Videos — Page 4

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 –

[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: 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

CAS – Ghosting Technique

Written by Ingrid Blackburn 8 Comments

Have you ever tried the ghosting technique before? A ghosted look is an image that appears either as a light or double image. You can actually achieve this look in several ways, I’m going to talk about three today.

I personally love this technique, it gives a great look and added emphasis to a stamped or stenciled image. You’ll need to use one of three mediums – water, white pigment ink or a clear watermark ink like Versamark.

This is my first month playing along with a fun challenge over at Happy Little Stampers, and I’m quite excited to be a new member of the CAS team! The challenge for the month of June is to use Ghosting on your card in a CAS (Clean and Simple) style. Here’s what I came up with:

Ghost Stamping

Now I’ll be honest – I’m fresh off a transatlantic trip and have been a little jet lagged! We were in New York for my grand daughter’s Christening – little Lylah is SO cute! It was a short trip, but a long one on the way back. I was excited when I remembered that I created this word cluster using this very technique several months ago for a Christmas challenge and went another way. Even better – I had the snowflakes left over from another project too – I love it when I get to use things from my scrap bin!

Ghosting Technique Tutorials

Technique #1 – Emerging Images (Stamp/Stencil)

To create the ghost image, stamp a word cluster with various greetings from the Happy Little Stampers set Mixed Christmas Greetings in Versamark ink on glossy card stock. Next brayer colored dye inks, covering your card stock. I used the Distress inks Victorian Velvet and Dusty Concorde for a slight ombre look. The versamark ink resists the dye ink and shows up as a ghost image.

Ghosting-Technique-003

Another way to get the same result, but not quite as sharp is to use Watercolor paper, cover it well with Distress Ink and stamp with water. That’s the water stamping technique which can produce a ghosted result.

For the background, stamp snowflakes from Bring on the Snowflakes by CAS-ual Fridays in Illuminate ink for a subtle pearl look. Add a few white snowflake dies from the companion die set along with ta few sequins and you have a great look.

Although I probably didn’t need an additional sentiment, I added one in embossed silver on a banner. The ghosted circle is popped up for a little drama to the card and the sparkling clear sequins by Pretty Pink Posh for the perfect sparkling effect.

Ghosting-Technique-002

Technique #2 – Double Stamp/Stencil

This technique is my favorite way to achieve a ghosted image. Click here to see another written & video tutorial on how to use white pigment ink to get a great ghosted image with stamps or a stencil. This is also known as the double stamping technique.

Technique #3 – Water Stamping/Stenciling

The third way to create a great ghosted image is to stamp or lift with water. This can be applied to stamps or stencils. I have another written and video tutorial for this concept in the simplest of manners – the flicked distress technique. Click here to view the video and written tutorial for this technique.

Ghosting-Technique-005

So that’s three tutorials on how to use this very technique – have fun with it! If you’re a Just Cards online student – you have even more tutorials on various ways to create this technique in your classroom too!

Thanks for joining me today, I don’t share many personal photos, but couldn’t resist with these – here are a few pictures of our sweet little grand daughter Lylah, and the family!

IMG_4647-edit-2

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Lylah, Allyson and a rare photo of me – I’m always BEHIND the camera!

Isn’t she cute?!! We miss them already! I hope you have a great start to June…and I can’t wait to see what you create this month in the CAS Ghosting challenge over at Happy Little Stampers – I challenge you to try out the ghosting technique – have fun!

🙂

Ingrid

Filed Under: Challenges, Christmas, Clean and Simple, Techniques, Uncategorized, Videos Tagged: Ghosting, stamping techniques

How to Get Inks to Shine

Written by Ingrid Blackburn 12 Comments

All you really wanted from your card was a little shine, right? Have you ever created a stunning background, but hours later your ink colors are flat and faded? Well, this technique is for you then! I’m playing along with the new Mixed Media Challenge over at Happy Little Stampers – Shine.

I LOVE to create backgrounds – have you noticed? All to often in card making, we create these amazing colorful backgrounds on cards and then the colors settle as the project fully dries and we’re left with something that is a bit flat and has no vibrant nature left. At least I do! I’m always thinking where did the shine go? Okay, not all of it is shiny, but you know what I mean.

I have a video and step by step tutorial for you, so grab a drink, learn how to create amazing depth first, then a stain glass window that captures the true nature of those amazing colors by trapping the shine element of your card. Here’s the video:

Watch in HD on YouTube

So what did you think? Not that difficut really. What did you think about stretching your stencil for better coverage? Have you ever done that? Here’s the step by step tutorial, and if you really loved this, be sure to sign up for the Creative Tips E Letter for an exclusive video series and 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+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]

Creative Tips on Shine, Texture and Stretching your Stencils

Create an in depth textured piece by using the wrinkle free distress technique on a piece of 140# cold pressed watercolor paper and dye based inks. (shown in detail in the video) Tip – For the most vibrant results, try Ranger’s Distress Inks.

This project uses Distress Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Twisted Citron and Peacock Feathers
Once your project is totally dry, lightly buff over it with a de-static tool to remove any oils.
Smoosh Versamark through the Latticeworks stencil by Tim Holtz or your favorite one for a detailed design as in the video. Since this stencil didn’t cover my watercolor paper, I had to do this in two parts and overlap my design for a seamless flow.

Emboss in Clear Embossing Powder – I used Brutus Monroe – and if you’ve never tried it – do so…it rocks!
Once your embossed stencil has fully dried, sponge over with Soot Black distress ink.
Wipe off your stenciled design with light pressure and a slightly damp cloth or paper towel to pick up the resisted ink.
Emboss your die cut greeting in clear for a shiny look. I used Handlettered Holiday by WPlus9. Adhere with Ranger Multi Medium Matte.

Stamp and emboss the Christmas greeting from HLS Everyday Sentiments in white on black card stock – trim and adhere.
Adhere your watercolor paper with glue to a black matte with a 1/16″ border.
Pop up Mixed Media Panel with Fun Foam and adhere to a White card base with a 1/4″ border all around.

That’s it! Simple and striking Mixed Media card. I’m also going to play along with this months challenge over at CAS Mix it Up….it’s heat embossing – we definitely fit there!

So hop on over to the HLS Mixed Media Challenge and check out all the amazing projects my teammates have created for this challenge. Plus you’ll want to stop by our Guest Designer Kalina’s blog – she’s SUPER talented when it comes to Mixed Media and her projects are out of this world!

Then get those fingers inky….I can’t wait to see what you do to let your creations shine!

Filed Under: Challenges, Clean and Simple, Distress Ink, Mixed Media, Techniques, Uncategorized, Videos, Watercolor Tagged: CAS, happy little stampers, hls, stencil techniques, Stencils, wplus9

Mixing CAS & Monoprinting

Written by Ingrid Blackburn 11 Comments

Have you ever mixed a monoprint with clean and simple design? Monoprinting is not only super easy, it’s fun, quick and I’m always amazed at the results. I highly encourage you to give it a try. And most of us LOVE clean and simple, so why not mix them together?

It’s snowing here today in the Black Forest – hard to believe it’s almost May! Seems like a good day to work with my Gelli Plate.

In the spirit of creative card making, today we’re going to mix it up a little – for the CAS Mix it Up Challenge. I’m addicted to this challenge, and although it’s in it’s infancy – just two months old…it has a HUGE following already with some amazing card makers.

It’s the brain child of Bonnie Klass and Loll Thompson. You probably have crossed paths with one or both over the years, as they are avid card makers, have designed for numerous teams and both have distinct styles each their own.

This challenge is all about mixing clean and simple stamping/design with mixed media. Now the words mixed media get one of two reactions – interest and terror. But today’s project is hoping to not only peak your interest, but dispel the myth that all mixed media is intense, takes a long time and is only for artists who love to art journal.

Both projects today were from the creation of one monoprint. To make a monoprint you need three things – a printing plate (I use a gelli plate), some acrylic paint and a tool to spread the paint – I used a brayer.

Gelli Plates are inexpensive tools that give you the ability to make your work looks masterful, unique and will definitely leave the recipient of your card wondering…how in the world did you do that?!! Here are just a few prints I made quickly one day to give you an idea of how fun this artform is:

Today we’re going to use a 6×6 inch plate by Gelli Arts. And for this challenge, we’ll incorporated a few stencils as well – after all, that is the theme of this month’s challenge! I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised to see there’s not much else to it.

Why don’t we get started. I filmed the process for you, wrote a step by step tutorial below and added some detailed pictures. The video has three distinct parts – the monoprinting (first five minutes – yup…that’s it), card specifics and why, and lastly (final 2 1/2 minutes) – all about clean and simple design and the rules I live by – don’t miss that part!

Click Here to watch in HD on YouTube

What do you think? Of course you can always use stencils in the traditional way too – I just thought it would be fun to bring a little monoprinting into the mix.

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CAS Monoprint Tutorial

Start out by gathering up all your supplies. Monoprinting goes fast – and there’s nothing worse than not having your paper right there and your paint drying up on you!
Spread out your background color with a brayer and the rubber attachment.
Clean off your brayer on a piece of scrap paper and immediately roll over your gelli plate to “lift” some of the paint you just laid down. You want to get the look in the video – lots of color still, but a bit subdued. TIP – Don’t “lift” more than twice – you’ll remove too much paint.

Place your Latticeworks stencil by Tim Holtz over your paint and pull the positive print. TIP – if you want it to be a bit random, only pat the back of your paper in random spots. Try to leave a little paint behind, I chose to pull most of it.
Lift your stencil, and place your white card stock on the pattern left behind. Burnish the back of your paper with your hand (I like to add a piece of copy paper if my paper is shorter than my plate as in the video) to transfer as much of your print as possible.
Lift your print and try and pull a ghost print with copy paper if you can – I was unable to.

Clean your gelli plate in-between if you desire, for me that always depends on how much is left behind and what my goal with the project is.
Add the Bloom Silhouette stencil by Artplorations to your plate and add a dark color with a brayer to the desired flowers. I chose to add Paynes Grey. You want a contrasting color to your first color. Brown or Dark Purple with Yellow, Black with Blue or Red, etc…
Lift your stencil and pull the print onto your second print (the negative), if you have a ghost print – pull that as well onto another piece.

Add some marks to your Gelli Plate with more Paynes Grey and the inside of a Starbucks Cup Wrapper. The corrugated inside is great for texture.
Add the lines in three spots – if I could do mine again, I’d add the last one a bit higher. I remember thinking not too high, but my original spot in my mind would have been better. TIP – Lesson learned – go with instinct in art, not the mind.
Trim your positive and negative prints down. Measurements are below.

CAS Monoprint Card #1 – Black

Stamp Thanks from Mini Thanks (Create a Smile) in bold with Versafine Black ink (Tsukeniko) and emboss in clear.
Add the negative print to black card stock leaving more space on the bottom than the top (Rule of thirds). Add five sparkling clear sequins.
Add a little paper piercing to the top and bottom around your print and you’re set with Card #1

Dimensions:

Black card base – 5 1/2 s 4 1/4″ Folded
Monoprint – 5 1/4 x 2 7/8″ (trimmed down)

CAS Monoprint Card #2 – White

Stamp Thanks from Mini Thanks (Create a Smile) onto a scrap piece of black card stock with Versamark (Tsukeniko) and emboss in White. Trim it down as in the photo leaving more space to the right and left and just a hair top and bottom.
Adhere print to black card stock, making sure it’s centered and the black comes out left/right.
Adhere to white card base.
Add greeting, popping it up with fun foam.
Add five sparkling clear sequins.
Paper Pierce three holes top and bottom as in the photo.

Dimensions:

White card base – 4 1/4 x 5 1/2″ Folded
Monoprint – 3 1/2 x 4 1/2″
Black Matte – 3 5/8 x 4″

In the video at the end, I go over my rules for design and clean and simple cards. It’s the last 2 1/2 minutes.

That’s it! What do you think? Don’t let mixed media scare you. It’s just combining different mediums on a project. This project used Acrylic Paint, Stencils, textured surfaces, stamping and heat embossing. We added a little sequins for bling and you’re all set – easy peasy!

Now it’s your turn to get those fingers a little inky. The challenge is coming to an end today, but there will be a new one on the 1st. There’s still time to get one last project in though!I’m also going to play along in some never ending challenges as well…I love all the companies products I used today, and can’t say enough about them. I purchased them all on my own….they are products that I use over and over again.

Playing along with – Stamplorations Anything Goes Challenge for my Bloom Silhouette Stencil, April’s Project Share over at Create a Smile , and Happy Little Stampers Stencil Monoprint challenge – how perfect is that!

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think! Have you tried a little Mixed Media before? I’d love to know!

Till next time –

Filed Under: Art, Brayer, Cards, Clean and Simple, Flowers, Mixed Media, Techniques, Uncategorized, Videos Tagged: CAS, gelli plate, mixed media, monoprinting, Stencils, tutorials

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

It’s a Beautiful World

Written by Ingrid Blackburn 29 Comments

I’ll admit, I’ve been in a little creative funk lately. It happens to the best of us. I was able to create, it just wasn’t flowing like it normally did. Enter the Beautiful World Collection by Stamp of Approval. I’m serious…I was struggling and then I decided to do what has always worked for me in the past – sit down and sketch.

Okay – I lost some of you, well, to let you in on my little process – I’ve always been a sketcher. And this new stamp collection opened the flood gates for me – literally…I even have three projects and a video for you today!

Here’s a peek at what I was able to quickly come up with in just 60 minutes with the stamp and die sets laid out in front of me:

So sit back and get set to take a creative ride with me over the next five days – what?!! Yes, you read that right…be sure to stop back every day 9:00 AM eastern time for a creative journey into the new Stamp of Approval collection – Beautiful World. Don’t you just LOVE that name!

Every day I will showcase a few new projects for you from this easy to use stamp collection curated by my friend Catherine Pooler. Catherine worked together with some of the industries top stamp companies – CAS-ual Fridays, GinaK, & SugarPea Designs to create an amazing collection of stamps and dies showcasing a Beautiful World. You’ve got to be on the wait list to find out when it goes on sale 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. Catherine will link to everyone’s features from her blog (as will I), and on April 19th there’s a blog hop with prizes.

Did I also mention there’s a Project Guide with many, many, many cards with step by step instructions for you as well! An instant library of projects so you’re all set and ready to create.

And as if that wasn’t enough…I’m going to highlight each stamp and die set for you too- not in quite as much detail as Catherine will, but I’ll have a full range of CAS, technique and even a few mixed media pieces over the next five days. So, are you on the wait list yet? 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. Here Are a few cards that showcase three items in the collection: 2Yous dies & All About You stamp set by CAS-ual Fridays, and the Geobuilders Stamp Set by CP herself!

Beautiful World Projects – Day One

Project One

Here is one of my favorites. We have a little word play going on in the background. This card is great for anyone, but I thought with father’s day coming up, this would be a perfect card for my dad – telling him all the things I love about him.

You’ll want to emboss all the words with Pewter powder on black card stock and cut it down. Next pop it up with a little deep red and added a few matching hearts at the bottom – also part of the dies – love that! The fun scripty You die was perfect for this card – simple white for the ultimate contrast between black and white and you’re all set!

Project Two

Next up we have another square card. This is also a great go to clean and simple card with potential for just about ANY greeting – love that! Did you see that the underneath piece is actually a technique? I know it looks crazy simple, but there’s a little technique involved. Here’ s a video to show you exactly what I did to give this little beauty a fun pop. Make sure you’re subscribed to my YouTube channel to see all the videos as they go live!

Click here to watch on YouTube in HD

Here you see the negative of the die showcased to let the colorful and shimmery pink piece shinning through (hard to see in the photo, but check the video out later for a great look).

I love the thickness of this die – it’s perfect for projects where you want to use the negative image, or make a statement with the positive. This is the other You in the 2 Yous die set. You can use patterned paper, colored card stock or whip up some cool technique piece to showcase underneath like I did. Stamp your sentiment on top and add a few sequins. Quick, and great if you have little technique pieces like this in a basket like me hanging around!

Project Three

This is a super quick card for anyone – especially a man! I LOVE this greeting – it’s perfect for so many reasons. We’re playing here with one of the awesome images from the Geobuilders stamp set in addition to the two sets we used above. To see more – definitely see Maureen’s post from today- she showcased a few of the other images in this stamp set. I have links of all the other designers at the end.

You’ll want to line up the chevron stamp – yes, it’s a single chevron, so think of the possibilities – they’re endless! You’ll want to stamp from the top down so you can see and line it up a bit easier. Keep it tone on tone with the Kraft card stock and then stamp one in a different color to pop up for some contrast. I used a navy color. To give it a little more punch, you can also emboss your greeting and single chevron in Clear like here. It helps to really make it stand out with a glossy shine on your card.

I admit, this card kinda makes me think of star trek a little (the popped up chevron)…any trekkies out there? I’m a HUGE Next Generation fan. Okay…I’m getting off topic…lol – let me know what you think in the comments of the three projects and if you’re a trekkie like me!

Stop by these blogs to see more inspiration:

Now, go check out the other projects, subscribe to my YouTube channel if you haven’t to see the Video when it goes live this afternoon and then it’s your turn to get your fingers inky. See you tomorrow with more creative goodness –

[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, Uncategorized, Videos Tagged: Beautiful World, catherine pooler, Stamp Kits

MM Watercolor Butterflies Video

Written by Ingrid Blackburn 2 Comments

Yesterday I posted a very cool, fun and quirky butterfly card for the Wings Mixed Media challenge over at Happy Little Stampers. It was such a fun project to create, rather relaxing actually, I’m so glad that I filmed it for you! I won’t lie – the project took me two hours to create, so I had to majorly edit the video down for you. I even split it up so that you can find your way easier around the two distinct different components of this card – watercoloring the butterflies and creating the mixed media background that allows them to literally fly off the page.

Enjoy the process – grab a beverage and have fun – I’d LOVE to see your cards when you create them! And if you haven’t subscribed to my YouTube channel yet – be sure to do so so you see them as they first come out.

Part One focuses on the masked border used to create this card and the actual watercoloring process for keeping the light and darker tones in the butterflies.

Click Here to watch Part One in HD on YouTube

Part two focuses on the Mixed Media portion of this card used to literally pop the butterflies off the page.

Click Here to see Part Two in HD on YouTube

If you want to see the written tutorial and close up photos, be sure to check out the original post right HERE.

See you soon –

[optin_box style=”2″ 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 Immediate Access![/optin_box_button] [/optin_box]

Filed Under: Cards, Distress Ink, Mixed Media, Techniques, Videos, Watercolor Tagged: Cards, how to stamp, mixed media, papercrafts, Techniques, tutorials, videos, watercolor

SOA Lovely Notes Blog Hop

Lovely Notes Project Tutorials

Wonderful Wreath

Thanks Friend

Bold Watercolor Greetings

CAS – Ghosting Technique

Ghosting Technique Tutorials

Technique #1 – Emerging Images (Stamp/Stencil)

Technique #2 – Double Stamp/Stencil

Technique #3 – Water Stamping/Stenciling

How to Get Inks to Shine

Creative Tips on Shine, Texture and Stretching your Stencils

Mixing CAS & Monoprinting

CAS Monoprint Tutorial

CAS Monoprint Card #1 – Black

CAS Monoprint Card #2 – White

Blog Hop, Prizes, and lots of inspiration!

Beautiful World Blog Hop Creations – Day Five

Project One

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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

It’s a Beautiful World

Beautiful World Projects – Day One

Project One

Project Two

Project Three

MM Watercolor Butterflies Video

Thanks for Visiting!

Copyright

Classroom Links

Disclaimer

Lovely Notes Project Tutorials

Wonderful Wreath

Thanks Friend

Bold Watercolor Greetings

Ghosting Technique Tutorials

Technique #1 – Emerging Images (Stamp/Stencil)

Technique #2 – Double Stamp/Stencil

Technique #3 – Water Stamping/Stenciling

Creative Tips on Shine, Texture and Stretching your Stencils

CAS Monoprint Tutorial

CAS Monoprint Card #1 – Black

CAS Monoprint Card #2 – White

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

Beautiful World Projects – Day One

Project One

Project Two

Project Three

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