Constantly Stamping

Global Design Project: GDP 242 Sketch Challenge

I love sketches because half the work is already done for you. We have a good basic sketch challenge at Global Design Project this week and it is very easy to work with. So even if you don't normally play along with our challenges, you may want to give this one a try.

In just a little over a week the new Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog goes live (June 3, 2020). Demonstrators have the opportunity to pre-purchase selected items ahead of time so that we can begin promoting them in our businesses. My card this week features the new 2020-2022 In-Colors along with the items from the new Flowers for Every Season Suite of products.

I started with a Cinnamon Cider cardstock base and added a layer of Bumble Bee woodgrain patterned paper from the 2020-2022 In Color 6"x 6" DSP. Next, I die cut a piece of the Flowers for Every Season DSP (#152486) using the Stitched Rectangle Dies. To give it stability, I backed the piece with some scrap cardstock and then cut a circle from the center. I backed this piece with some Vellum Cardstock and then mounted everything with Dimensionals.

 

One simple thing you can do to add interest to your card is to stamp your greeting on DSP. Of course, it needs to have a simple pattern that reads more like a solid. Here I stamped a greeting from the Bloom & Grow stamp set (149229). The greeting was just fine as a simple rectangle, but I added a few pieces of DSP cut with ribbon ends behind it to step-it-up and give it more of a banner feel. I added a floral sticker from the Flowers for Every Season Memories & More Card Pack (153058) and then finished off the card with some coordinating gems from the suite.

We would love to have you play along with us this week. Be sure to check out what the other talented designers/players have created for this fun challenge at the Global Design Project Challenge Blog.

I WOULD LOVE TO BE YOUR STAMPIN' UP! DEMONSTRATOR

If you are in the United States and need a demonstrator, then you can order your supplies in my online store here.

 

Global Design Project: GDP 241 Color Challenge

We have a new color challenge this week at the Global Design Project project blog. I used a new coloring technique (created by yours truly) to color the flowers...so be sure to read on because it will really surprise you!

I am not much of a "pastel" person when it comes to card-making, but this challenge inspired me to give it an honest attempt...and I am glad I did. I really wanted to get one more card made with the Tea Together Stamp Set (#148779) before it retires at the end of this month. I typically don't feature retired stamp sets on my blog, so once it is gone, I rarely use it again. This stamp/die set is really pretty and I am a little sad to see it go. But wait until you see some of the new stamps coming in June! Amazing!

This card front is made with Shimmery White cardstock. I stamped the greeting from Peaceful Moments (#151595) with VersaMark ink and then used silver embossing powder to heat emboss it. I pressure embossed a piece Silver Foil (#132178) using the Tin Tile 3D embossing folder (#151801) and then used Whisper White Craft Ink (#101780) to give it the look of an antique painted tin tile.

Now for the flowers and leaves...I am gonna blow your mind! In the past, I have shared my technique of using 91% rubbing alcohol and ink refills to color images using an AquaPainter. Well, I didn't have all the colors I needed for this challenge available in Stampin' Blends or Watercolor Pencils, so I was prepared to fall back on my tried and true technique I call faux alcohol coloring. I am sure it will work just fine like that, but I am a "what if" kinda gal. I just happened to have a new bottle of clear gel-style hand sanitizer sitting on my desk, so I decided to give it a try.

First, I stamped my flowers with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on Shimmery White Cardstock. (Note: I tried regular Whisper White CS but I didn't like the results.) Be sure to let them dry before coloring. Next, I put a drop of ink refill on a non-porous surface (acrylic stamping block) and then added a dime-sized drop of hand sanitizer to it. I still used an Aqua Painter filled with alcohol to paint, but instead of using the alcohol, I mixed the ink and hand sanitizer together and began to paint. Oh my...it really gave me more control than with the alcohol-only method.

The gel allows you to paint the color exactly where you want it and then as it evaporates, it settles into the paper right where you intended. I am not ready to abandon my Stampin' Blends, but this is a really good alternative when you are in a pinch. I allowed the flowers/leaves to dry for a minute or two and then added a second and third layer of the alcohol gel. Each time I added in a little more ink to the mix to make each layer more intense. When it was all said and done I wanted to add some additional shading to the flower petals, so I used a Blushing Bride Stampin' Write Marker to add some light-handed shading. Also, I needed to intensify the Soft Seafoam ink, so I went over the lighter parts of the leaves with a Soft Seafoam Stampin' Write Marker as well. I can't promise that this will work with every type of hand sanitizer, but it is certainly worth giving it a try!

Finally, I used the coordinating Tea Time Dies (#149697) to cut the flowers, and then I assembled the card. For a few of the flowers, I cut off one set of leaves and then added them back into the layout where needed. Then I added some Basic Rhinestones and some white twine to complete the look.

Be sure to check out what the other talented designers/players have created for this great color challenge at the Global Design Project Challenge Blog. Also, if you try this new technique, send me a link to the finished project...I would love to see!

I WOULD LOVE TO BE YOUR STAMPIN' UP! DEMONSTRATOR

If you are in the United States and need a demonstrator, then you can order your supplies in my online store here.

Have a blessed day!

Global Design Project: GDP 240 CASE Challenge

I hope you are all doing well during this challenging time. I have been staying very busy working from home. I have also been sewing quite a bit these days. So far I have made over 70 facemasks for family and friends. Unfortunately, all this sewing has left me with little time to stamp. However, I have placed my demonstrator pre-order for the new catalog year and decided to give my stamp room a little love and get things organized...which in turn inspired me to whip up a card for our CASE challenge at Global Design Project. This week we are CASEing Kerstin Kreis.

Kerstin's card is a super fun variation on a shaker card. I think she made her card with a clear envelope, but you can use whatever you have on hand. My card is what I call a faux Fuse card. The Fuse tool is all the rage in the scrapbooking world because it allows you to seal the edges of your page protectors, trapping all kinds of fun embellishments inside the pockets. I have also been inspired by some beautiful Fuse card ideas by stamping superstars Jennifer McGuire and Kristina Werner.

I don't have a Fuse tool, so I decided to improvise and use an old photo pocket page protector. I cut it apart leaving the sealed edges intact and then stitched the top closed with a straight stitch on my sewing machine. Of course, I filled the pocket with some 4" x 5.25" Peaceful Poppies DSP and coordinating Peaceful Poppies Sequins first. The finished size of this card is slightly larger than a typical card, so I may have to make a special envelope to mail it, but it is worth the effort because it is so unique.

Once all of the fun stuff is sealed inside, you can decorate the outside just like you normally do. Just be sure to use a strong adhesive. Stampin' Dimensionsals work well for this. I used the Peaceful Poppies Suite of products and coordinating colors to finish off this card. I personally believe this is one of the most beautiful suites that Stampin' Up! has ever put together, so if you haven't picked it up, you need to. While the stamps and dies are returning in the new catalog, the designer series paper, sequins, and elements aren't, so place an order today, so you don't miss out!

We would love to have you play along with us this week. Be sure to check out what the other talented designers/players have created for this challenge at the Global Design Project Challenge Blog.

I WOULD LOVE TO BE YOUR STAMPIN' UP! DEMONSTRATOR

If you are in the United States and need a demonstrator, then you can order your supplies in my online store here.