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 Color Embossing Paste

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This tutorial is a great DIY tip for how to color embossing paste quickly and easily on your cards and mixed media projects. I think you will be blown away with how easy it really is!

Here’s a video showing you exactly how to color embossing paste – and once you start, I guarantee you won’t want to stop…lol!

Click Here to watch it on YouTube in HD

And when you watch this over on YouTube – I’d LOVE for you to subscribe to my channel too! Don’t forget to click the notification bell as well. I’ll be doing some lives and premieres, and I’d LOVE to have you there as well.

So what did you think? Tell me in the comment section if you’ve ever done this? And have you tried multiple colors too? Don’t you love how they easily overlap in color to create their own? Which one is your favorite?

How to Color Embossing Paste Tutorial

In a nutshell, you’ll want to blend your medium with a color source. In this video I used foam ink pads by Catherine Pooler. The colors are great, and her ink pads release quite a bit of ink. You can always use ink refills or something else like gelatos, etc…

You’ll also want to use a palette knife. I personally like using metal knives vs. the plastic ones. It’s a personal preference.

DIY how to color embossing paste

Your colored paste will really go far, so do a little at a time. How much color you add, will directly result in the depth of color in your medium. When using something like whipped spackle, that one always ends up lighter in color, so I have to add more ink.

Here’s my final project. I didn’t explain really how I colored in this little chick, so here you go!

Since I used Sand Dunes cardstock by Catherine Pooler for my base, I needed to make my chickie white. Did you know that I commonly greet my friends with hey chickie all the time!!! That’s why I got the Foul Play stamp set in the first place….lol. But these little chick images totally ROCK.

how to color embossing paste tutorial

To make her white, I used a zig blender pen and Hero Arts Unicorn white pigment ink. Don’t think those pens are just for dye inks – use whatever you have!!! Just be sure to clean it thoroughly in between.

The hello die (my all time favorite hello die) also by Stamplorations is embossed with clear embossing powder by WOW! That way it really stands apart from the rockin’ background. I found without that, it just wasn’t popping.

The hello die and chickie (embossed in white on Chocolate cardstock), are glued directly to my card, the Chick is popped up with foam tape.

I hope you enjoyed this! Just like I said in the video – don’t forget to tag me with your creations over on Instagram with my new IG handle – @thecgstudio. I’d LOVE to see what you make.

Have a great day!!

Filed Under: Stencils, Techniques, Uncategorized, Videos Tagged: , ,

Catherine Pooler Welcome Home Release + Giveaway

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Welcome Home Release

It’s the Welcome Home Release! You’ve probably arrived from Daniel Wests’ blog – Welcome! Today I have some fun quick little projects for you using some of my favorite pieces from the Catherine Pooler Welcome Home collection. Let’s jump right in!

This collection first premiered at the Creativation show in Arizona. And I have been just waiting to show you some of these amazing pieces.

Here are the new Stamps and Dies that are in the Welcome Home Collection:

PLUS…these amazing new must have products:

I’ve been using the Life Changing Brushes for a few months now. I thought it would be fun if we played with the Carnivale minis as well today. Let’s see how they work with some of the stamps and dies in action…

Welcome Home Release – Project No 1

Nothing makes an impact like the Interlocked Die. To say I was over the moon excited the first time I saw this die by Julie Mogford is putting it mildly! This is not your average cover plate – this die measures 5 1/8″ around, and today we’re going to use it as a stencil.

That’s what I love about Cover Plates – using them as stencils! So that you can get as much use from yours as possible, cut it out of heavy weight cardstock and embossed it in clear on both sides. You can also seal it with gel medium.

To get that light airy look in a quick way – you’ll definitely want to try out the Life Changing Brushes. Last November I purchased some of the inexpensive make up brush counterparts, and let me tell you – the Life Changing Brushes are the real deal. They are made for Paper Crafting. Let me say that again – that’s the biggest difference – these are made for Paper Crafting! They are designed to release ink without soaking the ink up.

Another big difference is that with the Life Changing Brushes, I have not had the little hairs come loose, unlike their cheaper counterparts. You do get what you pay for! Just like anything else in life. So which size do you need? Definitely the larger four, and if you want to use them with stencils and get a bit more precise, you may want the Full 10 set. That way you can get into the nooks and crannies of those intricate stencils or background stamps.

So I wanted a fun masculine feel to my card today. I quickly layered some It’s a boy down, keeping my pressure light as I went outward. To get the full stenciled effect of this amazing die, be sure to go beyond the edge of the Interlocked Die. For some pop – use Limoncello (CP Minis – Carnivale Collection), from the center outward – just look at this AMAZING green it creates!!

So that your sentiment from the Happy Place stamp set makes an impact, emboss it in WOW Black Embossing Powder. I also ran my WOW Embossing Pad along the corners and added a little powder there too – it’s a bit hard to tell, with the card front adhered to the Midnight cardstock, but you really notice it in real life (shiny vs. the matte cardstock).

This card was so quick to make, you can really made several in the whole rainbow and literally use any sentiment on it! Do you use dies as stencils ever? If so, tell me in the comments what your favorite is?!!

Project No 2 (and 3)

Next up we’re going to use the same Life Changing Brushes to get a flawless look, but over an embossed image – the Cottage Garden Background Stamp.

Emboss your image in Opaque Bright White Embossing Powder on CPD 100# Bright White Cardstock. Did you know that WOW! puts antistatic product right into their powders? On an intricate image like the Cottage Garden Background, that really matters! It helps so that your powders don’t stick to the non-embossed parts.

I embossed one card front panel – 5 1/2 x 4 1/4″, and then blended Limoncello, Coral Cabana, a little Be Mine and some Samba inks from the CP Minis – Carnivale Collection. That’s what is so great about Catherine Pooler ink – the amount of ink it releases. Even Picket Fence Studios who designed the Life Changing Brushes recommends CPD ink for it’s brushes!

The key to getting a light blended look on your project is the same as with the Ranger Mini Sponge Tools – light even pressure. The difference between the tools – there is no rounded edge, so you’re more likely to get a smoother application with the brushes. And they are ergonomic in design – quite flexible and easy to hold. All that makes a difference if you love to ink blend.

I recommend having a brush dedicated to a color family – that way you don’t have to constantly clean them. But you will want to clean them from time to time – just rinse in the sink with soap (any will do) and let air dry. Do not use a heat tool – the little hairs are made of a plastic material!

Once you have your background how you want it, cut a 1 3/4″ section off from the top or bottom (I chose the part with mostly flowers). This card is relatively simple to put together.

First ink blend a background using your Interlocked Die as a stencil with Icing on the Cake on the card base for the skinnier piece. On the other – stamp the brick border from the Strolling Borders Stamp Set in Icing on the Cake.

Adhere your backgrounds to the bottom and top third of your folded card base. Cut out the Ways to Say Hey Dies for your sentiments out of Chocolate cardstock with your die cutting machine and glue both your sentiments to the bottom – just off the edge (to the card base), but with the sentiment part on your background.

That’s it! Quick and easy, and the best part – you get two cards from every Background. I love how they look and mixing the fun, vibrant nature of the Carnivale inks with the deep dark Icing on the Cake ink and Chocolate cardstock. What do you think? What would YOUR color choices be?

Now it’s time for you to be inspired! Hop along the hop – and be sure to leave comments along the way to be entered in for some gift certificates! Definitely let Julie Mogford know when you get to her stop if you love her Interlocked Die!! Be sure to stop by my Instagram channel too on Wednesday for another inspiring hop as well. Have an awesome day!

Catherine Pooler – Hop Here Next!!
Tracie Pond
Jen Carter
Karen Baker
Susan Powell
Kristie Goulet
Ilina Crouse
Lisa Harrolle
Nanette Tracy
Kelly Martin
Maureen Merritt
Julie Mogford
Daniel West
Ingrid Blackburn – You’re HERE!

Keep those fingers inky!! Below you’ll find a supply list for each project.

Filed Under: Blog Hop, Catherine Pooler Designs, Clean and Simple, Stencils, Techniques, Uncategorized

Butterflies and Remembering a Good Friend

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Our crafty world is such an amazing, inspiring and wonderful community. I’m blessed to have been a part of this community since 1994, and online since 1998. Over the years, I have gotten to know thousands of you, made more friendships than I can count and every now and then actually get to meet and know people in person. So many of us participate as watchers, teachers, and friends. Earlier this month, we suddenly lost one of those crafty spirits, Melissa Lane. Melissa inspired us, motivated and taught us how to pull the best out in what we do – usually in an unexpected and colorful way.

I had the first got to know Melissa as a team mate on the Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge Team and then really well on the Mixed Media Team. I was living in the Black Forest in Germany at the time, and was shocked that on a world wide team put together by Kylie Purtell, a few of my team mates lived just 45 minutes from me. Isn’t it funny, that in this big huge world – three of us were so close in geographically? Especially put together by a leader who lived in Australia, and two of us being American and living in a foreign country!

Melissa, Tanya Kabel & myself vowed one day to get together to flex our crafty muscles to just stamp with a friend. In this day and age, we all get to know about each other from blogs, instagram, facebook and youtube accounts – but when do you actually get to stamp LIVE and in person? I was no longer alone!! Sadly, Tanya ended up not being to make it that day, but Melissa and I had the rare opportunity to spend the entire day crafting, chatting and we even had dinner together with the family. It truly was a perfect day.

You can’t go empty handed, right? I brought my famous apple/raspberry German crumb cake for the family, since I towed all my craft supplies along with me like a little kid just excited to play with a good friend…lol. I think I had all my stencils (I had quickly been accumulating several Artplorations stencils), a gel plate, acrylic paints, nearly all my stamps, inks and anything else I could think of with me.

Melissa quickly grabbed my gel plate, and made several backgrounds with this very mask I used today. I remember borrowing it and she borrowed several of my stencils that she didn’t have as she was new on the Stamplorations Design Team – and I seemed to have almost all of them…lol. We ink blended, watercolored, got out the pastes and were just two kids in a candy store showing each other our favorite techniques and playing with mediums. We very quickly made a mess in her cute little crafting corner of the house – and the kids kept peeking in on us to see what we were creating. It was SO much fun.

I had also brought several cards with me, and we flipped though each others little works of art, don’t you just love doing that? Cards after all look SO much better in real life than in a photo. We took a break, walked through the garden, talked about art, and I became mesmerized with her father’s gorgeous watercolor artwork. Later we enjoyed a fabulous dinner, made by her beautiful family. Shortly thereafter, I moved back to the states, so we didn’t get a chance to stamp together again, but we remained good friends for years.

Melissa was not just an incredible artist, but she was a Christian, a military wife to her high school sweetheart Chris, loved homes educating her four children, avid gardener, cook and photographer. She had a zest for life and lived every day to the fullest. I loved chatting with her, Melissa knew who she was and loved her family fiercely. We will all miss her.

My life is richer for knowing you Melissa, first and foremost as a person, but also as an artist. I loved visiting your blog and seeing your creations on social media always put a smile on my face – especially when you used butterflies – your love for butterflies made such an impression on me that day. You loved color and butterflies.

It’s only fitting that I create today in your honor, what else – a rainbow of butterflies. I always thought of you when I saw this stencil, and every butterfly I saw. I don’t think that will ever change.

If you’re interested in knowing how I created this piece in Melissa’s honor, brayer a rainbow of acrylic color onto a gel plate, add your Shower of Flutters mask, sponge or brayer over with black paint, take a pull, and trim down. Emboss your greeting in gold, add hearts using the Row of Hearts stencil, embossed in clear embossing powder over your entire card.

Stamp the butterflies from the set Blossom like a Butterfly in Catherine Pooler Midnight Archival ink onto colorful monoprinted backgrounds (Melissa loved red), fussy cut and add some gold embossing powder details. Pop up the wings, and emboss the edges of your card base. This card is sized 5 x 7″. That’s it!

I know you’re watching over us Melissa, but I miss you all the same. You were an inspiration to so many of us, and we’re better crafters for having known you.

To read more about Melissa, see her artwork and the outpouring of love from our community, visit the Stamplorations blog post here.

Much love my friend,

Ingrid Blackburn - The Creative Grove

 

Filed Under: Brayer, Cards, Mixed Media, Personal, Stencils

Easy DIY Mixed Media Christmas Cards + Video

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Save the Crafty YouTuber Video Hop

Have you ever wanted to quickly produce some fun and artistic Mixed Media Christmas Cards? Are you tired of sending bulky cards that require extra postage? What if I gave you the formula for how to create a whole stack of cards that have layered texture and character to them, but are pretty much flat, easy to put together and will have all your friends and family thinking you are quite the artist?!! Interested?

Now what if on top of that I told you that you could have a chance to win over 100 prizes – bet THAT sold ya!

Mixed Media Christmas Cards Video Tutorial

It’s that time of year again – my good friend Justine Hovey has organized the second Save the Crafty YouTuber Video Hop, and I decided to play along with 90 of my crafty friends – mixed media style! And I even have my OWN giveaway that I’m doing….so be sure to actually WATCH the video. I give the details along the way…

Click HERE to watch in HD on my YouTube Channel

Aren’t they FUN and super simple cards to make?!! Seriously – I’m going to be teaching this exact project (and so much more) in person in a few weeks in the Orlando, Florida area. If you’d like to come learn from me in person – be sure to email me at ingrid (at) thecreativegrove.com and I’ll send you all the details!!

For the specifics and Details to be entered for over 100 prizes – seriously…it’s more like 125+ prizes….GOOD ones too – read about those on my YouTube Channel in the section below the video!

The Save the Crafty YouTuber Video hop is a celebration of cardmaking video tutorials created by a group of talented crafters of all different styles and levels. We are coming together over 5 days to give our viewers a chance to discover other amazing cardmakers and help reach monetization goals!

Mixed Media Christmas Cards

All you have to do is watch, like the video, consider subscribing, and click the link in the video description below to hop to the next video. Let yourself be inspired! Don’t forget to comment (on the video hop over at YouTube) because we have tons of prizes to give away. Please indicate if you are located in the USA or International so that prizes can be awarded appropriately as some prizes (not all!) have restrictions on them.

To be entered in for MY giveaway (closed) – watch the video – I give details on what you need to put in the comment section (USA only for that one).

Monoprinting Christmas Cards

Don’t forget to check back every day this week since there are 5 themed days of video hops! You never know when you’ll discover your next favourite YouTuber! Hop Links are below.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Here are a few close up photos for you and the supply list. Be sure to come back to this post on November 10th to see who won the prize pack – I’m giving away Dies, Stencils and ink pads – it’s worth over $40!!! That Merry Christmas Die is one of them!!! 🙂 Happy Hopping!!!

Mixed Media Monoprint Christmas

Aren’t those the prettiest cards?!! These photos do not do them justice!! Interested in seeing more Mixed Media Christmas Card possibilities? Check out this tutorial – just adjust for the Christmas Season

Sponsors & Hop Links (Giveaways closed)

Here are all those sponsors….and SO many channels in each of the five hops are giving away additional prizes – this is an AWESOME hop!

Here are links to all five hop days:

  1. Day One Hop Beginning
  2. Day Two Hop Beginning
  3. Day Three – Start on MY YouTube Channel
  4. Day Four Hop Beginning
  5. Day Five Hop Beginning

Good luck on winning all those great prizes – over 100!!! Leave me a comment below if you liked these cards – I’d LOVE to know.

Thanks for watching – till next time…

Supply List

Affiliate Links used if available

Mixed Media Christmas Cards

Hailey’s Shower Photo Supply List – https://ldli.co/e/jpxx6p

Filed Under: Art, Blog Hop, Brayer, Christmas, Clean and Simple, Masculine, Mixed Media, Stencils, Techniques, Uncategorized, Videos Tagged: , , ,

How to Mass Produce Clean & Simple Quick Cards

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How to make 20 diy quick cards

Have you ever created an awesome background that you could quickly turn into several quick cards? Did you know that the Clean & Simple (CAS) style can have some mixed media elements in it? This tutorial will show you just how simple and easy it is to create two backgrounds that you can literally turn into 20, yes – you read that correctly…twenty cards!! Let me show you exactly how…

Watch on YouTube in HD & Subscribe for more Tutorials

Quick Cards Tutorial & Tips

When I’m trying to come up with quick cards, I usually start with a larger background piece. That’s the key for me! Well, that and some great word dies (or large stamp sentiments) and a classic clean and simple design. Cards don’t always have to be complicated. SCREEETCH!!!! Did you just hear that in your head – from little ‘ol me?!! You are on my blog and YouTube channel after all, right? Yes, I love artsy complicated cards and mixed media projects just like the next person – even complex watercolor projects. But not every one has to be uber-complicated. Sometimes simple is better!

How to make 20 quick cards with monoprints

20 quick cards tutorial and tips

What do you love – CAS or Complex designs? Seriously, there’s no right or wrong, but I’m curious – tell me in the comments below & over on my YouTube channel here!

Giveaway alert – I’ll choose one person to send one of these beauties to if you comment on my YouTube channel in the first 72 hours!!

Now that you’ve seen just how easy it is to create those backgrounds – colorful ones too….Here are a few tips you’ll want to keep in mind:

  • Create backgrounds that can be split up – you want the design to be everywhere – not just in one little corner. Yes, in my video, you only see the flowers on one side – but I can quickly stencil something over the clean side too – it’s all in how you look at it, no?
  • Don’t have the Flower Frenzy stencil by The Crafters Workshop (I LOVE their stencils) or any 12 x 12 stencils? No problem – just use your 6×6 ones a few times! But seriously – check out their flower stencils – they have SO many gorgeous ones…
  • To fill up your space if your background piece is small – use a large stamp or die cut like I did. You can always build a sentiment like you see here too
  • Keep the rule of thirds in mind
  • Use powerful colors that make an impact – it helps to have all that white space around as well. The contrast is amazing.

quick cards with monoprints and word dies

What did you think? That’s one rockin’ die, right? Designed by Nanette Tracy for Catherine Pooler Designs – and newly released last week – don’t miss out on it. Get your hands on the Three Kind Dies and Kind of Wonderful Stamp Set right here! And Catherine Pooler inks are SO super vibrant and saturated, they are the perfect choice when matching to your acrylic paints.

I’ll be back soon with some more Clean and Simple AND Mixed Media designs. And don’t forget to comment on my YouTube Channel!! I’d LOVE to send you one of these cards – I may just include something else that’s fun too!

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: Brayer, Catherine Pooler Designs, Clean and Simple, Flowers, Mixed Media, Stencils, Techniques, Videos Tagged: , ,

All That Jazz: New Release from Catherine Pooler – Blog Hop

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Catherine Pooler All That Jazz Ink

Welcome to the All That Jazz release blog hop – Day One! I’ll be honest, every time I type All That Jazz, I hear a broadway chorus sing it and see jazz hands…lol! Now you will too, sorry about that! So, it’s only fitting that we have that singing around in our heads while looking over all the gorgeous inspiration the Creative Team came up with, right?

Today marks the first day of three amazing project inspired days for the next release over at Catherine Pooler Designs. And what a release it is. It’s literally packed with new cool products (many of which I’ve used today), the previous Stamp of Approval Counting Blessings Collection (one of my all time favorites) and drumroll….you’ve been waiting….the ink color All That Jazz.

If you were lucky enough to nab a Naturally Inspired SOA last June, then you have this deep Teal that’s part of the Party Collection of Inks. If not, it’s finally here!!

Catherine Pooler All That Jazz Ink

All that Jazz Tutorial #1

So let’s dive right in. First up is a quick, fun little project that works for just about any occasion….I was tempted to pop a have a…birthday on there, but then decided to leave it just Awesome.

Catherine Pooler Designs Stencils - All that Jazz

Isn’t that stencil pattern just WAY cool? It’s called Square Dance and you can get it on the 20th in the stencil section over at Catherine Pooler Designs. This stencil has SO many possibilities. I’m just getting started. WAIT till you see what I have up my sleeve for it later this week!

To get this look – sponge some Sauna, over lap it with Mandarin Spice and Daylight and voila! I used watercolor paper to get a smooth blend, and then cut out the tag using the Tags, Etc. Dies set. That’s an awesome collection of shapes and embellishment dies that everyone should have.

Pop it up onto a fun simple embossed in clear background using the new Doin’ the Polka Background stamp. Who doesn’t need a fabulous Polka Dot background stamp. They are just the right size – there, but not over powering, you know?

Catherine Pooler Ink - All that Jazz

To keep the muted theme going cut out the new hand lettered awesome die and you’re all set. I just LOVE that Chocolate cardstock. Oh speaking of cardstock….um…did you notice the Sand Dunes? YUP – it’s NEW. The perfect shade of sandy goodness.

All That Jazz Tutorial #2

Next up, I have to admit, it’s one of my favorites. When Catherine showed me the Grateful Heart stamp set designed by our very own Creative Team member Lydia Evans, I nearly fell over. True story. This stamp set is SO unbelievably gorgeous it’s crazy! What I love about it the most is that you have all the images as singles AND two huge floral sprays. So masks your own creation, or just stamp – brilliant, right?

All That Jazz Ink Release - Grateful Heart Ingrid Blackburn

First, stamp the two floral sprays in Midnight ink and then use some pretty colored pencil shades to bring then to life. First add some green to the leaves, I used some colored pencils from Arteza, then create some shadows around the images in light grey keeping in mind where your light source is. You’re going to cut them out, so do the shading first.

Now it’s time to color. Start with your darkest shade for your petals, keeping your strokes light. Feather in some light pink and then blush. Blend your colors with some gamsol and a blending stump and you’ve got a beautiful little creation. Cut each spray out with the coordinating dies from the Grateful Heart Dies Collection. Since it’s so intricate, I used some washi tape to hold them in place.

All that Jazz - Catherine Pooler Ink

Next use the Circles Dies to cut a large circle out of the new Vellum Cardstock – YES, another new paper. I’m a sucker for Vellum cardstock. This one is 48# weight and just gorgeous. It’s heavy enough to hold up to techniques, yet you can still see through it. Emboss one of the two sentiments in the set onto your circle and glue your spray keeping them off-centered.

Using that gorgeous Sand Dunes cardstock, imperfectly ink up the new Music Notes background stamp in Icing on the Cake. Take a paper towel and dab a little away. Stamp onto scratch paper and then stamp onto your Sand Dunes cardstock. You want that stamped off look so it doesn’t overpower your card. It’s background music support, the flowers are the main show.

To give the card a soft look, try adding some super light sponging around the border with the icing on the cake. I wanted to keep it not just brown, so I used my black sponge tool. That way whatever was on there from last time, mixed with my brown Icing on the Cake and I got this gorgeous aged look.

TIP – put the pressure on your tool that is off your project, kind of angling it so that you keep the pressure SUPER light.

Grateful Heart Stamp Set and Dies - Ingrid Blackburn

Pop up your flowers and mount onto a black base. My card measures 4.5 x 5.5″. I wanted it a bit wider so it wasn’t too skinny on the sides. I’m sending this card to my mom. I know it’ll make her smile. 🙂

What did you think? I’d love to hear which one is more your style! In addition to the previously released items (counting blessings collection and all that jazz ink pad), there’s also a new hand lettered wonderful die just like the awesome die, and some fun new 6×6 patterned paper – more on that Tuesday ;).

All That Jazz Blog Hop Prizes

Here’s the full hop in case you missed any on the way here. Be sure to comment along the way. There will be five lucky winners that get two free ink pads & free shipping on their order!! 🙂

  1. Catherine Pooler   <– Go Here Next!
  2. Josefine Fouarge   
  3. Melissa Miller  
  4. Jenny Colacicco  
  5. Karen Baker 
  6. Justine Hovey  
  7. Ilina Crouse  
  8. Maureen Merritt  
  9. Allison Cope  
  10.  Ingrid Blackburn  You are here. 🙂

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you loved these couple of projects. Of course if you’re a StampNation member, you’ll get to order early tomorrow – perks of membership! Everything goes on sale Tuesday March 20th over at Catherine Pooler Designs. Be sure to hop along the next two days too. Just start over on Catherine’s blog.

All That Jazz - Catherine Pooler Designs

And stop by here too. I’ll have some more creative fun for you! See you then.

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!


FULL Release – Available now!!


Filed Under: Blog Hop, Catherine Pooler Designs, Clean and Simple, Flowers, Stencils, Uncategorized 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: , ,
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