Thinking Inking

Vintage Thank You: CPS 77

Tonight I wanted to share my CPS 77 card with you; our sponsor this week was Inque Boutique, and I chose to work with the Victorian Flourishes stamp set using soft, vintage tones. I turned the sketch on its side, but otherwise stayed very close to the original sketch. I'm going to list details below. Be sure to check out the CPS blog--there were some gorgeous cards there when I looked earlier tonight!

Stamps: Victorian Flourishes by Inque Boutique
Cardstock: Aqua Mist (PaperTrey Ink), Neenah Classic Ivory, SU Blush Blossom
Ink: Pearlescent Chocolate Brilliance, Antique Linen Distress Ink
Markers: (Copic) W1, R11, R12, BG10, BG11, YG91, YG93
Accessories: Aqua Mist Satin
Tools: Spellbinders Ribbon Tag dies

It's been a really busy week so far; in a couple of days, I'll have several new things to share. Thanks for your patience, and thanks for visiting!

French Fancy

I needed to make a couple of CHA samples using the new Spellbinders Labels 1 and 2 dies, so I thought I'd share those tonight. For both cards, I used the Inque Boutique French Fancy set.  Cardstock was Neenah Natural White and a Bazzill cardstock that I've had for a while--Chili, perhaps? On the top card, I also used a piece of metallic brushed gold cardstock.

I used the Copic markers shown here to color both images. Inks were SU's Bravo Burgundy, Pearlescent Chocolate Brilliance, and Antique Linen Distress ink. On the top card, I added a smattering of Spica Glitter pen in melon green and clear. Ribbons are both May Arts. The little stick pin is an aged copper Blue Moon pin from Joann's, but I cut off part of it to make it the right length.

In the second card, I added some Fruit Punch Stickles to the flower centers. See the line around the edge of the card?  I just left my Labels 2 die in place and used a fine tip marker to trace around the edge of the die.

I love this French Fancy set! For $12, it has a lot of great elements for making vintage cards.

I'm heading over to the Convention Center in a few minutes to drop off some samples, though the convention doesn't begin until Friday.  I'm setting this to auto post--hope it works okay! Thanks for visiting.

Making Clear Glittered Embellishments

I thought I'd share a simple thing that I came up with the other day and was pleased with. Necessity really is the mother of invention! I'm showing you the step-by-step pictures below, even though you saw the finished card on Monday in the Spellbinders Label Dies sneak peek. (This was the Labels 2 nested set (S4 162), available in August 2008.)

I had ordered an SEI Jolie Chocolate pad because one of my magazine goodie boxes contained the coordinating ribbon, big brads, and stickers. It was pretty enough that I thought I needed the paper to go along with it. (I'm guessing this line of reasoning is familiar to many of you. . .)

The paper pad had a gorgeous glittered butterfly piece that I really wanted to use, but the stamp set that I wanted to use, Inque Boutique's Bella Flora, did not contain a butterfly. It did, however, contain a five-petaled flower (1).

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So I tried (2) masking the fifth petal, then inking the stamp with Versamark, removing the mask, then stamping the resulting shape on a Cornish Heritage Farms clear card sheet and embossing a heat-activated tacky powder (3), (same as SU's Heat and Stick).

 

The CHF sheets work beautifully for embossing, unlike many clear bases that I have tried in the past. They are sturdy enough not to warp in the heat, and sturdy enough to stand alone as a card base, even with multiple layers and embellishments.

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Next I coated the tacky image with iridescent glitter and heat set it. I wanted pink butterflies though. Another brainstorm: I colored the backs of the butterfly images with a Copic RV17 (Deep Magenta) marker. Voila--pink glittered clear butterflies! (4)

This was really simple, but fun; I think I'll be playing with more clear glittered shapes in the future.

Finally, be sure to check out Wendy Weixler's blog today for the next Spellbinders dies sneak peek and drawing!

July 2: Wickedly Wonderful Creations by Wendy Weixler

Spellbinders Pre-CHA Sneak Peek 1

Drum roll here: Spellbinders just let me know that the winner of the Labels 1 and Labels 2 sets is Cindy Crysdale. Cindy, Kim has e-mailed you already--congratulations!  For everyone else, there are MANY more dies to be given away at the blogs listed below, in addition to the grand prize package. Hang in there!

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It is my privilege to show you a couple of new Spellbinders dies that will be released at  Summer CHA in a few weeks!  At the end of this post you will find a copy of the official rules for the Spellbinders Birthday Celebration Sneak Peek Party Drawing for the dies I'm sharing with you today, and for a chance at the  grand prize of a new raspberry Wizard and $500 worth of Spellbinders dies.

My two dies to share are Labels One (S4 161), and Labels Two (S4 162). First, Label 1 is a nested square bracket-type die. I have been wanting one of these for six months now--really! (Largest die in this set is 3-7/8" square.)

Here I used the largest die to cut a shaped card, 3-7/8" square.   Hints: (1) I left the die in place on the card until I stamped my CHF Perfect Plaid background. That gave me a nice little border--simple! (2) When you are trying to cut through two layers to make a shaped card, remember to leave yourself a little hinge at the top or on the side. You can create a hinge by placing the folded cardstock just short of the edge of the die so that you have an uncut fold. For this particular die shape, I have three hinged areas at the top in which the cardstock is not cut on the fold. (3) You will need to use a lighter weight cardstock in order to cut through both layers. Sometimes I run it through a couple of times to be sure that I have a clean cut on a folded card base.

On the focal image layer (Primitive Beginnings by Cornish Heritage Farms), I left my die in place and outlined the inside of the shape with Copic markers in B01 and G82. This again gave me the appearance of an extra layer. I enhanced the green and blue with some Prismacolor pencils to lighten it up since I was working on Kraft cardstock. I adore these Labels 1 dies--they are SO cool!

Next, I've used the dies in a more standard setting on a simple 3-1/2" x 5" notecard. Don't they frame that Lockhart Itty Bitty Nest image sweetly? (Patterned paper is Memory Box Aerial, and ribbon is PaperTrey Ink Summer Sunshine Stitched grosgrain.)

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My second die to share is the Labels 2 nested set (S4 162). How fun is this shape? Largest die in this set is also about 3-7/8" square.)

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I have used it here with an Inque Boutique Bella Flora set and Say it Again set for the tag, turning my flowers into butterflies. (Quick tutorial on that coming tomorrow). Doesn't that label shape add something special to an otherwise very traditional layout?  I think these dies rock!

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How about a simple square card (4-1/4" square): I used my Labels 2 die on the Lockhart Rooster focal image as a mask so that I could airbrush some sky  (Copic BG11) and ground (E25) A torn paper mask separated sky from ground. I love how the edge of a Spellbinders die acts as a mask! For the mat layer, I sanded a white-core cardstock (Memory Box Paprika) so that you could see the dimension that the embossing gives the die-cut shape.

Here's a close-up of that Label 2 shape. So, do you love the new dies? These are expected to ship in August.

Now, if you already have another die-cutting machine and need to know how to use Spellbinders dies with it, check out these YouTube videos. Don't forget that you can see more new dies every day for the next two weeks at the blogs listed below. If you want to enter the contest, be sure to read the rules below very carefully.

If you have questions regarding the contest or entries, you should e-mail Spellbinders to ask them since this is an official Spellbinders Contest. Good luck!

           [today here: June 30: Thinking Inking by Debbie Olson]            
            July 1: Created From Paper by Jennifer Ellefson
            July 2: Wickedly Wonderful Creations by Wendy Weixler
            July 3: Embellished Dreams by Heidi Blankenship
            July 4: Simple Dreams by Ellen Hutson
            July 5: Caffeinated Thoughts by Michelle Klomp
            July 6: Linda's Works of Heart by Linda Duke
            July 7: Mish Mash by Michelle Wooderson
            July 8: Inky Heart by Sally Lynn MacDonald
            July 9: Cookies for Breakfast by Beth Pingry
            July 10: PaperFections by Sharon Harnist
            July 11: Today's Creations by Holly Craft
            July 12: Donya Schroeder by Donya Schroeder
            July 13: Follow Your Bliss by Trudee Sauer

Spellbinders Birthday Celebration
Sneak Peek Party Drawing Information

Drawing Information

Spellbinders will randomly pick one entry from each of the 14 Spellbinders Sneak Peek Blog reveals as stated in the “Rules”. This name will be drawn to receive the die being revealed on said blog. These entries must follow all rules stated below to be valid for the drawing.

Entrants visiting all 14 Spellbinders Birthday Celebration Sneak Peeks Blog reveals and correctly entering their information into the 14 separate drawings, as described below, will automatically be entered into a GRAND PRIZE give away of a new RASPBERRY WIZARD and a $500 retail value die package!

Rules

Any participant wishing to be included in the daily drawing for the Spellbinders Birthday Celebration Sneak Peek die give away must adhere to all of the following rules:

1) Participant must click on the provided drawing link on blog to enter each individual drawing on sneak peeks between June 30 and July 13.

2) Participant must type in the subject line the name of the die or dies being revealed.

3) Participant must send their entry for this blog before 12:00 midnight Central Standard Time on July 1.

4) Participant is only allowed to enter each of the 14 Spellbinders sneak peek blog give away drawings one time per sneak peek. Participant must use the same email address daily to be considered for grand prize entry.

5) Spellbinders Design Team members and employees are not eligible for drawing.

Any participant wishing to be automatically entered into the drawing for the Spellbinders Birthday Celebration Sneak Peek Grand Prize drawing, must enter the drawing from all of the 14 blog reveals and follow all the above rules.

Please note:

*Spellbinders will only use email information to contact the winner.

*Spellbinders will not share this email address with any other parties.

*Spellbinders will not use this email information for advertisements or communication other than to contact the winner.

*If you wish to be included in further communications from Spellbinders, please go to their homepage and sign up: www.spellbinders.us

Edited to Add: The deadline for entering the contest for the Spellbinders Labels One (S4-161) and Labels Two (S4 162) dies has passed, and these particular dies have been awarded. Be sure to visit the other blogs listed above for a chance to win dies! Good Luck!

Thinking Inque: A Tale of Two Cards

Today I was thinking Inque. Why? Because I just got some new stamps! I love the challenge of working with all sorts of stamp styles from clean and fresh to vintage. Today, however,  I was definitely in a vintage mood. If you don't want to read through my entire post, skip to the end for sale information. :-)

My mother is, and my grandmother was an amazing seamstress. I'm not. In fact,  I must be a genetic fluke; I sew on cards, or sew very simple things. (Sewing complicated things makes me crabby.) Still, when I saw this Victorian Dressmaker set, I wanted it. For one thing, I knew that I could get away with embellishing it half to death!

I used a Kraft card base, stamped in Versafine Smokey Gray ink because it reminds me of the color of pattern pieces. I used my Scor-Pal to run an embossed line 3/8" away from the outside perimeter of the card front, though it's a bit hard to see in places. For the focal image layer, I stamped Versafine Vintage Sepia ink on PaperTrey's new ivory cardstock, then selectively watercolored the Victorian Dressmaker  images with watercolor crayons. I used a special stitch to sew the focal image layers to some SU Soft Sky cardstock after distressing edges with Antique Linen Distress ink. Lace is Wrights Cluny Edge Ivory, and ribbon is PaperTrey Aqua Mist satin. Buttons are Autumn Leaves Foo-fa-la. Copper stick pin is Blue Moon from JoAnn.com, and library clip is  Stampin' Up. This card is slightly larger than regular A-2 size only where pieces extend past the base. It will still fit into an A-2 envelope.

My next card is a bit less chaotic--more of a genteel, slightly shabby vintage. I stamped the focal image from Victorian Flourishes in Pearlescent Chocolate Brilliance ink on PaperTrey Ivory cardstock and used the following Copic markers to color the image: W1, 0, YG91, YG93, YG95, R20, R24, E55, and E57.

The background layer is PaperTrey Spring Moss cardstock, stamped in Spring Moss ink using other images from the Victorian Flourishes set. The focal image is die cut with my largest Spellbinders Nestability Plain Circle die, and the Berry Sorbet mat layer is cut with a Coluzzle. Pearls are found here (Ellen's store). Lace is Wrights Cluny Edge Ivory, and ribbon is SU Very Vanilla Taffeta. This card is regular A-2 size.  I love this image; it reminds me of a camellia--dear to my transplanted Southern heart!

Now, here's the scoop: Saturday is Everything Inque Day. That means that from now (Friday night) through Monday, you can get 20% off of everything at the Purple Turtle Shoppe by using the coupon code word awesome at checkout. Not only are the stamp sets a great value, but shipping is a special deal too--over $50 is free, and under $50 is only $3 in the U.S., and there is a reduced rate for Canadians as well. If you are seeing this post later than Saturday, that's okay! The Purple Turtle code awesome should work through Monday, June 30. If you are ordering stamps, I would also recommend one of the 13" x 13" foam mats to stamp on. Each Inque Boutique set comes with a small mat (aka the secret weapon), but since the large one is only $3.49 before the 20% discount, I've decided that it's much handier not to have to move the small mat around under my work. Leave one for me! Happy shopping!

Make a Wish!

In need of a guy card today,  I thought that I'd play with another Inque Boutique set, Mini Memoirs. I love the little swirly branches of this tree!  I also really liked the little apple stamp that came with it, but the apples seemed a bit large for the tree. Hmmmm--how about that folder full of shrink plastic in my drawer? Yes! I used my Versamagic chalk inks to stamp four little apples on translucent shrink plastic, then I cut them out and shrunk them. This is a birthday card, but I had that little "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree" aphorism in my head when I was making it.

I used my Scor-Pal to add some scored lines at the bottom and top of the focal image panel, as well as on the background layer above and below it. The tag is a Cuttlebug die from their Tiny Tags set, and the scallop on the bottom is made with the scalloping blade on Marvy 's Paper Trimming Buddy.

The "make a wish" sentiment is from PaperTrey's Mixed Messages set. Inks are Versamagic Dew drops in Red Magic, Tea Leaves, and Jumbo Java, and PaperTrey's Spring Moss on the background layer. The little grass blades behind the torn edge of cardstock were an experiment. (Marianne's rubbing off on me. ;-D) I used the broad nib of a Copic YG93 on its edge to dot some grass blades on, then I wasn't confident enough to leave them totally exposed. (That's why you see the torn cardstock grass in front!) Cardstock is PaperTrey Stamper's Select White and Spring Moss, paired with Prism Suede Brown Dark.

Now, my second reason for using this set today is that Inque Boutique told me that they are holding a special Everything Inque Day on Saturday, June 28. What's special about it? How about getting 20% off of your order that day! Anything bought through this Purple Turtle link, using the coupon code awesome will give you 20% off of your order from Saturday through Monday--just a heads up. Happy exploring!

Clearly French Quarter

Tonight I played with a new set of stamps, French Quarter by Inque Boutique, as well as the Cornish Heritage Farms Clear Card Sheets. I've made a couple of clear cards before, but I have never used a  sheet this clear and thick before. Paired with white Staz-On and a stand-alone clear base, French Quarter is such an elegant set!

I first mounted my quarter-circle stamps on an acrylic block and  laid the transparency on the "secret weapon" (explanation at bottom of post),  then reinked my white Staz-On pad and stamped the image. If you haven't used Staz-On white before, keep in mind that you have to reink it almost every time you use it in order to get maximum coverage. The first time I got my image a tiny bit crooked--no problem: I took some rubbing alcohol on a kleenex and wiped it clean, then stamped the image again.

I used markers to selectively color the rubber, then stamped the image on white cardstock before die-cutting it with a classic rectangle die. Since this was the first time I'd used the stamps, my marker ink was rolling up a bit. I used a latex rubber cement pick up to scrub the rubber for a few seconds, then cleaned it as usual and got a perfect image after that.  (You can also use a rubber eraser--anything to gently scuff the surface of the rubber. This step will help almost all solid-stamping rubber stamps. It gets the release agent off of the rubber and gives the rubber just enough distress to hold ink well.)

To nest my shapes without having adhesive showing, I put the stamped layer and its Certainly Celery (SU) mat layer on the outside front of the card, then added my scalloped rectangle Bashful Blue (SU) mat to the inside front of the card. I made sure that the rectangle containing the greeting was sized just slightly smaller than the scalloped mat so that it would be hidden when the card was shut. Before attaching the matted focal image, I tied a white silk ribbon around it and added a stick pen and beads. My favorite product to keep beads and stick pins in place is Ranger's Matte Accents. If a dab creeps out from under the beads, it doesn't show since it isn't reflective--very useful!

My inside sentiment is "sending you Love and Prayers," from the Sentiments set. Finally, I attached three light blue rhinestones on top of stamped circles just to add some bling. Life's better with bling, isn't it?

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Secret Weapon Explanation

Someone wrote me a few days ago that when she had bought an Inque Boutique set, she had thrown away the black cushioning layer, thinking that it was merely packaging. So I thought that I would explain what it's for so that no one else throws it away! Inque Boutique's cushioning pad, (aka, their "secret weapon") serves to give their rubber the padding that traditional wood-mounted stamps have in the gray foam layer. The foam padding is a separate layer because the index image is printed directly on the back of the rubber, which sticks to acrylic blocks. This allows you to see where you are stamping, a strength of acrylic stamps, while having the advantage of holding fine detail as a traditional rubber stamp.

I've been using one of my foam mats when I stamp with my acrylic sets too; it seems to help with my stamped image quality. You can get these mats in a 13" x 13" size, though so far I've been using the smaller ones that come with each stamp set. I hope that helps someone who has wondered about the "secret weapon!" Have a wonderful day!

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Credits

Stamps: French Quarter, Sentiments
Card Base: Clear Card Sheets by Cornish Heritage Farms
Cardstock: Stamper's Select White (PaperTrey Ink), Certainly Celery and Bashful Blue (Stampin' Up)
Ink: White Staz-On (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Certainly Celery and Bashful Blue Stampin' Write markers, white silk ribbon (May Arts), silver stick pen and miscellaneous beads (a superstore); rhinestones (A Muse); Stardust Stickles (Ranger)
Tools: Spellbinders Classic Plain and Scalloped Rectangle Dies

Butterfly Love: Ribbon and Lace and Buttons, Oh My!

I adore butterflies, lace, buttons, and  mild shabbiness. So tell me, how could I have resisted this Boutique Grunge stamp set? (No, don't tell me: I don't want to know!) At least I know that I'll get good mileage out of it, and at under $12 for a large set, it was a real deal.

I started with a vanilla cardstock base (6-1/2" x 3-1/4" closed), and a pink front panel (PaperTrey Ink Sweet Blush), then embossed the lace strip with vanilla embossing powder and lightly sponged it in Antique Linen distress ink--my favorite color for distressing. Next I stamped two butterflies on heavier weight vellum using Versamark and embossed them in vanilla embossing powder as well.

I sewed around the outer edge of my card and stamped a couple of swirls in a pale pink (Sweet Blush) as well. The butterflies are both mounted on a couple of strips of foam tape. They would flatten for mailing, however.  Lace is cluny edge ivory by Wrights, and ribbon is May Arts white silk, dyed/colored to coordinate with an R30 Copic Marker. Ribbons are Foo-Fa-La by Autumn Leaves and pearls are Joy Crafts (from Ellen Hutson).

The little "life together" sentiment is part of a larger sentiment found in the Card Wishes set, also by Inque Boutique. I just love this set!

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Helpful Hint: If you haven't used Inque Boutique stamps before, make sure you save that little black cushion that comes with each set. It is not packaging, but Stephanie's "secret weapon!" Seriously, I'm finding that I also grab it when I use my acrylic stamps since it gives me a more consistent impression than stamping directly on my counter top surface does. The "Secret Weapon" has earned a permanent place on my desk.

Have a lovely day!

Get Well Soon: Boutique Grunge

I wanted to get a couple of get well cards made today,  as well as try a new stamp set and play with older cardstock. It's odd to think of SU's Soft Sky going away pretty soon, isn't it? Last year I stockpiled Cool Caribbean and have 90% of it left. So while I really love Soft Sky, this year I probably won't stockpile. I'll count on them coming up with a color that I learn to like equally well!

My newest stamp set is an Inque Boutique set called Boutique Grunge. Flowers, butterfly, lace, vintage elements--what's not to like? I had never tried Inque Boutique stamps before. I admired several of them at Winter CHA, but I hadn't gotten around to getting them until this past week. (You know--the "I still have uninked stamps on my shelf" argument that you eventually lose to yourself. . .) I really like this set and think I will use it often, especially the lacy corner piece. (If you haven't used these stamps before, be sure to read the directions and use that black spongy pad; it's equivalent in purpose to the gray cushioning layer on your traditional rubber stamps.)

The butterfly is coated in clear embossing powder on top of Pearlescent Chocolate Brilliance ink. Both ribbons are SU, as well as cardstock (Soft Sky, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, and Very Vanilla). Sentiment is from PaperTrey's Mailbox Greetings set. The tag die, as well as the plain and scalloped long rectangles of the card base and front mat are Spellbinders die cuts. Pearls are Mocha Gold.

Speaking of dies, if you need any, Ellen has a coupon sale going on for 10% off of her in-stock Spellbinders dies through May 31; you can get the newsletter with the coupon by signing up at the bottom of this page. Thank you for visiting!