Remember this card?

Do you remember this card?  I made it with our stamp set So Sorry.  I wanted to post it again today to remind you that you can do a lot of stamping using markers.  Being a beautiful flower, I wanted the image to be in two colors --- flower and stem.  The easiest way to do this is with markers.  You color the image (directly onto the rubber stamp), then give it a little huff to moisten the image, and stamp your beautiful flower.  I used this technique to create a coordinating envelope, as well.

Once you have all the colors of our markers, you have endless possibilities for your stamped images.  Do you already have most of the colors, but just need a few of the new ones?  We have just the deal for you!

This promotion is available through Oct. 31, so let me know which colors you would like to order.  Be sure to try this 'huffing' technique and let me know how it worked for you.  Enjoy!

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Sympathy Cards --- not fun, but necessary

Sympathy cards are never fun to send, but they are a necessary part of life.  I have gone through my stash, replenished it, gone through those, replenished those... and over and over again.

These are some of my last creations.  With a different sentiment and perhaps changing the colors a bit, they would be good masculine cards, too.

I used Just Believe, So Sorry and Serene Silhouettes stamp sets for these cards.  I chose the elegance of a black, white and gray combination.

Because the card bases are dark, I have a layer of white CS inside each card.  I have a stamped sentiment on each, with a little more stamping at the bottom and there is coordinated stamping on the envelopes, as well.

So, which design is your favorite?  Be sure to let me know.

I truly hope I don't ever need to send a card of this type to you but, if I do, I hope it will send a message of love and comfort and help you know that someone cares.

On a happier note...

I'm nearly finished with the last of the kits earned by those placing qualifying orders during our Free Shipping days.  No wonder I'm tired.  I actually would have been finished a couple of days ago I think, but we had a problem with a mystery leak during our last gushing rain storm.  Also, my legs were getting pretty tired because I mostly stamp standing up.  I started out that way and it just works better for me.  As for the mystery leak, it is going to involve tearing out the damaged ceiling (which would have had to be replaced anyway) and trying to find the leak.  I am super stressed about just how much tearing out is going to be involved.

There is really nothing I can do beyond worrying about it, so I will just stamp on and hope for the best.  It will involve an area in my studio.  I've moved everything in prep for them coming to do this, so I can at least go back to work for now... so..., before the dust settles in my studio, I'm off to finish the rest of the kits and then make some new goodies for my Prairie Treasures booth at the Root Cellar.  

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

A Cut Above: A Cutting Tutorial

I get a lot of questions about how to go about cutting into CS or DSP and not waste any of it.  I'm going to share a little tutorial with you to help you get the most out of your supplies.  Because of my Friday 3-4-5 Card Buffet Classes, our little note card sets are becoming very popular with my customers, so I'll start with those.

Here's a card for my next Friday 3-4-5, using 2 layers on the top.

The note card itself is white and comes cut and pre-scored, with its own envelope.  I like to stamp something on the front corner and the back flap of the envelope, to coordinate with the card.

My card is made with 2 layers over it --- a black layer and then a white layer on top, where you stamp your images.

I started with sheets of 8 1/2 X 11" CS.
Change your colors however you'd like to have them.
Here's how my CS looks after cutting pieces for both layers.

As you can see, there will be no wasted pieces.  The smaller pieces I have left over, after cutting the layers for the top of the card, will go into my scrap drawer and be saved for a time when I need a smaller piece for a project.

STOP HERE!!!  
IF YOU PLAN TO TRY THIS, I'D SUGGEST YOU PLACE YOUR CUTTER AND LAPTOP SIDE BY SIDE AND DO IT STEP BY STEP WITH ME OR PRINT OUT MY POST AND THEN TRY IT.

Let's take a minute to think about measuring.

• The note card front measures 5 X 3 1/2" so, to add layers, you subtract 1/4" for each layer.
• Thus, the black layer for the card measures 4 3/4 X 3 1/4."
• This makes the top white layer measurement come to 4 1/2 X 3."

Now, let's get started with the larger pieces (my black CS):

• With the 8 1/2" end at the top, cut at 8" and 3 1/4"  (1st arrow and 2nd arrow in photo below).

• Turn, placing the 11" side at the top. 
• Cut at 9 1/2" and 4 3/4" (creates the 2 layers + 1 scrap shown on the left in the photo below).
• Cut the remaining piece at 9 3/4" and 6 1/2" and 3 1/4" (creates 3 card layers + scrap shown between the two arrows in the photo below).

Total:
You now have 5 black layers for your card front + 2 scraps for your scrap drawer.


Let's go to the smaller layer (my white layer):

• With the 8 1/2" end at the top, cut at 7 1/2" and 3" (1st arrow and 2nd arrow in photo below).

• Turn, placing the 11" side at the top.
• Cut at 9" and 4 1/2" (creates the 2 layers + 1 scrap shown on the left in the photo below).
• Cut remaining piece at 9" and 6" and 3" (creates 3 card layers + scrap shown between the two arrows in the photo below).

Total:You now have 5 white pieces to stamp on and layer over your black pieces + 3 scraps for your scrap drawer.

Where do you go from here?
Well, you can now make 5 note cards!
But wait, they come 20 in a package... so... I suggest that you repeat the process using 3 different colors in place of the black CS, keeping white for the top layer.
Now you have 20 note cards, 5 each of 4 colors.  Wow, did you ever bump up your stash!!!

Suggestion ---
Try substituting one of the CS layers with DSP.  Now, you've changed the entire feel of your card.  Your creative direction will be guided by the colors and patterns in your DSP.

What other color combos should I try next?  What would you like to see?

So, that's my tutorial for cutting pieces for note cards.  This tutorial took a long time to make (partly because I kept making so many silly mistakes doing it) and I would really love some feedback from you.  Please tell me what you think, tell me if you tried it and tell me how it worked for you.

Come back soon for more tips on cutting and getting the most from your CS and from your DSP.

I'm going to rest now, after all this cutting and typing ... and then ... I'll get back to more stamping!   It's a good life!