Looking Clearly at Clearsnap Easter Card Tutorial

If you need an idea for an Easter card and don't have a lot of specialty Easter paper, here is one using various locally purchased dies and Clearsnap inks.  I was taken with this Easter cross stamp (Stampabilities Ornate Cross JR1054) because of the metal scrollwork design it exhibits. I first stamped the cross onto white cardstock with Clearsnap Colorbox gold pigment ink and heat embossed it with gold embossing powder:

I next used a Spellbinder's oval scallop die and my Cuttlebug to cut out the cross:

I then painted the cross with Smooch inks:  Plum, Cape Cod, Siren, and Gold:

I then opened up my newly acquired Cuttlebut Embossing Plus die "Fanciful Labels" and placed a strip of white cardstock over the scroll die I wanted to use:

I closed the die and ran the sandwich through my Cuttlebug:

Now you can see in the picture that there is a peek-a-boo area of this die that shows the white card parts that will be embossed through the die.  After running the die through the Cuttlebug but before removing my cardstock, I lifted up the clear plastic covering that will allow me to ink these embossed areas:

I used a cosmetic sponge and Colorbox gold pigment to ink right on top of those embossed areas, and only those areas!!!! while the die was still in the carrier.  How amazing is that!  I then removed the cut, embossed, and inked cardstock from the carrier, covered the cardstock with gold embossing powder, and heat embossed just the raised areas of the die cut.

I then stamped and heat embossed "Happy Easter" (Inkadinkado 95348) onto the die cut with the same gold ink and powder.

I didn't have any Easter paper that would do justice the beautifully colored cross image, so I made my own. I first cut a piece of white card A2 size and used some low tack masking tape to help me ink up particular areas of the card.  I wanted a "sunburst" effect, so I strategically placed pieces of masking tape to allow me to ink only one area at a time.  I used cosmetic sponges and Colorbox pigment ink in shades of Daffodil, Heliotrope, and Glacier Ice.  I kept having to move the masking strips around, of course, to suit the areas that needed coloring.

Here is the lovely finished effect:  Of course, I did not worry about the middle of the card, because that will be covered up by the stamped image.  Those inks go on smo-o-o-o-oth!

Here is the finished card:

As pictured above, I used a Bazzill Plum Delight cardstock for the base card, which measures 5" x 7".  I also matted the die cut cross image with the same Plum Delight paper.  Here I was forced to handcut the scallop border, since I had used my largest size Nestabilitie for the image.  I used a Bazzill gold foil cardstock to encase the entire inked and stamped central image.  Very shiny!

Looking Clearly at Clearsnap Scrapbook Page Tutorial

I created this page specifically to show how you can use Clearsnap products to make a scrapbook page.  This particular page shows my friend Ruth at my home making flower pins.  Ruth especially loves these little fabric stamped pins, and so she is the subject of my page.  I used a number of Clearsnap products on this page, including various inkpads and Smooch products.  The stamps are all from Hero Arts.

The first thing I did was to make the title letters.  I used Prussian Blue and Olive chalk inkpads to color a sheet of watercolor paper:

I then spritzed the paper with a blue Smooch Spritz:

The inks blended into a sparkly mass of color.  When the sheet was dry, I used my Cricut to cut out the letters.  I used the cartridge George and Basic Shapes to cut out the shadowed letters because I wanted a bold look to the letters.  I had to hand cut the openings in the R and the D because I chose this option.
(Note:  I also used this page to die cut various letters and elements for a matching card.)

To make the background for the page, I applied Cyan and Limited Edition Ocean pigment inks to a 12" x 12" smooth white cardstock (Bazzill) using the Colorbox blending tool and foam applicators.

I omitted ink from the part of the page that would be covered by the focal picture.  After I inked the areas I wanted, I overstamped Hero Arts Many Petals S5485 in French Blue Fluid Chalk Ink.  (This was the same stamp we used to make the flower pins.)  I also cut a strip of a coordinating scrapbook paper (Autumn Leaves)  about 2 1/2" wide to act as a backdrop for the title letters.  I inked the edges of this strip with Chestnut Roan chalk ink, then attached my cut out (and now dry) Cricut letters.

I also stamped an 8 1/2" x 7" ecru colored smooth piece of cardstock (Bazzill) with Hero Arts Stitch n Trim cling stamp CG183 in Prussian Blue, again omitting areas that would be covered by the picture.  I tried to make sure my lines matched up!  After stamping, I inked the stamped mat with Chestnut Roan and Toffee chalk inks to add an aged look.  I then attached my focal picture of Ruth to this mat.   I thought the scissor stamp would be perfect, since she is cutting out one of her sewn flowers!

I wanted to add some dimension to the page, in additon to the fabric flower I had planned, so I decided to add some deep themal embossed and stamped hearts.  I love Ruth!  To begin, I used some redline tape to attach a small wooden heart (craft supply) to a wooden craft stick.  This gives me a handle so I don't burn my hands!

Also, inked Hero Arts Flourish Wave D4213 with Magenta pigment ink and laid it ink side up on my workspace.  (I will need this later.)  I inked the heart with Pink and Magenta pigment inks using the Clearsnap blending tool.  I then dipped the hearts (good thing for that handle!) into clear embossing powder and used my heat tool to melt the powder.  while the powder was still hot, I again dipped the heart into the powder and again heated.  I repeated this process about four times.  After the last heating, while the powder is still molten, I stamped the pre-inked swirl stamp onto the heart.  Lovely!  The now enameled heart has a design embossed into it!

I then stamped the flower again onto white card and inked just the center with Alpine pigment ink and Yellow Citrus Chalk ink.  This will be for the tag I will make.  

Here is the final layout.  I made a tag from a Sizzix die and inked it with Chestnut Roan and spritzed with Smooch Spritz Pralines n Cream.  I added a bit of the scrapbook paper with the inked flower center and an additional letter R cut from a Quickutz letter die.  The rest of "Ruth" is spelled out with Hero Arts Small Variety Alphabet clear stamp set.  Do you see a bit of gleam in the background?  I used Smooch in gold to ink the centers of the flowers in the background.  I also added a bit of the inked watercolor paper I used to cut the title letters.  Some buttons threaded with fibers and my pink enameled hearts balance the fabric flower I wanted to be the focal point of the page.  While I stamped the flower onto fuschia patterned fabric (using Colorbox pigment Black), I added details of gold Smooch to highlight the flower.  A bit of Hero Arts lace completes the page.  I know Ruth will treasure this page as I treasure her as a friend!

Surprise mail delivery!

Look at the goodies that came Tuesday!  I had won a prize in the Clearsnap Altered Basics blog hop a few weeks ago, and the prize just came!  I never guessed they would be so generous!  Thank you Clearsnap!  I am going to have great fun with these!  Pictured above are what I received:   empty glass glitter shaker jars, 12 empty Smooch Spritz containers, 12 uninked pigment ink pads, 6 craft funnels, 12 4" square metal containers, and 12 clear plastic pillow boxes.  These are all part of the Clearsnap Basics line of products.  What am I going to do with these?  Have tons of fun!  I will be making rainbow ink pads with re-inkers that I already own.  I will make the metal boxes into shadow boxes or gift card containers.  I will of course use the pillow boxes for gifty projects.  I will make home-made spritzes for the spritz bottles, and using the funnels I will fill the glitter shakers with all sorts of glittery goodness after I decorate the cute little glass bottles!  Here is a chart from their website detailing all the new Basics products:

And here is the weblink you can use to access the chart:

http://clearsnap.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2012-03-10T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=20&start=13&by-date=false

Many of you know I love Clearsnap inks and use them often on my projects.  I am really excited about these new products!

Denami Color Challenge

This cute little fruity card was made with some Denami stamps I have had for some time.  I wanted to enter their color challenge, as you can see here:

The original post for the challenge can be seen here:

http://denami.blogspot.com/2012/03/denami-color-challenge-9.html

And I thought this "fruit" paper from Bella Press was just the ticket!  I wish you a "fruit-ful" day!

All stamps from Denami Design.

Tweet Time!

Look at this cute little framed birdie!  I made this today at a make and take hosted by Shay for the company she designs for--Paper Wings Productions.  All the stamps used in the tag are from their line.  Shay's line includes the frame which is the central image of this tag.  You can't see the depth in the tag, but I built up the frame in layers, adding flourishes and the cute little bird in his decorated cage.  I thought the stamped sentiment really complemented the images.  After making the basics at the make and take I came home and added some brown ink along the edges to frame the tag, some bling, and some fluffy yarn my friend Jill brought to me today.  Thank you, Jill!  I love the fibers!  and thank you, Shay and Julie, for a fantastic morning of stamping.  You can check out some more of Julie and Shay's designs here:  http://paper-wings-productions.blogspot.com/

Outlines Easter Challenge

I hope I get this in on time!  Busy weekend!  This week the challenge at Outlines Rubber Stamps is to make an Easter card using their stamps.  So, again hoping to add soon to my collection, I used my Cricut Expression to help me out.  The cartridge I used was Paper Lace 2.   I cut the background from watercolor paper and applied a watercolor wash in shades of blue, green, and yellow.  Then I cut the daisy design from the Cricut in green and layered that on top.  I then cut an additional daisy design in white card, but 1" larger (necessary to accommodate the 1" punch).  I cut out one medallion from the white card and layered it on top of the green.  I then stamped Outlines B789 on white card with green marker, just the sentiment, leaving out the dot border.  I used a 1" circle punch to cut out the sentiment and lightly colored it with a yellow ink pad.  I then layered the circle on the white flower.  Lastly I stamped the butterfly square E519 on white card, colored the butterfly with green and yellow marker and inkpad and popped it up on the design.  The whole ensemble was layered onto a folded 5 1/2" green card.  I must still be seeing g-r-e-e-e-e-e-n from St. Patrick's Day!  Here is the link to the challenge blog at Outlines:  http://outlineswithkathy.blogspot.com/

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I designed this card with the aid of my Cricut Expression.  I liked the Paper Lace 2 accent flower 1 for St. Patrick's Day and it went well with the other projects I planned.  I cut out the flower design, ran it through the Xyron machine and glittered it well with green glitter, first making sure all the adhesive was sticking only to the design.  I then added a bit of gold specialty paper to the center design only, having first made a cardboard template to help in cutting the design.  I then adhered the design to the background accent flower cut from the same cartridge.  I then adhered the entire unit to the front of a 5 1/2" green card.  Now I have to go and search for a large square envelope!  I made this card primarily for a small stamping party I went to with friends on Friday.  Here is Silvia's card on her fantastic display case in her wonderful new studio:

The other beautiful card in the picture is one Silvia received from a friend.  And here is Silvia with some more of her wonderful creations:  

These are paper dolls she made from some Mirkwood templates:  .http://www.ruthannzaroff.com/mirkwooddesigns/templates.htm  She loves making paper dolls and her work is magnificent.  And her studio is huge and very neat!  Lots of room to work and play!  We had a lot of fun.   Each person brought a project for the others to complete.  Some more pictures:

That's Margaret holding up Leanne's card and then Elaine and Leanne making the paper flowers for the card.  We did the flowers without a die, without even a pattern!  Who knew?  I love my cards from Friday and I love my friends.  Fabulous day!  

Outlines March Sketch Challenge 42

This little card celebrates Outlines Sketch challenge for this week.  Here is the link:  http://outlineswithkathy.blogspot.com/2012/03/challenge-42-march-sketch-challenge.html
  For the central image, I stamped Background Daisies (I129) twice onto glossy cardstock--first with Alabaster Fluid Chalk Ink from Colorbox and next with Prussian Blue Fluid Chalk Ink.  I then inked all over the Alabaster stamped image with the Prussian Blue inkpad and wiped off the excess, leaving a "ghost" image of the daisies.  I then cut each of the stamped images into 1" squares (love those inchies!) and placed them in alternating format onto a 4" square of Be Creative double sided tape.  (You could just glue each down in turn onto cardstock, but I wanted to do it fast!).  After making sure all the images were squared up I rounded the corners and placed the stickered image onto a 4 3/4" square card.  I love the way the daisy images rotate from square to square!  For the "ribbon" I again inked a 1" wide strip of glossy cardstock with Prussian Blue ink, wiped off the excess, and cut a ribbon wedge onto the end.  I then used some of the leftover "inchies" to decorate the inked strip.  The sentiment in Outlines B540, which I inked only the sentiment, leaving out the decorative square outline.  A little paper flower completes the card.  I like to stick to the true "sketch" so my cards are usually a little simple but with a lot of stamping!  Here is the original sketch:

Thank you for looking, and thank you Outlines for this super fun sketch!

Road Trip March 10, 2012

Yesterday in Austin, at the Archiver's store, the All Things Tim Texas group gathered to shop, have fun, and crop in their workroom.  You can see in the picture above the loot I acquired.  I am still looking for things for St. Patrick's Day, ergo the shamrock Quickutz die (yes, I am one of the few who bought the cute little Revolution die cut machine), a Celtic design shamrock stamp from Inkadinkado, and some green Stampendous circles to glitter around.  I also got a set of the Idea-ology gear embellishments and a Tim Holtz stamp set from Stamper's Anonymous.  I used both of these, along with my recently acquired Route 66 set, to make the tag featured in the picture.  (Yes, I altered the Route 66 to say Route 35, of which I still have flashbacks from driving.)  Of course was my face red, because my tags weren't ready for the swap and everybody else had beautiful tags done.  I foolishly thought I could use the time at Archiver's to make the tags.  My time was really taken up with talking, eating, talking, shopping, talking, more shopping, and more talking!  I will finish and get to Stepanie and see if she can get them to the attendees.  BTW the tags I received were awesome.  I was totally blown away by the artistic quality.  I wanted my tags to be a reminder of the event, especially since they would be after-the-fact.  You can also see some other items I got--some new pool accessories, which I am slowly adding to my collection, and the wonderful cutting mat from Making Memories.  We actually used these mats at Archiver's--each place setting had one.  They are really a bargain at $20 each.  What sold me is the fact that I liked seeing the lines under my clear blocks to line up my stamps.  This will be a very useful addition to my crafting area.  (Yes, the pool stuff was fluff, but I like the color--this mat will actually help me do better projects.  You can also see some of the stuff Stephanie (a big thank you to you, Steph, for organizing this event!) put in the prize bags--some grungeboard, some older Distressables Tim papers, and a new Ranger gluestick.  I won the Idea-ology Tim book with bag in a door prize drawing!  How many ways can you say "Awesome!"  Not only did I get this great stuff, I met and got to play with fabulous people!  Thank you all for a super time!

Card Patterns Sketch Challenge 155

 I bought this peacock paper from DCWV some time ago and have just now determined to open and use it.  It is so pretty it is worth saving for a special occasion.  I stamped the peacock (Great Impressions) with a blue/gold Pearl Ex stamp pad and added more color with a turquoise Spica pen.  The greeting stamp is Hero Arts.  Everything else you see in the card is the beautiful paper with some Prima flowers as accent.  This card is in response to the Card Patterns Sketch Challenge for this week.  Here is the original sketch:

http://cardpatterns.blogspot.com/2012/03/sketch-155.html

Spring is on the way

I decided to use the same format of my glitter card in the previous post for an ATC for an upcoming trade.  I downsized the Cricut background, used the smaller two of the Outlines flowers, added a Graphic 45 fairy stamp, some glitter, and some flower soft.  I hope Spring is coming your way!