7 Ways to Use Gelatos

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7 ways to use gelatos

Gelatos by Faber-Castell, are powerfully pigmented creamy sticks that pack a punch. Do you have some sitting in a drawer or in a bin somewhere? My hope is that you will be inspired to break out those awesome pigmented creamy sticks and get creating. Here are 7 Ways you can use Gelatos on your projects!

Let’s dive right in!!

I have three amazing projects to share with you today. To get started, you’ll want to spread some gesso onto an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of white cardstock. For gelatos to spread properly, they need a base to spread easily. Without that, it can be a challenge!

If you haven’t already – please subscribe to my newsletter (you’ll get an exclusive video series), instagram, youtube channel, and blog (subscribe in the sidebar on the right)!!

I filmed a video for you, but have each one detailed below as well in photos and instructions. Be sure to leave me a comment on the youtube channel too with which one you loved the most!

Click here to watch over on YT.

#1 – Gelato Blending Technique

Our first Gelatos technique is the most basic of them all – blending. You will want to choose colors that go well together and scribble them all over your paper – no need to worry about being neat – the water and that ever so special tool (your fingers) will do all the heavy lifting!

A tool that helps with blending Gelatos is the Ranger spritzer. You will first want to mist your surface lightly by squeezing quickly on your Ranger Spritzer. To blend those amazing colored pigments together, use your fingers or a damp towel, to get the coverage you love. Dry with a heat tool, or set aside and cut up into a few card fronts. I split mine in 1/2 – 5.5 x 8.5. For the card fronts, I cut one into two, and one I cut into a 5″ square and 3.5 x 5.5 with a 1/2″ strip left over. That will give you 4 backgrounds to create with – not bad!

gelato blended backgrounds

#2 – Disappearing Gelato Technique

Next, line up your favorite stencil over one of your panels. I’m using the Quadrilaterals Stencil by AALL & Create which has some great space to work with. Grab a Baby Wipe or wet paper towel and twist your wipe through the stencil to wipe away the color – what?!!

Yes, you’re going to remove the gelatos color easily through your stencil. The key – keep alternating to a clean spot on your wipe/towel. I intentionally only removed the color in spots, to give an organic look to my project. The end result gives you an artsy stenciled look!

baby wipe gelatos technique

Add some splatters and edge your piece and all that’s left is to mat it onto a base and use a simple word die. Don’t take away from the background – the disappearing gelatos piece is the star!

#3 – Gelato Colored Paste Technique

Did you know that you can shave off some pigments and do loads of techniques with them?!! Here’s just one of many – Coloring Paste. Now keep in mind – you can do this with just about any medium too!

Use a palette knife to scrape off some pigment (a little goes a long way) and mix with some white embossing paste and a palette knife. Mix your gelatos and paste thoroughly. I mixed four gelato colors, each with a tiny amount of paste. Add each color, a small amount at a time, directly through the stencil with a palette knife.

tinting mediums with gelatos

In this project, you’ll notice that I intentionally left some spots without paste. That was so that the rockin’ background can shine through. It makes for some interesting breaks in your project.

Try overlapping your colors a bit too – that creates new ones! Just keep the color wheel in mind – leave complimentary colors apart – blue/orange, red/green, etc… Doesn’t that look stunning through the Quadrilaterals Stencil?!!

stenciling mediums with gelatos

Again, a simple word die and some fun matting and you’re all set. Now I did stamp the Eclectica Tracy Scott 25 stamp set onto the card base in embossing ink and embossed it in Wanderlust Embossing Glitter for a little interest. To keep adding a little sparkle, highlight the awesome word die with a sparkle pen.

#4 Gelato Dripping Technique

This technique is probably a fan favorite of many! You can try this on plain or colored backgrounds. I decided to add more of the same to one of the existing panels. Keep color theory in mind, when using this technique. Gelatos have fugitive properties, so try and stay away from complimentary colors in order to avoid making mud.

Here’s the skinny – rub some gelatos at the top of your panel – nice and concentrated. Spritz or add water with a paint brush and watch the drips!! It’s a very cool look.

The dripping technique gave an awesome depth to the background of our third project – a real mixed media card. This is just he beginning!!

gelatos dripping backgrounds

#5 Gelato Layering Technique

One of the properties of Gelatos is that it is always live and reactive. To set them, you’ll need to seal it. You can use a spray, or if you’d like to flex your mixed media muscles a bit – try matte medium! Pour a little over your background to set those colors.

This helps in two ways – one locks that colored goodness in place, and two – you can layer ANY colors on top of each other!! To use Matte Medium – drip a little onto your project and carefully spread with a palette knife or silicone spatula. Be careful not wipe all that colored goodness away – you are adding a liquid to it! You will find that it is better to start with a little of the matte medium in one place, just until you get the hang of using it. You want only a thin layer. Dry naturally, or with a heat tool.

how to seal gelatos

Gelatos are vibrant in color. To allow the second layer of color to pop, you will need to first lay down a layer of white gelato to give your second layer a neutral base. I used Coconut as a white base underneath a few pops of color in my second layer. I added purple right onto yellow and blue right over orange – normally that would be a muddy mess. Not with Gelato layering!!

That brings us to #6…

#6 Gelato Stenciling Technique

Since Gelatos are SO super creamy and pigmented, I like to avoid rubbing them directly onto my stencil. That way too much pigment doesn’t get stuck in the nooks and crannies of my stencil. Instead, use a makeup sponge!

Scribble some gelato pigment onto your craft mat or a palette and sponge through your stencil onto your project. This way you have a smooth application and can be quite deliberate in where you want to add color. On your Mixed Media card – add a little Stardust, Galaxy and Blue Moon for a nice little accent in both corners. The Quadrilaterals Stencil adds a little lattice look to the corners, don’t you think?

stenciling with gelatos

I love the dark popping off the bright base. None of which would show up without locking the layers and adding the white underneath.

#7 Gelato Coloring Technique

And last, but certainly not least, add color to all your embellishments with Gelatos! A unique way to add color to an embellishment, is to stamp your piece in Archival ink onto Tissue Paper and use the gelatos to color from behind!

On tissue paper, the gelatos blended super easily. No need for Gesso. Add as much pigment as you’d like – you want it to pop from the other side. I added Aqua Dolce, Nebula and Blue Moon for a fun blue flower. The background has some good orange tones from blending the Blood Orange Gelato over Guava. Can you see the Blood Orange drips on the left side? The blue would be the perfect pop to the project in a complimentary color…

coloring tissue paper with gelatos

To help the blue flower pop even more, hold your fussy cut flower onto your project, lift the edges, and add a little white gelato underneath. Seal the stenciled corners and white flower with some matte medium, giving your flower a base to grab onto. Add matte medium over the top too and dry your entire piece.

Pulling it All Together

To complete your flower, add a little Pistachio green for some leaves and rub it into shape with your fingers. Next add some black charcoal pencil for shading, rub in with your finger, and add some Black Big Brush Pen accents too. Rub and add white where needed. Add a little matte medium over your green leaves and add some finishing touches.

For a sentiment, I used a sticker from Small Talk collection by Tim Holtz Ideology. To help it to stand out, edge your sticker with a Pitt Pen. I love the end result, and now I want to create a two page spread like this in my art journal – it’s TOO pretty!!

Mixed Media Cards using Gelatos

Whoever receives this card in the mail, is certain to cherish it.

Which of the 7 Ways to Use Gelatos is your favorite? Have you tried any? Tell me in the comments!! I’d love to know which projects you liked too! Want to see more with Gelatos?

Did You Know?

I popped all the supplies I used in the list below. This post was written for a fun hop celebrating Top Flight Stamps and their 2nd anniersary. Have you had a chance to check out Topflight Stamps yet? If you have not checked it out yet, then you MUST pop over. It’s one of the best collections of artsy stamps and stencils I’ve seen.

Topflight Stamps differs from most online retailers. You will find an incredibly diverse collection of artistic stamp products from around the world – all under one roof. Don’t you just love the two products I used today, and hope you enjoyed seeing a few ways you too could use them!

7 ways to use Gelatos - easy techniques

But first, keep hopping along. Be sure to leave comments all along the way. There are some INCREDIBLE crafters in this hop – seriously – I’m so honored to have been asked to be a small part of it. So thanks for hanging with my novel of a post. If you haven’t already – please subscribe to my newsletter, blog (subscribe in the sidebar on the right), instagram and youtube channels!!

Till next time, keep those fingers inky…

Blog Hop List

Supplies

To make finding the supplies I used in these projects a bit easier for you, here are a few clickable links. Compensated Affiliate Links are used when possible. Click here for disclosure. Happy Shopping!

Filed Under: Flowers, Mixed Media, One Layer Card, Stencils, Techniques, Uncategorized Tagged: , , , ,

How to Create Realistic Scenic Cards

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Spooky Hollow Clear Stamp Set used to create a Twilight Scenic Halloween Card

Earlier today I showcased a realistic scenic card when I participated in a fun blog hop for the new Catherine Pooler release – Kind of Batty. I had filmed my card, but hadn’t had a chance to get the video done – well…here it is!!

If you’ve already hopped through the incredible blog hop, enjoy this one! If you’re catching it later on in the evening – then you may have seen this. 🙂

Scenic cards are totally my jam. I LOVE to create scenes like these:

But the secret is in using the right stamps in the right location on your card! I talk about this in this video I filmed for you:

Click Here to watch in HD on YouTube

This card was SO much fun to make, and quite easy actually. You just need a plan. There are several techniques used in this one layer card, but the end result is fun and playful. It’s the perfect card for my 13 year old niece Chiarra. She’ll definitely love it.

Tips on making Realistic Scenic Cards

The best tip I can give you is to be aware of scale of your stamps. Larger images belong closer up and smaller images further away. Think about looking in the distance – the image is smaller, so should your stamp be. If I can stamped the cat for instance next to the house – it would be as big as the front door! Now that’s a BIG cat. But close up, makes sense – he’s at your feet. And the same sized door can be further away and be 10 times larger than the cat.

If you want a large tree in the foreground of your card – lengthen your tree – to give it that effect. Watch the video to see just how.

Framing also helps create realistic scenic cards. By framing my scene it drew the viewer in, giving you the feel of you’re watching something take place. You are coming out of the tunnel (vignette) and stumbling into the foreground of the scene.

Spooky Hollow Twilight Scenic Card

So the next time you make a scenic card – think of the perspective. What do you see? What size are your stamps? Where can they positioned for more realistic scenic cards.

If you didn’t hop along the past three days – check out these blog posts here and the one on Catherine’s site. Prizes will be drawn on Monday 8/20! Be sure to leave comments along the way – and if you haven’t already – subscribe to my YouTube channel. I have many videos about to go live in the next few weeks – I’d love to hear what you think!

Blog Hops:

Leave me a comment below and tell me what kind of cards YOU love to make. I can’t wait to hear!!

Thanks for stopping by today! Keep those fingers inky –

 

 

Supplies

To make finding the supplies I used in these projects a bit easier for you, here are a few clickable links. Compensated Affiliate Links are used when possible. Click here for disclosure. Happy Shopping!


Filed Under: One Layer Card, Scenic, Uncategorized, Videos, Watercolor Tagged: , ,

Art Happens – New Craft Stash Blog Hop: Day Three + Giveaways

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Art Happens

One thing I’ve learned over the past few years is that Art Happens. It truly does. Today I’m kicking off Day Three of the New Craft Stash Blog Hop with some of my crafty friends. We’ve all collected & hoarded craft supplies…come on – I know you’re one of us! Several of us were chatting a few weeks ago and decided – let’s just hop for fun and made the rule that we had to use something new. Now that means – literally new or just new as in it’s been in the drawer for a bit and it’s finally time to break it out! Today I’m using several products just like that…and I can’t wait to show you what I’ve done.

Be sure to hop on to all three days worth of hops. Get inspired to use your “new” stash, leave a comment and be entered for prizes! You’ll have until the 23rd to leave a comment. I’d love to know what new item you’re going to play with next!

Gorgeous Art Happens Tutorial

It’s no secret that I’m in love with mixed media supplies. I love to create simple mixed media projects, AND real mixed media. Well I have a treat for you today. Today’s projects are the result of a fun little gel printing session I had the other day. I wanted to use some of my newer acrylics and some new Stamplorations masks (Art Happens) and word dies. I’ll post a time lapse video later with my entire printing session, so today’s video just showcases the print I made for these two beauties…enjoy!

Click Here to view video in HD on YouTube

What do you think? It’s actually quite fun. When I first started, I’ll admit…I was quite intimidated. But the more I got into that session, and the more art that just literally poured off the plate…I kept saying things like WOW, I can’t believe I just made that and Ooh that’s gorgeous. Seriously…I was quite impressed with myself! And I think I’ll always keep that first fabulous card – cause it literally is one of those where I still say – I can’t believe I made that! You know that feeling, right?

Well, this gel printing session didn’t disappoint. I ended up with 8 art journal pages and 34 prints. Yup! Gel Printing goes so fast, and more you get into the session – little bits are left behind on the plate – Tip:  do not clean your gel plate in-between. The work you create will do that for you. Today’s print that I used came about 4/5 prints into the session. Some of the beauty on the print is from prior prints. I love the patina kind of feel. That weathered look that you usually only get with time and exposure to the elements.

Art Happens by Stamplorations

Here are the two cards – one is a traditional A2 sized card – and it needs so little to complete it. Just the Gorgeous die, cause…well hello, it’s gorgeous! And a simple little You to complete the sentiment. The die is one of the MANY fabulous word dies from Stamplorations – I am such an addict of Shery Russ dies and stencils – stamps too! She’s got some ah-mazing stuff. She’s a one woman operation, has phenomenal customer service and I swear the woman doesn’t sleep. Want to see her stuff? Click Here and use the code STAMPINGRID for 20% off orders of $15+. Hey, every little bit helps, right?!

The second project uses the mask Art Happens. I have this same sentiment from Stamplorations in a smaller sized die. WAIT till you see the mixed media project coming up using that – it’s a beauty! Using masks in gel printing is a great way to preserve colors in layers and really allow them to pop as in this project. I wanted to emphasize it a bit more, so I outlined it using a Pitt pen and Posca paint pen. I was going for a sloppy look, cause let’s be honest – there’s nothing perfect about monoprinting.

Art Happens Monoprint

Here’s a funny fact – ask any of my crafty friends who really know me – in card making, perfection is kind of one of my OCD things. Everything has to be lined up right, matted properly, etc…so mixed media nearly gave me convulsions at first. I tried to control everything – until I realized that the magic happens when you let go and just let the art actually happen.

So I hope you’re encouraged to give monoprinting a go. It’s SO relaxing, you’ll have a crazy amount of prints to create cards with, and I know you’ll just fall in love with it like I did. Hey, if this OCD papercrafter can become a mixed media artist – there’s hope for all of us, right?

Thanks for stopping by, be sure to visit all my friends’ blogs on today’s hop, and if you missed the first two days – hop on over to those too. I have the full list below. We have incredible prizes and I’m giving away a prize pack myself! Thanks for joining us on this fun little Summer journey. I hope you’re inspired now that you know Art Happens!

Comment to Win Prizes

We have some amazing sponsors & Prizes:

PLUS….

I’m giving away a prize pack to one lucky commenter from one of my blog posts! So be sure to leave comments on all the blogs – all three days for your chance to win!! Just comment on all the blog hop stops by 7/23/18.

So now it’s YOUR turn to hop along and be inspired by some of my crafty friends. Thanks for taking the time to hang a bit with me today. I’ll be back in a few days with a mixed media project for you. And stop by tomorrow as well – I’ll post that hop list too!

Today’s Hop List – Day Three

  1. Ingrid Blackburn <— You are here!
  2. Ardyth Percy-Robb <— Hop here next!!
  3. Josefine Fouarge 
  4. Tracie Pond 
  5. Nanette Tracy 
  6. Lisa Harrolle  
  7. Justine Hovey 
  8. Susan Powell
  9. Jennifer Cerizo

Did you miss Day one or Two? Get caught up here:

Day One Blog Hop List:

  1. Ingrid Blackburn  – Yup that’s me with a different post & project!
  2. Jenny Colacicco
  3. Ashlea Cornell
  4. Karen Baker
  5. Ali Farmer
  6. Catherine Pooler
  7. Allison Cope
  8. Veronica Zalis

Day Two Blog Hop List:

  1. Melissa Miller
  2. Tracey McNeely
  3. Kelly Martin
  4. Amy Seigler
  5. Michelle Wallace
  6. Ilina Crouse
  7. Maureen Merritt
  8. Nance Salkeld
  9. Deepti Stephens

To make finding the supplies I used in these projects a bit easier for you, here are a few clickable links. Compensated Affiliate Links are used when possible. Click here for disclosure. Happy Shopping!


Filed Under: Art, Blog Hop, Mixed Media, One Layer Card, Techniques, Uncategorized, Videos Tagged: , , ,

New Craft Stash Blog Hop: Day One – Creating Sunbeams in Scenic Cards Video

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How to create Sunbeams on a scenic card

Welcome, today I’m hopping along with some crafty friends, well….just because! Several weeks ago, several of us were chatting about how we have all this “New” product just kind of sitting around, and it occurred to us to break some of that out and have a “just for fun” blog hop! So naturally I thought – I’ll create a scenic card and make Sunbeams on a foggy day with my new Mossy Tree Trunks stamp that I’ve had for eons, but have never used…so “new” to me!

Do you have any craft supplies sitting around that are “new” because you haven’t used them? Break them out!

So here we are – over the next 3 days, we have a fun filled hop each day for you. Come get inspired and be sure to comment along the way to be entered for a chance to win one of six prizes plus a few more from several of the blogs along the way!

How to Create Sunbeams on a Scenic Card Tutorial

Click Here to watch in HD on YouTube

Creating  sunbeams is actually quite easy on your project. The most important thing to remember is to pick a lightsource and have everything emminate from that spot as in the video.

Here’s a photo I took while walking in the Black Forest in Germany one morning. See how the sunbeams just pop out of the scenery, and come from one fixed point?

Sunrays in Forest

Pigment ink sits on top of paper vs. dye ink that soaks in. So when you layer your pigment  sunbeams, they’ll create a diffused ray that sits on top of your stamped image. I chose to wipe a slight ray away from my stamped image to help accentuate this beam of light, but it is not necessary.

One of the most important points to remember is that to really allow your “light” to show – you need dark as well. That contrast is what makes the scene – dark vs. light.

To help give the scene a mystical look, try to keep your background “in the fog”. I was born and raised in San Francisco, so I naturally love fog, and miss it terribly – I know I’m weird. So I thought – let’s put it into our project! To create that mystery in the background, don’t over stamp or color. Keep the light in the scene – and make sure you’re stamping any background images really light. In the video, you’ll see that I stamped the images off onto scratch paper up to 4 times before stamping on the glossy cardstock.

I use Kromecoat 12 pt. glossy cardstock for my scenic cards. It’s a nice heavy weight glossy cardstock. You’ll also want a dye ink that doesn’t dry immediately – I like to use Memento, Distress Dye and Catherine Pooler Designs inks along with the Colorbox Stylus Tool with sponge tips. This card is sized 5 x 7″.

Of course, to see all the tips and tricks along the way – you’ll have to watch the video, don’t worry, I sped a ton of it up – this project took me nearly 2 hours to complete – but is so realistic, it was worth every minute. There’s a great transition at the end of the video that showcased the evolution of the card.

If you’d like to see another fun project I created using pigment ink in a scene, be sure to check out my Harry Potter Scenic Card here. In that one you’ll learn how to use pigment ink in a circular way to create an explosion of light. There’a a video too!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!

Blog Hop Prizes

Comment to Win Prizes

We have some amazing sponsors & Prizes:

PLUS….

I’m giving away a prize pack to one lucky commenter from one of my blog posts! So be sure to leave comments on all the blogs – all three days for your chance to win!!

So now it’s YOUR turn to hop along and be inspired by some of my crafty friends. Thanks for taking the time to hang a bit with me today. I’ll be back in a few days with a mixed media project for you. And stop by tomorrow as well – I’ll post that hop list too!

Day One Blog Hop List:

  1. Ingrid Blackburn – You are Here
  2. Jenny Colacicco – Hop here Next!
  3. Ashlea Cornell
  4. Karen Baker
  5. Ali Farmer
  6. Catherine Pooler
  7. Allison Cope  
  8. Veronica Zalis

Day Two Blog Hop List:

  1. Melissa Miller
  2. Tracey McNeely
  3. Kelly Martin
  4. Amy Seigler
  5. Michelle Wallace
  6. Ilina Crouse
  7. Maureen Merritt  
  8. Nance Salkeld
  9. Deepti Stephens

Till then – keep those fingers inky –

 

 

Supplies

To make finding the supplies I used in these projects a bit easier for you, here are a few clickable links. Compensated Affiliate Links are used when possible. Click here for disclosure. Happy Shopping!


 

Filed Under: Blog Hop, One Layer Card, Scenic, Stampscapes, Uncategorized, Videos Tagged: , , ,

Counting Blessings SOA Blog Hop

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Welcome to the Counting Blessings Day 3 Blog Hop! Today I have a treat for you – three projects…so let’s dive right in!

If you are new to Stamp of Approval, Catherine curates a box of stamps/dies/stencils that can be used together for endless hours of fun. This box has a fall theme to it, but I’ll be honest with you – you’ll be able to use the Counting Blessings collection all year long. I’ve seen so many projects in the first two blog hop days that prove that point!

The last collection sold out in just 15 hours, so if you love what you see – do not wait. Make sure you are on the wait list – as you’ll get the chance to grab a collection before anyone else!

The Counting Blessings collection has:

  • Four Stamp Sets
  • Three Dies
  • Two Stencils
  • A free NEW block – seriously – they are my all time favorites (you’ll LOVE the weight, design and feel)
  • A special SURPRISE
  • A Free PDF packed with project ideas ($15 value!)

Be sure to leave comments along the way to get a chance to enter into the drawing for a free Counting Blessings collection yourself.

Our first project is a classic take on Fall Foliage. I lived in New York for seven years, and the fall foliage was by far my favorite time of year. I still dream of all those vibrant colors – well, Catherine Pooler Designs Ink is perfect to showcase that! Um, hello Rockin’ Red, Grass Skirt, Tiara, Orange Twist and the new Icing on the Cake!!! You’ll find detailed instructions on this one in the free project packed PDF with the Counting Blessings Collection.

Counting Blessings Stamp of Approval card by Ingrid Blackburn

That background was created with the Leaf Motif stamp set. On the tag – I used a little Whipped Spackle for some texture with the Marching Leaves Stencil on the cool tag using the Tags, Etc. Dies. The fall colored leaf die is one of the two from the Fallen Leaves Dies and how about that Thankful die? I LOVE that hand lettered script by designer and artist Shawna Clingerman. And if you love that one – just wait till you see the next project.

The Autumn Blessings stamp set is beyond fall perfection to me. You’ll get three gorgeous hand lettered sentiments that work for any occasion. Catherine does such an amazing job at making sure there are lots of little extra pieces to really stretch your creativity – that’s one of the reasons I love her projects SO much. It’s the little things that make all the difference.

In this set you’ll find awesome little stamps that give you so much more to just a sentiment set. And how awesome is it that Bless – has two options for endings – LOVE that!

My Personal Favorite – The sentiment add ons in this set that I love the most are the three individual words – You Are Home. How great for military, loved ones, those recovering from a hospital stay, etc… I just love that this set reaches so many more options for card making than just fall and thanksgiving.

Gradient Watercolor Wash by Ingrid Blackburn

Stretch one of the sentiments from the Good Things stamp set by just using the top and bottom of it along with the three main sentiments in the Autumn Blessings set – don’t they just work together flawlessly! Notice all the little bits added – the wheat, leaf and little spray do hickey at the very bottom – don’t you just love my official name for that one. If you know the official name for that one – seriously…tell me in the comments!

A quick little watercolor wash, some flicking and then embossing with water and you’re all set. If you want to learn how to do ALL those techniques – check out StampNation. The library of tutorials there is insane – over 700 to date!

The sentiment in this next project may look familiar – do you recognize the top and bottom from the one above? Pair that up with a simple masked window using the Tags, Etc. Dies set – I LOVE that giant scalloped die – don’t forget to use it as a stencil like here! Stamp the leaves from the Leaf Motif stamp set in those amazing colors using Catherine Pooler inks and you’re all set! A simple one layer card that has amazing interest to it.

Counting Blessings SOA - One Layer by Ingrid Blackburn

Not bad right? Be sure to stop by tomorrow for more – it’s Release Day! Yay! Of course if you are a StampNation member – you can hang with us live in the Pajama Party Release tonight and get your box before everyone on the wait list! Membership has its perks!

Counting Blessings Stamp of Approval

Now hop on along to Kimberly Wiener’s Blog and then everyone else on the Blog Hop today. Leave a comment along with way to be entered in for a free Counting Blessings collection!! And check out Day 1 and 2 as well.

1. Catherine
2. Taheerah 
3. Lydia Evans
4. Ingrid Blackburn – You are Here
5. Kimberly Wiener – Hop here Next!
6. Jill

Supplies: To make finding the supplies I used in these projects a bit easier for you, here are a few clickable links. Compensated Affiliate Links are used when possible. Click here for disclosure. Happy Shopping!


Filed Under: Blog Hop, Catherine Pooler Designs, Mixed Media, One Layer Card, Stamp of Approval, Stencils, Uncategorized Tagged: , ,

Enchanted Garden & Dies

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Today I’m going to showcase a little from the Enchanted Garden and coordinating Dies collection. We’re going to stay in Clean and simple mode today. Normally I stay away from too many lined images, unless I’m going to watercolor, but I can not stop using these two items from the new  Stamp of Approval – Beautiful World Collection.

If you don’t know what Stamp of Approval (SOA) is, then you must have missed my post yesterday! Click Here to see the three projects I created, real all about Stamp of Approval and see my video too!

Today’s products are from SugarPea Designs. I love the whimsical nature of these flowers. And I have some incredible mixed media pieces headed your way with these two products in a few days – you don’t want to miss those! But today we’re going to stay CAS.

If you like what you see, then be sure you are on the wait list for this collection – that’s the only way to get the sales link when it goes live on April 20th!

To see all the products in action before it goes on sale, just stop by my friend Catherine’s blog every day leading up to the 20th. She’ll showcase each piece so you can see them in action ahead of time.

PLUS...there are feature days from a whole team of designers that are super creative. Today we have a large list of amazing designers. I have links to everyone below.

Stamp of Approval Beautiful World

 Get on the wait list HERE to find out when it’s available

Now… let’s get our fingers inky and started with some CAS inspiration for today. There are many more images from the stamp set Enchanted Garden, you’ll have to check out Catherine’s blog and all the other designers to see how they’re put to use. I’m in love with the dies and flowers. But a quick favorite from all the designers is that cute loose dandelion seed – what a perfect filler stamp. See it below? It rocks!

Enchanted Garden – Day Two

Project One

To create this beauty, you’ll want to cut your panel on the diagonal and space it out however far you’d like. It’s a great way to showcase some pop of color. I love doing this on cards. For the pop, I stamped this cool flower a few times onto vellum with StazOn ink. Color them in using markers or chalk from behind – it gives it a subtler look and attach it to the top piece of your panel.

I find that if I lay it onto an acrylic grid or mat with dimensions, in exactly the size I want it on my card, I’ll get the right spacing.  Another way would be to lie it down on your project upside down to get the spacing right.

Stamp your front – love that greeting, add the little fly away seed and a little black border with a pigment liner by micron or staedtler and you’re all set! Super cute, huh?

Enchanted Garden

Project Two

For my second project, I wanted something super quick, easy and in color! I usually gravitate toward black, brown and white as my based, I thought it would be fun to do a card with this gorgeous Basic Grey color by Stampin Up.

For the popped up details, I chose the SU colors Marina Mist, So Saffron and Gumball Green. They work so great together. My die cuts are layered over each other and to bring a little focus in on one, I popped it up. That simple.

For a slightly different look, you could also stamp these with the coordinating stamps to match the dies. I was going for a simpler look, but that looks awesome too!

I kept the greeting simple and embossed in Pearl which turns grey/pearl on this card stock. To emphasize it a bit better, I shadowed it with a pigment liner by Staedtler. The greeting is from the Beautiful World stamp set by GinaK. It’s by far my favorite greeting – I just LOVE that sentiment.  Just a little sneak peek into tomorrow’s feature stamp set. 🙂

So what do you think , do you like the clean and simple design? I bet you’re thinking – I could totally do that with x dies…tell me in the comments below what YOU would use and what you think of this cool new stamp set/dies. I hope I gave you a little inspiration!

Enchanted Garden Dies

Cute, huh? Now be sure to check out all the other designer’s creations. I have them all linked here for your convenience, Catherine will also have everyone linked for you. Enjoy the creativity – be sure to check back tomorrow for more! And if you missed yesterday’s post, Click Here!

Our featured Designers for today are:

See you tomorrow for more…

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Filed Under: Clean and Simple, Flowers, One Layer Card, Stamp of Approval, Uncategorized Tagged: , , ,

Simple Snowflakes

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It’s lightly snowing today – I’ve never had a white Thanksgiving! Although nothing is really sticking, and we lost all the snow from the other day…I’m enjoying the fire, and getting ready to make our Thanksgiving dinner. Michael asked me what time the “Wurst” was going in the oven…. I guess that’s his German/Thanksgiving day humor…lol! We’re making a stuffed Pork Loin, as I can never find a large turkey to save my life here. I do miss that!

Snowflake Wishes 001

It’s been a busy past few weeks here – getting ready for the holidays and more Christmas card making, videoing and editing than I’ve ever done! We’re in full swing for our 12 Days of Christmas series and Class! The projects have been varied and so much fun to make and share.

So, In the spirit of snowy days and the upcoming holidays…I have a quick little card for you. Although it’s Thanksgiving – here’s a Christmas one. I’ve been having fun playing with Catherine Pooler’s Stamp of Approval Holiday Box (already sold out – but you can get on her list for the next version in January)! These particular snowflakes will be released in 2016 by CAS-ual Friday and I just LOVE stamping and cutting them out – the designs are awesome and very different from what I’ve seen before.

Snowflake Wishes 002

Here’s the how to for this card:

  • Stamp and emboss your greeting. I used a retired one from the Joyful Christmas Set by Stampin Up. First I inked up stamp in Versamark and then went over the word Christmas with an Island Indigo Marker by Stampin Up. I embossed it in Clear Embossing Powder.
  • Sponge your card base with Rumbled Glass. Leave spots more white for a flurry effect.
  • Cut out several snowflakes using the matching dies to the Bring on the Snowflakes stamps in White.

Snowflake Wishes 003

  • Adhere snowflakes to card. I doubled up the largest one and added two sizes of circles over the top right one.
  • Add Sparkling Clear sequins by Pretty Pink Posh.

That’s it! Super fast and easy. The best part – it’s a very cost effective card! You could easily mass produce this one for the holidays sitting in front of a movie.

Hope you enjoyed that! If you’d like more ideas – check out our 12 Days of Christmas class. We’re LIVE and on day 5 – 24 project ideas, 12 videos and PDFs. Find out more here

Snowflake Wishes 005

Have a Happy Thanksgiving with your friends and family! I wish you a memorable day filled with love and laughter!!

Keep those fingers inky –

 

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Filed Under: Christmas, Clean and Simple, Distress Ink, One Layer Card, Uncategorized Tagged: , , , ,

CAS Non-traditional Christmas

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Do you ever use non-traditional Christmas colors or images? Today’s projects were inspired from Muse: Christmas Visions. Chris Blagrave created this non-traditional flower card. Her reasoning behind it was that it reminded her of a Poinsettia. Here is mine along side her creation.

Chris Blagrave Muse Christmas Visions   One Layer Christmas Cards

I love the clean and simple style of the card, it’s crisp and straightforward. The sentiment pops and the warm silver is perfect for it.

When I look at her card, I think Peacock for some reason – maybe it’s the color and the way her flower fans out. I didn’t have a peacock image, and I didn’t want to use Distress which has the perfect shade – Peacock Feathers. I wanted to use Bermuda Bay by Stampin Up, so off I went to create. My original project was this:

Non Traditional Evergreen Christmas Cards

Although it is a great simple CAS card, something just wasn’t sitting well with me as far as the inspiration went. So I created the coral embossed card instead.

The image is perfect, and I love the Teal Christmas in-between the Silver Embossed Joyful Wishes – that looks great! You will want to use a Bermuda Bay Marker to do that part first, then you would use a stamp-a-majig/Misti to add the Versamark Words to emboss them in the Pewter.

My Non-Traditional Christmas Creation

I also created one where the coral was going off the side and a bit smaller so I could layer it with a pop of the Bermuda Bay teal color.  You can also add a few sequins – it didn’t necessarily need it, but I couldn’t resist! Smile

Beach Christmas Cards

Overall, what you’ll love the most is how quick and easy these cards are to make. I literally made all three in a just a few minutes – they all work for Christmas cards.

I found it so interesting that the Coral stamp worked so well as a non-traditional Christmas image. It’s a beauty when embossed – and would be good for any occasion – especially weddings!

TIP – You will want to stay with a rich feel, so you’ll want to use Pewter instead of traditional Silver. It’s a bit warmer and muted which suits this card much better.

If I had to pick an absolute favorite…it’s the One Layer one! The simplicity and ease of just the single layer is stunning.

How about you? Which one is your favorite? Tell me in the comments – I’d love to know.

Quick DIY Christmas CardsClean and Simple Christmas Cards

Have fun crafting, be sure to whip out your Bermuda Bay or any Teal color – Peacock Feathers Distress would be great! Try the non-traditional Christmas route…you may just surprise yourself!

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Filed Under: Christmas, Clean and Simple, Inspiration, One Layer Card Tagged: , , , ,
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