Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Christmas Tidings

#stampinup   #faithfulinkspirations   You may know that I do a Christmas card stamp-a-stack once a month from August through November. I plan my cards as soon as the Holiday Catalog comes out. I know what I need to order and how much. I pride myself on my organizational skills. By mid-September I'm ready to go. And then something goes on back-order and I have to regroup. I had originally planned to use the Timeless Tidings Project Kit at two of my sessions, but that proved to be so popular that it went on back-order right away. The good news is that it's available again and you can order it by clicking on the link below. 
 
And there's more good news. The "Timeless Tidings"stamp set is so awesome that you can use it for other holiday cards--like this one!

I started with a 3" by 4" Whisper White Card Stock piece. I used the Stamparatus to stamp the tree from the "Timeless Tidings" set in Shaded Spruce and Old Olive. Using the Stampartus' hinges to step the image across the card stock was a breeze!

I adhered this piece to a 3-1/4" by 4-1/4" Real Red Card Stock mat. I added a 1" by 4" strip of Under the Mistletoe Designer Series Paper at the bottom. I stamped the sentiment in Real Red Ink onto a 1/2" by 4" Whisper White strip and added this to the card. Then, I wrapped a length of Whisper White Baker's Twine around this piece and tied it into a pretty bow.

Next, I embossed a 4" by 5-1/4" piece of Early Espresso Card Stock with the Subtle Embossing Folder. I adhered this to an Old Olive Card Stock card base. And then I adhered the main image to the card with Stampin' Dimensionals. Such a simple design, but it's so pretty and nostalgic, don't you think?




Product List
Stamparatus
[146276]
$49.00

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Watercolored Waterfront

#stampinup   #faithfulinkspirations   I've been wanting to find the time to use a water coloring technique with the "Waterfront" stamp set. I have to admit that water coloring is a bit intimidating for me. But my friend, Lydia Fiedler, says to just do it (or other encouraging words to that effect), so I did. I'm not sure if the result is a hot mess or a little bit of art. Here it is!
I wanted to make a mountain scene, because one of my favorite coworkers is retiring to the mountains. Here's how I made the card.

I started with a 3-3/4" by 5" piece of Water Color Paper. I used an Aqua Painter to wet the top part of the paper and then added washes of Balmy Blue and Highland Heather Inks. I stamped the first mountain in Highland Heather Ink onto the center of the card and then a couple of mountains at either side. I used the Aqua Painter to blend the ink. Then I stamped a row of mountains in the distance using Highland Heather Ink, stamped off once, and blended those inks as well.

Next, I used the double-swipe stamp to add Mossy Meadow Ink to either side of the of the scene. I blended that with the Aqua Painter. I followed that with some Crumb Cake Ink and then with some Soft Suede Ink, blending them each with the Aqua Painter. PROTIP: You have to wait for each color of ink to dry before adding the next color, or they will run into each other and "muddy." If you're impatient, like me, you can use your Heat Tool. 

I used the water stamp to add the lake in the middle with Balmy Blue Ink. Because the water stamp was wider than the space I'd left for the lake, I removed some ink from the sides of the stamp before I stamped onto the paper. I blended that with the Aqua Painter, too.

I stamped the trees in the foreground in Mossy Meadow Ink.  I made a little mistake and got some Mossy Meadow Ink on the mountains, so I added a little bit more diluted ink on the mountains and made a tree line in the distance. (Just pretend that's what it looks like!)

To finish the card, I adhered the scene to a 3-7/8" by 5-1/8" Mossy Meadow Card Stock mat and then onto a Thick Very Vanilla Card Stock card base.

After I got over my initial fear, I had fun making this scene. I obviously need more practice, but I'm not as intimidated now!














Product List
Heat Tool
[129053]
$30.00

Monday, October 29, 2018

Lovely Tree

#stampinup   #faithfulinkspirations  Starting November 1st and lasting only for the month of November (or while supplies last) you can get two exclusive stamp sets from Stampin' Up. Both these sets are great for making your holiday cards, but they're also perfect all year round. Here's a little preview of some of the products in the collection and some sample cards. At the end of this blog post, there's a great video where you can see all the products in action. I know you'll love these stamp sets and accessories, so as soon as November 1st rolls around, get in touch with me to place your order!

Here's a card I made that is inspired by the "joy" card on the flyer. I used a different color scheme because I just knew that this card would look great with Lovely Lipstick as the base. What do you think?

I started by adding a Lovely Lipstick color wash with my Aqua Painter onto a 3-3/4" by 5" Shimmery White Card Stock panel. I dried that with my Heat Tool (because I am impatient) and then added the Lovely Lipstick dots from the "Snow Is Glistening" stamp set.

Next, I inked up the tree from the same set in Granny Apple Green. I used a Sponge Dauber to add Call Me Clover to several of the larger snowflakes on the stamp and then I stamped it onto a piece of Granny Apple Green Card Stock. I cut this out with my Paper Snips. I stamped the tree trunk in Early Espresso Ink onto a Whisper White scrap and cut that out with my Paper Snips. I adhered the trunk directly to the card with Snail Adhesive and I adhered the tree to the card with Stampin' Dimensionals.

I stamped "joy" in Lovely Lipstick Ink onto a Whisper White scrap and cut it out with the smallest circle in the Stitched Shapes Framelits. I adhered this to the card with one Stampin' Dimensional on the right so that it would be at the same level as the tree. I added a little Snail Adhesive on the left to adhere it to the tree.

To finish the card, I adhered a Snowflake Trinket to the tree with a Glue Dot and added some Basic Rhinestone Jewels. I adhered this panel to a 3-7/8" b 5-1/8" Lovely Lipstick Card Stock mat and then onto a Thick Whisper White Card Stock Card Base.

Now enjoy the video!







Product List
Heat Tool
[129053]
$30.00
Glue Dots
[103683]
$5.25