SOA — Page 2

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

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…

[divider style=”10″]

[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+UGx1cyB5b3UnbGwgYmUgYWRkZWQgdG8gbXkgRlJFRSBDcmVhdGl2ZSBUaXBzIEUtbGV0dGVyIHdoZXJlIEkgc2hhcmUgZXhjbHVzaXZlIHByb2plY3RzLCB2aWRlb3MgJiB0aGUgMTIgRGF5cyBvZiBDaHJpc3RtYXMgUHJvamVjdCBTZXJpZXM8L3A+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]

[divider style=”10″]

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

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

Enchanted Garden & Dies

Written by Ingrid Blackburn 13 Comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Enchanted Garden – Day Two

Project One

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

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

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

Project Two

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our featured Designers for today are:

See you tomorrow for more…

[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, Flowers, One Layer Card, Stamp of Approval, Uncategorized Tagged: CAS, GinaK, SOA, Stamp of Approval

Frosted Crooky Cake

Written by Ingrid Blackburn 14 Comments

Okay, I know Crooky Cake is not the official name of this stamp set, but it’s stuck in my head – thanks Catherine! The official name of this super cute stamp set is Bring on the Cake – designed by SugarPea Designs. For now, you can only get it the Young at Heart Stamp of Approval collection – which is almost sold out – just a few boxes left! It will be released, along with the matching dies sometime in 2016/2017.

I have to say, normally, I wouldn’t immediately buy this kind of a set for myself – I gravitate towards nature, backgrounds and designs. But the more I stamp with it, the more versatility I see in it, and I’m in love with this one & all the little companion dies too – those rock, especially since there are two frames with it too!

I love stamp sets that have little stamps – the flowers, swirls, streamers and stars make this a very cool and fun set to create with. The long streamer stamps will be quite cool for backgrounds (yes, tons of ideas for cards with that), and don’t get me started on the sentiments – those are great! I love font/script together, and this set did not disappoint. Can you tell how much I love it?!! To get a close up look, check out Catherine’s video about this set along with some cool samples – Click Here.

Along with today’s cake, I used the Harleen stencil by Winnie & Walter. Another great one – also in the Stamp of Approval collection. I did a little double stenciling. Since there are only a few boxes left, I wanted to show you this creation. Here’s the video post as well – be sure to check it out along with the written tutorial – Click here for Video and Tutorial If you missed my other card – Click Here.

I wanted you to see what a fun and quirky design this card has. I call it the Frosted Crooky Cake, in honor of my friend Catherine Pooler who had a helping hand in designing this fun set.

So make a wish, check out the Stamp of Approval Young at Heart Collection if you haven’t already, and if you miss out on this great box of stamps, dies and stencils (did I mention there’s only a few left)…don’t fret – you too can have a piece of crooky cake (Bring on the Cake) later in 2016/2017 too – of course you’ll have to wait! 😉

See you soon with the video tutorial!

[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”][optin_box_field name=”headline”]Learn with our exclusive FREE video series[/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=”paragraph”]PHA+R2V0IHRoZSBmcmVlIENyZWF0aXZlIFRpcHMgRS1sZXR0ZXIgYW5kIGxlYXJuIHdpdGggc3Vic2NyaWJlciBleGNsdXNpdmUgdmlkZW8gYW5kIHBpY3RvcmlhbCBjb250ZW50LsKgPGVtPjxzdHJvbmc+SW5jbHVkaW5nwqA8L3N0cm9uZz48L2VtPm91ciB5ZWFybHkgMTIgRGF5cyBvZiBDaHJpc3RtYXMgc2VyaWVzITwvcD4K[/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 started now![/optin_box_button] [/optin_box]

Filed Under: Distress Ink, Uncategorized Tagged: birthday cards, crooky cake, diy cards, SOA, Stamp of Approval

Simple Snowflakes

Written by Ingrid Blackburn 3 Comments

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

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

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

Here’s the how to for this card:

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

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

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

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

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

Keep those fingers inky –

[optin_box style=”2″ width=”500″ 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=”N”][optin_box_field name=”headline”]Learn with our exclusive FREE Video Series[/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=”paragraph”]PHA+R2V0IHRoZSBmcmVlIENyZWF0aXZlIFRpcHMgRS1sZXR0ZXIgYW5kIGxlYXJuIHdpdGggc3Vic2NyaWJlciBleGNsdXNpdmUgdmlkZW8gYW5kIHBpY3RvcmlhbCBjb250ZW50LiA8ZW0+PHN0cm9uZz48c3BhbiBzdHlsZT0iY29sb3I6ICM4MDAwMDA7Ij5JbmNsdWRpbmc8L3NwYW4+wqA8L3N0cm9uZz48L2VtPm91ciB5ZWFybHkgMTIgRGF5cyBvZiBDaHJpc3RtYXMgc2VyaWVzITwvcD4K[/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=”1″ text=”Subscribe now!” text_size=”26″ text_color=”#ffffff” text_bold=”Y” text_letter_spacing=”0″ text_shadow_panel=”Y” text_shadow_vertical=”1″ text_shadow_horizontal=”0″ text_shadow_color=”#000000″ text_shadow_blur=”0″ styling_width=”36″ styling_height=”15″ styling_border_color=”#000000″ styling_border_size=”1″ styling_border_radius=”6″ styling_border_opacity=”100″ styling_shine=”Y” styling_gradient_start_color=”#345523″ styling_gradient_end_color=”#68ab46″ drop_shadow_panel=”Y” drop_shadow_vertical=”1″ drop_shadow_horizontal=”0″ drop_shadow_blur=”1″ drop_shadow_spread=”0″ drop_shadow_color=”#ffffff” drop_shadow_opacity=”50″ inset_shadow_panel=”Y” inset_shadow_vertical=”0″ inset_shadow_horizontal=”0″ inset_shadow_blur=”0″ inset_shadow_spread=”1″ inset_shadow_color=”#000000″ inset_shadow_opacity=”50″ location=”optin_box_style_2″ button_below=”Y”]Subscribe now![/optin_box_button] [/optin_box]

Filed Under: Christmas, Clean and Simple, Distress Ink, One Layer Card, Uncategorized Tagged: CAS, christmas card ideas, easy christmas cards, SOA, 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

Mixing it all up…SOA Style

Mixed Media SOA – Day Three

Project One – Enchanted Monoprint

Project Two – Mixed Media Garden

Day One Day Two

Enchanted Garden & Dies

Enchanted Garden – Day Two

Project One

Project Two

Frosted Crooky Cake

Simple Snowflakes

Thanks for Visiting!

Copyright

Classroom Links

Disclaimer

Lovely Notes Project Tutorials

Wonderful Wreath

Thanks Friend

Bold Watercolor Greetings

Colorwash Resist Technique Tips:

Shaker Card Tutorial & Creative Tips

Mixed Media SOA – Day Three

Project One – Enchanted Monoprint

Project Two – Mixed Media Garden

Day One Day Two

Enchanted Garden – Day Two

Project One

Project Two

Let’s Connect

Thanks for Visiting!

Copyright

Classroom Links

Disclaimer