Stamp of Approval

Lovely Lattice Butterflies – SOA is live!

I’ve been creating a lot with the kissing technique lately. I have to say, this simple technique always amazed me! It’s been a cram packed few days of inspiration here and on the design team blogs. If you’ve missed any of the fun, I have links at the end for you.

Today the Stamp of Approval Lovely Notes Collection goes live – yup…if you’re on the wait list you’ve received a link to head on over and grab a box. It’s the first release of these six stamp and two dies sets. You’ll also get a loaded PDF with projects and step by step instructions – how’s that for a place to start! Not on the list – no worries – get on it right here and get a head start on the public release tomorrow (if it hasn’t sold out!).

If you’ve seen any of my past three posts, you know I still have more projects for you – yup…today I even have another video! Over at StampNation, there’s a challenge going live today – Meadow Daydreams. I have to say, this challenge is made for me – I LOVE this kind of a color palette and theme. I’m actually shocked that I didn’t do a scenic card! Here’s a sneak peek into the project I created…to see it, you have to be a member of StampNation though.

New Inspiration for you

So to piggy back on the challenge – I created a few cards with the same color palette, theme and then I loaded them up with techniques – after all, that’s kind of my thing, isn’t it?I have a video tutorial for you here and a written one below.And if you aren’t already – I’d love for you to subscribe to my YouTube channel too – click here.

Click Here to see the video in HD

Lattice Butterfly Tutorial – the Kissing Technique + others

Ink up your Lovely Lattice Background stamp by Catherine Pooler Designs in Versamark
Transfer your image to a piece of 140# Cold Pressed Watercolor Paper (5 1/2 x 4 3/4″) & clean your stamp
Sponge your colors over your image blending the colors Twisted Citron, Peacock Feathers and Blueprint Sketch

Allow your Distress Ink to fully dry while working on your butterflies
Ink up the large butterfly from Butterfly Notes by Catherine Pooler Designs in Squeezed Lemonade & Edge in Barn Door.
Ink up your Lovely Lattice Background stamp in Spiced Marmalade (you only need an area as large as your stamp)
Kiss your inked up butterfly to your inked up background stamp; thus transferring your image to it – or kissing

Stamp on a piece of regular white card stock and heat emboss immediately in clear embossing powder. If your image has dried before your powder sticks, just stamp over your butterfly in versamark. Repeat for a second butterfly.
Fussy cut out your images
Cut your background in half (5 1/2 x 4 3/8″) and rub a de-static bag onto the bottom half. Stamp (Versamark) the greeting Thanks – Handpainted Thanks by Neat & Tangled & You’re Lovely by Catherine Pooler Designs – Lovely Flowers. Emboss in Black.
Trace the edges of your strip lightly for a guide where you plan to adhere it to your card base.
Stamp the polka dots from Lovely Flowers (landscape so you have the alternating ends) down the side using the line to keep your pattern straight. You’ll need to overlap the bottom dot with the top for an even pattern. I stamped one in Memento Tuxedo Black and the other I embossed with Versamark and white embossing powder.

Matte your background onto black (5 1/2 x 4 1/2″) so that it just has a sliver of black – this will cover your line.
Adhere your butterfly with two mini glue dots in the center and place a foam dot under each wing toward the top to help with the illusion of flight.
Add Sparkling Clear Sequins by Pretty Pink Posh.

I love how the background stamp just magically appears. This technique has the biggest wow on glossy card stock & with darker inks, but the subtle effect here is lovely and the perfect accent.

Stamp of Approval

Thanks for joining me today! I have two more projects headed your way in the days to come, so be sure to stop back by! In the meantime, if you missed any of the six projects I posted this week, or the blog hops for all 18 designers – yup…there were that many – click on the links below for the starting point of each hop:

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3

And don’t forget to check out the Stamp of Approval – Lovely Notes Collection – it’s live right now – but just for those on the wait list!

Now that we’ve given you a ton of inspiration, it’s your turn – take what you learned here today or over the past three days and create your own cards – go get your fingers inky!!!

[optin_box style=”12″ alignment=”center” email_field=”email” email_default=”Enter your email address” integration_type=”aweber” double_optin=”Y” list=”3846012″ name_field=”name” name_default=”Enter your first name” name_required=”Y” opm_packages=””][optin_box_field name=”headline”]Learn more with our exclusive FREE video series:[/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=”paragraph”]PHA+UGx1cyB5b3XigJlsbCBiZSBhZGRlZCB0byBteSBGUkVFIENyZWF0aXZlIFRpcHMgRS1sZXR0ZXIgd2hlcmUgSSBzaGFyZSBleGNsdXNpdmUgcHJvamVjdHMsIHZpZGVvcyAmYW1wOyB0aGUgMTIgRGF5cyBvZiBDaHJpc3RtYXMgUHJvamVjdCBTZXJpZXM8L3A+Cg==[/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=”privacy”][/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=”top_color”]undefined[/optin_box_field][optin_box_button type=”0″ button_below=”Y”]Get Instant Access![/optin_box_button] [/optin_box]

Filed Under: Clean and Simple, Distress Ink, Stamp of Approval, Techniques, Uncategorized, Videos Tagged: butterflies, cardmaking, catherine pooler, diy cards, SOA, Stamp of Approval

SOA Lovely Notes Blog Hop

Written by Ingrid Blackburn 407 Comments

Welcome to the Lovely Notes Collection Blog Hop – Day 3! What do you think so far…pretty amazing, right? Well I hope to add a little creative inspiration for you today with a few projects. I’ve been sharing a few projects over the past few days – this collection is so easy to create with, and I have so much more to keep sharing with you this week.

The Stamp of Approval Lovely Notes Collection is a curated collection of stamps and dies that work fabulously together or alone. Not only do you get a box FULL of amazing stamps and dies, but you’ll get a downloadable PDF Project Guide (for free!) with tons of project tutorials using them!

The stamps and dies in the Stamp of Approval Collections are brand new on the market and won’t be released for individual sale for several months. To find out how to get a box, you have to be on the wait list! Yes, these boxes sell out so fast – the last one was gone in 33 hours….so don’t wait. The wait list will find out before the public will. Click Here to sign up for the wait list and find out more.

Today I’m going to inspire you with several of the components of this collection. Specifically the Lovely Flowers, Lovely Flowers & Banners Dies, Lovely Lattice Background, Butterfly Notes, Wonderful Wreath – all by Catherine Pooler Designs, and Handpainted Thanks by Neat & Tangled. So let’s get right to it with a little Christmas in July, here are your tutorials!

Lovely Notes Project Tutorials

Wonderful Wreath

I was in love with this wreath the moment I saw it. It reminds me of olive branches – delicate and whimsical. To get this clean and simple look, stamp your wreath on white in Stampin Up Pear Pizzazz, the berries in Primrose Petals, hang some ornaments in Baja Breeze and tie it all up with an Early Espresso bow. It was that simple. This is a GREAT mass produced card.

For an elegant touch, emboss your greeting in Gilded Gold by Brutus Monroe – my new favorite gold. Add a few sparkling clear sequins by Pretty Pink Posh and a little simple paper piecing in the corners finishes it off.

I’m addicted to the tilt for the matte in the background (thanks Maureen!) – a little Early Espresso on a Pear Pizzazz card base. It’s that simple.

Thanks Friend

This awesome handpainted Thanks stamp by Neat & Tangled is my new favorite greeting – I love bold scripty greetings. I used this stamp just one way – did you know there are two others that layer for a multi tone effect! How cool is that?

You’ll want to stamp some of the Lowely Flowers and cut them using the coordinating Dies. I used the Stampin Up colors – Marina Mist, Wisteria Wonder, Rose Red & Garden Green. On a large piece of white scrap paper – at least card front size, stamp the thanks towards the bottom center/right. Repeatedly stamp thanks in a light neutral tone, I used River Rock. TIP – alter where the word starts on each line so that it flows.

Stamp the dots from Lovely Flowers in the middle 2/3 of the Soft Suede card base. I stamped it completely across so that the left and right side were even.

Cut your tag out using the large banner die from the Lovely Flowers & Banners Dies set. Try to place the Rose Red Thanks a bit off centered to the right at the bottom. You definitely want some neutral below as well. Stamp the word Friend from the Lovely Flowers Stamp set in Soft Suede on a piece of scrap and attach to your tag.

Pop the tag up using Foam Tape or Fun Foam and adhere your embellishments. TIP – The leaf branch has three sprigs – I cut mine apart to get it just right – sometimes just one or two.

That’s it – it’s a cute card – I had way too much fun with the Lovely Flowers stamps & dies as you’ll see tomorrow!

Bold Watercolor Greetings

If you’ve followed me for a while here, on YouTube or in an online class – you know I love to watercolor! This project takes some of the various greetings in this collection and puts them to good use. I wanted greetings that would stand out, so I used two from Lovely Flowers, one from Butterfly Notes and one of my new favorite Thanks from Handpainted Thanks. Here’s a video tutorial for you:

Click Here to watch video in HD on YouTube

To get this outline look, first stamp your images in versamark. Go back over them with a de-static tool and stamp again in Versafine Onyx Black Ink. Emboss in Black and heat set. Once cool, secure your project down with low tack painters tape on the upper and lower edges.

Smoosh some Distress Ink onto your craft mat or acrylic block – I used Rusty Hinge, Ground Espresso, Gathered Twigs and Vintage Photo. Grab some ink with a large wet brush and start painting onto your dry watercolor paper. You want your watercolor to flow together without getting out of control.

TIP – if your paper accumulates too many puddles or your colors blend out of control, gently dip the edge of a dry paper towel into a puddle to sop it up without removing color. Or use a thirsty brush (Not dripping wet). Water will naturally be attracted to a dry surface.

Once you have the look you want, heat set or allow to dry on it’s own. TIP – keep some lighter areas along with dark for a balance.

Stamp the Lovely Lattice Background stamp in Ground Espresso onto a folded Espresso card base. I just inked up the top and bottom. Quickly dip into clear embossing powder and heat set for a tone on tone look. If using a vanilla or white background, use Versamark ink for a watermark look. The key is not to compete with your watercolor, but rather support it.

It’s a pretty quick and easy project. I made four as I wasn’t sure of the look I wanted. Here’s a rainbow one too:

I added a little dry embossed line to the top and bottom for a simple embellishment. No matter what color combination you choose, you’ll love this technique.

Now that you have some inspiration…time to find out just how you can win a free box!

It’s your turn to hop along and check out what the uber talented Amy Tsutura has in store for you next! Here’s the blog hop list:

Ingrid Blackburn – That’s Me * You are here*

Amy Tsuruta – You’re next stop!

Justine Hovey

Be sure to leave a comment on each designers blog for a chance to win a Lovely Notes Collection of your own! There’s a giveaway for all three days of the hop! If you missed out on any of the Blog Hops – start at the beginning with Catherine’s Blog and Day 1.

And stop by tomorrow for more inspiration –

Filed Under: Christmas, Clean and Simple, Distress Ink, Flowers, Masculine, Stamp of Approval, Uncategorized, Videos, Watercolor Tagged: catherine pooler, Clean and SImple CAS, SOA, Stamp of Approval, Techniques, watercolor cards

Fill-in-the Blank Colorwash Resist

Written by Ingrid Blackburn 19 Comments

Have you ever tried a colorwash resist? It’s no secret that I love to emboss and add bright vibrant colors with Distress Inks. This project combines both. It’s day 2 of the Stamp of Approval Blog Hops – did you hop along today and yesterday? If not, I have links below!

There were some seriously wicked cards created by some of the most talented stampers!! Be sure to stop by tomorrow – I’m “on deck”….and I have several projects to share with you.

Today I have a quick, straightforward project that I think you’ll love. It’s super easy and if you’re new to watercolor, it’s a great one to start off with.

First, ink up the Fill-in-the-Blank Birthday Stamp in Versamark, add the Niece (or fill-in whichever you need) and emboss it in white on 140# Cold Pressed Watercolor Paper.

Next add your color – it’s seriously THAT easy!

Colorwash Resist Technique Tips:

To duplicate this look, grab a #10 watercolor brush and paint on the colors Spiced Marmalade, Mustard Seed, Peacock Feathers and Picked Raspberries – top down.

To use the distress ink, use the reinkers, or smoosh your pad into your craft mat (or acrylic block). You don’t need to spritz it – unless you are using the reinkers – that’s very concentrated – spritz a few times.
With a wet brush, paint on the colors, one at a time.
You’ll want to monitor the amount of water you are adding as the colors start to bleed together.
Take your time – use a dry paper towel to lightly dip into an unwanted water pool, the wet will go where the dry is (you can use a thirsty brush also).

If you have any unwanted blending, just come back into it with a watercolor brush – try a #6 for a bit more control. Go back over that area with a little more color and blend out any unwanted looks.
As long as your project is still wet, you have a little play. Once it dries, you can still adjust it, but it’s much more difficult.
Distress works great together – pick colors that blend well and don’t create mud.

Have fun! If you’re not on the Stamp of Approval wait list yet, click here to find out more about this amazing collection of stamps & dies. It goes on sale on the 13th – but only to the wait list at first. You don’t want to miss out.

And if you haven’t seen the other amazing projects created by the SOA team – Click here for the beginning posts of each Blog Hop –

Day 1 Day 2

Can’t wait to share more with you tomorrow –

Filed Under: Clean and Simple, Stamp of Approval, Techniques, Watercolor Tagged: catherine pooler designs, distress inks, SOA, watercolor cards, watercolor wash

Butterfly Notes in the Garden

Written by Ingrid Blackburn 7 Comments

The day has finally arrived – the new Stamp of Approval Blog Hops are here! While I’m not on the “official” list for today…catch that on Tuesday, I will be sharing some creative fun with you from this collection over the next week. I have to admit, it’s been hard to sit on my hands and not share this awesome jam packed collection with you, and I’m excited that I finally get to let the stamps fly – well in this case today…here are some new Butterflies for you – Butterfly Notes by Catherine Pooler Designs.

This card is so much prettier in person than photographed. It was really hard to capture the background – soaring skies filled with four different fluttering butterflies – all embossed in white on white. But I needed something to support the colorful tag – or banner (upside down of course).

This collection of butterflies really is a great one. What I love about it so much is that there are various orientations of the butterfly images – everything from transparent wings, to flight directions, to gorgeous details along the edges or back wings – as you see in this close up here:

And then of course my all time favorite thing – sentiments with images. I don’t know about you, but for me when sentiments are included with stamps, my heart sings. I love it when I can go back to a stamp set over and over again, not just for the images. I’m all about versatility in my purchases, aren’t you?

I watercolored the tag with distress inks first – my thought was garden at the bottom – greens, then sky – blues evolving darker into some purple. To create the garden metal gate, once the watercolored piece was dry, emboss the Lovely Lattice background stamp in Pewter. Pewter is such an elegant color and gives an antique look that I just love. Next, you’ll want to cut this gorgeous watercolored piece out using the large banner/tag from the Lovely Flowers & Banners Dies set.

Watercolor stamp Spiced Marmalade using the butterfly image & once dry add a little Spectrum Sparkle Pen to it for some glitz. Place your orange butterfly over the blues – they are complimentary colors so they really support each other in harmony.

A little strip saying above the cut out embossed on vellum scripty Thank You from this set supports the card without taking away any focus. Of course, I couldn’t resist a few sparkling clear sequins as well – were you really surprised?

The card is folded white (11 x 4″) and then mounted onto a 1/4 panel of black for the base. That gives a slight black edge on the left and right – it needed it to help pop the white, and is a bit unexpected.

I love this card for it’s subtle notes and pop of bright colors. Be sure to stop by Catherine’s Blog to start the hop today – each of the three days, there’s a collection up for grabs – so leave comments along the way for all the blog hops! Catherine shared three videos over the past few days showcasing the products in the Lovely Notes Collection, so be sure you are on the wait list to be the first to get a hold of it right when it’s released July 13th – they go really fast!

See you tomorrow with more inspiration –

Filed Under: Cards, Distress Ink, Stamp of Approval, Uncategorized Tagged: butterfly notes, catherine pooler designs, distress backgrounds, SOA, watercolor cards

Just Awesome Shaker Card

Written by Ingrid Blackburn 7 Comments

Have you ever made a cool shaker card? I’ve been a card making fool lately, and the past week was crazy around here at The Creative Grove. Thousands, thousands and thousands of you visited, many commented and overall it was a fun, crazy and certainly creative week!

Somehow over the past seven days I managed to add three videos to My YouTube Channel , one to StampNation, two to ongoing online classes here at the grove, and one over at another channel I contribute to – insane! PLUS….you saw details on 11 projects, hundreds of you decide you wanted more inspiration so you subscribed to the free video series we have here at The Creative Grove, and two lucky people that commented among the blog hop that saw thousands of entries won the Beautiful World collection. Congrats to Donna Phelan and Terri Mansfield – contact Catherine and she’ll get you all set!

Oh, and in case you missed it – the Stamp of Approval – Beautiful World Collection sold out in just 33 hours! That’s insane – it almost didn’t make it to the public, solely StampNation Members and the wait list. CRAZY!

I wanted to say thanks for stopping by so many days, and leaving me awesome comments – I read every one – even all 471 the other day alone! So to thank you and to tell you how awesome you all are…I wanted to keep you inspired, so I have one last card for you in this series – let’s call it a bonus!

I think you all are Just Awesome – so here’s a fun little shaker card – enjoy the detailed tutorial. And if you’re wanting more – sign up for the Creative Tips E-letter and get lots of great exclusive videos and projects sent directly to you – it’s free. You can sign up here…

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I wanted something fun and a WOW card to finish off this amazing creative journey with you into the Beautiful World collection, so I figured I would create something I almost NEVER do – a shaker card.

I’ll be honest with you, originally I planned on just a window instead of a shaker card, but then I thought about who I would send this card to. While I made it with my blog readers & subscribers in mind, the practical part of actually sending the card is going to my 10 year old niece Chiarra for her awesome job competing in Odyssey of the Mind in upstate NY – her team won locally and made it to the next round. While they didn’t make it all the way to the world competition (like she wanted), I’m SO proud of her and her accomplishments – definitely shaker card worthy! So here we go…

Shaker Card Tutorial & Creative Tips

This card has precise measurements to maximize the size that fits a particular envelope I have. So I had to kind of tweak the circles. I hope this makes sense, if not, leave me a comment and I’ll clarify anything you need. 🙂

This card measures 5 x 5″ square. I like the circle shaker as it is a nice contrast with the square shape. If you do not have circle dies for this card, you can just as easily cut a square with a paper trimmer or die too!
Lay your grey square – 4 3/8 x 4 3/8″under your fun foam – 4 3 /16 x 4 3/16″ – note that the foam is just slightly smaller than the card stock. Cut a circle in the middle of both at once – fun foam compresses, so it’ll go through your Big Shot just fine. My circle measures 3 5/8″ wide.
Your circle will have a slight indent from the edge of your die. Use your scissors to cut it slightly larger. Of course if you have the in-between measurements of a slightly larger circle (sadly I don’t), then use that if you wish!

Your fun foam circle cut should be just slightly larger than your grey circle, yet hidden by the grey square. If it isn’t, trim as needed, but try to keep the skinny parts of the sides as wide as possible.
You can always use foam tape as well, but the whole piece from fun foam with no little crack to slip in- between is my preferred choice for a good shaker card.
Stamp and die cut your images from Enchanted Garden. Of course, if you use anything here – leaf, fern, snowflakes, balloons, monkeys – literally anything you have! TIP – The key is to have three – always work in odd numbers, it’s more pleasing to the eye.
Watercolor, color with copics, or do the wrinkle free distress technique (video here) for an interesting butterfly. I used the gorgeous image from Beautiful World by Gina K.

Stamp your greeting on a strip that goes a little past your colored squares – mine measures 4 5/8″ cut. I used the greetings from All about You by CAS-usal Fridays. TIP – I keep all my 1/2″ strips from cutting down card bases and fronts. This is what I used for my banner….only when I stamped my greeting, I put in on a strip that was almost 8″ long! That gave me play for placement on the card, as I needed it to be just right.
Figure out the placement of your vines, banner and butterfly. TIP – I add a little removable adhesive (Dotto) to the back of my pieces so my vines had somewhere to clutch or they move all over the place and drive me crazy!
Secure them to where they need to be. popping in and out of your window for a cool 3D effect. Pop up your butterfly wings with a small foam dimensional uner the wings to help it stay popped up at it’s destination and the desired effect.

Attach your grey panel to your acetate sheet with strong two sided tape like sticky strip. It’s plastic, so it is a tough surface – Snail or regular adhesive will just fall apart – especially in humid areas.
Choose to do this part in whichever sequence makes you comfortable. I’ll explain how I did mine. Add sticky strip to one side of your fun foam square/circle around the perimeter. Attach to your Midnight Muse (darker blue) base – 4 5/8 x 4 5/8″. Tip – to get it just right, make sure your borders are the same – always think – is the top/bottom & left/right the same. That way you’ll be even.
Here’s the important part – fill your circle center with what you’ll be shaking before moving on to the next step. Seems simple, but I’ve forgotten that before…lol! I used a variety of sequins – colors and sizes plus a little chunky glitter. Seed beads are a great alternative too – anything that will be cool looking and make a little noise!

Add the same perimeter to the top of the fun foam. TIP – if your strip is wider than your fun foam, have the excess go to the outside, not the inside of the circle – that will just catch and shaking pieces. If you make this with a larger panel – it’s much easier to gauge – I just didn’t….lol.
Stamp your Marina Mist (lighter blue) piece – 4 1/4 x 5″ – with a cool geometric shape for interest and contrast. I used Geobuilders by Catherine Pooler Designs.
Adhere your dark/lighter blue pieces together keeping the lighter in the center either vertically or horizontally. Adhere to your white card base and you’ll all set. You have a fun interactive shaker card!

How was that for a fun card! I’ll have to film how to make another shaker card and put it on My YouTube Channel for you some day. If you have anything you’d like me to write about or film, or just have questions on a product, please let me know in the comments below! And of course, if you missed the previous 11 projects from this series, here are some links to get you to those and the videos.

Day One Day Two Day Three Day Four Day Five

Now it’s your turn….you’ve had plenty of inspiration – go get those fingers inky!

Filed Under: Cards, Clean and Simple, Stamp of Approval, Techniques Tagged: cool cards, interactive cards, sequins, shaker card, SOA

Blog Hop, Prizes, and lots of inspiration!

Written by Ingrid Blackburn 472 Comments

Welcome back my friend – it’s the fifth day of sharing great creativity with you and we’re going out with a bang! Yup…it’s a uber talented line up for the Blog Hop and *gasp* there are prizes!!! In addition to all that goodness – I have two projects for you today and a video! But first – I chose these cards – and more importantly their sayings because that’s how I feel about you – my blog readers! So enjoy this post, all the creative goodness and thanks for Making me Smile, you all are just awesome! 🙂 🙂

Just in case you were trapped under something heavy the past four days and couldn’t get to a computer to see all the creative goodness – whew…I hope you’re okay…Stamp of Approval is a curated collection put together by my friend Catherine Pooler. Tomorrow’s collection – yup – tomorrow, is called Beautiful World. This collection has gorgeous stamps and dies by Gina K, CAS-ual Fridays, SugarPea Designs and the debut of Catherine Pooler Designs. It’s a very cool collection.

I wasn’t sure when I first saw it, then when I laid it all out in front of me and I started sketching I literally couldn’t stop. (See my Day One post – link at the bottom for my sketches) And I have been creating for weeks. The ideas just keep coming – it is seriously that easy to stamp with!

But to find out how to get it, you want to be on the wait list – because first – StampNation members will get the sales link, then the wait list finds out, and if you’re not on one of those two places – the -public won’t find out until the day after. You may think – that’s okay, I’ll wait…but the first SOA Collection literally sold out in a few hours! So if you’ve liked what you’ve seen from myself and all the amazing, talented designers – get on the wait list at the very least – I’d hate for you to miss out. Click Here for more detailed information on that

GIVEAWAY – Okay…let’s get to the good stuff – prizes….yup – you guessed it! Someone will win the entire Stamp of Approval – Beautiful World Collection! Not bad, huh? Just stop along the hop and leave comments along the way – don’t forget Catherine’s! The more you stop, the more entries you’ll have! *Entries close on THURSDAY at 9AM EST. The winner will be announced that morning. If you already bought a box, then you will be refunded! How cool is that!

And now….are you ready for some creative inspiration?!!!

Beautiful World Blog Hop Creations – Day Five

Project One

To say thank you to you all, I wanted to showcase something elegant and SUPER simple. Now put your imagination caps on and envision matching Wedding invites, or an Anniversary celebration – Tea invitations, you name it. I LOVE this stamp! And did you see some of the cool coloring my team mates have done with it? I mean really!!! If you love Copics, then make sure you see some of the past features (Links at the bottom).

Simple and classic silver on Navy – you can NEVER go wrong. Little things like a pop of white at the top and bottom (that’s the card base) – easy to print on, and less $ than colored card stock. When mass producing you have to think of these things. Simple triple wrapped silver cord – you can buy that stuff cheap! It’s timeless and a classic, don’t you agree?

So thank you for always stopping by and commenting. Visiting my YouTube channel and being a subscriber and student. From the bottom of my heart – Thank You!

Project Two

And for the grand finale one of my favorite projects from the week. I wish I could take credit for the design of this card, but my good friend Kylie Purtell came up with it. When I saw her version, I just had to add the rainbow colors and it was screaming for that awesome butterfly from Beautiful World by Gina K. Add those killer greetings from All about YOU by CAS-ual Fridays and it’s sheer perfection.

Here’s a super short video on how I created this card – plus a little trip down memory lane from the past five days at the end!

Click Here to watch in HD on YouTube

Let’s chat about those greetings by CAS-ual Fridays for a second. If you love versatility – then I highly encourage stamp sets where you can build your own greetings. I love that you can mix and match stuff, and the Riesling font (one of my favs for years) paired with that bold is just awesome! It’s a super cute card – isn’t it?

Thanks for coming back each and every day over the past five days – in all we’ve had 11 projects on The Creative Grove alone! But don’t just stop here – my fellow Dream Team sistahs are super creative and talented, be sure to check out all their creations as well, Catherine has had five solid days of videos and tons of projects PLUS we have several creative and very inspiring additions from all over Blog-land!

SO….check out all this goodness, be sure to leave me a comment – you wouldn’t want to miss out on prizes, would you?!!! And I certainly hope to see you again either here, on the e-letter or over at my YouTube channel again!

* Note that Kathy Racoosin (After me in the hop) is traveling today and we had a slight change in the line up! Be sure to go directly to Kelly Latevola after her, just click on both names here and you’re all set!

Catherine Pooler
Maureen Merritt
Kristie Goulet
Heather North
Allison Cope
Laurel Beard
Lisa Harrolle
Ingrid Blackburn – That’s me! You are HERE
Kathy Racoosin Quick…Hop HERE next!
Kelly Latevola
Beth Silaika

And when you’re all done hopping – seriously you don’t want to miss out on this talented line up… if you missed the first four feature days loaded with projects….check them out here:

Day One Day Two Day Three Day Four

Happy Hopping – Keep those fingers inky –

[optin_box style=”12″ alignment=”center” email_field=”email” email_default=”Enter your email address” email_order=”2″ integration_type=”aweber” double_optin=”Y” list=”3846012″ name_field=”name” name_default=”Enter your first name” name_order=”1″ name_required=”Y” opm_packages=””][optin_box_field name=”headline”]Learn more with our exclusive FREE video series:[/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=”paragraph”]PHA+UGx1cyB5b3XigJlsbCBiZSBhZGRlZCB0byBteTxzdHJvbmc+IEZSRUU8L3N0cm9uZz4gQ3JlYXRpdmUgVGlwcyBFLWxldHRlci4gRnJvbSB0aW1lIHRvIHRpbWUgeW914oCZbGwgZ2V0IGV4Y2x1c2l2ZSBwcm9qZWN0cywgdmlkZW9zICZhbXA7IHRoZSAxMiBEYXlzIG9mIENocmlzdG1hcyBzZXJpZXMuPC9wPgo=[/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=”privacy”]We value your privacy and would never spam you[/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=”top_color”]undefined[/optin_box_field][optin_box_button type=”0″ button_below=”Y”]Get Instant Access![/optin_box_button] [/optin_box]

Filed Under: Clean and Simple, Flowers, Stamp of Approval, Uncategorized, Videos Tagged: Beautiful World, Blog Hop, catherine pooler, Stamp of Approval

Fluttering through a Beautiful World

Written by Ingrid Blackburn 22 Comments

Ah, to be a butterfly and flutter your way though a Beautiful World. When I think of butterflies, my head immediately goes two places – elegant and whimsical. How about you? Be sure to tell me in the comment section what you love about Butterfly stamps!

The perfect way to describe the stamp set Beautiful World by GinaK is elegant and whimsical – that’s why I relate to it so well! This stamp set, designed for the Stamp of Approval Beautiful World Collection is a dream to stamp with. You can keep it light and fun, go dramatic and elegant or just say colorful and whimsical. Any way you stamp it, you can’t go wrong.

I created a video for you too – it’s the second project plus a great tip for customizing the perspective on your stamps! Especially Butterflies.

View on YouTube in HD

Here are just a few ways I had fun with this set – okay, and a few others from the collection – for you today.

My Colorful Beautiful World – Day Four

Project One

To create this elegant card, break out your pearl embossing powder for a definite wow in the background. The swirly flourish stamp is just stunning in Pearl. To get the effect I was after, I have most of my tails lead toward a spot in the center behind the frame. I wanted to keep the card rather simple and just have a little pop. The card front is the actual folded card and it’s mounted onto a traditional A2 card base just 4 1/4 x 5 1/2″.

The frame is popped up and I just LOVE that greeting!

Creative Tip – This set has two butterflies in it – a large full one and a smaller half flying toward the right. Well, did you notice that my larger butterfly is flying to the left and is on it’s side? Check out the images in Project Two and you’ll see what I mean.

To make a butterfly on it’s side, cut around one side, and trim off the other side of wings and that side’s antennae. Viola – you have a half on it’s side in whichever direction you need!

Project Two

For this colorful project, you’ll want to start off with an effortlessly blended background. If you are subscribed to my YouTube channel, there’s a video above showing you how I get a perfect blend for this card.

The key is to pick colors that not only compliment one another, but won’t make mud – an ugly shade of brown. After creating my gorgeous background, I added the Beautiful World images and embossed them with white powder. I just LOVE that fancy flourish image in the bottom right – simply gorgeous. Some of my design team mates have made the most beautiful cards with that stamp – and the butterfly. Don’t forget to check out all their inspiration as well!

It may be hard to see, but I used Catherine’s new Geobuilders stamp set for some interest behind my panel. I embossed it white on white, and it’s the perfect small touch to finish the card.

The greeting is from the All about You set by CAS-ual Fridays. I love that set – anytime I have stamps that I can mix match and build my own greetings, I”m sold! And in one of my favorite fonts too – perfection! Some simple sparkling clear sequins finish the card out.

Be sure to stop by tomorrow for a full Blog Hop. Here are the other designers that are creating amazing works for you today:

In case you missed all the inspiration from the past three days, here are a few quick links to get you to the other seven projects I’ve created. The DT on each day has created some amazing inspired works for you.

Day One Day Two Day Three

If you’re not on the list to find out the link for when SOA Beautiful World goes on sale…what are you waiting for? Click Here to be in the know first before it sells out on the 20th.

Stamp of Approval comes with many many many projects all put together in a project guide. Be sure to visit Catherine’s Blog, she’s linked to everyone’s projects each day, and is featuring all the stamp sets in videos leading up to the 20th. See you tomorrow for a fun blog hop, prizes and yet more inspiration! Now run off and create your own sideways butterflies ….have fun!

[optin_box style=”12″ alignment=”center” email_field=”email” email_default=”Enter your email address” email_order=”2″ integration_type=”aweber” double_optin=”Y” list=”3846012″ name_field=”name” name_default=”Enter your first name” name_order=”1″ name_required=”Y” opm_packages=””][optin_box_field name=”headline”]Learn more with our exclusive FREE video series:[/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=”paragraph”]PHA+UGx1cyB5b3XigJlsbCBiZSBhZGRlZCB0byBteTxzdHJvbmc+IEZSRUU8L3N0cm9uZz4gQ3JlYXRpdmUgVGlwcyBFLWxldHRlci4gRnJvbSB0aW1lIHRvIHRpbWUgeW914oCZbGwgZ2V0IGV4Y2x1c2l2ZSBwcm9qZWN0cywgdmlkZW9zICZhbXA7IHRoZSAxMiBEYXlzIG9mIENocmlzdG1hcyBzZXJpZXMuPC9wPgo=[/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=”privacy”][/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=”top_color”]undefined[/optin_box_field][optin_box_button type=”0″ button_below=”Y”]Get Instant Access![/optin_box_button] [/optin_box]

Filed Under: Clean and Simple, Distress Ink, Stamp of Approval, Techniques, Uncategorized, Videos Tagged: butterfly stamps, colorful cards, flourish stamps, GinaK

Mixing it all up…SOA Style

Written by Ingrid Blackburn 39 Comments

So, you’ve probably seen the five projects I posted in the last two days, right? All clean and simple, great, fun projects. Now I’m going to mix and shake it all up! I’m going to take the dies from yesterday’s feature – Enchanted Garden and several of the same greetings you saw from All about You on Day One…and we’re going to create some Mixed Media fun today!

Now mixed media may or may not be your thing, but read along with me. My good friend Kylie asked me to be on a mixed media team a few months ago. I’ll be honest – I was scared to death. BUT, not one to be afraid to try something new…I found myself saying yes…feel familiar? Do you also have a problem saying no…lol?!! Well let me tell you – it was the single best decision I’ve made, as it opened an entire new art form to me and allowed me to put my creative juices to work. Many more than I even realized I had.

You may think you’re not an artist – but I have the same doubts and questions about myself that you do – trust me! So when I decided to make a few mixed media projects for the Stamp of Approval collection, I thought…okay – I’ll stretch myself. The point I’m working toward is that you can take any kind of image or die and turn it into any kind of art form you want. Just let the creativity flow. With that in mind…here’s what I have for you today:

Mixed Media SOA – Day Three

Project One – Enchanted Monoprint

I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m addicted to monoprinting – a print that can only be made once. I started off by brayering my Gelli Arts plate with some various colors of Acrylic paint, laid down some paper die cut images from the Enchanted Garden collection and the Enchanted Butterfly and then went to work pulling layers of prints and ghost prints. I then layered some of the heart vine die cuts from the same collection with a little Cobalt acrylic paint mixed in with a little Paynes Grey. the end result was just stunning. I trimmed it down and added one of the awesome saying fromt he Beautiful World stamp set, a few sequins and there you have it!

This was a quick little project that is just so cool to look at. I love how the paint colors when layered took on some very cool tones. Now wait till you see the next one!

Project Two – Mixed Media Garden

I’ve been playing around with simple mixed media techniques, just building my base of knowledge until I let loose on this project. I was finally ready to dive right in. This card measures 5 3/4 x 5 1/2″ tall, and the photo doesn’t do it justice. To give you an idea of what the layers looked like leading into the final piece, I put a six step shot below.

I started with several distress layers – inks and stains, followed by some acrylic paints in the corners, applied with a fan brush. Once I had the layers looking like I wanted, I began to layer some textures on using things we all have hanging around – bubble wrap, the inside of a starbucks cup holder, some drywall mesh. Okay – not everyone has that last one, but my dad’s garage has a treasure box of cool textured items I use in mixed media…lol. I added each with more acrylic paint and distress inks.

Before moving on to the dies, I added a little white gesso randomly in the middle to give me a light source in the distance. Then you’ll want to go to work on some deeply layered wrinkle free distress pieces in the most vibrant colors you have. Die cut them out using the Enchanted Garden Dies and grunge them up with some Tea Dye and Ground Espresso inks.

Add them along with the greetings from All About You, add a little doodling around the edges with a pigment liner and white gel pen and you’re all done! Okay, that made it sound like it takes just a few minutes. Not quite, but it was a relaxing time and this is a special project that anyone would just love.

So what did you think? Do you see projects like these when you see the stamps sets I’m talking about? Now go look at your stash, what can YOU use for cool projects?!!

You’ve heard me talk about Stamp of Approval for the past few days…if you aren’t sure what it is, be sure to check this page out – Click Here to find out More.

When you decide to get the Stamp of Approval Beautiful World collection – April 20th is coming up quickly, you’ll also get a PDF with more projects than you can imagine. Included…are full written tutorials on both of these projects, my first five and the rest from the next two days! 🙂

So be sure you’re on the wait list for Stamp of Approval – that’s the only way to get the link first before the public. It sells out quick! To see what all the products look like, visit Catherine’s Blog and check out her videos. And don’t forget to keep checking the other great designers blogs too. Here are some quick links for you:

And just in case you missed them – there are the first five projects from the first two feature days – just click which day you want to see.

Day One Day Two

See you tomorrow with more!

[optin_box style=”12″ alignment=”center” email_field=”email” email_default=”Enter your email address” email_order=”2″ integration_type=”aweber” double_optin=”Y” list=”3846012″ name_field=”name” name_default=”Enter your first name” name_order=”1″ name_required=”Y” opm_packages=””][optin_box_field name=”headline”]Learn more with our exclusive FREE video series:[/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=”paragraph”]PHA+UGx1cyB5b3XigJlsbCBiZSBhZGRlZCB0byBteTxzdHJvbmc+IEZSRUU8L3N0cm9uZz4gQ3JlYXRpdmUgVGlwcyBFLWxldHRlci4gRnJvbSB0aW1lIHRvIHRpbWUgeW914oCZbGwgZ2V0IGV4Y2x1c2l2ZSBwcm9qZWN0cywgdmlkZW9zICZhbXA7IHRoZSAxMiBEYXlzIG9mIENocmlzdG1hcyBzZXJpZXMuPC9wPgo=[/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=”privacy”][/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=”top_color”]undefined[/optin_box_field][optin_box_button type=”0″ button_below=”Y”]Get Instant Access![/optin_box_button] [/optin_box]

Filed Under: Mixed Media, Stamp of Approval, Uncategorized Tagged: gelli plate, mixed media, monoprinting, SOA

Lovely Lattice Butterflies – SOA is live!

Lattice Butterfly Tutorial – the Kissing Technique + others

Stamp of Approval

SOA Lovely Notes Blog Hop

Lovely Notes Project Tutorials

Wonderful Wreath

Thanks Friend

Bold Watercolor Greetings

Fill-in-the Blank Colorwash Resist

Colorwash Resist Technique Tips:

Butterfly Notes in the Garden

Just Awesome Shaker Card

Shaker Card Tutorial & Creative Tips

Day One Day Two Day Three Day Four Day Five

Blog Hop, Prizes, and lots of inspiration!

Beautiful World Blog Hop Creations – Day Five

Project One

Project Two

Catherine Pooler
Maureen Merritt
Kristie Goulet
Heather North
Allison Cope
Laurel Beard
Lisa Harrolle
Ingrid Blackburn – That’s me! You are HERE
Kathy Racoosin Quick…Hop HERE next!
Kelly Latevola
Beth Silaika

Day One Day Two Day Three Day Four

Fluttering through a Beautiful World

My Colorful Beautiful World – Day Four

Project One

Project Two

Day One Day Two Day Three

Mixing it all up…SOA Style

Mixed Media SOA – Day Three

Project One – Enchanted Monoprint

Project Two – Mixed Media Garden

Day One Day Two

Thanks for Visiting!

Copyright

Classroom Links

Disclaimer

Lattice Butterfly Tutorial – the Kissing Technique + others

Stamp of Approval

Lovely Notes Project Tutorials

Wonderful Wreath

Thanks Friend

Bold Watercolor Greetings

Colorwash Resist Technique Tips:

Shaker Card Tutorial & Creative Tips

Beautiful World Blog Hop Creations – Day Five

Project One

Project Two

Catherine Pooler Maureen Merritt Kristie Goulet Heather North Allison Cope Laurel Beard Lisa Harrolle Ingrid Blackburn – That’s me! You are HERE Kathy Racoosin Quick…Hop HERE next! Kelly Latevola Beth Silaika

My Colorful Beautiful World – Day Four

Project One

Project Two

Mixed Media SOA – Day Three

Project One – Enchanted Monoprint

Project Two – Mixed Media Garden

Day One Day Two

Let’s Connect

Thanks for Visiting!

Copyright

Classroom Links

Disclaimer

Catherine Pooler
Maureen Merritt
Kristie Goulet
Heather North
Allison Cope
Laurel Beard
Lisa Harrolle
Ingrid Blackburn – That’s me! You are HERE
Kathy Racoosin Quick…Hop HERE next!
Kelly Latevola
Beth Silaika