Thursday, July 31, 2014

Online Card Classes *Stretch Your Stamps 2* Winner

Hello ladies (and gents)! We have a winner for the Online Card Classes - Stretch Your Stamps 2 class!


Congratulations Lydia!

Please send an email as soon as possible to customerservice@wplus9.com, Subject: Stretch Your Stamps 2 Winner, so that we can get you in contact with Online Card Classes to claim your prize.

We wouldn't want you to be late for class!

Sunday, July 27, 2014

VIDEO: Textured Die Cuts

Hi guys!

Today's video features a little experimenting with Martha Stewart's White Texture Effect and die cutting. I bought this stuff a while ago and wasn't quite sure what to do with it...until now.

While on vacation recently we spent an entire day finding sand dollars and starfish in the ocean...along with sea cucumbers, urchin, and some slimy slug things that I would just like to forget about altogether. LOL But, it did get me thinking that the texture of this paste was perfect for recreating sand and for creating the texture of starfish and sand dollars.

So when I got home, I did a little experimenting...and it worked!

It doesn't dry chalky or too hard, there wasn't any flaking or cracking, so it was a great candidate for die cutting. I spread a thin layer over card stock, allowed it to dry and then die cut it. Watch the video below to see this card from start to finish as well as some tips along the way.

Watch above or in HD at YouTube

I hope you enjoyed today's video! I'll be back soon with a shaker card video featuring this same paste and more stencils.

Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you soon!


All Featured Supplies

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Online Card Classes Giveaway *Stretch Your Stamps 2*

Look at your stamps in a whole new way! Back by popular demand, join Online Card Classes for another great installment of Stretch Your Stamps!

About the class

Join instructors Kristina Werner, Jennifer McGuire, Debby Hughes, and friends (including me!), to discover just how far you can stretch your stamps—whether you’re an expert stamper or just getting started. In Stretch Your Stamps 2, you’ll learn how particular styles of stamps can be used in a variety of creative ways to expand your card-making skills. Over the course of this two-week session, you’ll be introduced to techniques and concepts through expert instructor videos, and then build on your new knowledge with the help of inspiring guest artist examples. Stretch Your Stamps 2 includes over 30 videos and 40 card ideas, along with instructional PDFs, a forum, galleries, shopping discounts, prizes and more.

More Information

Curious to see first hand a little bit more about this class? Watch the video below as Jennifer reviews the categories and the featured stamp sets used in class. She also encourages you to shop your stash by showing some great alternative sets that you may already own.

SYS2 stamps from Online Card Classes on Vimeo.

For more information Stretch Your Stamps 2 from Online Card Classes, click HERE. Class starts August 4, 2014, but you will have lifetime access to the content.

Class Registration Giveaway

***Giveaway is now closed***

I am so honored to be included in this class alongside such talented crafters! And the wonderful ladies at Online Card Classes are allowing me to give away one class registration to one of you!

Interested?

Just leave a comment on this post by 11:59 p.m. EST on 7/30/14 to enter. The winner will be selected randomly from all comments and announced here on the blog on 7/31/14.

***Giveaway is now closed***

Good Luck!

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

The Illusion Of Layers

Hi! Kara here.

I saw an image posted on Pinterest {where else?} with cute bow ties. It made me think of my dad who asked if he could wear a bowtie to my wedding. He's old school like that ;) Of course, I said yes.

I thought a fun, graphic bowtie birthday card would be perfect for him.

To create my bowties I used a few triangle images from the Just Geometrics: Triangles stamp set.

I stamped them in Mojito and Ocean Drive PURECOLOR Dye Ink and finished each one off with a rhinestone.

I wanted to mat my card front in a coordinating color cardstock, but didn't have any that matched. So here's how I created my custom "faux" mat using ink.

Step-by-Step Instructions:
  1. Tape off the edges of your card stock in the desired width. I just eyeballed the white space that I wanted left around the outside of the 'mat' and added some painter's tape, it's about 1/4 inch. (Try varying the size for different looks!)
  2. Use a sponge dauber to apply ink to the revealed card stock. (I swiped the color from the edge inward to avoid color seeping under the tape.) You only need to go in as far as will show. No need to color areas that will be covered by the top panel.
  3. Carefully remove the tape; it can tear your paper. (If your tape is too sticky, try removing some of the "stick" by pressing the sticky side to your skin and removing it before applying it to your card stock.)

SUPPLY TIP: You can also try using Masking Paper or Post It Tape instead. On a second attempt I used masking paper instead and it was much gentler on the paper and gave a much cleaner edge. I'll link some in the supplies below. But, in a pinch...well, we all have painter's tape on hand. ;o)

For my sentiment I die cut 'dad' from the Epic Dad die set from white card stock. I added color to it using Ocean Drive ink and a dauber. I stamped the banner from Basic Banners in black ink and cut it out however, there is a coordinating banner die.

A very simple technique for stretching your basic supplies. White cardstock is all you need, especially with these PURECOLOR Dye Inks!

This is also a great technique for eliminating some bulk while still giving the illusion of layers. Try adding a second color to make it look like it is double matted.....

Thanks so much for joining me today!

Connect with us:

Follow Us on Pinterest