stamp out loud by tami sanders

giving thanks...

Time for a new theme! Or should I say themes, because the next round of blog projects will focus on... Fall, Thanksgiving and giving thanks in general.

The first project fits in the "giving thanks" category; it's a little gift pail that would make a nice gift for a teacher, neighbor, co-worker or anyone else you would like to give a little  special thank you to...

 

You can fill it with homemade treats, candy, a gift certificate, or any other little goodie or goodies you can think of.

The pail is just a small, clear, pint size paint can that can be purchased at a craft store, or you might have one sitting around that contained some Prima flowers.

This project is fairly quick and easy to, and can be done assembly line if you need to make several.

Book paper was used, just a few pages out of an old book, to make the flowers, the band on the pail, and to cover the lid.

To make the flowers, 5 circles were punched from the book paper, then the circles were stacked and a hole was pierced at the center. A brad was used to secure the circles.

Then the edges of the circles were fringed, from the outer edge to almost the center, clipping though all the layers. After that, the petals were fluffed, pinched, scrunched and coaxed into fullness.

Smooch Spritzes were used to add shimmery color to the flowers. Smooch Spritzes differ from some of the other sprays out there - think of them more as an ink you can spray. They are SUPER concentrated, and SUPER vivid, and the shimmer is GORGEOUS! And, as if all that wasn't enough, Smooch Spritz will NOT warp your papers. If you give them a try, be sure that you spray lightly at first, just spritz and move your hand like you are spray painting. And the Color Catcher is a great way to spray without all the mess. It's a fold away "spritz station", that keeps the color where you want it - your project - and off other surfaces where you don't want the ink to go.

here is a closeup look at the flowers, note there isn't a warped petal in site...

 

 

 

And here's a view of the "Thank You" tag...

 

When you wrap the paper around the pail, cut out a small semi circle for the handle...

 

And or course you can always make these flowers to use on lots of other projects as well - cards, layouts, home decor, anything that needs a special little floral touch. 

Here are all the supplies and directions you'll need to make this project yourself... 

“flower pail” altered paint can

Skill Level: easy

SUPPLIES:

Clearsnap: Smooch Spritz: Carrot Cake, Gingersnap, Citrus Tickle, Cosmic Pink and Silver Foil, ColorBox Fluid Chalk Ink: Pumpkin Spice and Lime Pastel, ColorBox Archival Dye Ink: Wicked Black and Color Catcher

Hero Arts: Heartfelt Messages PolyClear Stamps

Other: Pint Size Clear Paint Can, brads, book pages, scrap of cardstock for tag and jute.

Tools: paper trimmer, scissors, adhesive, 1 1/2" and 2" circle punches and 1/8" hole punch.

DIRECTIONS:

PAIL:

1) Cut 2 - 2" strips from book paper - trim each to length that will fit halfway around pail plus 1/2".  

2) Tear along bottom edge of strips; they should measure about 1 1/2" tall. Ink torn edges using Pumpkin Spice Chalk Ink.

3) Wrap strips around upper edge of pail, marking where handles are, cutaway a semicircle on each strip to allow room for handles, then adhere pieces around pail.

4) For lid, push a piece of thin scrap paper into the indention of the lid to make a template, then cut a circle slightly smaller from book paper, ink edge with Pumpkin Spice Chalk Ink and adhere to the center of the lid.

FLOWERS:

1) Punch 5 - 1 1/2" circles and 15 - 2" circles from book paper.

2) Stack 5 - 1 1/2" circles, and make 3 stacks containing 5 - 2" circles each.

3) Use 1/8" hole punch at the center of each stack, insert brads in each set to secure.

4) Clip circles around edges almost to center to fringe. The closer you make the "snips", the fuller your flower will be.

5) Gently squeeze, pinch, crumble and fluff petals to separate.

6) Use Smooch Spritzes to tint flowers. Gingersnap and Carrot Cake were used on the small flower made from 1 1/2" circles as well as one of the larger flowers. Cosmic Pink was used on one of the other larger flowers and Citrus Tickle was used on the last large flower. All had a touch of Silver Foil added for some contrast - but don't overdo it, or you'll end up with grey-ish flowers. Add just a quick spritz of the Silver Foil here and there on each of the flowers.

7) Cut 5 leaves from book paper - 2 small and 3 larger ones. Fold in half to add some dimension, then ink the leaves using Lime Pastel Chalk Ink.

8) Adhere small flower and 2 small leaves to lid, and 3 larger flowers and 3 larger leaves to front of band.

TAG:

1) Cut 2 - 1 3/4" X 1 1/4" pieces from book paper and 1 piece from cardstock. Adhere book paper to either side of cardstock piece.

2) Ink "Thank You" stamp using Wicked Black Dye Ink, and stamp diagonally on tag. Ink edges of tag using Pumpkin Spice Chalk Ink.

3) Punch a hole at the top of the tag, and tie to the handle using a piece of jute.

NOW --- all you need to do is fill your treat pail with whatever you like!

MORE Fall/Thanksgiving/Giving Thanks projects are on the way, so please stop back by and see what's new.

Also please check out Jean’s ColorSyle blog for more great projects featuring Clearsnap products!

nevermore...

Since I had the polymer clay sitting out {it was used for the charm on the treat box in the last post}, I decided to make a SPOOKtacular pendant for Halloween...

 

Polymer Clay is a great medium to use with your stamping supplies. Stamps can be used to add designs to the clay just by pressing them into it, and your inks and sprays can be used to add some COLOR to the design.

For this pendant, a stamp was pressed into the clay, then after baking, several colors of Smooch Spritz were added to create a soft collage of "Halloween" colors. Then Crafter's Ink in Black was applied and rubbed in to "antique" the piece. Smooch Spritzes add a pretty touch of shimmer and work well on the clay. And the Crafter's Ink can be blended and worked into the design to get in all the little nooks and crannies. Let the ink set a few minutes, then gently buff off the excess.  

Here's a closer look at the pendant...

 

You can see my fingerprints in the clay as i used my "special" tools - aka my fingers to flatten the clay!  I wanted the pendant to have a free form shape, so fingers were the best tools to use to achieve that look.

After the pendant was done, I added a bail to it and strung it on some leather cording.

If you'd like to try using your stamping supplies with polymer clay, here's what you need to know...

“nevermore” polymer clay pendant

Skill Level: easy

SUPPLIES:

Clearsnap: Smooch Spritz: Carrot Cake, Citrus Tickle and Gold Glow, Crafter’s High Top Ink Pad: Black, ColorBox Stylus Handle with white blender tip and Color Catcher

Indus Trading Company: Deerskin Lace – 1/8” black 

Memory Box: Spooky Collage wood mount stamp

Other: Plaid: Forged: metal findings – multi bales and Polymer Clay: beige 

Tools: a wood skewer {or something to punch hole in pendant with}, scissors, pliers and heat gun {optional}

DIRECTIONS:

1) Condition clay according to package directions.

2) Break off a piece and roll to form a 1 1/2" to 2" ball.

3) Use your fingers to flatten into a free form rectangle shape about 1/8" thick.

4) Press stamp into clay, careful not to press too hard.

5) Make hole at center top and bake pendant according to package directions.

6) When pendant has completely cooled, place it in the Color Catcher and lightly spray with Smooch Spritz letting the colors overlap slightly. Set aside piece to dry or use heat gun to speed drying time.

7) After you make sure Smooch Spritzes have completely dried, apply Crafter's Ink using Stylus and Foam Tips, smoothing ink into the impressed designs and also around the edges of the pendant. Let side about 10 minutes, then gently buff with a paper towel.

8) Add bail to pendant, then string onto lacing.

9) Add a protective coat if desired.

This was the LAST of my Halloween projects, but fall and Thanksgiving themed projects are on the way! Please come back to visit and see what's new!

Also please check out Jean’s ColorSyle blog for more great projects featuring Clearsnap products!

it's a banner day...

I enjoy collecting vintage holiday decor items, and Halloween is second only to Christmas when I'm on the hunt for items to add to my collection.

 

I like the classic designs; black cats, warted witches and spooky ghosts, but I am attracted to the colors as well. Classic black and orange with white that has turned a soft cream over the years. And crepe paper, you can't forget about crepe paper, it was pleated and tucked and used to adorn lots of vintage Halloween decor items.

 

So when thinking about Halloween projects for the blog, I knew that I wanted to include at least one that reflected the vintage halloween style that I enjoy; so I decided on a Halloween banner... 

 

 

 

Instead of using cream cardstock to stamp the letters on, I used pages from an old book. Pages from old books take on the same soft creamy color as I find in old Halloween decor...

  

I punched squares from book pages, then stamped the letters on them using Pumpkin Pie Archival Dye Ink. A black pen was used to lightly outline the letters so they would be more pronounced, then then edges of the squares were inked using ColorBox Fluid Chalk Ink in Blackbird. Then the squares were mounted on circles punched from orange cardstock, the edges of which were also inked. Then to add the finishing touch, crepe paper was pleated around the edges of each circle...

 

A piece of string, vintage of course, was used to attach all the pieces together. I put a piece of double sided tape on the back of each circle, and pressed on the string. Then smaller circles punched from orange cardstock were glued on to cover the string...

 

If you like a touch of vintage in your Halloween decor, here are all the supplies and directions you'll need to create your own banner... 

“string me along” Halloween banner

  

Skill Level: easy  

 

SUPPLIES:

 

Clearsnap: ColorBox Archival Dye Ink: Pumpkin Pie, ColorBox Fluid Chalk Ink: Blackbird

   

Bazzill : Intense Orange cardstock

  

My Sentiments Exactly: Romantic Caps clear stamps

  

Other: black crepe paper streamers, string or twine and book pages {You can find old books in flea markets or thrift stores; I used old reader's digest books.}

 

Tools: 1 3/4 scalloped square punch, 2  and 2 3/4 circle punches, scissors, adhesive, double sided tape and fine black pen.

  

DIRECTIONS:

 

1) Punch 9 scalloped squares from book paper. Stamp one letter at a time on each square to spell "HALLOWEEN" using Pumpkin Pie Archival Dye Ink.

 

2) Outline each letter lightly using black pen, then ink edges of scalloped squares using Blackbird Chalk Ink.

 

3) Punch 9 - 2 3/4 circles from orange cardstock. Glue a stamped square in the center of each of the circles.

 

4) Ink edges of circles using Blackbird Chalk Ink. Then apply adhesive around edges of circles on the BACK of each one, and pleat crepe paper around edge.

 

5) Lay out circles upside down and reading from right to left on a table, making sure the letters are turned correctly. Place a piece of double sided tape on the back of each circle, about 1 to 1 1/4 down from top of orange circle. Place string across letters, leaving a 2-3 foot "tie" on each side and about 1/2 to 3/4 space between each letter.

 

6) Punch 9 - 2 circles from orange cardstock and glue a circle to cover the string on the back of each piece. 

Thanks for stopping by! Please be sure to come back for some Halloween project treats!

 

Also please check out Jean’s ColorSyle blog for more great projects featuring Clearsnap products!)

 

it's in the bag...

Holidays are a great time to get your kiddos involved in crafting, and Halloween is a holiday that definitely centers around children.

My youngest son Chris, likes to take little gifts to school for his friends for the "big" holidays, and for Halloween, we usually put together treat bags.

Well, this year, we decided we were going to make some! We started with plain brown lunch bags, and decorated them in 2 ways using different sets of supplies and techniques for each...

 

To make the Pumpkin Bag, I drew a pumpkin on a sheet of paper and cut it out to make a stencil {I forgot to take a pic BEFORE we spritzed! LOL!}...

 

We first sprayed the bag using Smooch Spritz in Gingersnap and Carrot Cake, then, we placed the stencil over the bag and sprayed again using Black Velvet Smooch Spritz. 

 

Insert your treats and tie the bag up with twine...

 

For the DOTS BAG, we got out the Rollagraph - which is ALWAYS a favorite with kids! We used the Stamping Guide to roll the pattern on a diagonal. Using the Self-Inking Handle is key to keeping it fun and easy for kids since they can roll and roll and never have to worry about reinking the Stamp Wheel. Since the bag has creases, folds and seams, the design is NOT going to roll on perfectly - but that's ok! It's supposed to be fun, not perfect!

Then, after the dot design was rolled onto the bag, it was time to embellish using Smooch Accent Inks. Chris used several colors of Smooch Accent Ink to color in some of the dots. You don't need to color in ALL the dots, just let them color in as many as they want...

 

Then tie with colorul ribbons after the treats are added...

 

Make one design or both! Your kids will be proud to hand out treats in bags they made themselves!

“pumpkin” treat bag

Skill Level: easy: kid friendly project

SUPPLIES:

Clearsnap: Smooch Spritz: Gingersnap, Carrot Cake and Black Velvet and Color Catcher

Other: brown paper lunch bags, hand drawn template {or use a stencil} treats and twine

Tools: scissors 

DIRECTIONS:

1) Place bag in Color Catcher, spray with Gingersnap and Carrot Cake Smooch Spritz.

2) Place stencil over bag and spray again with Black Velvet Spritz.

3) Fill with treats and tie with twine.

HINT: after you make your paper template, trace and cut from cardboard for a sturdier stencil for multiple uses.

 “dots” treat bag

Skill Level: easy: kid friendly project

SUPPLIES:

Clearsnap: Rollagraph: Jumbo Self-Inking Handle, Jumbo Ancient Page Ink Cartridge: Coal Black and Jumbo Stamp Wheel: Mixed Dots, ColorBox Stamping Guide and Smooch Accent Ink: Sundance, Kiwi, Carrot and Sugarberry

Other: brown paper lunch bags and ribbon

Tools: scissors 

DIRECTIONS:

1) Load handle with cartridge and stamp wheel.

2) Use Stamping Guide to roll pattern on diagonally over front of bag.

3) Use Smooch Accent Inks to color in some of the dots.

4) Fill with treats and tie with ribbons.

I hope you will give these projects a try and get YOUR kids involved in crafting!

There are MORE Halloween projects coming, so please come back to see what's new!

And if you'd like even MORE great projects featuring Clearsnap products, please be sure to check out Jean’s ColorSyle blog.

 

lunch bunch...

The kids are back in school and everyone is settling back into the "school clothes ready, lunch packed, homework done" routine.

It always seems a bit hectic after the lazy days of summer; I know it takes me awhile to adjust.

And, it's probably not easy for the kids to jump back into getting up early and leaving the "summer fun" behind either.

So, why not add a little surprise to their lunchbox. These projects were made using some of the same stamps and inks used in the "first day of school" layout that was posted a few days ago...

 

Pack this bookmark and "notes"-book into their lunch bag or backpack separately or together to give your kiddo a little unexpected surprise to brighten up their day! 

Both projects are VERY simple to make and you can complete them BOTH in only about 30 minutes.

These would also be cute projects to make if you needed to make some goodies for the class, as they are also very inexpensive.

The bookmark was stamped with a background alpha stamp...

 

 then "reading is fun" was stamped and embossed on a separate piece and added...

 

 

a tassel finishes it off...

 

The "notes"-book starts with a mini composition book. Half is covered with the same stamped alpha background as used on the bookmark, and the other half is covered with brown cardstock...

 

Individual letters were stamped, embossed and cut out to make the "notes" portion...

 

And "my" was stamped on a separate piece of paper and adhered over the top of some twine that was tied around the alpha portion...

 

So if you've got a spare 30 minutes and would like to give your kiddo's school day a little lift, here are the supplies and directions you'll need to make this set...

“lunchbox surprise” bookmark and mini "notes"-book set

Skill Level: easy

SUPPLIES:

Clearsnap: ColorBox Archival Dye Ink: Mudslide, Lemon Drop and Atlantic Blue, Watermark Ink and Top Boss: Embossing Powder - Red

Hero Arts: Simple and Basic ClearDesign stamps 

Memory Box: Alpha Background wood mount stamp

Bazzill: Kraft, Chocolate Cream and Butter Cream cardstocks

Other: mini composition book and jute

Tools: paper trimmer, scissors, adhesive, dimensional foam dots, hole punch and heat gun

DIRECTIONS:

Bookmark:

1) Cut a 2 X 8 piece of kraft cardstock and stamp alpha background with Mudslide Archival Dye Ink along piece.

2) Ink edges using Lemon Drop Archival Dye Ink.

3) Stamp "reading is fun" on a piece of cream cardstock using Watermark Ink, emboss with Red embossing powder. Then tear out sentiment and ink edges using Atlantic Blue Archival Dye Ink. Then adhere piece in center of bookmark.

4) Punch a hole at top and attach jute tassel.

"notes-" book:

1) cut a 2 X 4 1/2 piece of kraft cardstock and stamp alpha background with Mudslide Archival Dye Ink along piece.

2) Ink edges using Lemon Drop Archival Dye Ink.

3) Stamp "MY" on a piece of kraft cardstock using Atlantic Blue Archival Dye Ink. Cut out and ink edges using Mudslide Archival Dye Ink.

4) Tie a piece of jute around alpha stamped piece about 1/3 of the way down, tying in a bow at the left side. Then adhere "MY" piece over the jute using dimensional dots.

5) Stamp "N", "O", "T", "E", "S" on cream cardstock using Watermark Ink, embossing with Red embossing powder Cut out letters, inking edges using Mudslide Archival Dye Ink.

6) Cut a 1 1/2 X 4 1/2 piece of brown cardstock and adhere it to the right side of the mini composition book.

7) Adhere alpha piece along left side of composition book, sliding "notes" letters in along right edge and adhering them as well.

I hope you - and your kids - enjoy this project!

Please be sure to check out Jean’s ColorSyle blog for more great projects featuring Clearsnap products!

leftovers...

Leftovers CAN be fun --- IF you use them creatively! You can also think of putting scraps to good use as recycling, so it’s Earth friendly too. But mostly, it’s about using up bits and pieces in a practical way that makes you feel good – that you are getting the most use from your supplies and your efforts!

As promised, today’s project utilizes some of the leftover papers created for the FUN AT THE LAKE Mini Book. The project starts with another bit of thrifty recycling as well, a brown paper lunch bag.

 

A folded lunch bag works great as a card since it provides a handy pocket for tucking in $$$ or a gift card…

In addition to the leftover “printed” papers, I stamped the embellishments on leftover scraps of white cardstock – who doesn’t have some of THAT on hand? I stamped all the designs using ColorBox Chestnut Roan Chalk Ink, then used ColorBox Pigment Inks, applied using beauty swabs, to fill in portions of the designs as well as some of the centers of the letters…

 

 

So, if you’d like to put YOUR leftover supplies to work, here’s the directions to tell you how…

“happy leftovers” card

 

Skill Level: easy

 

SUPPLIES: 

 

please refer to the JUMP IN THE LAKE post for all the directions and supplies used to create the “printed” papers…

 

Clearsnap:  ColorBox Pigment Ink: Aqua, Marigold, Pink and Lime {full or mini size} and ColorBox Fluid Ink: Dark Brown {cats eye} and Chestnut Roan {full or mini size}

 

Hampton Art: Happy Birthday Clear Stamps

 

Hero Arts: Happy Letters PolyClear Stamps

 

Other: paper lunch bag, leftover scraps of white cardstock, and leftover “printed” papers

 

Tools: paper trimmer, scissors, beauty swabs {pointed cotton swabs} and adhesive

 

DIRECTIONS:

 

1) Fold paper lunch bag in half with notch at end to the inside. Glue down bottom half of bag that is loose.

 

CARD FRONT:

 

1) Cut a 4 ¾ X 2 piece of aqua bubbles on light aqua cardstock, a 1 ¾ X 2 ½ piece of yellow canvas stripe on white cardstock, a 2 7/8 X 1 piece of lime polka dot on pale yellow cardstock and a 2 7/8 X 1 ½ piece of pink polka dots on soft pink cardstock. Ink edges of all pieces using Dark Brown Chalk Ink and adhere as shown to front of card.

 

2) Stamp 3 gifts, “it’s my party” circle, “happy day”, and “happy birthday” on scraps of white cardstock using Chestnut Roan Chalk Ink.

 

3) Color in portions of the designs and letter centers using Aqua, Marigold, Pink and Lime Pigment Inks applied using Beauty Swabs. When inks are dry, cut out pieces and adhere to front of card as shown.

 

INSIDE CARD:

 

1) Cut a 2 X 4 ¾ piece of aqua bubbles on light aqua cardstock, 2 ¾ X 4 ¾ piece of pink polka dots on soft pink cardstock, a 1 ¾  X 4 ¾ piece of lime polka dot on pale yellow cardstock and a 3 ½ X 4 ¾  piece of yellow canvas stripe on white cardstock. Ink edges of all pieces using Dark Brown Chalk Ink and adhere as shown to inside of card.

 

2) Stamp “a”, “gift”, “for” and “you” using Happy Letters stamps and Chestnut Roan Chalk ink on scraps of white cardstock. Add birthday hat over swirl stamp at the end of “you” as an exclamation mark. Cut out words and ink edges using Dark Brown Chalk Ink and adhere as shown to inside of card.

 

3) Cut out an arrow from a piece of aqua bubbles on light aqua cardstock and adhere as shown.

 

Didn’t make the mini album? Don’t worry, you can use ANY leftovers to make this card, or stamp some of your own “printed” papers using scraps you DO have on hand! Also check out Jean’s ColorSyle blog for more great projects featuring Clearsnap products!

 

---tami

jump in a lake...

Smooch spritz and chipboard go together like sun and fun; the colors are vivid and oh so shimmery! You can turn raw chipboard into something special with just a few spritzes of Smooch.

The pages of a scalloped chipboard mini album were “Smooched” with several different colors to create the base of the book…

All of the papers in the book were stamped, as were the word embellishments. Background cardstocks, ink colors and stamp designs were selected to accent the photos for the book: yellow, aqua, lime and pink with some brown added for good measure. Pigments Inks were used for stamping the papers as I wanted bright, bold designs and colors.

Here are close-ups of all the papers created and used in the book…

lime polka dot on pale yellow cardstock…

 

 

 

yellow canvas stripe on white cardstock…

 

 

 

aqua circles on white cardstock…

 

 

aqua bubbles on light aqua cardstock…

 

 

pink polka dots on soft pink cardstock…

 

 

Molding Mats were used to stamp some of the patterns. Molding Mats are great to use to create impressions in polymer clay, Magic Stamp or Stylus Black Foam moldable tips, but they are also wonderful to stamp with. Just place a little double sided adhesive on your acrylic block and adhere the molding mat to it to use it as a stamp. The rubber is deeply etched, so you can get crisp, clear impressions.

 

For the word embellishments, Chalk Ink was used to stamp the background pattern; then words were added using Pigment Ink. The paper was torn along the top and bottom and the edges were inked with Chalk Ink for a distressed look …

 

 

 

For the title of the book, I stamped “lake” twice, to create a shadow effect…

 

 

 

Flowers with button and pearl centers were scattered throughout to accent the pages…

 

 

 
 

After adding the book ring to bind the pages together, colorful, coordinating ribbons were added to finish the book.

 

This project can be completed in 2 to 3 hours, so if you’d like to create your own summer themed mini book, here’s what you’ll need to know…

 

“fun at the lake” mini book

 

Skill Level: easy to moderate

 

SUPPLIES: 

 

Clearsnap:  Smooch Spritz: Electric Blue, Pink Sprinkles, Gingerbread and Sea Kiss, ColorBox Pigment Ink: Apricot, Cyan, Marigold, Pink and Lime {full or mini size}, ColorBox Fluid Chalk Ink: Dark Brown {cats eye} and Chestnut Roan {full or mini size} and Molding Mats: Woven Threads, Circulate and Spots

 

Hero Arts: Art Flowersand Card Buttons– Summer, Pearls: Pink Accentand Light Yellow, Happy Letters PolyClear stamps, Canvas Stripes Cling Stamp and Dots Cling Stamp

 

Memory Box: Pearls Stickers: Frost Blue

 

Bazzill: Coconut Swirl and Kraft cardstocks

 

Petersen-Arne: Paper Accents: light yellow, light aqua and light pink cardstocks

 

Other: 6 X 6 chipboard book and ribbons

 

Tools: Color Catcher, paper towels, paper trimmer, scissors, corner rounder, black pen and adhesive.

 

DIRECTIONS:

 

To “Smooch” chipboard book

 

1) Place chipboard page in Color Catcher and spritz front and back using Sea Kiss Smooch Spritz, repeat with 1 more page. Lay pages on paper towels to dry.

 

2) Place chipboard page in Color Catcher and spritz front and back using Pink Sprinkles Smooch Spritz, repeat with another page using Gingersnap Smooch Spritz, and last page using Electric Blue Smooch Spritz. Lay pages on paper towels to dry.

 

To create printed papers:

 

1) Ink Dots Cling Stamp using Lime Pigment Ink and stamp design onto 10 X 10 piece of light yellow cardstock.

 

2) Ink Canvas Stripe Cling Stamp using Marigold Pigment Ink and stamp design onto 10 X 10 piece of white cardstock.

 

3) Use double sided tape to adhere Circulate Molding Mat to acrylic block, then ink using Cyan Pigment Ink and stamp design onto 10 X 10 piece of white cardstock.

 

4) Use double sided tape to adhere Spots Molding Mat to acrylic block, then ink using Cyan Pigment Ink and stamp design onto 10 X 10 piece of light aqua cardstock.

 

5) Ink Dots Cling Stamp using Pink Pigment Ink and stamp design onto 10 X 10 piece of light pink cardstock.

 

To create word embellishments:

 

1) Ink basket weave portion of Woven Molding Mat using Chestnut Roan Chalk Ink and stamp pattern on a 10 X 10 piece of Kraft cardstock. {hint, I cut apart the 3 patterned sections of the molding mat to make them easier to use separately}

 

2) Stamp word using Happy Letters stamps and Cyan Pigment Ink on paper, cut out around words, then tear along top and bottom edges. Ink edges using Dark Brown Chalk Ink, add additional wording using black pen if desired.

3) For title, stamp word first using Apricot Pigment ink, then stamp again slightly up and to the left of the first stamp to create a shadow effect.

 

Putting it together:

 

1) Use pieces of the stamped printed papers to accent your photos, rounding some of the corners as shown and inking the edges of the papers using Dark Brown Chalk Ink.

 

2) Add word embellishments to each page.

 

3) Add flowers and button and pearl centers to accent each page.

 

4) Connect your book using book ring, then tie ring with ribbons to finish.

 

Have some papers left over from this project? Then please stop back by for an idea using them! Also check out Jean’s ColorSyle blog for more great projects featuring Clearsnap products!

 

---tami

"wood" you like to SMOOCH???

Summer accessories are fun, breezy and casual, and they can also be easy to make yourself. This necklace can be make in just an hour or so and uses stamping supplies you probably already have on hand…

Plain wood beads were first “stained” using Smooch Spritzes. Smooch Spritz can be sprayed on any porous surface, and works beautifully with wood. I sprayed the wood beads with an even coat of the spritz on all sides and the result was beautiful, vivid colors with a pretty shimmer. When the beads were dry, they were rolled across stamps inked with Silver Pigment Ink to add the designs…

When the ink had dried, a protective coat was added and the beads were then strung on leather cording with simple knots in between each one.

I selected sand and sea colors for my project, but bold, bright rainbow colors would be beautiful too.

If you’d like to make this necklace yourself, here are the supplies and directions you’ll need…

 

“sea kiss” necklace

 

Skill Level: easy

 

SUPPLIES: 

 

Clearsnap:  Smooch Spritz: Log Cabin, Spun Sugar and Sea Kiss and ColorBox Pigment Ink: Silver {full or mini size}

 

Hampton Art: Artsy Edges clear stamp

 

Indus Trading Co:Build UR Beads – Wood Tube Beads – 10mm and 18mmand Realeather Craft Lace: Deerskin Lace – Chocolate - 3/16

 

Tools: scissors, Color Catcher, paper towels and heat gun {optional}

 

DIRECTIONS:

 

1) Place 3 large beads in the Color Catcher and spritz beads using Log Cabin Smooch Spritz, turn beads to spray all sides as well as ends. Place beads on paper towels to dry {or speed up drying time using heat gun}.

 

2) Spray large beads again, this time using Spun Sugar Smooch Spritz, set aside to dry {or speed up drying time using heat gun}.

 

3) Place 12 small beads in the Color Catcher and spritz beads using Sea Kiss Smooch Spritz, turn beads to spray all sides as well as ends. Place beads on paper towels to dry {or speed up drying time using heat gun}.

 

4) Ink large border of your choice from Artsy Border stamp set using ColorBox Silver Pigment Ink. Place one large bead horizontally across stamp at one end of it and gently roll bead across stamp towards the other end until the design is applied around the entire bead. Set aside to dry {or speed up drying time using heat gun}. Repeat with other 2 large beads.

 

5) Ink small border of your choice from Artsy Border stamp set using ColorBox Silver Pigment Ink. Place one small bead horizontally across stamp at one end of it and gently roll bead across stamp towards the other end until the design is applied around the entire bead. Set aside to dry {or speed up drying time using heat gun}. Repeat with 3 more small beads. Change stamp design, and roll 4 more beads, then use another border design to roll the last 4 beads.

 

6) When beads are dry, apply a sealant to protect them and set aside to dry again.

 

7) Cut a 32” piece of leather lace, begin stringing beads on lace about 8” from end of lace. Pattern is 3 small beads, then one large bead, with simple knots in between each bead. Repeat pattern 3 times, then add 3 more small beads to finish. Trim cording so that both ends are even. I decided to leave the ends plain so I could adjust the length of the necklace with just a knot.

 

Please stop back by for more summer projects and also check out Jean’s ColorSyle blog for more great projects featuring Clearsnap products!

 

---tami

"pails" in comparison...

Wedding favors come in all shapes and sizes and can be costly both in time and price. Sometimes it's difficult to find a premade favor that reflects the couple and feels "personal", but it can become quite expensive to have custom favors made.

 

Todays project addresses each of these problems, it starts with a plain pail that has been spruced up with some paper, ribbon, flowers and of course stamps and ink...

 

The pail itself was inexpensive and the embellishments are thrifty too; a little goes a long way in this project. It is also easy to find paper and ribbons to match the wedding colors given the variety available.

 

The front of the pail has a "seal" that includes the new couple's monogram, which is a classic way to personalize a wedding favor a ring of pearls around the seal adds a little classic elegance...

 

 

The paper band was made by first stamping and embossing a scroll pattern on 2 pieces of cardstock using an ink color {ColorBox's Pigment Ink in Robin's Egg} that complimented the wedding colors. Finding the right ink color was was VERY easy to do given the wide selection of inks Clearsnap has available. The tips of the scroll design were filled in using Smooch Accent ink, also in a coordinating color, and then the stamped pieces were matted on a cardstock band.

 

To add a subtle touch of sparkle, Opalescent Clear Embossing Powder {Top Boss} was used to emboss the scroll designs...

 

 

The flowers were pretty on their own, but adding a grouping of pearls and rhinestones at the centers made them something special...

 

 
And, don't forget about the lid, it needs a little attention too, I found a doily stamp that fit perfectly, so i stamped and embossed it, then cut it out and glued it to the lid. A flower at the center added the crowning touch.

 

If you'd like to make some of these favors yourself, here's what you need to know…

beyond the "pail" altered pail

 

Skill Level: moderate

SUPPLIES: 

Clearsnap: ColorBox Pigment Ink: Robin's Egg {full or mini size}, ColorBox Fluid Chalk Ink: Creamy Brown {full or mini size}, Smooch Accent Ink: Snickerdoodle and Illuminate  and Top Boss: Opalescent Clear Embossing Powder

Hero Arts: Flourish Background and Circle Doily Cling Stamps and Happy Letters PolyClear stamps

 

MySentiments Exactly: Romantic Caps

 

Memory Box: Pearl Stickers: Frost Blue and White and Jewel Stickers: Deep Lagoon

 

Bazzill: Kraft, Buttercream Powder Blue cardstocks and Ribbon: Brown Gingham, Brown Stripe, Whirlpool Gingham,  Whirlpool Stripe, Whirlpool Edged and Brown Dashed

 

Prima: E-line Flowers: Brown

Other: quart size metal and clear acrylic pail

 

Tools: adhesive, scissors, paper trimmer, 2" and 2 1/4" circle punches and heat gun

DIRECTIONS:

1) Stamp and emboss doily image on ivory cardstock using Robin's Egg Pigment Ink and Opalescent Clear Embossing Powder. Cut out and adhere to lid.

 

2) Cut 2 - 6" X 2 1/4" pieces of ivory cardstock. Stamp with Flourish image using Robin's Egg Pigment Ink and emboss using Opalescent Clear Embossing Powder.

 

3) Cut 2 - 7" X 2 1/2" pieces of kraft cardstock. Adhere strips end to end and then starting at one side, wrap around pail about 2 1/2" down from top. Trim excess if necessary, overlap ends slightly and adhere.  

 

4) Adhere stamped panels to the front and back of band {they will not cover the sides of the band, there should be about a 3/4" gap at each side}.

 

5) Punch a 2" circle from blue cardstock, and stamp using Creamy Brown Chalk Ink and monogram made using Happy Letter stamps for first name initials and Romantic Cap stamps for last name initial. Go over initials using Smooch Illuminate.

 

6) Punch a 2 1/4" circle from kraft cardstock and adhere stamped monogram seal in the center. Adhere a ring of white pearls around monogram.

 

7) Wrap a 13 1/2" piece of blue ribbon edged in brown around center of band, overlapping and adhering at the FRONT. Adhere  monogram seal at center of band.

 

8) Adhere a grouping of 3 flowers around monogram seal and 1 top top center of lid. Using blue jewels and pearls, place a ewel at the center of each flower and then surround with 4 pearls.

 

9) To finish, cut pieces of ribbons and tie at left side of handle.

 

10) You can fill your pail with whatever you would like. Use some coordinating paper shred to partially fill the container, it will look pretty where it shows below the band, and the "top" of the shred can be hidden behind the band so that only what you are filling it with shows above the band.

 

This would also make a very pretty gift for the bridesmaids when filled with their favorite bath and body products. You could even use a mesh loofa instead of the shred at the bottom of the pail.

 

Please stop by Jean's Colorstyle Blog for more exciting projects using Clearsnap inks and products.

 

And, if any of you are attending the CKC in Houston, I might see you there! i'll be teaching 2 classes as well as enjoying the shopping, crops and taking a few classes myself!

---tami

it's in the bag...

If you will be attending a wedding anytime soon, you might need a gift bag all decked out for the occasion. Today’s project transforms a plain-jane white kraft bag into a blinged-up beauty.

 

Take a look…

 

 

The bag was stamped using a gorgeous damask patterned stamp that seemed perfectly "suited" for a wedding. To make the bag really sparkle {think diamonds}, I used ColorBox MetaleXtra Pigment Ink in Silver and embossed it using Top Boss Opalescent Clear Embossing Powder…

 

 

The attached gift tag is silver to tie in the stamped images. The stamped bride has been given a full makeover using Smooch Accent Inks…

 

 

A flower with a fabulous rhinestone button at its center adds more than a touch of elegance…

 

 

Don’t fret if you don’t have a wedding to attend in the near future; just change the stamp designs, ink and embellishment colors to create a personalized bag for any “gifting” occasion.

 

Here’s all the info you need to tell you how…

 

“wedding bling” altered gift bag

 

Skill Level: moderate

 

SUPPLIES: 

 

Clearsnap: ColorBox MetaleXtra Pigment Ink: Silver, Smooch Accent Ink: Moonlight, Siren, Snickerdoodle and Illuminate, Ancient Page Archival Ink: Coal Black {full or mini size} and Top Boss: Opalescent Clear Embossing Powder

 

Hero Arts: Warmest Wedding Wishes ClearDesign stamps

 

Memory Box: Antique Damask wood stamp

 

Bazzill: Coconut Swirl and Blackberry Swirl cardstocks, Grosgrain Ribbon Flower – Cardinal, Jewels: Kisses and Vintage Buttons: Vintage Elizabeth

 

Other: sheer silver ribbon, white kraft bag and silver cardstock

 

Tools: adhesive, scissors, paper trimmer, 1/16” hole punch, wire cutters and heat gun

 

DIRECTIONS:

 

Designer Notes:

--- it can be a little difficult to stamp clearly on gift bags, especially near the top where the handles are glued to the inside of the bag. I found that I got clearer images when I placed a foam sheet {fun foam} under the bag before stamping. It cushioned the bag so it had a little “give”. I also avoided stamping directly over the handles at the inside top.

--- I used 3-in-one glue by Beacon to adhere the button to the center of the flower. It is a “fast tack” adhesive so it grabs and holds well. Just let the flower sit for 5 minutes or so either before or after adhering it to the bag – which you can do with the 3-in-1 glue also.

 

Bag

1) Stamp damask pattern using MetalExtra Silver Ink over front of gift bag; stamping some images off edges of bag.

 

2) Sprinkle stamped images using Opalescent Clear Embossing Powder and emboss using heat gun.

 

3) Add jewels at centers of damask design.

 

4) Use wire cutters to remove shank from button, then adhere button to center of flower. When glue has set and button is secure, adhere flower to right handle just above the top edge of the gift bag.

 

Tag

1) Stamp bride image on white cardstock using Coal Black Ancient Page Ink.

 

2) Fill in stamped image using Smooch Accent Ink: hair – Snickerdoodle, dress – Moonlight, veil – Illuminate, flowers – Siren; cut out.

 

3) Stamp sentiment on white cardstock using Coal Black ink and then cut out { 2 ¼ X 1 ½}

 

4) Cut tag from black cardstock; cut a 2 ¾ X 5 ¼ rectangle and clip off corners.

 

5) Trace tag on back of silver cardstock and cut about 1/8” INSIDE line. Adhere silver tag to black tag and punch hole at top.

 

6) Adhere bride and sentiment to tag, then tie tag with silver ribbon and hang just below flower.

 

 

Consider this your “invitation” to come back and see what other items we can “gather together” and “marry” up with stamps and ink!

 

---tami

 

travel journal...

If you are still in need of a Father’s Day gift idea – you are in luck! Today’s project, a travel journal, is the type of “personal” gift that really says you care. Don’t worry if your special “dad” doesn’t have the travel bug, take the idea and customize it to fit their favorite hobby. This altered composition book would be equally nice as just a journal to keep track of their notes or to do lists...

 

 

To embellish the plain generic composition book I started with, I made 2 different “printed” papers both with cardstock as the base. Both papers utilized Clearsnap’s Rollagraph jumbo wheels and handles along with their stamping guide to make the job easier. The Rollagraph system is a great way to stamp large areas with a repeating pattern, and if you use the handle with the self-inking cartridge, you can roll to your heart’s content without worrying about having to stop and reink the wheel.

 

To make the papers, I first took a pale cream cardstock and rolled across it with a script design wheel in a chocolate brown ink. Then I overstamped the paper with a round stamp design in burnt orange...

 

 

 

For the other paper, I started with a tan cardstock and rolled it twice with a marbled pattern. The first time I used a plum colored ink, and the second time I used a golden brown ink. This gave the paper a wonderful 2-toned marbled look that was easy to achieve...

 

 

I used a variety of different types of inks on this project because I wanted it to have multiple layers and textures. Each type of ink brought something special – the ColorBox Fluid Chalk Inks are soft and “smudgey” and are great for “aging” and “distressing” edges or overstamping when you want a soft opaque look, the ColorBox MetaleXtra Pigment Inks give your project a metallic sheen that adds a touch of richness, the Ancient Page Inks are sheer color, so they help add depth and texture when you layer them, and the Vivid! inks add dark bold color. If you haven’t tried all these different types, now is your chance. Since they are all used on this one project, you can really compare and see the unique “look” each ink has.

 

Here are some closeups of a few more of the details...

 

 

 

 

Here are the supplies and directions you need to make your own special gift for dad…

 

“”World Traveler” altered composition book

 

Skill Level: moderate

 

SUPPLIES: 

 

Clearsnap: Rollagraph: Jumbo Stamping Wheels: Marble Background and Say What?, Jumbo Self-Inking Handle and Jumbo Ancient Page Ink Cartridges: Light Brown, Plum Wine and Chocolate, Vivid! Dye Ink: Coffee Bean {full or mini size}, Ancient Page Permanent Dye Inkpad: Palm Leaf {full or mini size}, ColorBox MetaleXtra Pigment Ink: Platinum, ColorBox Fluid Chalk Ink: Chestnut Roan and Pumpkin Spice {full or mini size} and ColorBox Stamping Guide

 

Hero Arts: Travel Journal ClearDesign stamps

 

Hampton Art: Foot Longs – Big and Little Alphas clear stamps

 

My Sentiments Exactly: Romantic Caps

 

Bazzill: Kraft, Butter Cream, Moody Blue and Tawny Light cardstocks and Brown Dashed Ribbon

 

Other: 7 ½ X 9 ½ composition book, mini binder clip and jute

 

Tools: adhesive, scissors, paper trimmer, 1/16” hole punch, black fine tipped pen and heat gun {optional}

 

DIRECTIONS:

 

Designer Notes:

*The MetaleXtra ink is a pigment ink so it can take awhile to dry. You can speed up the drying time with a heat gun if you like or just set aside the stamped “journal” piece to dry while you work on other elements. Just make sure the ink is completely dry before you adhere it to your book to avoid smearing the ink.

*Check the size of your composition book and make adjustments as needed to the cut sizes given.

 

1) Cut a 2 X 7 piece of dark blue cardstock and stamp “JOURNAL” at the center using Romantic Cap stamps inked with Platinum MetaleXtra Pigment Ink and set aside to dry.

 

2) Cut a 4 X7 piece of cream cardstock. Load jumbo handle with Chocolate Ancient Page Ink Cartridge and Say What? Jumbo Stamping Wheel and use Stamping Guide to roll on 2 horizontal rows of script design across the entire piece.

 

3) Ink 12pt round “world traveler” stamp with Pumpkin Spice Fluid Chalk Ink and randomly stamp across the paper, making sure to let a few stamp off the edges.

 

4) Use Big & Little Alphas to spell out “travel” and ink using Palm Leaf Ancient Page Ink, stamp about 1” from left side and about ½” up from bottom in lower right corner of script paper.

 

5) Ink edges of stamped script paper using Chestnut Roan Chalk Ink and then adhere to the top of the composition book, clipping and reinking the corner if needed.

 

6) Cut a 4 X7 piece of tan cardstock. Load jumbo handle with Plum Wine Ancient Page Ink Cartridge and Marble Background Jumbo Stamping Wheel and use Stamping Guide to roll on 2 horizontal rows of design across the entire piece. Then clean wheel and change ink cartridge to Light Brown and roll again.

 

7) Ink edges of stamped marble paper using Chestnut Roan Chalk Ink and then adhere to the bottom of the composition book, clipping and reinking the corner if needed.

 

8) After making sure ink is dry, adhere dark blue “JOURNAL” strip at the center of the book.

 

9) Ink “on the road” narrow border stamp with Vivid! Coffee Bean ink and stamp 3 times in a horizontal row on a piece of kraft cardstock. Cut out ¼” strip and ink using Chestnut Roan Chalk Ink, and adhere along bottom of dark blue “JOURNAL” strip.

 

10) Ink tag stamp with Vivid! Coffee Bean ink and stamp on a piece of kraft cardstock. Cut out and ink edges using Chestnut Roan Chalk Ink.  

 

11) Ink “enjoy the journey” stamp with Pumpkin Spice Chalk ink and stamp diagonally across lined portion of tag. Use black pen to outline “journey”. Punch hole at top of tag and tie with jute. Tie tag to binder clip and attach to top of composition book.

 

12) Adhere brown ribbon to cover black spine of composition book.

 

I have 2 more “guy” projects in the works, a set of 2 birthday cards and a missing you card, so please check back to see them!

 

---tami

 

"smooched" graduation box...

As promised, here is another project for the graduate; an altered paper mache’ box that’s the perfect size to hold a gift card now, and a tassel later.

 

I used Smooch Spritz to give the box the look of old metal that has aged over time. Smooch Spritz is a shimmery ink that you can spray; it goes on opaque and covers well in just one coat. And although it looks like it took hours to achieve the finish, it was accomplished in about 15 minutes using just 2 colors of Smooch Spritz. And since Smooch Spritz covers so well, there is no need to paint or prime the box first.

 

 

Here’s a closer look at the lid…

 

 

And here are some more close-ups of the details on the box…

 

 

 

 

If you don’t need a graduation gift, you can still make the basic box and just change the lid embellishments to whatever theme you like. Father’s Day is less than a month away and this box would be terrific for any dad as well. Maybe add a few vintage keys tied with twine to the top, and stamp with an appropriate Father’s Day sentiment. {More Father’s Day projects coming up next week!}

 

Here are the supplies and directions you need to make your own altered box…

 

“vintage metal” altered paper mache’ box

 

Skill Level: easy

 

SUPPLIES: 

 

Clearsnap: Smooch Spritz: Silver Foil and Vanilla Shimmer, Smooch Accent Ink: Illuminate and Moonlight, Crafter’s Ink: High Top Pad – Black, Stylus with Blender Tip and Color Catcher

 

Indus Trading Company: DIY Bangles:Time Together Collection: wood cut out - Graduation

 

Hampton Art: Graduation Time clear value set

 

Hero Arts: Curly Alphabet cleardesign stamps

 

Memory Box: Antique Damask wood mount stamp

 

Darice: paper mache box

 

Tools: adhesive, white paper towels and heat gun {optional}

 

DIRECTIONS: 

 

Designer Notes:

•  use Smooch Spritz as you would spray paint, spritzing while moving your hand across the piece to create an even coat. 

• depending on the type of paper mache’ box you use, it may or may not absorb the Smooch Spritz quickly. If ink pools, you can gently blot with paper towels.  

• you can use a heat gun to speed up drying time, just be sure to keep heat gun moving and don’t overheat to avoid warping your box.

 

1) Remove lid and place it along with the box bottom in the Color Catcher. Begin spritzing the top and sides of the lid and the sides of the bottom using Silver Foil Smooch Spritz. Allow pieces to set a few minutes before turning them to another side. Continue until all sides are done. Let dry a few minutes.

 

2) Spritz pieces again as before, this time using Vanilla Shimmer Smooch, and blotting gently with a clean paper towel a minute or so after ink is applied. {The blotting will help develop the aged appearance of the box}

 

3) Ink wood cut out cap using Black Crafter’s Ink applied with Stylus and Blended Tip; let dry.

 

4) Apply Smooch Illuminate to top of cap; let dry.

 

5) Outline cap using Moonlight Smooch, then smudge lightly with your finger to blend.

 

6) Let all pieces dry completely before proceeding.

 

7) Ink tip {about 1”} of Antique Damask stamp with Black Crafter’s Ink and stamp design around sides of lid; set aside to dry.

 

8) Use Black Crafter’s Ink applied using Stylus and Blender Tip to “antique” edges and corners of box lid and bottom.

 

9) Stamp “2010” using Curly Alphabet and Black Crafter’s Ink at lower right of box.

 

10) Stamp “class of” using stamp from Graduation Time set, above and to the left of “2010” using Black Crafter’s Ink; let dry.

 

11) Fill in “class of” letters using Moonlight Smooch.

 

12) Adhere cap to box at upper left.

 

Fill box with paper shred in silver, white or black and add gift card…

 

---tami

 

bling me up...

I received some wood bangles from DIY Bangles that I have been anxious to bling up. Creating your own unique jewelry pieces can accent a new outfit, or help update one from last season. It only took an hour or so to transform these 3 bangles…

 

 

Crafter’s Ink works well on wood; it covers well and dries quickly. You can also use pigment inks, but they will take longer to dry and you have to be careful not to smear them until they do. I used both on the bangles I made.

 

Here’s a closer look at each of the bracelets…

 

 

I inked a damask background stamp with several colors of inks, then rolled the bangle across the stamp …

 

 

for this one, I first stamped on the script design, then went back and stamped tiny flowers in different colors along it...

 

 

 

Rhinestones added the finishing touch…

 

 

This bangle has large flat panels on each side that are perfect for stamping on, I inked the panels a different color than the rest of the bracelet and stamped flowers on the panels…

 

 

 

I used a beauty swab to color in the flowers centers, and used the stylus and blender tip to “antique” the edges of the panels…

 

 

The BIG jewelry trend right now is just that – BIG! Stacks of bangles in different sizes and colors are showing up everywhere, so make your bangles in colors that coordinate and you can mix and match and STACK!

 

 

Here’s what you need in order to make your own fashion statement…

 

“Damasked” bangle bracelet

 

Skill Level: easy

 

SUPPLIES: 

 

Clearsnap: Crafter’s Ink: Sunflower, Pink and Lime, ColorBox Pigment Ink: Turquoise and Stylus with Blender Tip

 

Indus Trading Company: DIY Bangles.com: ¼” flat wood bangle

 

Hero Arts: Antique Brocade Cling stamp

 

DIRECTIONS: 

 

1) Use Sunflower Ink, applied with Stylus and Blender Tip, to ink outside edges of bangle; let dry.

 

2) Apply Turquoise ink to stamp, then use Stylus and Blender Tip to apply touches of Lime and Pink inks to stamp {make sure you clean off tip between inks to prevent contaminating your pads}

 

3) Carefully roll bangle across stamp using even pressure. When you get to the end of the stamp; start rolling again where you left off on the bangle along a new place on the stamp. Let dry.

-----------------

 

“Flower Script” bangle bracelet

 

Skill Level: easy

 

SUPPLIES: 

 

Clearsnap: Crafter’s Ink: Sunflower, Pink and Lime, Frost White and Dune, ColorBox Pigment Ink: Marigold and Stylus with Blender Tip

 

Indus Trading Company: DIY Bangles.com: 5/8” flat wood bangle

 

Hampton Art: Friends clear stamp

 

Memory Box: Script Block wood stamp and Jewel Stickers: Diamond

 

DIRECTIONS: 

 

1) Use Frost White ink, applied with Stylus and Blender Tip, to ink outside edges of bangle; let dry.

 

2) Ink Script Block stamp using Dune ink, and then roll bangle across stamp using even pressure. When you get to the end of the stamp; start rolling again where you left off on the bangle along a new place on the stamp. Let dry.

 

3) Stamp flowers using Pink, Lime, Sunflower and Marigold Inks and let dry.

 

4) Apply rhinestones to centers of flowers.

-----------------

 

“BIG flowers” bangle bracelet

 

Skill Level: easy

 

SUPPLIES: 

 

Clearsnap: Crafter’s Ink: Sunflower, Pink, Lime and Dune, ColorBox Pigment Ink: Marigold and Stylus with blender tip

 

Indus Trading Company: DIY Bangles.com: 1 ½” pentagon

 

Memory Box: Big Flower wood stamp

 

Tools: Beauty Swabs

 

DIRECTIONS: 

 

1) Use Lime ink, applied with Stylus and Blender Tip, to ink outside edges of bangle except for the panels; let dry.

 

2) Use Sunflower ink, applied with Stylus and Blender Tip, to ink the panels; let dry.

 

3) Stamp flowers using Pink ink and let dry.

 

4) Use a beauty swab to ink the center of the flowers using Marigold ink.

 

5) Use Dune ink applied with Stylus and Blender Tip to ink the edges of the panels to distress them.

 

Wear and enjoy!

---tami

 

"smooched" butterfly atc...

The next two projects will continue the butterfly theme of the clay pendant and will both feature similar color schemes; brown, orange, yellow and a touch of black. Butterflies are symbolic of spring, but I wanted the colors to be soft and subtle, not the bright pastel colors usually associated with spring. So, like the pendant, these projects could work equally well for fall.

 

Both projects will use the same technique to stamp the butterfly, so I want to share that with you first today. We’ll be applying different colors of Smooch Accent Ink to the stamp; then blending them together so that when you stamp the image, you get a soft, shimmery watercolor effect.

 

First, you’ll need to ink your stamp with Top Boss Embossing Ink – clear or tinted, it doesn’t matter. This will create a layer between the stamp and the Smooch so that the Smooch won’t dry on your stamp and will blend and release easier as well…

 

 

Then you need to dab different colors of Smooch onto the stamp, being careful not to get the tip in other colors {clean off before putting applicator back in bottle if you do}. Place colors as you would if you were painting in the image, but don’t blend yet and you don’t have to cover the entire surface of the stamp...

 

 

 

Here is a closeup of the “smooched” stamp…

 

 

Then gently use your finger to dab – not wipe – the colors to blend them on the stamp…

 

 

 

Then stamp as you would with a regular inked stamp, only be careful not to apply to much pressure or your stamp could slide…

 

 

Practice the technique on some scrap paper until you are happy with how the colors blend and you get the hang of it.

 

Today’s project is an ATC card, which I’m sure most of you are familiar with. ATC stands for Artist Trading Card and they are a fun way to share miniature works of art…

 

 

Here’s what you need to make your own ATC:

 

“Remember ” ATC

 

Skill Level: advanced

 

SUPPLIES: 

 

Clearsnap: Stylus Molding Mat: Moorish Tiles, Smooch Accent Ink: Silver Fox, Pumpkin, Gold Lame, Luscious Lime, Molasses and Tuxedo, Ancient Page Inkpad: Sandalwood, Sienna, Coal Black, Chocolate and Light Brown {full size or mini}, Top Boss: Tinted or Clear Embossing Pad, Asparagus and Dazzling Copper Embossing Powders, Design Adhesives: Sentiments and ColorBox Stylus Handle with white blender tip

 

Memory Box: Solid Butterfly wood mounted stamp

 

Hampton Art: Artsy Edges and Circle Birds clear stamps

 

Bazzill: Peanut cardstock

 

Tools: paper trimmer, scissors, black pen – fine, foam dimensional dots, adhesive and heat gun.

 

DIRECTIONS: 

 

1) Use “smooch” technique described above, with Silver Fox, Luscious Lime, Pumpkin, Tuxedo and Molasses applied to circle stamp with scroll design on a piece of peanut cardstock. Set aside to dry, then cut out, leaving a thin border around the edge. Ink edges with Coal Black ink applied using ColorBox Stylus and white blender tip.

 

2) Use same “smooch” technique to ink butterfly stamp, using Silver Fox, Tuxedo, Pumpkin, Gold Lame and Molasses. Stamp on a piece of peanut cardstock and set aside to dry. Cut out, leaving a thin border around the image.

 

3) Ink hexagon section of molding mat using Sienna, Sandalwood, Coal Black and Light Brown applied and blended slightly using stylus with blender tip. Stamp on a piece of peanut cardstock. Ink the diamond section of the molding mat in the same way, using the same colors and stamp on a piece of peanut cardstock. Handcut stamped squares from cardstock; then cut each square into quarters measuring about 1”. You will only need 3 squares of each design.

 

4) Cut a 2 ½ X 3 ½ piece of peanut cardstock. Stamp the left and bottom edges using the narrow edge stamp from the Artsy Edges set and Coal Black ink. Use Chocolate and Coal Black ink, applied using stylus and bender tip, to ink the edges of card.

 

5) Use Coal Black and Chocolate ink, applied using stylus and blender tip to ink the edges of the 6 - 1” squares. Adhere the squares, in 2 vertical rows, beginning about 1/16” from the top right corner, and spacing the squares about 1/16” from each other.

 

6) Cut “memories” word and pronunciation from Design Adhesives sheet and adhere to a piece of peanut cardstock. Emboss using Asparagus embossing powder. Cut out design, leaving about 1/8” border around edges. Ink edges using Sandalwood and Chocolate inks.

 

7) Lay “memories” strip down left side of ATC just past top of border stamp. Cut “remember” from Design Adhesives sheet, and before you remove the backing, make sure it will fit along the bottom of the last row of squares. Adjust position of “memories” strip if needed, then adhere.

 

8) Apply “remember” Design Adhesive along the bottom row of squares, having the bottom of the letters right along the bottom edge of the squares. Emboss using Dazzling Copper embossing powder. When cool, outline the letters using black pen.

 

9) Adhere stamped circle from step 1) to the right side of card, about 1/8” up from the top of “remember”, having about ½ of the circle hang off the right side. Trim overhang and ink the edge using Chocolate and Coal Black ink applied with stylus and blender tip.

 

10) Adhere butterfly at the upper left of the circle using foam dimensional dots.

 

Now you are ready to trade!

 

---tami

 

flutter by here...

The project for today is a spring themed pendant made with polymer clay that has been “painted” using Smooch Accent Ink…

 

 

Don’t worry if you’ve never worked with polymer clay before, this project is quick and easy to make and I used stamping tools instead of specialized clay tools to create it. I’ve also included photos of each of the steps in the directions to make it even easier.

 

I wanted the pendant to have a vintage look, so I “stained” the clay with black Crafter’s Ink after I’d “smooched” it.

 

Here is a closeup of the pendant itself…

 

 

A bail and a piece of leather cording was all I needed to complete the project. You could also make a set of matching earrings to go with your pendant if you like. Just roll 12pter, thinner balls of clay and make sure that you emboss with one of the 12pter butterflies that are on the molding mat.

 

You could use these same techniques to create embellishments for other types of projects too. Like making a larger piece to adhere to an altered journal or composition book, or roll the clay thinner to create something to use on a scrapbook page.

 

Here are the supplies and instructions to create your own unique piece of jewelry…

 

“Vintage Spring ” pendant necklace

 

Skill Level: easy to moderate

 

SUPPLIES: 

 

Clearsnap: Stylus Molding Mat: Flutter By, Smooch Accent Ink: Silver Fox, Carrot, Kiwi and Sundance, Crafter’s High Top Ink Pad: Black and ColorBox Stylus Handle with white blender tip

 

Indus Trading Company: Deerskin Lace – 1/8” black

 

Other: Plaid: Forged: metal findings – multi bales and Polymer Clay: beige

 

Tools: 2 large acrylic blocks {at least 3 X 3}, Static Away or Cornstarch, Paper Towels and wood skewer {or something to punch hole in pendant with}

 

DIRECTIONS: 

 

1) Condition clay according to package directions. Then pinch off 2 rows of clay and roll into a ball about 1 ¼” in diameter.

 

 

2) Dust the tops of 2 acrylic blocks LIGHTLY with Static Away or cornstarch; then place ball on one block and place the other, dusted side down on top of ball. Then press on top block using light even pressure until ball is flattened to about 1/8”. {Don’t worry if there is some slight cracking at the edges, you can fix that. And don’t worry if your pendant isn’t exactly round either}

 

 

3) Smooch the edges of the circle and gently push together any cracks using your fingers.

 

4) Place pendant back on the dusted surface of one of the blocks. Lightly dust your molding mat, then place the mat face down on top of the pendant. Place other acrylic block on top of mat to sandwich the clay and molding mat between the two blocks.

 

Then, using light even pressure, press down on the top block to impress the design into the clay. {Don’t press TOO hard!} Remove top block and peel away edge of molding mat to check design. If the design isn’t deep enough, replace mat and block and press again.

 

 

5) Carefully remove pendant from block and punch hole at top for bail. Then bake as directed on package. {I placed mine on a foil lined cookie sheet}

 

6) Once pendant has backed and cooled, you are ready to “smooch” it. Paint in embossed designs as you like…

 

 

Until all of the recessed designs have been painted in…

 

 

then set aside for about 15 minutes or until Smooch has dried completely before going on to next step.

 

7) Use black Crafter’s Ink applied using Stylus Handle and blender top to “stain” the pendant, front, back and sides. To do dip foam tip in ink pad, then gently rub onto pendant in a circular pattern…

 

 

 

Once you have covered the entire pendant, gently wipe excess ink off using a clean, white paper towel and set aside for about 15 - 20 minutes to dry.

 

 

8) Insert bail in hole and thread your lacing though. Finish ends as you like; I just left mine to tie so I could adjust the length.

 

wear and enjoy!

 

---tami