A Glimpse of Spring

No, not out my window, but with my stamps. I received my preorder from the Spring/Summer SU catty. Getting to play with the stamps before the catalog comes out is just one of the benefits of being a demonstrator.

Here is a card I made using the beautiful Embrace Life set:

Recipe:
Stamp Set- Embrace Life
Paper- Regal Rose, Rose Red, SU watercolor paper
Ink- Black Staz On
Extras: SU brads, sponge dauber, aquapainter, cropadile
(all images © Stampin Up)

This flower set just screamed for color so I took out my markers, aquapainter, and watercolor paper. First I stamped the large flower onto the watercolor paper. I then masked it by cutting out a piece of scrap paper in its shape, and placed it over the image. I then inked up the smaller flower stamp, and stamped it on both sides of the flower so that it appears to be one large stamp. Masking is a great way to get a variety of looks from just a few stamps. I then colored in the image with the following SU markers: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Rose Red, Summer Sun, Garden Green. I then took my sponge dauber and added Regal Rose ink to the edge of the watercolor paper to add dimension without adding another paper layer.

Now, my first temptation was to mount the watercolor paper in the center and call it a day, but instead I place it to the side, and added some SU brads for visual interest. I marked, with a pencil, where I wanted my holes to be, and then used the small hole punch on the cropadile to punch them out. Finally, I added the Embrace Life sentiment at the bottom of the card in Black Staz On.

Say Goodbye to the Outlaw

That’s right, the Outlaw Designers Series Paper will be no more after December. This paper works so well to create cards with the BOHO/Western look that is so popular right now. And, since my fiance lives in Texas you can believe I have had a lot of fun with this set.

Recipe:
Stamps- Bronc Buster
Ink- Groovy Guava, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White
Paper, Groovy Guava, Sage Shadow, Confetti Cream, Close to Cocoa, Outlaw Designer Series paper
Extras- SU brads
(all images © Stampin Up)

This card was all about recreating the dusty and aged appeal of western style. I chose groovy guava and sage shadow, because they both brought me to the southwestern color scheme. And, the striped paper from the Outlaw Designers Series Paper which is slightly aged looking went perfect. I stamped the star and flourish stamp from Bronc Buster in groovy guava ink onto the cardstock, and sponged close to cocoa ink onto the sage shadow paper to age it as well. I then added brads to add a hard, more masculine element to the card. And, finally the main image. I used a split negative technique (if you would like to learn more about split negatives be on the look out for my class on them in the new year) in close to cocoa on the confetti cream and whisper white on the close to cocoa. I didn’t emboss the split negative, because I wanted it to have a more dull aged appearance instead of shiny and new.

This card was so much fun to make, and this stamp is a perfect set for cards and scrapbooks.
But, remember you want to stock up on the Outlaw paper before the end of December or it will be gone forever.

Keep It Simple

I know the trend right now in cards tends to be more is more, but this can be overwhelming to any stamper, especially new stampers. But, a card doesn’t have to have to tons of embellishments to be pretty. So, when you are feeling overwhelmed remember to keep it simple.

Here is a birthday card I made with that idea in mind:

Recipe:
Stamp Set: Eat Cake
Ink: Taken With Teal, Gable Green
Paper: Whisper White, Gable Green, Taken With Teal
Extras: SU button, SU markers
(all images © Stampin’ Up)

Instead, of sifting through designer series paper I made my own using my versamark pad. I took the confetti stamp and stamped all along the Taken With Teal adding texture and visual appeal without lots of extras. I also added more interest by using different colors on the cake. I inked one half of the cake in taken with teal and one half with gable green. Now, how did I get each of the candles a different color? I colored directly on the stamp with my SU markers, breathed on the stamp to moisten the ink, and stamped onto the paper. I then backed the image onto gable green paper, but I wanted one last detail to the card. So I took one single button, and placed it around the card until I found the spot that “fit”. Finally, I used a rock n’ roll technique to stamp that happy birthday onto the card. I first inked the stamp in gable green, and then rocked it slightly with the taken with teal. When using the rock n’ roll technique always start with the lightest color first.