stamp out loud by tami sanders

a spell-cial halloween card...

What colors come to mind when I say "Halloween"?

Orange, Black, possibly Yellow? Maybe Lime Green or Purple?

How about Pink?

No, pink isn't a color I usually associate with Halloween either, that's why I thought it might be a fun color to try incorporating in a Halloween card.

I started with a pink card as the base, then added some touches of more "traditional" Halloween colors...

 

I stamped and embossed the cute little witch and her magical "wake" using Top Boss Tinted Embossing Pad and Black Embossing Powder. The images are nice and crisp so the designs are easy to fill in with Smooch Accent Inks. Top Boss Embossing Powders are very fine, so when you heat set them, even the tiniest details remain SHARP!

And thanks to the fabulous built in precision tip that Smooch Accent Inks have, you can "smooch" even the itsy-bitsy-est portions of your stamped and embossed designs...

  

The background paper for the "wake" is white cardstock that has been sprayed with Silver Foil Smooch Spritz, to add some shimmer...

 

The "moon" background that the witch is stamped on is just a circle that was punched from plain, white cardstock. Then ColorBox Pigment Ink in Canary was used to color it in. ColorBox Pigment Inks blend beautifully, even on plain cardstock, so by blending the color from the outside in, the outer edge stayed darker, easily creating a shaded affect.

The same technique was used to create the background for the sentiment, which was stamped and embossed...

 
 

If you'd like to make this card for a spell-cial friend or maybe a daughter, granddaughter or neice, here's what you need to know...

“witchie-poo” card

Skill Level: moderate

SUPPLIES:

Clearsnap: Top Boss: Tinted Embossing Pad and Embossing Powder: Black, Smooch Accent Ink: Carrot, Sundance, Kiwi, Molasses, Grape Soda and Sassy Pink, Smooch Spritz: Silver Foil, ColorBox Pigment Ink: Canary, Stylus Handle and White Foam Blender Tip and Color Catcher

Hero Arts: Month - October ClearDesign stamp

Hampton Art: Mini Flip Flops: Witches Brew

Memory Box: Jewel Spiders

Bazzill: Card: Fussy from Cards & Envelope Set, Black Dashed Ribbon and Blackberry Swirl, Coconut Swirl and Intense Orange cardstocks

Tools: paper trimmer, scissors, adhesive, fine black pen, foam dimensional dots, 1 3/4 scalloped square punch, 2 1/2 circle punch and a heat gun

DIRECTIONS:

1) Trim 5 X 7 pink card to 4 X 6.

2) Cut a 3 1/2 X 4 piece of black cardstock and adhere to upper portion of card front.

3) Punch 2 scalloped squares from orange cardstock, add stitching lines with black pen and adhere to upper left and lower right corners of black cardstock.

4) Punch a circle from white cardstock and use ColorBox Pigment Ink in Canary, blended with the Stylus and White Foam Blender Tip, to apply ink from outside edge of circle in towards the center. Set aside to dry.

5) Cut a 2 1/4 X 1 1/8 piece of white cardstock and use same technique as in step {4} to color in cardstock. Set aside to dry.

6) Stamp witch in center of circle using Top Boss Tinted Embossing Pad and then emboss with Black Embossing Powder. Stamp sentiment in center of rectangle using same technique.

7) Place a 1 X 5 piece of white cardstock in the Color Catcher and spray with Silver Foil Smooch Spritz; set aside to dry.

8) Fill in witch design using Smooch Accent Inks.

9) Stamp and emboss border design on "smooched" cardstock. Cut out "wake" and fill in "bubbles" using Smooch Accent Inks.

10) To assemble, adhere ribbon about 3/4 from bottom of card, then adhere sentiment about 1/2 from right side of card; adding spider stickers. Adhere moon to center of black background, then use dimensional foam dots to adhere "wake" at bottom of moon.

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

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

world cardmaking day - SPOOKY STYLE!

Today is World Cardmaking Day, so in honor of that, I have not one card but TWO to share!

And since the current theme for the blog is "Halloween", both cards are "hauntingly" fun; but they differ in style.

First up is a fun and simple Halloween card playing on traditional colors of orange and black...

 

The row of pumpkins is made up of single pumpkins that have been stamped using Watermark Ink on orange cardstock and then embossed with Top Boss Black Embossing Powder...

 

Then, to add a little shimmer to the pumpkins, I used Smooch Illuminate to fill in the pumpkin designs...

 
 

Here's a closeup of the pumpkins with a little sunlight on them, you can see the shimmer better...

 

The stems of the pumpkins were filled in with Lucious Lime Smooch Accent Ink...

 

Next up is a Halloween card that is a little more on the "dark side"...

 

The background paper was made by spraying several colors of Smooch Spritzes on kraft cardstock, then, while the colors were still wet, the cardstock was shaken to create runs and drips...

 

The designs and sentiment were stamped with ColorBox Pigment Ink in Black and then embossed using Top Boss Clear Embossing Powder, Smooch Accent Ink in Moonlight was used to fill in the wording...

 

A different set of Smooch Spritz colors was used to create the background for the clock piece...

 

Then, a simple, black ribbon was pinned to the bottom of the card using a small, black safety pin...

 

So whether your Halloween-style leans toward fun and funky or distressed and spooky, you'll be able to send a card that reflects YOUR style!

Here are the directions for both cards...

 “happy haunting” halloween card

Skill Level: easy

SUPPLIES:

Clearsnap: Smooch: Illuminate and Lucious Lime, Top Boss: Embossing Powder: Black, White and Orange Zest and Watermark Ink

Hero Arts: friendly pumpkin wood mounted stamp

My Sentiments Exactly: Retro Lower/Numbers and Perky Lower/Number clear stamp sets

Bazzill: Parakeet card from Card & Envelope Set and Blackberry Swirl and Intense Orange cardstocks

 Other: white brads and dimensional foam dots

Tools: paper trimmer, adhesive, scissors, paper piercer and heat gun

DIRECTIONS:

1) Stamp 5 pumpkins on orange cardstock using Watermark Ink, and emboss using Top Boss Black Embossing Powder.

2) Fill in pumpkins with Illuminate Smooch and stems using Lucious Lime Smooch, then cut put pumpkins.

3) Cut a 5 X 2 1/4 piece of black cardstock. Stamp "haunting" along bottom of piece using Watermark Ink and Retro alpha stamps, emboss with Top Boss White Embossing Powder.

4) Stamp "happy" above "aun" of "haunting" using Watermark Ink and Perky alpha stamps, emboss with Top Boss Orange Zest Embossing Powder.

5) Adhere sentiment at an angle at top left of card front.

6) Cut a 3/4 X 7 piece of black cardstock. Adhere about 1/2 up from bottom of card. Pierce holes at sides and insert white brads.

7) Adhere pumpkins along strip, using dimensional foam dots to adhere a few of them.

 

“spooky” Halloween card

Skill Level: moderate

SUPPLIES:

Clearsnap: Smooch Spritz: Gingersnap, Cherry Ice, Silver Foil, Limolicious and Citrus Tickle, Smooch Accent Ink: Moonlight, Top Boss Embossing Powder: Clear, ColorBox Pigment Ink: Black and Fluid Chalk Ink: Blackbird and Color Catcher

Hampton Art: Flip Flop: Spooky and Clock clear stamps

Memory Box: Spooky Collage

Bazzill: kraft cardstock

Other: black ribbon, small black safety pin and small antique silver brad

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

DIRECTIONS:

1) Cut an 8 X 8 1/2 piece of kraft cardstock and fold in half to make card.

2) Cut a 5 X 8 piece of kraft cardstock and place in Color Catcher. Spray different areas of paper, letting colors overlap a bit with Gingersnap, Silver Foil and Cherry Ice Smooch Spritzes. While paper is still wet, shake in a downwards direction to help ink run and drip. Set aside to dry.

3) Cut a 4 X 4 piece of kraft cardstock and place in Color Catcher. Spray with Limolicious and Citrus Tickle Smooch Spritzes and set aside to dry.

4) Ink Spooky Collage stamp with ColorBox Black Pigment Ink and stamp towards top of 5 X 7 piece of "smooched" cardstock. Emboss using Top Boss Clear Embossing Powder.

5) Tear around edges of stamped design, reserving excess paper for sentiment. Ink edges using Blackbird Chalk Ink.

6) Fold a 4" piece of black ribbon in half and dovetail ends. Safety pin to lower left of stamped piece and then adhere to front of card about 3/4 from top.

7) Stamp sentiment "haunted", "halloween" using stamps from Spooky set using ColorBox Black Pigment Ink and then embossing with Top Boss Clear Embossing Powder. Use Smooch Accent ink in Moonlight to fill in "haunted". Trim piece to measure 4 1/4 wide, then tear along top and bottom edges. Ink edges using Black bird Chalk Ink and adhere under background image.

8) Stamp "Clock Face" from clock set onto 4 X 4 "smooched" cardstock using ColorBox Black Pigment Ink and emboss with Top Boss Clear Embossing Powder. Stamp hands using black ink and emboss them as well. Fill in hour hand using Moonlight Smooch Accent Ink.

9) Use a paper piercer to place a hole at center of clock and insert brad. Adhere clock to upper right hand corner of card using foam dimensional dots.

I hope you are finding LOTS of inspiration for cards today, and that you enjoyed these two! Please stop back by for more Halloween themed projects. 

And if you'd like to see 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!

vintage garden gate...

Inspiration can come in many forms; the idea for today's project was sparked by a stamp - Flourish Grids by Hero Arts...

 

The stamp set reminded me of a vintage garden gate, and gates should open, so that was the basic idea for the card. 

The first step was to make the stamped image look like the wrought iron - Top Boss Embossing Powder was the perfect choice for that. The powder is super fine so all the intricate details would emboss nice and clear. And once embossed, the finished design is a glossy black - just like wrought iron.

 
  
Next, an element was needed to bring in a garden feel; but I didn't want to use flowers. The image also needed to blend well with the vintage style of the card. A butterfly from the Watercolor Petals set, also by Hero Arts, was a perfect fit.  The "watercolor" description from the stamp set made me think how pretty and shimmery the butterfly would be if it was stamped using Smooch Accent Inks. This technique has been used before on several blog projects, and you can review the step by step process by reading through this post: "smooched" butterfly atc. {note: Top Boss Tinted Embossing Ink was used in the sample project and Watermark Ink was used in today's project - either can be used to achieve the "watercolor" technique with Smooch Accent Inks.}

 

 Now, all that was needed was a background and sentiment - both that would work with the style of the card. And it was Hero Arts to the rescue again - their Friends Definition stamp  worked great for the background, and the Heartfelt Messages set is done in a vintage style script.

The Friends Definition stamp was inked with Smooch Accent Inks, using the same technique as was used to stamp the butterfly... 

 

And the sentiment was stamped and embossed using Top Boss Embossing Powder in Black so it would stand out against the background...

 

Once all the elements had been stamped, the card was ready to be put together. An extra gate piece was stamped and embossed to be cut apart and used so make the side pieces...

 

and the bottom embellishment on the inside of the card...

 

There are several different steps and techniques involved in creating this card, but none of them are complicated. And when you are done, you'll have a beautiful card to express your thanks to that thoughtful someone.

“vintage garden gate” card

Skill Level: moderate

SUPPLIES:

Clearsnap: Watermark Ink, Top Boss Embossing Powder : Black, Smooch Accent Ink: Carrot, Ocean Soul, Pool, Grape Soda, Tuxedo, Cherry Chocolate and Olive Twist

Hero Arts: Flourish Grids and Watercolor Petals PolyClear stamps, Heartfelt Messages ClearDesign stamps and Friend Definition Cling stamp

Bazzill: kraft cardstock

Tools: paper trimmer, scissors, black permanent pen, adhesive and a heat gun

DIRECTIONS:

1) Stamp and emboss 2 gate designs and 1 transom design on kraft cardstock using Watermark ink and Top Boss Embossing Powder in Black.

2) Cut out one of the gate designs leaving 1/2" on either side of the gate. Cut out the other gate and transom just outside embossed design.

3) Cut a 10 1/2 X 6 piece of kraft cardstock and fold in half to make card.

4) Cut gate piece with 1/2" extra at each side, in half down center of gate post. Then score each piece vertically just past outside edge of embossed design on each piece to create tabs from the 1/2" extra cardstock. Fold tabs in towards gate. {gate pieces}

5) Cut 1 - 1 1/2" piece from other gate section, then cut that piece in half to get 2 - 3/4" pieces. {side pieces}

6) To assemble gate, adhere 3/4" side pieces on top of 1/2" tabs on gate pieces, making sure that you adhere just past the fold. Use black permanent pen to ink folds so that it blends in with the gate posts.7

7) Cut out 1 post section from remaining portion of gate piece and trim to 3 3/4" length. Then trim along design. {bottom trim}

8) Ink Friends Definition stamp using Tuxedo, Pool, Ocean Soul and Olive Twist Smooch inks using watercolor technique described in "smooched" butterfly atc, substituting Watermark Ink for Tinted Embossing Ink. Stamp on a piece of kraft cardstock and set aside to dry. When dry, cut out a 3 3/4" {width} X 3 1/2" piece.

9) Stamp and emboss "so thoughtful" sentiment in upper left corner of Friends Definition piece using Watermark Ink and Top Boss Black Embossing Powder.

10)  Ink butterfly stamp using Tuxedo, Pool, Ocean Soul, Cherry Chocolate, Grape Soda and Carrot Smooch inks using watercolor technique described in "smooched" butterfly atc, substituting Watermark Ink for Tinted Embossing Ink. Stamp on a piece of kraft cardstock and set aside to dry. When dry, cut out leaving a 1/16" border around butterfly. Use edge of scissors to distress edge of butterfly design.

11) To assemble card, adhere left gate piece by TAB only making sure that the left side is even with the fold of the card and the bottom edge is even with the bottom edge of the card.

12) Adhere friends definition piece under gate having left side right up against gate fold and bottom edge even with bottom of card.

13) Adhere right gate piece by TAB only making sure that the gate meets at the center with the left gate piece. The tab may overlap the right edge of the friends definition piece slightly.

14) Adhere transom piece at center top of gate.

15) Trim away excess card from around right side and top; card will be cut around the gate design to take on the "gate" shape.

16) To finish, adhere the butterfly at the lower right and bottom trim along bottom of the friends definition piece. 

I hope this post will get you looking at your stamps and supplies in new ways. Think about how you can alter your stamps by cutting apart or combining designs and take a fresh look at your inks and embossing supplies to see how you can mix and match them to create a mood, style or look.

  Also please 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!)

vintage botanicals...

Today's blog post will introduce a new theme --- Vintage. For the next few weeks, the projects will all focus on vintage elements or a vintage look; distressed, shabby, tattered, torn and aged.

First up is a pair of ATC cards. ATC stands for Artist Trading Card; a small card - a mini work of art - meant to be traded and collected. ATC's can be simple or elaborate. The art form can be a little intimidating as some ATC's are VERY artisitic. But, you don't have to be an artist to participate in the wonderful world of ATC's.

These two ATC's, inspired by pictures of botanicals found in a vintage book, are easy to make...

 
The cards were first stamped with a background stamp using Ancient Page Ink - which is a light, sheer ink that works beautifully for that purpose.

Next, the designs were stamped one at a time so that they could be embossed using different colors of embossing powders...

 
 

Then, the embossed designs were "labeled" much in the same way as they are in reference books with "fig. {#}" using a fine tip black pen.

 

You can find friends and "artists" to swap cards with by checking with your local stamp stores or searching online forums. ATC cards are a great way to experiment with new techniques and because of their small size, they can be completed quickly too. So give them a try, and begin acquiring your own collection of miniature works of art! Or if you are already a veteran ATC'r, then try making these cards for your next swap.

Here are the directions and supplies you'll need to make them...

“botanicals” ATC cards

Skill Level: easy

SUPPLIES:

Clearsnap:  Watermark Ink, Top Boss Embossing Powder: Verdigris, Deep Green, Asparagus, Ballet Pink, Red, Lullabye Blue and Mac n' Cheese, Ancient Page Ink: Sandalwood and Sunburst {full or mini size}, ColorBox Fluid Chalk Ink: Chestnut Roan {full or mini size} and Stylus and White Foam Blender Tips

Hero Arts: Old Letter Clings Stamp, Real Flowers and Watercolor Petals PolyClear Stamps

Bazzill: Kraft cardstock

Tools: Paper trimmer, fine tipped black pen and heat gun.

DIRECTIONS:

1) Cut 2 - 2 1/2 X 3 1/2 pieces of kraft cardstock to make ATC card.

2) Ink Old Letter stamp using Sandalwood ink, use a foam tip dipped into Sunburst ink to apply ink to the postmarks on the stamp, then stamp ATC card. Repeat with other card.

Leaves Botanical ATC:

1) Ink fern stamp with Watermark Ink and stamp diagonally on one of the stamped ATC card. Sprinkle and emboss with Verdigris Embossing Powder.

2) Stamp the "roundish" leaf in the upper right corner and emboss with Deep Green.

3) Stamp the small leaf in the lower left corner and emboss with Asparagus

Floral Botanical ATC:

1) Ink large flower stamp with Watermark Ink and stamp diagonally on the other stamped ATC card. Sprinkle and emboss with stem ONLY with Verdigris Embossing Powder.

2) Sprinkle and emboss the flower portion with Mac n' Cheese Embossing Powder.

3) Stamp the small 5 petal flower in the upper right corner, sprinkle Ballet Pink Embossing Powder at the center of the flower ONLY and and emboss.

4) Sprinkle remaining portion of flower with Red Embossing Powder and emboss.

5) Stamp the small profile flower in the lower left corner, sprinkle Deep Green Embossing Powder on stem ONLY and emboss.

6) Sprinkle flower with Lullabye Blue Embossing Powder and emboss.

Finishing:

1) Use ink applied using foam blender tip to distress edges of card, use touches of Sunburst Ancient Page Ink first, then go over entire edge using Sandalwood. Finally, go over card again just at the edges using Chestnut Roan Chalk Ink. Repeat with other card.

2) Use black pen to add "fig.{#}" to each stamped and embossed image.

I hope you'll try making this pair of ATC cards, or experimenting with these techniques on ATC cards of your own.

Please check out Jean’s ColorSyle blog for more great projects featuring Clearsnap products.

end of summer...

School is starting soon and summer is fading fast, so here's the last project in the "Summer Series", a card with a simple sentiment that would work for a variety of occasions...

The colors came from one of the spectacular summer sunsets we are treated to here in Texas, this one in particular was a mix of golden yellow with touches of lavender. I thought the colors would be perfect for this summer project.

To create both the sentiment and the flowers, a resist method was used by embossing the images and then applying the inks over the them.

First, the flowers were stamped on white cardstock using Watermark Ink and embossed using Top Boss Embossing Powder in Pearl. Then, the Plum Berry Pigment Ink was applied in and around the outer petals using a Stylus and White Foam Tip...

The pigment ink is smooth and fluid and takes a little while to dry, so it is very easy to apply and blend. Once applied, the excess ink was removed using a clean white paper towel...

Next, the Sunflower Pigment Ink was applied in the same way to the center of the flower...

The same process was repeated to create the sentiment. The stamp set does come with an exclamation point, but I liked the small starburst that also comes with the set, so I paired it with the "l" to create my own exclamation mark...

You can use this resist technique with any of your stamps, and with any combination of embossing powders and inks you choose. For more contrast and a VIVID design, try it using black embossing powder and bright ink colors. If you'd like to try the technique out by making this card, here's what you need to know...

“enjoy!” card

Skill Level: easy

SUPPLIES:

Clearsnap:  Watermark Ink, ColorBox Pigment Ink: Plum Berry and Sunflower {full or mini size}, Top Boss Embossing Powder: Pearl and Stylus and White Foam Blender Tips

Hero Arts: Real Flowers 4 X 6 PolyClear Stampsand Curly Alphabet ClearDesign Stamps

Bazzill: Coconut Swirl cardstock

Petersen Arne: Paper Accents: mustard cardstock

Tools: paper trimmer, scissors, adhesive, pinking scissors, dimensional foam dots, heat gun and white paper towels.

DIRECTIONS:

1) Cut a 6 X 12 piece of white cardstock and fold in half to make card.

2) Cut a 5 1/4 X 5 1/4 piece of mustard cardstock and trim edges using pinking scissors. Adhere to center front of card.

3) Stamp 3 flowers on white cardstock using Watermark Ink, then emboss using Top Boss Pearl Embossing Powder.

4) Using Stylus and White Foam Blender Tip, dip tip into Plum Berry Pigment Ink and apply ink to and around outer petal of flowers using a circular motion. When done, wipe gently in a circular motion to remove excess ink. Set aside to dry.

5) Stamp "enjoy!" on a piece of white cardstock using Watermark Ink. Then emboss using Top Boss Embossing Powder in Pearl. Using Stylus and White Foam Blender Tip, dip tip into Plum Berry Pigment Ink and apply ink to and around the sentiment in a rough rectangle {about 3 1/2 X 1 3/4} Use a paper towel to remove excess ink as before, and set aside to dry.

6) Change or clean White Foam Blender tip on Stylus.Then use it to apply Sunflower Pigment ink to center of flowers. Use paper towel to remove excess ink and set aside to dry.

7) When inks have set, cut out flowers about 1/8 outside of design, and tear around edges of sentiment.

8) Adhere pieces as shown, using dimensional foam dots to adhere the flower at the center.

I hope you enjoyed this project and will give this technique a try. Also please 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

 

chocolate or vanilla...

This project will be the last for the "masculine" theme I've had going on the blog for the last few weeks. So i thought I'd make it DOUBLE-ly delightful! You get TWO cards, well to be fair it's the same card, you just get a FLAVOR choice. So would you like CHOCOLATE or VANILLA? Which does your guy prefer?

I thought it would be fun to create two yummy versions of this card and both use pretty much the exact same supplies. The main difference is that the CHOCOLATE cakes and sentiment were stamped on white cardstock while the VANILLA cakes and sentiment were stamped on kraft cardstock.

Here are some closeups of the details...

first the CHOCOLATE card...

 

 

 

and now, for VANILLA...

 

 

 

If you'd like to "whip up" one or both of these card confections, here's what you'll need to know...

"flavor"-ite cake card

Skill Level: easy

 

SUPPLIES: 

Clearsnap:  ColorBox Pigment Ink: Cape Cod, Lettuce, Plumberry, Robin's Egg and Canary {full or mini size}, Top Boss: Clear, White and Cocoa Bean Embossing Powders and Tinted Embossing Pad, Smooch Accent Ink: Sundance, Moonlight and Molasses 

Hero Arts: Hero Hues: Daffodil folded note card

 

Hampton Art: Happy Birthday clear stamps

Bazzill: Kraft, Coconut Swirl, Pear Crush, Wildberry Pie, Sparkleberry Delight , Chocolate Cream and Lemon Bliss cardstocks

 

Tools: adhesive, scissors, paper trimmer and heat gun

DIRECTIONS:

1) Cut a 5 X 3 1/4 piece of yellow cardstock and tear about 1/4 off along one long side. Ink edges of cardstock using Canary Pigment Ink and set aside to dry.

2) Cut 1 - 1 X 2 piece of blue, lavendar and green cardstocks. Ink edges of blue using Robin's Egg Pigment Ink, the lavendar with Plumberry and the green with Lettuce and set aside to dry.

for Chocolate Card: 

1) stamp cake image on white cardstock using Cape Cod Pigment Ink and emboss with Clear Embossing Powder. Repeat using Plumberry Ink and once more using Lettuce. Cut out cakes, leaving a scant border around the design.

2) Fill in the candle flames using Sundance Smooch Accent Ink. Then fill in the icing on the cake using Molasses Smooch.

3) Adhere each cake to it's matching cardstock piece.

4) Stamp "make a wish" on white cardstock using Tinted Embossing Pad and emboss using Cocoa Bean Embossing Powder then cut out.

5) Cut a 5 1/2 X 1/4 strip of brown cardstock.

for Vanilla Card: 

1) stamp cake image on kraft cardstock using Cape Cod Pigment Ink and emboss with Clear Embossing Powder. Repeat using Plumberry Ink and once more using Lettuce. Cut out cakes, leaving a scant border around the design.

2) Fill in the candle flames using Sundance Smooch Accent Ink. Then fill in the icing on the cake using Moonlight Smooch.

3) Adhere each cake to it's matching cardstock piece.

4) Stamp "make a wish" on kraft cardstock using Tinted Embossing Pad and emboss using White Embossing Powder then cut out.

5) Cut a 5 1/2 X 1/4 strip of white cardstock.

to assemble either card:

1) Adhere yellow cardstock piece towards top of front of card.

2) Adhere cakes to front of card, staggering heights as shown.

3) Adhere 1/4 strip under yellow mat, then center and adhere "make a wish" on the strip.

the next theme coming up will be wedding, so please stay tuned if there are wedding bells {yours or someone else's} in your future!

---tami 
 
 
 
 
 

a little inspiration...

You just never know when and where inspiration is going to strike. I was looking around for a color scheme for another “manly” card and spied some tile samples I had picked up – we are in the middle of some remodeling. I liked the tile, but the colors just weren’t right for my bath project, BUT – they looked perfect for my card project. Grey, charcoal, alabaster, malted brown, and blue-grey all combined to make an eye-pleasing composition. So I gathered up some papers and inks in those colors and got started.

 

I scanned the card using the tile for the background so you could see the color inspiration. Here’s the finished card…

 

 

and here's a closeup of the stamped and embossed background design...

 

The tile had lots of texture and depth as well, so I tried to achieve that through embossing and touches of metallic ink...

 

Here’s what you need to know if you’d like to make this card yourself…

“time flies” card

 

Skill Level: moderate

 

SUPPLIES: 

 

Clearsnap:  ColorBox: MetaleXtra Pigment Ink: Platinum, ColorBox Fluid Chalk Ink: Blackbird {full or mini size} and Chestnut Roan {cats eye}, ColorBox Catseye Queue: Luxe Metallics: Silk Green and Sapphire Silk, Top Boss: Clear Embossing Powder, Smooch Accent Ink: Silver Fox and Gold Lame and Stylus and Blender Tip

 

Hero Arts: Circle Pattern cling stamp

Hampton Art: Clock and Word Collage Borders clear stamps

My Sentiments Exactly: Parfait Multi clear stamps

Bazzill: Kraft, Blackberry Swirl, Oslo and Butter Cream cardstocks

Tools: adhesive, scissors, paper trimmer and heat gun

DIRECTIONS:

1) Cut a 11 X 4 ¼ piece of kraft cardstock and fold in half to make card.

 

2) Ink Circle Background stamp using Silk Green and Sapphire Silk inks applied using the Stylus and Blender Tip. Place the colors randomly on the stamp having them overlap and blend in places. Stamp front of card and emboss using clear embossing powder.

 

3) Ink “time flies” border with Platinum MetaleXtra Ink and stamp on dark blue cardstock. Emboss with clear embossing powder; trim to 5 ¾ X 1 ¼.

 

4) Stamp clock on cream cardstock using Blackbird Chalk Ink; adhere hands to block at approx 11:20, ink with Blackbird Chalk Ink and stamp at center of clock; cut out.

 

5) Ink wings with Platinum MetaleXtra Ink and stamp on cream cardstock, emboss with clear embossing powder and cut out when cooled.

 

6) Use Parfait Multi alpha letters to spell out “miss you”, ink using Blackbird Chalk Ink and stamp on cream cardstock. Handcut, leaving about a ¼ border; ink edges using Chestnut Roan Chalk Ink.

 

7) Fill in inner feathers on wings using Silver Fox Smooch and hands on clock using Gold Lame Smooch.

 

8) To assemble, adhere “time flies” border at a slant across lower part of card. Then adhere “miss you” sentiment at lower right corner; fit wings around clock and adhere at upper left of card.

 

Keep your eyes open for the “inspiration” for your next project, it may be something unexpected!

 

---tami

 

tool time!

Here’s a “tool”-riffic card for a dad who’s handy…

 

 

Smooch Accent Inks make it easy to transform a simple card into something special. All the stamped images were embossed in black, then Smooch Accent Inks were used to add borders to the sentiments and color in the tools. Each bottle has a precision tip built into the cap, so it’s easy to get the ink where you want it, even in TEENY-TINY spots.

 

Here’s a closer look at the tools…

 

I used a two colors on Smooch on the wrenches to add a little shading.

 

Here’s what you need to know to make this card for your “handy”-man…

 

“”tool-rific” card

 

Skill Level: easy

 

SUPPLIES: 

 

Clearsnap: Smooch Accent Ink: Pool, Siren, Sundance, Silver Fox and Olive Twist and Top Boss: Tinted Embossing Pad {full or mini size} and Black Embossing Powder

 

Hero Arts: Happy Dad’s Day PolyClear stamps and Hero Hues Folded Cards - snow

 

Bazzill: Blackberry Swirl, Coconut Swirl and Gray cardstocks

 

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

 

DIRECTIONS: 

 

1) Cut a 4 ¾ X 3 ½ piece of gray cardstock and adhere to center of card front.

 

2) Stamp sentiments on a piece of white cardstock using tinted embossing pad. Emboss with black embossing powder and let cool. Cut out sentiments and outline “Happy Father’s Day” using Siren Accent Ink and verse with Pool.

 

3) Stamp tool design twice on white cardstock using tinted embossing pad and emboss with black embossing powder; let cool.

 

4) Use Smooch Accent Inks to color in tools; then cut out and mat on a piece of black cardstock.

 

5) Adhere “Happy Father’s Day” towards top of gray mat, then adhere tool design using foam dimensional dots, then adhere verse below.

 

Please stop back by for more projects designed with guys in mind…

 

---tami

 

school's out!

SCHOOL’S OUT! {or will be soon!} and we are entering graduation season so my posts this week will both feature projects for the graduate.

 

First up is a card for that special student that has worked hard and finally reached the end of the road…

 

 

I used the “traditional” colors associated with graduation, black and white, but you could personalize this card by using the school colors of the graduate instead.

 

I inked a wood cut out graduation cap with Crafter’s Ink, then stamped and embossed “hat’s off to you” with Top Boss Embossing Powder in white. I used black and white embossing powders to do all the sentiments as well.

 

Here’s a close-up of some of the details…

 

 

A diecut strip and a bit of ribbon added a little pizzazz, and helped highlight the “Graduation Time” message.

 

Here are the supplies and directions you need to make this card for your scholar…

 

“Hat’s Off” card

 

Skill Level: easy to moderate

 

SUPPLIES: 

 

Clearsnap: Crafter’s Ink: High Top Pad - Black, Top Boss: Embossing Pad {tinted or regular}, Embossing Powder: White and Black and Stylus with Blender Tip

 

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

 

Hampton Art: Footlong Big & Little Apha’s clear stamps and Graduation Time clear value set

 

Bazzill: Coconut Swirl, Blackberry Swirl and Glass Slipper cardstocks, Half the Edge Cardstock Strips – black and Black and White Stripe ribbon

 

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

 

 

DIRECTIONS: 

 

1) Cut a 4 ¼” X 11” piece of white cardstock and fold in half to make card.

 

2) Use Stylus with Blender Tip to apply Crafter’s Ink to wood cap; set aside to dry.

 

3) Stamp “School’s … OVER!” on a piece of black cardstock using embossing pad, emboss with white embossing powder; cut out when cool.

 

4)  Stamp “Finally Done!” on a piece of black cardstock using embossing pad, emboss with white embossing powder; cut out when cool.

 

5) Stamp “Graduation Time” on a piece of white cardstock using embossing pad, emboss with black embossing powder; cut out when cool.

 

6) Stamp “congrats”, with letters from the Big and Little Alpha’s set, on a piece of white cardstock using embossing pad, emboss with black embossing powder; cut out when cool.

 

7) Stamp “hat’s off to you” on center of inked cap using embossing pad. Then emboss with white embossing powder.

 

8) Cut a 2 ½” X 4” piece of silver cardstock and mat on a 2 ¾” X 4 ¼” piece of black cardstock.

 

9) To assemble card:

• adhere black cardstock strip about ¼” from left side of card, trimming excess.
• adhere silver on black cardstock piece about ¼” from top of card and cardstock strip.
• adhere a piece of ribbon horizontally about 3 ½” from top of card.
• adhere hat at an angle at top of card.
• adhere sentiments, using foam dimensional dots to adhere “Graduation Time” on ribbon.   

---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

 

long and leggy...

Today’s project is a bright and cheerful card set that you can make for yourself or as a gift. Or better yet, make 2 sets, so you’ll have one to give and one to keep. {These would make a lovely gift for Mother’s Day too!}

 

 

I used 4 different stamps; all are STICK CHICKS by Karen Stopler, and are available from American Art Stamp. I just LOVE those skinny leg girls, the designs are all so cute. The stamps I used for the card set all feature flowers so they are perfect for spring.

 

Jean used some Stick Chick stamps in her posts for spring also, so if you like the designs, be sure you check out her posts too.

 

Even though portions of the images are VERY small and VERY narrow, the great applicator tip that comes with the Smooch Accent Ink, is able to get in there so you can “color inside the lines”. I like to emboss images that I plan to “Smooch” since it makes it easier to stay in those lines.

 

Here are some close-ups of the “Smooched” images…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can blend several colors of Smooch together to create shading – just use a clean beauty applicator and work quick as Smooch dries FAST! Or, you can add layers of color to create a new color. I shaded the flowers on the card with the pink background; I used Taffy on the petals, then added a touch of Sassy Pink near the center and blended the two where they met. For the pots, I used a base of Pumpkin, then layered Molasses over it to give the pots a more terra cotta look.

 

For the envelopes, I used some new ones from Hero Arts that have a fabulous shaped flap. AND – there is a liner template available too, which is what I used so that my cards and envelopes would coordinate.

 

 

 

Here’s what you need to make your own set…

 

“Long and Leggy Spring ” card set

 

Skill Level: easy to moderate

 

SUPPLIES: 

 

Clearsnap: Smooch Accent Ink: Taffy, Sassy Pink, Carrot, Pool, Grape Soda, Molasses, Kiwi, Sundance, Snickerdoodle, Silver Fox, Pumpkin and Tuxedo, Top Boss: Tinted Embossing Pad and Black Embossing Powder, ColorBox Fluid Chalk Ink: Rouge, Tangerine, Wisteria and Ocean {full or mini size}

 

American Art Stamp: Bouquet, Watering, Picking Daisies and Gardening Cling Mounted Stamps

 

Hero Arts: Hero Hues: Daffodil Folded Notes and Envelopes, Envelope Liner Template and Circle Pattern Cling Stamp

 

Bazzill: Coconut Swirl cardstock

 

Tools: paper trimmer, scissors, pencil, heat gun, bone folder, beauty swabs and adhesive

 

DIRECTIONS: 

 

1) Stamp each of the 4 images on a 2 ½” X 4” piece of Coconut Swirl cardstock using Tinted Embossing Pad, sprinkle with Black Embossing Powder and heat set.

 

2) Use Smooch Accent Inks to color in the designs, using layering or blending ideas as suggested above.

 

3) Cut 4 – 3” X 4 ½” pieces and 4 – 3 ½” X 5 ½” pieces of Coconut Swirl cardstock and stamp 1 large and 1 small piece with the Circle Pattern stamp, using a different color of Chalk Ink for each pair. This will make the backgrounds and liners.

 

4) Use the envelope liner template to trace and cut out the envelope liners from the larger – 3 ½” X 5 ½” stamped pieces of cardstock. {Be sure you score along line in template too}.

 

5) Assemble the cards using the background color of your choice mixed with the “Smooched” stamped image of your choice.

 

6) Fold liners along score line and crease well using bone folder. Add adhesive the the back of the liners, insert in envelopes and press well to adhere. {hint: I folded mine along the score line to be sure the envelope would close correctly before the adhesive set.}

 

Now you are ready to write someone a note they are SURE to appreciate, or wrap up a gift for someone special!

 

---tami

 

mother's day frame...

Mother’s Day is early this year… are you ready for it? 

 

If not, you may want to check out today's project and drop back by on Monday for a trio of quick and easy Mother's Day cards.

 

Today’s project is a frame all decked out in flowers, to hold a special poem or photo...

 

 

I used the four new ColorBox Fluid Chalk Inks on today’s project. They are bright, spring-y, happy colors that are just right for Mother’s Day.

 

I started with an unfinished wood frame and “stained” it using ColorBox Pigment Ink. Then I stamped a bunch of flowers...

 

 

 

And to add a touch of bling, I overstamped the flowers, slightly offset, using Watermark ink and then embossed them with a shimmery embossing powder. This technique adds a little dimension too...

 

 

Then, I just cut them out and adhered them to the frame. 

 

Here are the supplies you need to make this special gift for YOUR mom…

 

"Flower Bedecked" Frame

 

Skill Level: easy

 

SUPPLIES: 

 

Clearsnap: ColorBox Fluid Chalk Ink: new colors! Butterscotch, Berrylicious, Deep Lagoon and Blackberry (full or mini size), ColorBox Pigment Ink: Lime (full or mini size), Top Boss: Embossing Powder – Opalescent Clear and Watermark (full or mini size)

 

Memory Box: Large Vintage Flower, Big Sunshine Daisy, Foo Foo Daisy and Solid Marigold wood mount stamps

 

Bazzill: Coconut Swirl cardstock

 

Other: 4 X 6 unfinished wood frame

 

Tools: paper trimmer, scissors, heat gun, white paper towel and adhesive

 

DIRECTIONS: 

 

1) Lightly dab Lime ColorBox Pigment ink along one side of frame, then wipe with paper towel to spread ink and “stain” the wood. Continue working one side at a time until the entire frame – including inside and outside edges have been inked.

 

2) Stamp the following onto white cardstock:

 5   --- Big Sunshine Daisies with Butterscotch chalk ink

 6   --- Solid Marigold with Berrylicious chalk ink

 5   --- Large Vintage Flower with Deep Lagoon chalk ink

13  --- Foo Foo Flowers with Blackberry

3) Working  on 1 style of flower at a time, overstamp each, moving slightly down and to the right, with Watermark Ink. Sprinkle with Opalescent Clear embossing powder and heat set.

4) Cut out flowers, leaving a thin white border around each.

 

5) Arrange and adhere flowers around frame, making sure placement won’t interfere with how the frame stands.

 

6) Fill frame with a poem or photo.

 

Be sure to stop back by on Monday! The post will include 3 cards, one for mom, one for Grandma and one that's so easy – even a child can make it!

 

---tami

welcome...

Hello and welcome to Clearsnap's BRAND NEW BLOG!

I'm Tami Sanders and I'll be your hostess here.  I hope that you will find this blog to be a place full of the three I's: inspiration, information and ideas!

For the next few weeks, the theme for the blog will be SPRING! Spring is such a beautiful time of the year, the flowers are blooming, the birds are singing and the trees have a fresh set of shiny new leaves.

Here in Texas, the wildflowers are blooming. There are flowers everywhere, blanketing the roadsides and meadows like a colorful quilt, red, blue, purple, yellow, pink and white. The wildflowers haven't been this pretty in years! I've enjoyed the gorgeous Texas spring landscape so much this year that I decided to use it as inspiration for the very FIRST project for this blog.

I started by selecting the colors I wanted to use: blue for the bluebonnets, red for the indian paints, yellow for the bitterweed and purple for the wild verbena. Then, because the scattered patches of colors reminded me of a quilt, I decided my project should reflect that too. So I looked through my stamps and found one of a butterfly shaped in a rough square. I planned to stamp 4 squares, each in a different color and "piece" them together. After having decided on my direction, I started working on the elements.

Here's the finished card...

I started with white cardstock squares and spritzed each one with a different color of Smooch Spritz; which is a gorgeous shimmery ink that you can spray. It comes in 16 fabulous colors and is easy to use and covers very well. To use Smooch Spritz, just sweep your hand slightly while depressing the top. Use short quick spritzes for scattered dots of ink, or longer sweeping spritzes for full coverage. You can layer several coats to intensify the color, but I just used one coat in this project.

After the Smooch dried, I stamped and embossed the butterflies using Top Boss Tinted Embossing Pad and White Embossing Powder. I like using the tinted pad so I can see where I stamped! Top Boss Embossing Powder is nice and fine so you can really see the details in the stamp.

Here's a closeup of the stamped and embossed squares... 

Here is a list of the supplies you'll need as well as the directions to complete this project:

"Quilted" Butterfly Card

Skill Level: easy

SUPPLIES:

Clearsnap: Smooch Spritz: Pink Sprinkles, Sea Kiss, Gingersnap and Grape Burst, Top Boss: Tinted Embossing Padand Embossing Powder - White, ColorBox: Fluid Chalk Ink: Chestnut Roan (full size or mini) and Lime Pastel (cat's eye)

American Art Stamp: Butterfly Square 2 X 2- cling mounted and Spring Words Set #2 

Bazzill: Tanner and Coconut Swirl cardstocks

Tools: heat gun, acrylic block, scissors, paper trimmer, dimensional foam squares, adhesive and Clearsnap's Color Catcher,

 DIRECTIONS:

1) Cut a 5" X 10" piece of brown cardstock and fold in half to make card.

2) Cut 4 - 3" X 3" squares of white cardstock. Place one square at a time  in the Color Catcher and spray each of the 4 squares with a different color of Smooch Spritz. Let squares dry completely before proceeding to the next step (otherwise the embossing powder will stick to the "Smooched" areas).

3) Working on one square at a time; ink butterfly stamp with Top Boss Embossing Pad and stamp and emboss with White Embossing Powder in the center of each square.

4) Trim each of the squares; cutting just outside the border.

5) Stamp "Spring has Sprung" with Chestnut Roan Fluid Chalk Ink on a scrap of white cardstock. Trim close to sentiment in a rough square. Ink edges with Lime Pastel Fluid Chalk Ink.

6) To assemble, place the 4 stamped and embossed squares so that the butterflies are all "flying" outward from the center of the card. Make sure they are evenly spaced and then adhere.

7) Use a dimensional square to adhere the sentiment to the center of the card.

I hope that you enjoyed this FIRST project, and that you will come back often to see what new ideas we have for you!

---tami