stamp out loud by tami sanders

Christmas joy!

Today's card uses some of the same techniques as the card done in the last post.

The background has been "Smooched" using Smooch Spritz, then Design Adhesives have been applied and foiled...

  
 

And, as with the last card, there is PLENTY of sparkle and bling!

 

 

To add a bit of dimension to the card, "joy" was added using dimensional foam dots...

 

Smooch Spritz and Designer Foils are both perfect products to use when you want to dress up any holiday project. Both are easy to use and produce GREAT results!

Here's all you need to know to make this card yourself... 

“joy X 4” card

Skill Level: easy

SUPPLIES:

Clearsnap: Smooch Spritz: Citrus Tickle and Limolicious, Design Adhesives: Memory Box Collection: In the Forest and Calm and Bright, Designer Foils: Cherry Pie and Irish Eyes, ColorBox Archival Dye Ink: Golf Course, Stylus Handle and White Foam Blender Tip and Color Catcher

Bazzill: card: Ruby Slipper and Walnut Cream, Hillary and Parakeet cardstocks 

Tools: paper trimmer, scissors, adhesive, black pen and dimensional foam dots

DIRECTIONS:

1) Cut a 4 1/2 square piece of light green cardstock and mat on a 4 3/4 square of dark green cardstock. Adhere to upper portion of card front.

2) Cut a 5 X 5 square of cream cardstock and spritz lightly with both colors of Smooch Spritz; set aside to dry.

NOTE: Make sure that paper is COMPLETELY dry before doing this step - the Design Adhesives will not appy or adhere properly otherwise.

3) Cut the 5 X 5 "smooched" cardstock into 4 - 2" squares. {reserve leftover}

4) Cut apart poinsettia, 3 holly leaves and 1 set of berries, 1 set of ornaments and bird from Design Adhesive sheets. Apply  each set of designs to one of the 2" squares.

5) Apply red foil to poinsettia, berries, round ornament and bird. Apply green foil to leave and pointed ornament.

6) Use black pen to add sides, crowns and hooks to ornaments and legs and feet to bird.

7) Ink edges of all 4 - 2" squares using Golf Course Dye Ink applied with Stylus and blender tip.

8) Adhere squares to matted cardstock at top of card.

9) Cut apart and apply "christmas" beneath and aligned with the left side of the matted square. Apply green foil.

10) Cut apart and apply "joy" on the leftover piece of "smooched" cardstock. Apply red foil. Then trim around word, and ink edges using Golf Course Dye Ink applied with Stylus and Tip. Adhere at an angle at the end and slightly below "christmas".

MORE Holiday and Christmas projects are on the way, so please come back later!

AND --- within the next few months, Clearsnap will be COMBINING Jean's and my blogs into ONE big blog with projects by guest designers too! You can take a peek at it HERE! In the meantime, I will keep posting to our Typepad blogs, but the projects will also be posted on the Blogger blog --- so be sure to bookmark it!

Clearsnap has also started a FACEBOOK page, Be sure to check it out and join up so you can view projects posted by others as well as be the first to know about any news or special announcements!

jingle bells...jingle bells...

Listen... do you hear them? That distant sound of bells that is getting CLOSER and LOUDER everyday?

The theme of the next round of posts, and I hope to have a LOT of them, will be the holiday season.

Who doesn't love the holidays, and crafting for them? The colors, bright, vivid colors and the BLING! Now is the time to add a touch of sparkle and shimmer to ALL you create.

I'm starting off with an easy card today; one you can mass produce easily if you've procrastinated in getting your holiday cards done, but it still has plenty of BLiNg...

 

The card base is plain kraft cardstock, and the focal piece is just cardstock that has been "Smooched". Design Adhesives snowflakes were added and foiled with silver...

 

 The "peace" sentiment is just another Design Adhesive cut apart and applied to bits of cardstock and then covered in blue foil...

 

Here are the quick and easy to follow directions for this card.

“peace in blue” card

Skill Level: easy

SUPPLIES:

Clearsnap: Smooch Spritz: Navy Twinkle and Vanilla Shimmer, Design Adhesives: Memory Box Collection: Flurries and Calm and Bright, Designer Foils: Silver Fog and Seaport, ColorBox Archival Dye Ink: Mermaid, Stylus Handle and White Foam Blender Tip and Color Catcher

Bazzill: Kraft and Walnut Cream cardstocks

Tools: paper trimmer, scissors, adhesive and stapler

DIRECTIONS:

1) Cut a 4 X 12 piece of kraft cardstock and fold in half to make card.

2) Cut a 3 X 4 piece of vanilla cardstock and place in Color Catcher. Lightly spritz with Navy Twinkle Smooch Spritz, then add a quick coat of Vanilla Shimmer. Set aside to dry.

3) Prepare sentiment while "smooched" piece is drying. Cut 5 - 1" X 1" pieces of vanilla cardstock. Cut apart "peace" design adhesive from set, and apply one letter to the center of each square. Gently rub blue foil over letters. Trim the pieces in random legths, keeping the widths to about 1/2". Ink edges using Mermaid Dye Ink.

NOTE: Make sure that paper is COMPLETELY dry before doing this step - the Design Adhesives will not appy or adhere properly otherwise.

4) Cut apart snowflakes from set and randomly apply to "Smooched" cardstock piece. The designs can overlap the eges, just trim excess and use elsewhere. Lay silver foil sheet over designs and rub gently. 

5) To assemble, staple or glue the "peace" letters to the lower edge of the "Smooched" piece, then adhere the "Smooched piece to the center of the card. 

MORE Holiday and Christmas projects are on the way, so please stop back by to see what's new!

AND --- within the next few months, Clearsnap will be COMBINING Jean's and my blogs into ONE big blog with projects by guest designers too! You can take a peek at it HERE! In the meantime, I will keep posting to our Typepad blogs, but the projects will also be posted on the Blogger blog --- so be sure to bookmark it!

Clearsnap has also started a FACEBOOK page, Be sure to check it out and join up so you can view projects posted by others as well as be the first to know about any news or special announcements!

happy turkey day!!!

I had originally intended to post these THREE cards separately - but you are getting them all THREE in one post! Think of it as Thanksgiving dinner AND the leftovers all at once!

 

I started with the same basic set of supplies for both of these cards: Colorbox Archival Dye Ink Queue - Coffee House and Pigment Ink Queue Woodgrain and cream and pumpkin cardstocks. After that, I selected some fall stamps from My Sentiments Exactly, Memory Box and Hero Arts and created this trio of cards using those supplies. I wanted to mix the sheer, clear color of the dye ink with the strong, bold opaqueness of the pigment inks.

For the first card, I used a create your own tree stamp by My Sentiments Exactly and stamped the tree using dye ink and the leaves using the pigment inks...

 

The leaves are NICE and BOLD...

 

For the center card, I wanted to create a "backdrop" for the fall leaves, so I used dye ink to stamp the background, then used pigment ink to stamp the leaves...

 

Since the pigment ink is opaque, the leaves really stand out from the background...

 

And for the last card, I used the same stamp, inked with 3 different colors of pigment ink to stamp the 3 designs. Then, I used Smooch Accent Ink to fill in the leaves...

 

The Smooch Accent Ink added a shimmery touch of color and helped tie the trio together...

 

Here are the directions for these 3 fall themed cards...

“fall tree” card

Skill Level: easy

SUPPLIES:

Clearsnap:  ColorBox Archival Dye Ink Queue: Coffee House and  ColorBox Pigment Ink Queue: Woodgrain

My Sentiments Exactly: Thanksgiving and Nuture You stamp sets

Bazzill: Festive - Burlap, Candle Glow - Prismatics and Walnut Cream - Smoothies cardstocks and Brown Gingham ribbon

Tools: paper trimmer, scissors, adhesive, and stapler

DIRECTIONS:

1) Cut a 7 X 6 1/2 piece of pumpkin cardstock and fold in half to make a 6 1/2 X 3 1/2 card.

2) Cut a 6 X 3 piece of cream cardstock and stamp tree and ink edges using Mudslide Dye Ink.

3) Use a different leaf stamp for each of these 3 colors: Roussillon, Amber and Ochre Pigment Inks, to stamp leaves at ends of branches and along the bottom of the card.

4) Stamp "Happy Thanksgiving" and ink edges of a 2 1/4 X 1 1/4 piece of cream cardstock using Mudslide Dye Ink. Mat piece on a 2 1/2 X 1 1/2 piece of mustard cardstock and staple folded piece of brown ribbon at upper right.

5) Adhere stamped cream piece to center front of card, then adhere matted sentiment at upper right.

 

“leaf trio” card

Skill Level: easy

SUPPLIES:

Clearsnap:  ColorBox Archival Dye Ink Queue: Coffee House,  ColorBox Pigment Ink Queue: Woodgrain

Hero Arts: Real Leaves Clear Design stamp set and Old Letter Writing wood mount stamp

My Sentiments Exactly: Thanksgiving stamp set

Bazzill: Festive - Burlap and Walnut Cream - Smoothies cardstocks

Tools: paper trimmer, scissors and adhesive

DIRECTIONS:

1) Cut a 4 1/4 X 11 piece of pumpkin cardstock and fold in half to make card.

2) Cut a 4 X 5 1/4 piece of cream cardstock and stamp using Old Letter Writing stamp and Putty Dye Ink.

3) Stamp leaves over background using: Roussillon Pigment Ink for large leaf, Amber for medium leaf and Ochre for smaller leaf.

4) Ink "give thanks" stamp using Chestnut Pigment Ink at lower left.

5) Adere stamped cardstock piece to front of card.

 

“maple trio” card

Skill Level: easy

SUPPLIES:

Clearsnap:  ColorBox Archival Dye Ink Queue: Coffee House,  ColorBox Pigment Ink Queue: Woodgrain and Smooch Accent Inks: Gold Lame, Pumpkin and Molasses

Memory Box: Maple Branch wood mount stamp

My Sentiments Exactly: Multi Classic alphabet

Bazzill: Festive - Burlap and Walnut Cream - Smoothies cardstocks

Tools: paper trimmer, scissors, adhesive, and dimensional foam dots

DIRECTIONS:

1) Cut a 5 X 8 piece of pumpkin cardstock and fold in half to make card.

2) Stamp the image 3 times on a piece of cream cardstock using a different color of pigment ink each time: Roussillon, Amber and Ochre. Cut out when ink has dried.

3) Fill in leaves on each stamped image using Smooch Accent Inks and set aside to dry.

4) Stamp "grateful" on a 3/4 X 5 piece of cream cardstock using Mudslide Dye Ink. Dovetail ends.

5) Adhere 3 stamped images using dimensional foam dots to upper portion of card front, then adhere sentiment beneath.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving; and counts all their blessings as they celebrate this special day set aside to GIVE THANKS! 

p.s.:

AND --- within the next few months, Clearsnap will be COMBINING Jean's and my blogs into ONE big blog with projects by guest designers too! You can take a peek at it HERE! In the meantime, both Jean and I will keep posting to our Typepad blogs, but the projects will also be posted on the Blogger blog --- so be sure to bookmark it!

Clearsnap has also started a FACEBOOK page, Be sure to check it out and join up so you can view projects posted by others as well as be the first to know about any news or special announcements!

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!

no tricks...just treats!

Halloween is a great holiday to think "crafty". Cards, decor, gift items, party goodies, there are LOTS of things you can create for Halloween.

Today's project is a quick and easy gift idea for teachers, co-workers, neighbors, friends or it would also be perfect as a party favor...

 

 

The base is a diecut pillowbox that was cut from orange cardstock. Then, it was stamped randomly using ColorBox Archival Dye Ink in Wicked Black before it was assembled...

 

The charm was made from polymer clay. A rubber stamp was pushed into the clay to create the pumpkin image, then after the clay was baked, the charm was lightly sprayed with Silver Foil Smooch Spritz, and the design was filled in using Smooch Accent Inks...

 

This is another kid friendly project; kids could easily stamp the pillowboxes, and help make the charms. And the kiddos would REALLY enjoy filling the boxes with treats! {Especially if they could sneak a few treats for themselves while doing so!} These would make cute little gift card holders too - just add some tissue. Adults would need to help assemble the boxes and to supervise the baking and cooling of the charms.

Here's all you need to know if you'd like to try this project yourself...

“treat me!” pillowbox treat container

Skill Level: easy - kid friendly with adult supervision 

SUPPLIES:

Clearsnap: Smooch Accent Ink: Carrot, Sundance, Kiwi and Smooch Spritz: Silver Foil, ColorBox Archival Dye Ink: Wicked Black and Color Catcher

Hero Arts: Month - October ClearDesign stamp

Bazzill: Intense Orange cardstock and Black Dashed and Black Stripe ribbon

Other: Polymer Clay - Black

Tools: Accucut Die: Box #4 {or purchased pillowbox blank}, scissors, adhesive, toothpick, heat gun {optional}

BOX:

1) Diecut pillowbox from orange cardstock.

2) Ink "trick or treat" stamp using Wicked Black Archival Dye Ink, and stamp randomly over diecut.

3) Assemble box leaving top open to add treats.

CHARM:

1) Condition clay according to package directions, then roll a 1 1/2" to 2" piece of polymer clay into a ball. Press between 2 acrylic blocks to flatten. {see photos of a similar project HERE}

2) Impress pumpkin stamp into center of clay disk. Use a toothpick to add detail to edges and to add a hole at center top.

3) Back charm as directed on polymer clay package.

4) Place charm in Color Cather and lightly spritz charm Silver Foil Smooch Spritz. Use heat gun to speed dry time if desired, otherwise set charm aside to dry.

5) Fill in design using Smooch Accent Inks. Use heat gun to speed dry time or set charm aside to dry. You may want to add a protective coat of glaze.

FINISHING:

1) Fill treat box, then seal.

2) Wrap a ribbon around box, overlapping and securing ends at back.

3) Tie charm onto front using another piece of ribbon.

I still have ONE more {at least!} Halloween project to share; so please come back by to 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!)

 

water the flowers...

Today is the last day for “vintage” themed projects; next we are moving on to HALLOWEEN!

 

I LOVE Halloween, it is one of my favorite holidays, and I thought it was time to feature some spooky cards and projects so you’ll have time to create them before the holiday.

 

But, first, let’s talk about today’s project…

 

Like the two previous cards, this card utilizes the multi-roll technique using the Rollagraph, you can review it HERE…

 

To create the floral designs, the Botanical Tiles Stamp Wheel was rolled forward, back and forward again using the Stamping Guide to keep the design straight.

Each block of the floral design was cut apart into individual squares. Then ColorBox Archival Dye Inks were used to tint the flowers…

 

The ColorBox Archival Dye Inks can be used like watercolors to add some flair to your stamped designs, and no fancy equipment is needed…

 

I used a plain foam plate as a palette and just dabbed the ink several times on the surface to transfer some of the ink…

 

 

 

You could also use wax paper, or any other non-porous surface that you wouldn’t mind if it stained. {inks may or may not come completely off depending on the surface – so I wouldn’t use your good china! J}

 

And just like with watercolors, you can blend one or more ink colors to create a color of your own… 

 

  

 

I used beauty swabs as my “brushes”, since they have a nice fine point at the top and hold the inks well.  To use, just first dip the swab in the water, then into the ink to mix, add more water for a lighter color, less for a more intense shade.

 

Here are closeups of the flowers that were “painted” using the Archival Inks…

 

 

 

 
 

 

The background for the card was done by using the Say What? Stamp Wheel rolled on the regular way in several rows to cover the front of the card...

 

 

 

The sentiment was stamped on a separate piece and cut out so it could be mixed in with the floral squares…

 

When I adhered the squares and the sentiment, I only placed glue at the center of each piece, then gently bent the corners up to add some dimension.

If you haven’t painted with your inks, you might want to give this technique a try. Once you mastered the basics, then you can experiment with layering multiple colors and shading. The bright, vibrant colors of the new ColorBox Archival Dye Inks make them perfect for this technique.

Here are the supplies and directions to make this card yourself… 

 

“grateful garden” thank you card

 

Skill Level: moderate

 

SUPPLIES:

Clearsnap: ColorBox Archival Dye Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Frosted Plum, Grasshopper, Lemon Drop, Golf Course, Mudslide, Atlantic Blue, Pinkolicious, Tree Frog, Mermaid and Seattle Sky, Rollagraph: Jumbo Stamping Wheel: Botanical Tiles and Say What?, Jumbo Self-Inking Handle and Jumbo Ancient Page Ink Cartridge – Gray Flannel, ColorBox Stamping Guide and ColorBox Fluid Chalk Ink: Charcoal

 

Bazzill: Cards and Envelope set: green card and Walnut Cream and Maltball cardstocks

 

Hero Arts: Heartfelt Messages ClearDesign Stamps

 

Tools: paper trimmer, scissors, adhesive, foam plate {or other non-porous surface}, beauty swabs and water

 

DIRECTIONS:

1) Load Jumbo Self Inking Handle with Jumbo Ancient Page Gray Flannel Ink Cartridge and Say What? Jumbo Stamp Wheel. Roll horizontally across front of card using Stamping Guide to keep image straight. Add more rows until card front is covered.

 

2) Change wheel to Botanical Tiles Jumbo Stamp Wheel and roll design forward, back and forward again on cream cardstock, using Stamping Guide to keep images straight.

 

3) Cut squares of rolled design apart.

 

4) Tint with ColorBox Archival Dye Inks as described above.

 

Color Guide:

Pink Flowers: use Pinkolicious for petals, mix in a little Seattle Sky to shade edges of petals, use Pinkolicious with less water to add centers, use Golf Course and Tree Frog for leaves and stems.

 

Purple Flower: use Frosted Plum for petals, use Lemon Drop to add centers, use Tree Frog for leaves and stems.

 

Yellow Flower: use Lemon Drop for petals, use Pumpkin Pie for shading and mix Pumpkin Pie with a little Mudslide to add centers, use Grasshopper for stem.

 

Blue Flowers: use Mermaid for petals, use Pumpkin Pie to add centers, use Grasshopper mixed with Tree Frog for leaves and stems.

 

6) Stamp sentiment using Charcoal Chalk Ink on cream cardstock and cut out.

 

7) Cut a 2" X 7" piece of gray cardstock and adhere about 3/4" from top of card.

 

8) Arrange and adhere flower squares and sentiment, placing adhesive just at centers. When dry, bend up corners of pieces to add dimension.

 

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!)

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!

school days...

I have a few more vintage-inspired projects to share before we move onto another theme.

Today's project is a scrapbook page that features a "first day of school" photo...

 

Several vintage-style stamps were used to create this layout. First the mat for the photo was stamped using Atlantic Blue Archival Dye Ink on light blue cardstock. The edges were distressed with Mudslide Archival Dye Ink...

 

Then, an alphabet stamp and Mudslide Archival Ink was used to create a border...

 

The same alpha stamp was also used to stamp letters for the title; the letters were cut out from the stamped image...

 

And the rest of the title was stamped in Red Devil Archival Dye Ink on cream cardstock and put in a nameplate...

 

And for another vintage touch, a paperclip was used to adhere the photo to the mat...

 

If you'd like to make this layout to display your back to school photos, here's what you'll need to know...

“first day of school” mini scrapbook layout

Skill Level: moderate

SUPPLIES:

Clearsnap:  Archival Dye Ink: Mudslide, Cookie Dough, Atlantic Blue and Red Devil

Hero Arts: Simple and Basic ClearDesign stamps and Aged Print Frame Clings stamp

Memory Box: Alpha Background wood mount stamp

Bazzill: Kraft, Nautical Blue Light and Butter Cream cardstocks

Tools: paper trimmer, scissors, adhesive, file, bookplate, 2 antique gold mini brads and paper clip 

DIRECTIONS:

1) Cut a 6 X 6 piece of kraft cardstock, ink edges using Mudslide Archival Dye Ink.

2) Ink frame stamp with Atlantic Blue Archival Dye Ink and stamp onto a piece of light blue cardstock. Cut out around design.

3) Ink alpha stamp with Mudslide Archival Dye Ink and stamp onto a piece of kraft cardstock until image reaches at least 6" long. Trim around design at edges, and trim piece to 6" in length.

4) Ink alpha stamp with Mudslide Archival Dye Ink and stamp onto a piece of light blue cardstock. Cut out individual letters to spell "first day of".

5) Stamp "school" with Simple and Basic alpha set onto a piece of cream cardstock using Red Devil Archival Dye Ink.

6) Crop photo, tearing along right edge. Use file to distress photo around all edges. Then ink edges with Cookie Dough and Mudslide Archival Dye Inks.

7) To assemble, adhere frame to background, then paperclip photo to alpha strip and adhere to background.

8) Slip "first day of" cut out letters under left edge of alpha border as shown and adhere.

9) Trim "school" piece to fit nameplate. Check placement of nameplate and mark holes. Then adhere "school" piece and attach nameplate with mini brads.

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

"sew" friendly...

The vintage style doesn't always have to mean limiting your color choices to browns, creams and black, sometimes you can infuse bursts of colors in your vintage designs. The contrast between old and new, subdued and bright can add a playful element too.

This friendship card is a good example of that...

Some colors you might usually associate with "vintage" were used for the stamped elements: browns, oranges and off white, but some bright colors have been introduced. The card itself is a vivid aqua, the stamped "friends" have had their dresses "smooched" using Pool and Kiwi,  and a few colorful flowers along with a bright ribbon and button have been added as well.

Today, the instructions for this card will be step-by-step, so you can easily create this card yourself!

First, a 4 1/2 X 5 1/2 piece of cream cardstock was placed in the COLOR CATCHER and spritzed lightly using SPUN SUGAR SMOOCH SPRITZ...

Then, GINGERSNAP SMOOCH SPRITZ was sprayed around the edges...

The Smooch Spritz will dry fairly quickly, so set this piece aside to dry while you work on some of the other elements. Ink the MAKE YOUR OWN Cling Stamp by HERO ARTS using WATERMARK INK. Then stamp image on a 4 X 5 piece of cream cardstock. Emboss using TOP BOSS COCOA BEAN EMBOSSING POWDER...

Next, cut out the lovely ladies...

 

Use a craft knife to remove the little pieces...

Ink MAKE YOUR OWN stamp again, this time using ARCHIVAL DAY INK in PUMPKIN PIE and stamp on a 4 X 5 piece of cream cardstock...

Then tear around the design and ink the edges using ARCHIVAL DYE INK in MUDSLIDE and FLUID CHALK INK in CHESTNUT ROAN...

Adhere the cut out and embossed ladies slightly down and to the right of the stamped ladies using dimensional foam dots. Then fill in the dresses using SMOOCH ACCENT INKS in KIWI, PUMPKIN and POOL {hint: blot the piece gently with a white paper towel after applying inks to prevent smearing, since the inks dry SLOWLY on NON-pourous items, you may accidentally smear them if you get any ink on the embossed portions}...

Smooched cardstock should be dry by now, so ink FRIEND DEFINITIONS Cling Stamp by Hero Arts using MUDSLIDE ARCHIVAL DYE INK and stamp image on cardstock; trim around edges.

Also ink "friends always" stamp from HEARTFELT MESSAGES ClearDesign set - also by Hero Arts, with PUMPKIN PIE ARCHIVAL DYE INK and stamp on a scrap of cream cardtock and cut out...

Cut a 10 X 7 piece of aqua cardstock and fold in half to make card. Add ribbon at bottom of card and then adhere all stamped paper elements as shown in sample card {"friends always" sentiment was adhered using dimensional foam dots}.

Next add button, flowers and jewels...

Button and Flowers are from Hero Arts: ART FLOWERS - Summer and ART BUTTONS: Summer and Jewels are from Hero Arts: HERO HUES GEMS: Brown Gemstones and HERO HUES PEARLS: Light Yellow Pearls and MEMORY BOX: PEARL STICKERS - Frost Blue 

I hope you enjoyed the step-by step photo directions for this project! Thanks for stopping by, come back soon for more vintage inspired projects.
 

simple thank you...

Two of the brand new Design Adhesives combine to create this simple thank you card that has a vintage-modern style…

 

The scroll design gets “blinged” with one of the new foils to create an accent for the card, while the “thank you” sentiment is embossed…

 

The foiled design may look complicated, but it is SO easy to do. You just rub on the Design Adhesive, your finger is the best tool to use, then lift off the protective backing to reveal the design. The design is sticky so you just lay the foil over the design, rub the foil lightly with your finger to get it to stick to the design, then pull back the foil sheet. The foil only sticks to the Design Adhesive, so there is no messy excess to have to remove. And don’t worry if you don’t get the entire design with one pass of the foil. You can just place the foil sheet back on any portions that didn’t get foiled the first time. Just keep moving the sheet around to unused parts. You won’t be able to see any lines or seams in the design either.

One of the new ColorBox Archival Dye Inks was used to edge the cardstock to create some definition between the pieces.

This card can be made in just minutes. So make yourself a set of them to have on hand and you’ll be ready to express your thanks elegantly!

“simple thanks” card

Skill Level: easy

SUPPLIES:

Clearsnap: Design Adhesives: Brocade and Many Thanks and Foil: Silver Fog, Top Boss Embossing Powder: Cocoa Bean and ColorBox Cat’s Eye Archival Dye Ink: Mudslide

Bazzill: kraft cardstock

Tools: paper trimmer, dimensional foam dots and adhesive

DIRECTIONS:

1) Cut a 5 ½ X 8 ½ piece of kraft cardstock and fold in half to make card.

2) Cut a 4 X 3 ¼ piece of kraft cardstock. Apply large scroll Design Adhesive to left hand side, and a small scroll along the bottom at the right corner. Use silver foil to cover scroll designs.

3) Ink edges of cardstock piece using Mudslide ink. Adhere piece to center front of card.

4) Adhere “thanks so much” Design Adhesive to a 2 ½ X 1 3/8 piece of kraft cardstock. Emboss design using Cocoa Bean embossing powder.

5) Adhere sentiment to card at center right of card using dimensional foam dots.

If you haven’t already tried Design Adhesives, I hope this project will encourage you to try them out. They are quick and easy to use and the results look fantastic!

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

new products from CLEARSNAP!

Clearsnap released some new prodcuts at CHA and today's post will introduce them to you.

Among the new products are EIGHT brand new Smooch Spritz colors! The colors are GORGEOUS!

 

The new colors are - from left to right - Cosmic Pink, Tea Party, Carrot Cake, Citrus Tickle, Splash, Sea Breeze, River Mossy and Black Velvet.

Also brand new are these wonderful new ColorBoxCat's Eye Archival Dye Ink Queues...

 

Each of the Queue's consists of a stack of 6 different ink colors, there are 4 new Queue's, so 24 BEAUTIFUL, vibrant inks in all. And since the inks are Archival, they are permanent and safe to use on any scrapbook or papercraft project, and they are fast drying too.

The colors in the Queues are:

COFFEEHOUSE: Cookie Dough, Dark Cherry, Atlantic Blue, Khaki Green, Putty and Mudslide

BEACH TOWELS: Red Devil, Lemon Drop, Deep Grape, Glacier Lake, Golf Course and Moody Blue

TUTTI FRUITTI: Key Lime, Pinkolicious, Tree Frog, Mermaid, Grape Slushy and Wicked Black

POOL PARTY: Pumpkin Pie, Fireberry, Frosted Plum, Grasshopper, Poolside and Seattle Sky

And finally, a BUNCH of brand new Design Adhesives were released! 

Here are some Christmas and Holiday themed designs...

 

and some Spooky Halloween designs...

 

and some "everyday" designs...

 

AND --- also new for Design Adhesives are FOILS!

 

These foils are FANTASTIC! And they come in SIX great colors! Colors are {from left to right} Cherry Pie, Goldmine, Irish Eyes, Seaport, Plum Crazy and Silver Fog.

To use the foils, just rub on your choice of Design Adhesive, then place a foil sheet over the design, rub gently with your finger and VIOLA! Once you remove the foil sheet you are left with a SUPER SHINY design. And the foils work like a charm! No hard rubbing required, no excess foil left, just a super crisp "foiled" design.

Keep watching the blog for projects using these wonderful NEW products, and be on the lookout for these FABULOUS new products at your local stamp or scrapbook store soon!