the bottle. After applying, I like to let it dry overnight just to be on the safe side. I hate messing up a project with my rushing, don’t you?

After the tag dries, add the rhinestone and tie it around the card with the taffeta ribbon. Send your card to a special friend!

Enjoy, Julie

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Card Recipe:

Stamps: Bordering on Romance w-#125480 c-#125482, Sweet Essentials w-#126455 c-#126457

Ink: Black StazOn #101406, VersaMark #102283, Cherry Cobbler Reinker #119788, Lucky Limeade Reinker #122930

Paper: Natural White #102316, Wisteria Wonder #122922, Lucky Limeade #122926, Cherry Cobbler #119685, Whisper White #100730

Extras: Extra-Large Tag Punch #119866, Rhinestones #119246, Black 1/8” Taffeta Ribbon #119261, Crystal Effects #101055, Stampin’ Dimensionals #104430