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

Wplus9 White Premium Cardstock Wplus9 Natural Wafer Board Wplus9 Dockside 6x8 Clear Stamps Wplus9 Nautical Notions Die Wplus9 Timeless Tags 2 Die Wplus9 Guiding Light Die Wplus9 Clear Cut Stackers: Circles Wplus9 Basic Banners Die Wplus9 PURE COLOR Sweet Nectar Dye Ink Refill Wplus9 Sweet Nectar PURE COLOR Dye Ink *Tsukineko Ink Pad 10 SPONGE DAUBERS Rubber Stamp *Therm O Web 3D MOUNTING SQUARES White Foam 3777 *Tombow MONO MULTI Liquid Glue Two Applicators 62191 *Tombow MONO Adhesive PERMANENT Tape Dispenser *Versamark WATERMARK Rubber Stamp Emboss Chalk Resist INK PAD *WOW Embossing Powder OPAQUE BRIGHT WHITE SUPER FINE WL01SF *WOW Embossing Powder GOLD RICH ULTRA HIGH Metallic Regular WC04 Bright *Heidi Swapp CHEVRON 6 x 6 Stencil HS00837 *Liquitex MODELING PASTE Gel Acrylic Medium Martha Stewart White Texture Effect *Sizzix BIG SHOT MACHINE Powder Blue & Teal 657900

InLinkz.com

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!

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!

Wplus9 Just Geometrics: Triangles 3x4 Clear Stamps Wplus9 Epic Dad Die Wplus9 Basic Banners 3x4 Clear Stamps Wplus9 Ocean Drive PURE COLOR Dye Ink Pad Wplus9 Mojito PURE COLOR Dye Ink Pad Wplus9 White Premium Cardstock *Tsukineko Ink Pad 10 SPONGE DAUBERS Rubber Stamp *Therm O Web 3D MOUNTING SQUARES White Foam 3777 *3M Scotch ROLL WHITE MASKING TAPE Post-It Adhesive 2650-W *Simon Says Stamp MATTE MASKING PAPER Low Tack 9x12 MTTmsk2 *Darice 8mm 120Ct Rhinestones Round CRYSTAL Clear White 1811-33 *Hero Arts Memories Rubber Stamp DYE Ink Pad BLACK AF101

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VIDEO: DIY Stencils & Custom Colored Die Cuts

Hello! I thought that it was time to jump in and knock a little dust off of the blog here. Excuse my absence, but I've been working. I promise! I'll have lot's to share coming up.

But in the meantime, I have a couple of cards along with a video to share with you today. Nothing too fancy...but definitely a little trick that is nice to have up your sleeve.

In the video below, I'm sharing my quick method and storage tips for creating custom stencils from your dies. Now, don't get too excited. I will most definitely not be sharing lots of storage techniques any time soon. I *wish* I was organized, but I.AM.NOT. Just ask my husband! ;o)

Hope you enjoy!

Watch above or in HD at YouTube

And here are a few stills of the featured cards.

All Featured Supplies

Wplus9 Ocean Drive PURE COLOR Dye Ink Pad Wplus9 Sweet Gelato PURE COLOR Dye Ink Pad Wplus9 Wild Mango PURE COLOR Dye Ink Pad *Tsukineko Ink Pad 10 SPONGE DAUBERS Rubber Stamp *Hero Arts Memories Rubber Stamp DYE Ink Pad BLACK AF101 Wplus9 Ink Splats 3x4 Clear Stamps Wplus9 Borders & Backgrounds 3 4x6 Clear Stamps Wplus9 Whole Lotta' Happy 6x8 Clear Stamps Wplus9 Clear Cut Stackers: Stars Die Wplus9 Happy Trio Die Wplus9 Dove Grey Premium Cardstock Wplus9 White Premium Cardstock Wplus9 Sweet Gelato Premium Cardstock *C-Thru T SQUARE RULER JR12 *Therm O Web 3D MOUNTING SQUARES White Foam 3777 *Tombow MONO Adhesive PERMANENT Tape Dispenser *Tombow MONO MULTI Liquid Glue Two Applicators 62191 *ZIG Wink of Stella GLITTER CLEAR Brush Tip Marker 025320 *EK Success CUTTER BEE Scissors EKCB01

InLinkz.com

South Beach Collection Giveaway

The Design Team has been previewing our newest PURECOLOR collection and now it's time to give you the nitty gritty details of the South Beach collection, as well as host a quick giveaway!

It's almost time. These newest inks will be available purchase at midnight on June 5th exclusively at wplus9.com.

If you are just joining us, be sure to check out what the ladies have been up to here, here, and here.

PURECOLOR South Beach Collection

Details

• Acid-free, archival, and fade resistant
• Waterproof for watercolors & markers
• Dries permanently & quickly on most papers
• Full sized 4 x 2.75" pads with raised surface for easy inking of all stamp sizes
• will be available for purchase June 5th for $6 each

PURECOLORDye Ink Refills

Details

• Acid-free, archival, and fade resistant
• Waterproof for watercolors & markers
• Dries permanently & quickly on most papers
• .5 fl. oz.
• will be available for purchase June 5th for $4 each in all 15 colors

Still craving a little more? Check out this and this awesome technique from Kara. You won't want to miss this stunner from Joni either. And Maureen gives Valentine Wishes a tropical flair in this one.

Before I go, how about that giveaway?! Leave a comment on this post by 10:00 PM EST tonight June 4, 2014. I would love to know which of the new colors is your favorite, or what color you would love to see in the future. I will select one random winner from the comments to receive the entire South Beach Collection ink pads! Winner will be posted here.

Thanks for stopping by today. Good luck!

Blending with Ocean Drive

Hi there, It's Maureen here today. The design team has really been knocking it out of the park with the fabulous new PURECOLOR South Beach collection! And today, I have two cards featuring blending techniques using Ocean Drive.

My first card uses Ocean Drive, Flamingo and Coconut Husk inks with two previously released colors. The new collection is not only perfectly coordinated to work together, but also works perfectly with the Original 10 Collection.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Spring Blooms, Hand Lettered Hello // Inks: Wild Mango Dye Ink, Appletini Dy Ink, Flamingo Dye Ink, Coconut Husk Dye Ink // Dies: Hand Lettered Hello Die

I started this card by stamping the leaves from Spring Blooms in Appletini Dye Ink. Then, using a blending tool, I sponged Ocean Drive all around the leaves, making sure to leave the spaces where the flowers would be stamped white. Then I went in and did the rest of my stamping. Adding Ocean Drive to the background really gave this one layer card the feel of dimension without adding additional layers.

Who says you need coordinating card stock for every ink color?  When you have a quality ink, like PURECOLOR Dye Ink, you can make your own colored cardstock easily! Here I used a blending tool and Ocean Drive dye ink and made a sentiment strip to match my project perfectly.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Coming Up Roses, Strictly Sentiments 2, Backgrounds & Borders 2// Inks:  Flamingo Dye Ink, Miami Spice Dye Ink, Ocean Drive Dye Ink, Coconut Husk Dye Ink, Mojito Dye Ink// Dies: Hand Lettered Hello Die

I hope you've enjoyed my projects today! See you back here tomorrow for more before these beauties officially go on sale at midnight June 5, 2014!