A Rose Is A Rose Is A Rose ... Version 2

Are you ready for my second card and mini tutorial today?  Let's jump right in and get creating.  There's good news about this one.  If you've already made my first card, you'll be partly finished with the second one - without even realizing it:)  Here is today's card and one last shot at both of them.

Actually, both of the cards are easier than you'd think to make them.

Mini Tutorial:
- Start with the die cut piece you used for the stencil on the first card.
- It will already have some color one it.  Sponge on more as needed.
- Let ink dry thoroughly.
- Pat VersaMark Ink all over your die cut piece.
- Heat emboss with Clear EP.  Let cool.
- Repeat last 2 steps if you'd like a heavier coating.
- This will look like enamel when finished.
- Attach your rose with leaves to the front of your card.
- Complete your card as you wish.
- Hold them both out at arm's length and admire:)  Smile.  You did it!

I like the variation in the coloring of the die cut piece.  It makes it look more artistic.

I really hope you'll try both of these cards ... and be sure to let me know which one you liked the best.  I think I change my mind each time I look at them:)

UP NEXT:
-SPRING OPEN HOUSE PARTY!
My party is now scheduled for Sunday, April 8.  Party time is from 2:00-5:00.  Stop in any time during these hours.  I'll have demonstrations of our 2 newest products, displays to inspire you, refreshments to enjoy with friends, special gifts for your ordering, party favors for those who sent their RSVP to help me plan, a little guessing game contest, and 3 special Make and Take projects --- all just for you!  Let me spoil you a bit.  Bring a friend and let's party!!!

NEW HOSTESS CODE:

GHG4V666 -Mar. 25-April 10.

- April 9 / Scraps and Prayers Class / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00

We'll be making some beautiful Spring cards, using some fun coloring techniques.  You'll love them!

- April 21 / Saturday Stampers / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00

Brusho!!!  We'll make a Swatch Book and a couple of beautiful cards using this gorgeous new product.  Remember, this class could be free.

Click here to see how to turn your April 21 Saturday Stampers Class into a free class.  You can even change the date, just for you!

NOTE:

Stampin' Blends free classes are 'on hold' until SU gets in more supplies for us.

THERE AREN'T ANY CLASSES IN MAY.

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

- Come back often for more creative inspiration.

- Let's create something beautiful today.

A Rose Is A Rose Is A Rose ... Version 1

Having a little girl in the family often leaves you comparing.  Sometimes, that is the way it goes in our creative endeavors, too.  Today, I have 2 photos for you to compare --- my sweet Olive Jane ... and me.  I also have 2 versions of a beautiful rose card.

Here are the 2 versions of my card.  After you've seen all of this post and my next post, you can decide which one you like the best.

Here are the 2 little girls for you to compare ...

Here is the first rose card.

I love this text and find myself using it a lot.

A little tutorial:
- Cut rose/leaf shape using Rose Garden Thinlits.  Thick CS works best.
- Using die cut shape as a stencil, lightly sponge over the rose and the leaves.
- I used Old Olive, Crushed Curry and Calypso Coral for my inks.
- Carefully remove die cut 'stencil' and complete your card.
- Set die cut shape aside to use for the second card.
- Note:  I used a separate layer over the front of my card base, to bump it up a notch.

Don't forget to add special touches to your envelope and to the inside of your card.

Here are both versions of my card again.  In my next post, I'll give a little tutorial for making the second card. 

I love both versions, so I'm still not sure which one I like the best.  In fairness, the second card looks best IRL.  Just sayin'.

UP NEXT:
-SPRING OPEN HOUSE PARTY!
My party is now scheduled for Sunday, April 8.  Party time is from 2:00-5:00.  Stop in any time during these hours.  I'll have demonstrations of our 2 newest products, displays to inspire you, refreshments to enjoy with friends, special gifts for your ordering, party favors for those who sent their RSVP to help me plan, a little guessing game contest, and 3 special Make and Take projects --- all just for you!  Let me spoil you a bit.  Bring a friend and let's party!!!

NEW HOSTESS CODE:

GHG4V666 -Mar. 25-April 10.

- April 9 / Scraps and Prayers Class / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00

We'll be making some beautiful Spring cards, using some fun coloring techniques.  You'll love them!

- April 21 / Saturday Stampers / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00

Brusho!!!  We'll make a Swatch Book and a couple of beautiful cards using this gorgeous new product.  Remember, this class could be free.

Click here to see how to turn your April 21 Saturday Stampers Class into a free class.  You can even change the date, just for you!

NOTE:

Stampin' Blends free classes are 'on hold' until SU gets in more supplies for us.

THERE AREN'T ANY CLASSES IN MAY.

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

- Come back often for more creative inspiration.

- Let's create something beautiful today.

Version 2 of Notepad Project and a Mini Tutorial

Today, I'm sharing a second version for a notepad project.  Enjoy!

Above:  the thin case, on top of the wide case.
Below:  the wide case holds 2 notepads, an RSVP pen, and a little memo book.

I bought the RSVP pens, the memo books and the notepads at Staples.  They cut down the notepads to fit the stamp cases.  I took a case with me, to be sure they were cut down enough.  The notepads look like miniature legal pads and the memo books look like miniature composition books.

Pen Tutorial:
- Unscrew the black end of the pen and remove the 'tube' of ink.
- Cut DSP to 3 1/2 X 1" and roll tightly into a tube.
- Insert the rolled DSP into the pen, reinsert the ink 'tube' and screw the end back onto it.
DSP Measurements for stamp case, notepad and memo books:
- Thin stamp case = 10 1/2 X 7"
- Wide stamp case = 11 1/4 X 7"
- Notepad topper = 5 X 2"
- Miniature composition book = 3 1/2 X 1"
Before slipping the DSP into the stamp case, decorate as you wish.  By adding the 'embellishments' directly to the DSP, it will be on the inside of your case, so you can carry the notepad case in your purse or brief case and it won't get dirty or torn.  Keep them flat --- no bumpy pieces to stick up and tear the cover on the stamp case. 

August Classes:

August 14 -- Scraps and Prayers
     5:30-7:30 / $15.00 -- book box with cards project. 

THERE WILL BE NO SATURDAY STAMPERS CLASS IN AUGUST.  CHECK BACK FOR SEPTEMBER DATES AND CLASSES. 
 

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

- Come back often for more creative inspiration. 

A Beautiful Fall Tree and A Mini Tutorial

I'm enjoying our beautiful Fall weather.  Although I haven't been able to take a walk, due to my leg injury, I still notice and enjoy the trees as we drive by them.  My tree today still has lots of wonderful foliage in beautiful Fall colors.  

This is one of the cards we made at one of my previous Saturday Stampers class.  It is stamped onto a circle of watercolor paper.  The circle behind it is cut from some of our wonderful Copper Foil.   The circle pieces are attached to one of our Specialty Papers which is sponged to a gorgeous Fall color.  After I tied the burlap ribbon around the card, I attached a tiny leaf with a teeny, tiny rhinestone.  I love it!

A mini tutorial for creating this beautiful tree:
- Stamp the bare tree onto watercolor paper.
- Stamp 2 or 3 Fall colors of 'leaves' (1 at a time) onto the watercolor paper.
- Gently spritz the 'leaves' with water, using just enough to gently blend the colors.
- Using an Aqua Painter, paint some green under the tree, for 'grass'.
- Once it's all completely dry, spritz (just the white circle) with shimmer mist.
- Assemble your beautiful card and enjoy.

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

- Click on the tab at the top to see my class schedules. 

- Look on the left for sneak peeks and registration policies. 

- Please sign up to follow my blog and/or leave a comment. 

- Come  back often for more creative inspiration. 

Tips for Stamping with the Lotus Blossom

I hope today's post will help you if you're working with the Lotus Blossom stamp set.  It's not difficult.  These are just some little tips to help you enjoy it even more.  I used a lot of lotus blossoms for this layout, so you know it couldn't be too difficult to create them.

My tips:
Stamp several at once.  This will help you decide what colors work best for a specific project.  Also, don't start your stamping too close to the lower edge of your CS, or you won't have room for your other pieces of your blossom.

The last blossom in the photo above is what I ended up choosing for my layout.  I saved my darker pieces (in photo below) because they will be fine for a different project ... one that already has more white in the background.  I'll share that project at another time:)

One more tip:
Be sure your stamp is totally clean.  Any lint at all will effect how you ink up your stamp and it will ruin your stamped image, as in the image below.

Here's the stamp set.  This is one of the FREE choices for $50. orders during our Sale-A-Bration!  This one comes only in photopolymer and I think that's a good thing because it makes it so much easier to see your placement when you're stamping.

If you were working on a project with an entirely different color story, you would need to experiment with different colors.  You'll know what works best for your project when you see it all together.  Play around with it and have some fun.  I think this is a beautiful stamp set.

- 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. 

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

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

Spring really is here and a mini tutorial...

Yes, Spring really is here and I have the allergies to prove it.  Today, I'd like to share a simple technique with you that really makes a wow on your card or project.

It's a form of the Emboss Resist technique.

Mini Tutorial:

• Stamp image using VersaMark ink.
• Heat emboss with white EP.
• Let cool.
• Create a mask with thin paper with torn edges.  (I used sticky notes.  The sticky part helps to hold them in place on your project.)  I went for a rectangular shape for my background.
• Lightly sponge over your stamped, embossed image working in a circular motion.  Notice that mine is darker around the image and gets lighter as you work your way out.
• Add a sentiment, embellishments, and layer onto your card base.
• Stamp a coordinating image onto your envelope.  (I like to do the lower, left corner on the front and the flap on the back.)
• That's it!

Tip:
For a really nice, finished look, add a layer of white CS to the inside of the card.  You can add more stamping inside or leave blank, for writing a note.

Notice that I added a little detail to the card by making a series of knots in the ribbon.  The ribbon is wrapped around the black CS layer before attaching that layer to the card.

I hope you'll give this technique a try.  It's really fun and truly does create a wow factor on your card or project.  If you don't want the torn edges effect, you could always use the negative image from a piece of CS cut with a framelit, such as one of our ovals or one of our Apothecary labels, for your background sponging.

- 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.