Constantly Stamping

Global Design Project: GDP213 Color Challenge

We have a color challenge this week over at the Global Design Project project blog. I love this vivid color pallet.

It has been a while since I have done any water coloring and I really wanted to try out the Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper (149612). Every water color paper has its own personality, and this is no exception, but I am very pleased with the results. It holds up to the water quite well and I didn't experience any paper pilling. 

I stamped the holly from the Christmas Gleaming stamp set (150464) on the smoother side of the paper in VersaMark ink and heat embossed it with Whisper White embossing powder. I was very impressed with how well the images stamped. I used Stampin' Up! ink refills as my watercolors along with an AquaPainter.

After heat embossing, I did a light wash of Smoky Slate ink on the background and let it dry completely. Next, I painted the leaves and berries with Old Olive and Lovely Lipstick ink. I started with a light hand and then added in darker shadows.

I stamped and heat embossed the sentiment from Toile Christmas and used the coordinating Christmas Cardinal dies to cut it out. For my first attempt at this card I stopped with the light background wash and the results is the alternate version (below). I wanted to continue to experiment, so I carefully deconstructed the card and added more color to the background. I like both versions, but it really comes down to a personal preference.

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. We would love to have you play along with us this week. 

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: GDP210 Sketch Challenge

Better late than never seems to be a description of my life lately. I barely have time to stamp these days, but I made time for this week's challenge at Global Design Project.

I took several liberties with this sketch. I ended up dropping the extra background layer. I also opted for a large element (cardinal) instead of the circle in the lower right corner of the top panel.

I love this new Toile Christmas Suite. Cardinals have always been at the top of my list of favorite birds. I was really pleased with how easy it was to color him with my Stampin' Blends markers. I also layered on some watercolor pencils for additional depth to the colored images.

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.

July Fancy Friday - New In-Color Fun!

Thank you for joining us for our monthly Fancy Friday Blog Hop. The Fancy Friday team consists of some of the most talented Stampin' Up! demonstrators around...all past or current Artisans. If you are hopping with us, you should have just arrived from visiting the oh-so-talented, Dani Dziama.

This month we are featuring the new 2019-2021 In-Colors. You probably would not think that these colors work well together (they aren't really meant to), but somehow the designers at Stampin' Up! masterfully created a beautiful paper called Woven Threads DSP (#149497) that incorporates them all beautifully. What may surprise you even more is that this DSP (along with a few other items) inspired me to create these Christmas in July tags.

All three tags started as a 3"x6" tag made from cardstock. The first tag uses Seaside Spray as the base and then I added a layer of Woven Threads DSP cut 1/4" smaller. Next, I stenciled on some Shimmery White Embossing Paste (#145645) using the diamond pattern from the Pattern Party Decorative Masks (#144103). I set the tag aside to dry while I created the additional elements. I used the Detailed Bands Dies (#149549) to cut a decorative piece from a Silver Foil Sheet (#132178) and trimmed away the end tabs by hand. Next, I die cut three branches from Crumb Cake cardstock using the branch die from the Seasonal Layers Die Set (#143751).  I also cut some additional silver glimmer foilage using a die from the Frosted Bouquet Die Set (#147895). In addition, I heat embossed a greeting from the Merry Christmas To All Stamp Set (#147702) using silver embossing powder.

We should probably take a minute to discuss the flowers on these tags. You have seen something very similiar to them on some of my projects. I made a bunch of them using all of the new In-colors as well as Whisper White. Each flower is made with two layers punched with the Four-Petal Flower Punch (#147041). I spritzed them with water and used the end of an Aqua Painter along with a Stampin' Pierce Mat to shape the petals. After they were dry I sponged the edges with the same color of ink and then assembled them with hot glue. I cut apart the floweres made with Pretty Peacock cardstock and used those as leaves. I achieved the snowy look by adding on some of the Glimmer Embossing Paste to the flowers as well as the branches.

Once everything was dry, I sponged the edges of the tag and greeting with Crumb Cake ink and then assembled everything. I added some Clear Faceted Gems (#144142) to the flower centers and added some sequins from the coordinating Woven Threads Sequin Assortment (#149498).

The second tag was created with many of the same elements, but this time I added some gingham Terracotta Tile DSP from the 2019-2021 In-Color 6"x6" DSP stack (#149617). The greeting is from the same Merry Christmas To All stamp set (#147702). For these flowers, I used the Gold Faceted Gems (#144141).

The final tag is made much the same way as the first one, only using a different layout for the elements.

I must admit that I am overjoyed with how these turned out. It is difficult to capture all of the beautiful sparkel and shine in photographs, but I have to say that this is one of my favorite projects ever! I hope you have enjoyed them too!

I can't wait to see what the other Fancy Friday team has made. Be sure to hop on over to see my super talented friend from New Zealand, Paula Dobson. I know you will love her creations!

I WOULD LOVE TO BE YOUR DEMONSTRATOR!

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

Have a blessed day!  

 

Beauty of the Season Christmas Card

Life has been super hectic lately, so I apologize for being M.I.A.  Things are finally slowing down and I should have more time to stamp. I thought I would show you a card that we made in class a few weeks ago. Actually, we made the card below (without the flowers). I love poinsettias, so the one above is my favorite, but if you need a simpler version, then this is for you...

Both cards are fabulous, but we were making three each of 4 cards, so we didn't have time to color. I like them both, but they each have their own appeal. This one is great when you are short on time; it is also a little more masculine. Of course, you know if I can add a flower to it, I definitely will, so for me the one with the beautiful flowers wins; but honestly it comes down to personal preference and availability of time. 

The basics are the same for both cards. I used Real Red ink on Crumb Cake to create the background using the Buffalo Check background stamp (#147797/#147794). The greeting is from the Merry Christmas to All stamp set (#147702) stamped in Cherry Cobbler on Whisper White, and the subtle flowers behind the sentiment are stamped in Crumb Cake ink. We also added a piece of Burlap Trim (#147889) and some die cut leaves from the Pretty Pines Thinlits (#141851) in Old Olive and Mossy Meadow cardstock.

The beautiful flowers are from the Peaceful Poinsettia stamp set, colored with Stampin' Blends, and die cut with the coordinating Detailed Poinsettia Thinlits Dies (#147925). I promise to do better and share more often. We have our finaly 2018 Artisan Design Team blog hop next week, so keep an eye open for that.

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.

 

Artisan Design Team Blog Hop - All Is Bright Suite

Welcome to another Artisan Design Team Blog Hop. On this hop, we are focusing on the All is Bright Suite on pages 4-7 in the 2018 Holiday Catalog.

This suite includes a broad range of  traditional colors and imagery. I decided to step of of my comfort zone a bit and make a fun little treat bag as my focal project. I made a simple bag with some All is Bright DSP (#147892) and include a fun little tag stamped with the Making Christmas Bright photopolymer stamp set (#148046). Hint: I used some inexpensive paper shreds from the local dollar store as bag filler.

 

For my second project I used the same tag elements and added everything to a Striped Treat Bag (#144255) stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Stampin' Blends markers. It would be really easy to include a simple hand-stamped card and maybe even a gift card as a quick and easy holiday gift for a co-worker or friend.

 

For my final project I couldn't resist making some fun flowers using the All is Bright DSP and the Christmas Bulb Builder Punch (#148013). I love using flowers on almost any project...where there is a will, there is a way! This is a semi-inexpensive frame ornament I purchased from the craft store. I removed the back, covered it with Basic Black cardstock and heat embossed the sentiment from Merry Christmas to All stamp set (#147702) and heat embossed it with white embossing powder. I used hot glue to reattach the panel to the frame.

Elizabeth Price is next on our blog hop so be sure to head on over and check out what she and the the rest of the Artisan Design Team team have in store by clicking on the button below.

 

2018 Artisan Design Team

Cathy Caines - In The Cat Cave (Canada)
Charlet Mallet - Painted Orange (USA)
Connie Collins - Constantly Stamping (USA) <- you are here
Elizabeth Price - Seeing Ink Spots (USA)
Emma Goddard - Coastal Crafter (UK)
Jennifer Frost - Jennifer Frost (Australia)
Jenni Pauli - Paulines Papier (Germany)
Jessica Winter - kunterbuntestempelwelt (Austria)
Kayla Macaulay - Love, Kayla (Australia)
Kim McGillis - Kim McGillis Papercrafting (Canada)
Lauren Alarid - Crafty Little Peach (USA)
Linda van Wely-Zwolle - Stampin with Liz Design (The Netherlands)
Rhoda MacPherson - Pretty Creative (UK)
Sarah Lancaster - Pirouette Papercraft (France)
Susan Wong - Stampin Susan (New Zealand)
Sylwia Schreck - Stempel Einfach (Germany)

The Stampin' Up! Facebook Page is where our Corporate Blog posts are showcased.

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.

Artisan Design Team Blog Hop - Snowflakes Showcase Part 2

 

Welcome to special Artisan Design Team Blog Hop. On this hop, we are featuring the Snowflake Showcase Promotion featuring exclusive stamps, dies and accessories. Customers can purchase this fantastic bundle, November 1-30 or while supplies last.

We were asked to create two projects...one with just stamps and the other using stamps and coordinating dies. Some of the team are featuring the Happiness Surrounds stamp set (#149744) while others (like me) are featuring the Snow is Glistening stamp set (#149742).

My first card focuses on the stamp set. I just love snowflakes and the snowflake images in this set are great.

 

I stamped a piece of Wood Textures DSP with VersaMark ink and then heat embossed everything with White Embossing Powder. Then I just added some linen thread and some clear rhinestones for a great country Christmas card.

For my second project, I stayed with the country Christmas theme and stacked several layers of die cut snowflakes from the largest snowflake die in the Snowfall Thinlits set. The top layer was cut from Wood Textures DSP. I used the two largest snowflakes from the Snowfall Thinlits Dies and layered them for even more dimension.

 

For the sentiment, I die cut a circle using the Stitched Shapes Framelits dies(#145372), stamped a Pear Pizzazz snowflake in the center and then stamped the word "Joy" in Early Espresso ink.

 

Elizabeth Price is next on our blog hop so be sure to head on over and check out what she and the the rest of the Artisan Design Team team have in store by clicking on the button below.

 

2018 Artisan Design Team

Cathy Caines - In The Cat Cave (Canada)
Charlet Mallett - Painted Orange (USA)
Connie Collins - Constantly Stamping (USA) <- you are here
Elizabeth Price - Seeing Ink Spots (USA)
Emma Goddard - Coastal Crafter (UK)
Jennifer Frost - Jennifer Frost (Australia)
Jenni Pauli - Paulines Papier (Germany)
Jessica Winter - kunterbuntestempelwelt (Austria)
Kayla Macaulay - Love, Kayla (Australia)
Kim McGillis - Kim McGillis Papercrafting (Canada)
Lauren Alarid - Crafty Little Peach (USA)
Linda van Wely-Zwolle - Stampin with Liz Design (The Netherlands)
Rhoda MacPherson - Pretty Creative (UK)
Sarah Lancaster - Pirouette Papercraft (France)
Susan Wong - Stampin Susan (New Zealand)
Sylwia Schreck - Stempel Einfach (Germany)
 

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 #GDP158: Sketch Challenge

We have another great sketch challenge this week at Global Design Project. You may be wondering if it is possible for me to follow a sketch challenge exactly...the answer is "probably not"...LOL!

However, I did come close, except the poinsettias would not fit on a standard 5.5" wide card front. I really wanted use this set, so I opted to go with a 3"x6" card base. It is amazing the difference an extra half inch makes. I used the Festive Farmhouse DSP for the base and middle layers. I adore the Peaceful Poinsettia stamp set (#147781) and even though I have the coordinating Detailed Poinsettia Dies (#147925) there is quite a bit of fussy cutting going on here.

The flowers & berries were colored with a mix of Real Red and Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Blend Markers. I used Old Olive Stampin' Blends for the leaves. I also colored some Basic Rhinestone Jewels with a Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends marker for the flower centers and Real Red for the holly berries.

For the sentiment I used the Festive Farmhouse Elements (#147890). I didn't care for the gray finish of the words for this particular card, so I dabbed on some Frost White Shimmer Paint (#147046). Instead of using my typical twine, I used some elegant silver metallic twine to ground the sentiment. I also thought the sentiment was too heavy to center, so I set if off to the side. So, even though I didn't follow the sketche exactly...I did keep it fairly close.

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.

Artisan Design Team Blog Hop - Dashing Along

 

Welcome to special Artisan Design Team Blog Hop. On this hop, we are featuring the Dashing Along Host Promotion featuring exclusive Designer Series Paper available only for a limited time.

 The Dashing Along Designer Series Paper is a collection of beautiful, traditional Christmas paper featuring a mix of old favorites and new patterns. This assortment has an eclectic feel and is perfect for layering. I really wanted to give you a feel for how pretty this paper is, so I used one of each design to create some beautiful tags and simple sleeves that can hold gift cards, money, or lots of other fun things. This DSP coordinates with the Dashing Deer Bundle (#149935) from page 9 of the new 2018 Holiday Catalog.

With a color pallet of Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, and Whisper White, this paper will look great with all of your holiday projects. This offering includes 12 sheets of 12"x12" DSP: 3 double-sided sheets (6 total designs) with 4 sheets of each design. It is also the perfect weight to makes the beautiful rosettes featured on two of the tags.

  

To make the tags, I used the Scalloped Tag Topper Punch (#133324). Then I used a variety of images that were either stamped and/or die cut with the Dashing Deer Stamp Set and Detailed Deer Thinlits Dies. I also added a few additional accessories like foil and glimmer papers and Garden Green Baker's Twine (#147814).

Finally, I sponged Soft Suede ink around all the edges to give a vintage look to the projects and some of the tags even have clear rhinestones to add more sparkle. Elizabeth Price is next on our blog hop so be sure to head on over and check out what she and the the rest of the Artisan Design Team team have in store by clicking on the button below.

 

2018 Artisan Design Team

Cathy Caines - In The Cat Cave (Canada)
Charlet Mallett - Painted Orange (USA)
Connie Collins - Constantly Stamping (USA) <- you are here
Elizabeth Price - Seeing Ink Spots (USA)
Emma Goddard - Coastal Crafter (UK)
Jennifer Frost - Jennifer Frost (Australia)
Jenni Pauli - Paulines Papier (Germany)
Jessica Winter - kunterbuntestempelwelt (Austria)
Kayla Macaulay - Love, Kayla (Australia)
Kim McGillis - Kim McGillis Papercrafting (Canada)
Lauren Alarid - Crafty Little Peach (USA)
Linda van Wely-Zwolle - Stampin with Liz Design (The Netherlands)
Rhoda MacPherson - Pretty Creative (UK)
Sarah Lancaster - Pirouette Papercraft (France)
Susan Wong - Stampin Susan (New Zealand)
Sylwia Schreck - Stempel Einfach (Germany)
 

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.