Penny Black - and - Vintage Sweetness!

In honor of the wonderful news here, that my talented friend Laura's designs will soon be available at Penny Black, I decided to post a new creation using some of my favorite Penny Black stamps.

The background image is Delicate Pattern, which is one of my favorite backgrounds of all time.  It is a really great one for resist techniques because the pattern isn't really solid.  It's made of lots of tiny little lines, like the threads in a tapestry.  Anyway, for this card I simply stamped it with Chrome Yellow Archival Ink.

The main image is Flamboyant.  I just got this one, so this is it's inaugural project. :)

The lace that I put down the side was cut from an old dresser scarf that my aunt gave me.  I stained it with Antique Linen Distress Stain to give it even more of a distressed feel.

I wish you could see this in person so that you could see the fabulous, shimmery look of the Clear Rock Candy Distress Stickles that I added over the stamped image.  I just wasn't able to capture it with my camera.  It's really pretty in real life though...guess you'll have to take my word for it.  :)

So now...I'm waiting in anticipation of the reveal of more fabulous stamps by Penny Black...

Product List:
Brown Card (5 1/2" x 4 1/4")
Tim Holtz Kraft-Core Nostalgic Collection (Core di'nations cardstock)
Cream Cardstock
Stamps: Delicate Pattern and Flamboyant (Penny Black)
Ink: Chrome Yellow and Coffee Archival Ink (Ranger Industries)
       Scattered Straw, Vintage Photo, and Rusty Hinge Distress Ink (Ranger Industries)
       Antique Linen Distress Stain (Ranger Industries)
Clear Rock Candy Distress Stickles (Ranger Industries)
Oriental Weave Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug)
Sanding Block
Labels 3 Nestabilities Die (Spellbinders)
Flowers (Misc.)
Washers (Ranger Industries)
Twine

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

Card Patterns #113 and Layers of Color

This week Layers of Color is sponsoring a wonderful challenge blog called Card Patterns.  I had never heard of the Card Patterns blog until I saw it on the Layers of Color blog.  What a pleasant surprise.  They have wonderful sketches and a really great design team.  Here is the sketch for this week.

It's such a great sketch that I just had to participate in this challenge.

This is the card I made, you can click on the card to see the details a little better.  My fun little branch embellishment was created with twigs from my Nandina plant.  I added texture to some tissue paper using an embossing folder, then cut it into strips...wide ones and narrow ones.  I used the narrow ones to create the bow on top and the tiny little "flowers" on the branches, then I added a little bit of Vintage Glass Glitter to the tips of the branches for a little sparkle.  The texture on the paper in the background was created with a metal stencil.

Supplies:
White Card and Background: Ruche Cardstock - WorldWin
Wood Paper
Patterned Paper: Gabrielle 6x6 Paper Pad - BoBunny
Stamps: Acanthus Leaves and Sent With Love - Layers of Color
Ink: Pumice Stone Distress Ink - Ranger Industries
Large Damask Metal Stencil - Dreamweaver
Oriental Weave Embossing Folder - Cuttlebug
Labels Four Nestabilities Dies - Spellbinders
Cuttlebug Machine- ProvoCraft

Antique Silver Vintage Glass Glitter - Art Glitter

Lavender Tissue Paper
Gold Thread
Twigs
Nailheads

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Valonda

Schedule Change

The schedule for the April 30th classes is being changed a little.  We didn't receive the Reflections Stamp set in time to hold that class, so we will be rescheduling it for a different date.  Thanks for understanding.

However, since we had so many people sign up for the Garden Wall Stamp Class, we decided to replace the Reflections class with a second Garden Wall Stamp Class.  Good news for those of you who were put on the waiting list! :)  In honor of that class, here is a little sneak peek at one of the cards we will be making in that class.

Upcoming Classes

Hi everyone,
I know it's been a long time since I've checked in here. I've been having withdrawals from teaching classes, so I've decided to put a few on the schedule. Below you will find the info. and descriptions for each class. Looking forward to seeing you all again!

Alcohol Ink Basics Class
Date: Sat. April 30, 2011
Time: 10:00 am
Class Description: Come explore the wonderful world of Alcohol Inks. This introductory class will cover the basic techniques and information about Alcohol Ink. You will come away with a really good grasp of this product and how to get the most out of it. You will not only complete a fabulous technique tag reference tool, but will also create some fun cards and a great necklace!
Prerequisite: Beginners Workshop
Cost: $21

Garden Wall Stamp Class
featuring products by Layers of Color
Date: Sat. April 30, 2011
Time: 1:00 pm
Class Description: Celebrate spring with a collection of beautiful cards featuring the Garden Wall Frame stamp by Layers of Color, as well as other products by this wonderful company. This class will incorporate a wide variety of products and techniques, including: the new Distress Stains, Acrylic Paint, Alcohol Ink, masking and more. Each participant will receive a Garden Wall Frame stamp (included in the cost of the class).
Prerequisite: Beginners Workshop
Cost: $26

Reflections Stamp Class
featuring products by Tim Holtz
Date: Sat. April 30, 2011
Time: 4:00 pm
Class Description: This class features an awesome new stamp set from the mind of Tim Holtz...script background stamps that stamp backwards! These stamps are perfect for, well, some awesome applications, like stamp kissing, transfer techniques, and so much more. This class will be very technique driven, and we'll have a blast getting all turned around.
Prerequisite: Beginners Workshop
Cost: $25

Hi there everyone,

I've been very neglectful of this blog and I apologize. Unfortunately that's not likely to change very soon. My husband and I are in the midst of a job change/move, so things are just a little crazy right now.

I will continue to keep this updated with any classes that I have scheduled. I will not be doing a whole lot of classes though until we get the whole moving thing figured out.

Just yesterday I finished packing up my craft room into boxes. It was a huge job, and I'm glad that part of packing is done for now. Anyway the work continues...

Blessings to each of you,
Valonda

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.

Vintage Cream

I've been loving vintage style designs lately. Maybe I'm feeling nostalgic...who knows? Anyway, this card was created using the current CPS sketch.
Supplies:
Cardstock - Cream Linen Weave
Stamps -
Shine On You verse (Stampendous)
Delicate Branches (Inkadinkado)
Ink-

VersaMark (Tsukineko)
The Essential Gluepad (Tsukineko)
Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger Industries)
Other -
Textile Texture Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (ProvoCraft)
Platinum Embossing Powder
Fawn Microfine Transparent Art Glitter (Art Institute Glitter)
Antique Linen Distress Stickles (Ranger Industries)
Flower (Prima)
Rhinestone

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)