Embossing with Templates Class

 

I just got the board up at Stampin' Cat for a new class called Embossing with Templates.  This is one of 4 cards we will be making in that class.  We will be embossing in a variety of ways, including dry embossing, heat embossing and paste embossing.  This card features the Blazonry template by The Crafters Workshop.
The blazonry shapes were stamped with the Marquise stamp from Impression Obsession.  I just got this stamp and I can tell that it is going to get lots and lots of use.  The butterfly was made using the Wonderful Wings die set by Spellbinders.

Tuesday Trigger and more...

Moxie Fab - Tuesday Trigger

The challenge today was to create a project using this picture to trigger the imagination...

I couldn't stop with just one project, so I've posted three here, and I may not be done yet.  I may still do one using the same kind of bright colors that were used on this dress.

This first card uses watercolor techniques with Distress Ink to create a fun background.

I masked the butterflies with some Heidi Swapp butterfly masks that I've had for a really long time.  I used lots of different colors of Distress Ink, primarily Victorian Velvet, Dried Marigold, Old Paper, and Frayed Burlap.

Stamps were:

Honeycomb background (Darcie's)

Garden Background (Stampendous)

Mesh Background (PSX)

and  the

Gratitude set (Penny Black)

I tried something new with this card.  First I created a soft background with Light and Bright Alcohol Inks.

Next, I laid down the butterfly masks and applied clear ink, then Frosted Crystal Embossing Antiquities powder.  When embossed, this powder has a bumpy, matte look.  I then applied Snow Cap paint dabber around the butterflies, and used the same paint to stamp a couple of designs in the two corners.  The cool thing it, the paint just wipes off of the smooth areas, but sticks down in the grooves of the bumpy embossing powder.

On this card I started with glossy cardstock.  I stamped a couple of designs with Archival ink, then masked the butterflies and began adding color to the background with Distress Ink.  I used water, ink,and lots of different stamps to create the background.  I used all of the same stamps and colors of Distress Ink as on the first card, but I also used the Old French Writing Background (Hero Arts).

And now, moving on to another project...

I had some scraps lying around from a previous project, so I thought I should try to put them to good use.

The stamp I used here is Balloon Ride by Hero Arts.  

Sentiment is from Impression Obsession.

Template Fun!

More class samples!!!

These cards are for the new Template Fun class at Stampin' Cat Studio on Saturday, April 28th.

This first one was created with the Lotus Blossom template.  

Fun, fun techniques we will be using on this one!

This colorful, blended background was created by using Distress Ink with my one of my favorite templates,

the Chicken Wire template.  I paired it here with the wonderful London Background stamp by Hero Arts. 

As you can see, the Chicken Wire template is extremely versatile.  I used it here to add some wonderful textural interest to this otherwise simple card.

Hope to see you there!!!

New Classes

New class boards are up at Stampin' Cat now.  The 10am class on March 17th is the Distress Markers class.
Love, love, love the new Distress Markers, they are so much fun to work with.  We are going to make a wonderful technique sample book, and also make a beautiful card to take home with you.

In the 1pm spot I have the Clean and Simple Cards class.  This class is focused on learning to utilize basic design principles in cardmaking.  We will make 5 cards, and discuss many different keys to good design.

 4pm...We end the day with the With One Fabulous Stamp class.  In this class we will explore 5 different ways to use the Tapestry Script  background stamp (which was created in a collaborative effort between Basic Grey and Hero Arts).  The stamp is included in the price of the class.

And now...a picture from the Reflections stamp class held on on Leap Day.  We had so much fun with this technique, I just had to let these ladies show you their beautiful work.

Back in Business!!!

Hi everyone,
I feel like this post has been a LONG time coming.  We have moved to Salem, are adjusting to life here, and now...my studio is unpacked, and I have classes on the schedule!!!  Very exciting!
The next couple of months classes are listed on the side, and I have a few photos of upcoming class projects to show you.

A project from the Reflections Stamp Class

Alcohol Ink Resist technique samples

One of the Alcohol Ink Resist class projects

More Vintage Fun

I don't know what the deal is with me and the whole vintage thing right now, but I just can't help myself...Everything on this card was stamped using various colors of Adirondack Paint Dabbers. Stamps are: Wallpaper Background (Hero Arts), Cher Amie (Rubber Stamp Concepts), and Flourishes (Crafty Secrets). Just a bit of Silver Fine Vintage Glass Glitter (Art Institute) for some sparkle was all the embellishment it needed.

Just a quick card to share...I realized I didn't have any congratulations cards in my stash right now so I figured it was time to make one.

Supplies:
Hero Arts Stamps -
Scattered Leaves Clear Stamp Set
Chinese Dolls Clear Stamp Set
Wallpaper Background
Woodgrain Pattern
Cardstock: Black, Orange, Aqua, Yellow, and Grey
VersaMark Ink
Charcoal Zing Embossing Powder (American Crafts)
Sunflower Die and Flower Bouquet Miniabilities Dies (Spellbinders)
Flower Punch (EK Success)
Everyday Greetings Die (ProvoCraft)
Black Pearls (KaiserCraft)
Matte Accents (Ranger Industries)

I made this card for two challenges...Hero Arts and CPS

Here is this weeks' CPS Sketch

This is my first time to participate in a CPS challenge, and I had lots of fun taking on the challenge.

Now about Hero Arts:
Hero Arts has a month-long theme challenge and this months' theme is Flowers & St. Patricks Day. I've incorporated the "flowers" theme two ways. The most obvious...the giant layered flower...lol. I stamped the background with VersaMark Ink using the Dots and Flowers background stamp by Hero Arts. I used a Willow Paint Dabber by Ranger Industries to stamp the leaf (from the Scattered Leaves set by Hero Arts).

The Scripture verse sentiment comes from one of my favorite sets of all time, Scripture Essentials 1 by Cornish Heritage Farms.

Just using this verse today has encouraged me, I hope reading it has done the same for you.
Blessings...

More Woodgrain

I have been crazy busy this week, as shown by the fact that I haven't posted anything in over a week. This is one of 5 projects featured in my upcoming Wonderful Woodgrain class. The woodgrain elements lend themselves well to simple designs with clean lines and a modern, earthy feel.

The stamped images in this class are primarily by Hero Arts. They have some really great new stamp sets. I already bought several of their sets, but my wish list from their catalog is long.

Hero Arts Woodgrain Stamp

I've been playing with the new Woodgrain Pattern stamp by Hero Arts...SO FUN! Here I used Distress Inks to create this great "wood panel". I was very impressed with how realistic this looked.

The additional elements were both die cut out of Core'dinations Cardstock with Spellbinders dies.

This post is going to be short and sweet (as most of mine are) because I have a ton of things to do today, but I just wanted to share this with you.

Another Mini

I'm loving the mini valentine cards right now. This card has many of my favorite companies represented.

Stamps:

Cherish sentiment - Faith Collection - Kodomo Inc.

Polka Dot background - Tiny Textures set - Tim Holtz Collection - Stampers Anonymous

Flourish (stamped on background and on the butterfly) - Reindeer Flight set - Tim Holtz Collection - Stampers Anonymous

Ink:
Alabaster Fluid Chalk Ink - ColorBox
Pearlescent Poppy Brilliance Ink - Tsukineko
Jet Black Archival Ink - Ranger Industries

Die:
small butterfly - Nested Butterfly set - Spellbinders

Embellishments:
Clear Jewel Trinket Pin and White Velvet Blossom - Maya Road
Rhinestones - Hero Arts

I might have to photograph this again tomorrow when there is light though. The colors are not true in this picture. I'll try to fix it, because you really need to see how beautiful that Pearlescent Poppy Brilliance ink is.

New Class Pics

This is one of 4 cards we will be making in the Hero Art Thanks Phrase CardArt class coming up in August. The stamp will be included in the class fee, and we will learn some great techniques, as well as a variety of ways to use this wonderful stamp.
AND...here are more glimpses of the fun you can have in the Ir-resist-able Art Backgrounds class. This photo shows just a small portion of a couple of papers I made using the techniques and supplies we will be using in this class. I promise to supply loads of inky, messy fun! As well as some great ideas of ways to incorporate these spectacular papers into your projects.

Well, I guess "summer" has hit. Yesterday was Hannahs last day of Kindergarten. She's ready to go buy a new backpack and start first grade. She has no real concept of "summer break". It could be a long summer. Luckily we have some excitement to break up the length of summer...harvest. The kids always love being with their grandma and grandpa on the farm during harvest time. I love it too. The smell of grass seed harvest will always bring back lots of memories for me since I grew up on a grass seed farm too. And guess what, the end of the school year brought a pleasant surprise with it...warmer weather. The next five days or so are supposed to be in the mid 70's. Just perfect!

Depleting the Stash

My drawer of leftover scraps of paper is getting TO FULL. My mom was here visiting and I figured that was a perfect time to create a card using some of those scraps that are filling up my drawers. I also had a new stamp set that hadn't been used yet. The bird image is from the Birds Galore set by Inkadinkado, and the Friends Always sentiment is from a set called Messages from Hero Arts.
Do you see those little pearls? They are addicting! These are from K&Companys Wedding Collection, and they come in five different sizes. I just LOVE them...love, love, love. Ok, can you tell I love them? The problem is that I am most in love with the tiniest size, but of course I need to find a use for the bigger ones too. Guess I'd better work on that.
Did you know that tulips used to be my favorite flower? I even carried tulips at my wedding. I still love tulips, I just don't know if they are truly my favorite anymore. I love lots of different kinds of flowers: orchids, some varieties of roses(like this one), and many more.
I got this beautiful rose picture from the Heirloom Roses website. Heirloom Roses is a rose nursery located very close to where I live. Let me just say, visiting their nursery is an experience. It is just beautiful. Amazing cascades of climbing roses, rows and rows of so many varieties of roses that it makes your head swim. It's worth a visit.

New Hero Arts Blog

Good morning everyone. I've reposted this photo in honor of the exciting news of the day. Hero Arts has added a blog to the great online inspiration that they already provide. And of course with the kickoff of the new blog come challenges, prizes and more. If it's inspiration you're looking for, Jennifer McGuire has some wonderful projects on the blog, and Hero Arts has also started a Flickr group where people can post their projects and share the inspiration.
Check it out:
http://heroarts.com/blogs/club/

http://www.flickr.com/groups/heroarts/

Here's another little card I made when my mom was here visiting. The bird is from the Bird Notes set by Crafty Secrets. It's amazing what just a tiny little piece of beautiful lace can add to a project. While my mom was here I was trying to use up some scraps. I have an entire drawer full of little tidbits that I stamped for demos in classes or something I stamped when I was working on a project, then chose not to use. This bird was one of those. I used him on a card we made in a Hero Arts Collage class. Wow, look how much different he looks scanned than photographed. I'm so glad that my neighbor taught me how to photograph my cards. It was completely gray and overcast when I took that top picture this morning (using only natural light), so it could have been a little better, but not bad considering the light I had to work with. Someday I'll show you how I set up to photograph my pictures.
Now, on to other topics. Yesterday was my husbands 31st birthday. Some family and friends got together and surprised him with supper at the Olive Garden. These are Matt's parents and his youngest sister. We had a great time right up until it was time to leave. As we were grabbing our things to head out, my little two year old accidentally pulled over a chair on top of himself. It hit him right in the face, and his front teeth went into his lip. He did that thing kids do where they are screaming but no sound comes out...then all of a sudden, the sound came out...nice and loud. Pore thing, his lip was bleeding and already puffing up. It took awhile to calm him down, then he was just fine. This morning he woke up with a big, fat-lipped smile. Isn't he cute and pitiful looking.

Hero Arts CardArt Class

Coming April 5th to Stampin' Cat Studio in Salem. A brand new class: Hero Arts CardArt Class - Hero Arts has a beautiful new line of CardArt Stamps. In this class we will make 4 cards using the CardArt Thinking of You stamp. This beautiful and versatile stamp is included in the class fee.
If you would like to see additional photos of projects for this class you will find them in the link to the left.