stamp out loud by tami sanders

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.
 

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

 

just keep swimming...

Today's project is a little whimsical and hopefully might brighten the day of a friend who is in need a little encouragement...

The trio of little fishies have been stamped using Smooch Accent Ink. A past post: "Smooched Butterfly ATC" showed the step-by-step instructions for doing that. But basically, you first "prime" the stamp by inking it with Watermark Ink or Clear Embossing Ink, then dab on several colors of Smooch and blend by dabbing the colors lightly with your finger or a beauty swab {I prefer using my finger}. The resulting stamped image is almost like a shimmery watercolor; a mixture of the individual colors used as well as the blended colors created.

Some loose outlining was done using a black pen to add more definition...

To create the waves, pieces of white cardstock, with their top edges torn to resemble waves, were spritzed with Smooch Spritz. The darker blue wave received a heavy coat while the lighter one was just given a few spritzes. So although the same color was used on both, they look completely different due to the differing applications.

You can use either of either of these "Smooch" techniques to get more use from both the products and from your stamps. If you'd like to try your hand at making this card, here's all you need to know...

“happy little fishies” card

Skill Level: easy to moderate

SUPPLIES:

please refer to the "Smooched Butterfly ATC" post for step-by-step photos and directions for inking the stamps using Smooch...

Clearsnap: Smooch Accent Ink: Grape Soda, Kiwi, Pool, Tuxedo, Moonlight, Carrot, Sassy Pink, Ocean Soul, Smooch Spritz: Electric Blue and Watermark Ink {full or mini size}

Hero Arts: Sea Life PolyClear Stamps

Bazzill: Coconut Swirl cardstock and Blue Eyes Bling cardstock

Other: permanent fine tipped black pen

Tools: Color Catcher, paper trimmer, scissors and adhesive.

DIRECTIONS:

1) Cut a 7 X 7 piece of aqua bling cardstock and fold in half to make card.

2) Cut 2 - 6 X 2 pieces of white cardstock and tear along one long edge of each piece to create "waves".

3) Place one of the pieces of torn cardstock in the Color Catcher and spritz with an even coat of Electric Blue Smooch Spritz {darker wave}. Set aside to dry.

4) Place other piece of torn cardstock in the Color Catcher and spritz with short quick spritzes scattered across card. {lighter wave}. Set aside to dry.

5) Ink fish stamp using Watermark ink. Dab on dots of Kiwi and Pool over stamp, dab lightly with finger or beauty swab. Stamp on a piece of white cardstock and set aside to dry. Repeat using Sassy Pink with Carrot and once more using Grape Soda and Ocean Soul.

6) Cut out fish and add eye to each using Tuxedo Smooch Accent Ink, when dry, outline eye using  Moonlight Smooch Accent Ink. When eyes are dry, add details using black pen.

7) Cut a 3 3/4 X 1/4  piece of white cardstock and write "just keep swimming..." using black pen.

8) Adhere waves about 1/2 up from bottom of card. Then adhere fish and sentiment.

I hope you enjoyed this fun little card, check back later in the week for one last summer inspired project. Also please check out Jean’s ColorSyle blog for more great projects featuring Clearsnap products!

---tami

 

all in the family...

I am the lone gal in my family; I’m out numbered 3 to 1, so I am always on the lookout for projects or ideas for guys. But today, I have a few ideas to share with you.

 

Color plays a big part of creating a “masculine” look; I immediately think of blue, brown and black with maybe a touch of lime green thrown in for some punch. Texture is important too; layers of different patterns can work together to add interest to your project.

 

This layout has examples of both of these ideas…

 

 

The photo was taken on my youngest son’s birthday, and coincidentally, all my guys wore lime green that day. So of course mom had to take advantage of that photo op.

 

I wanted the lime green of their shirts to be the “pop” in my layout, so the only other repeat of that color is a few touches of Smooch Accent Ink in Green Apple to tie the color in…

 

 

For texture, I started with the background paper, I used Chestnut Roan Chalk Ink to stamp a repeated pattern across the entire page…

 

 

 

Then I added some color, a medium blue that I thought accented the colors in the photos. I decided to use Watermark Ink to create a tone on tone look for the stamped design. And then to add another layer to that, I filled in the diamonds in the pattern using Smooch Accent Ink in Olive Twist…

 

 

 

I also stamped a frame around my photo, and added several stamped and cut out sentiments to the bottom of the layout…

 

 

As a final touch, I added my title using brads in antique silver…

 

 

 

Each layer adds depth and interest and keeps the layout from looking “flat” whether you frame it or put it in a scrapbook.

 

“”My Family” 8 X 8 layout

 

Skill Level: moderate

 

SUPPLIES: 

 

Designer Note: In the supply list, I have both the full or mini AND cats eye sizes listed. The full and mini sizes have pads that are “juicier” and are great for stamping. But the pad on the cats eye is perfect for inking the edges of your papers.

 

Clearsnap: Smooch Accent Ink: Olive Twist and Green Apple, Watermark Ink {full or mini size} and ColorBox Fluid Chalk Ink: Chestnut Roan and Blackbird {full or mini size and cats eye}

 

Hero Arts: Circle Pattern cling stamp

 

Hampton Art: Artsy Edges and Word Collage Borders clear stamps

 

Memory Box: Lattice Background wood mount stamp

 

My Sentiments Exactly: Family clear stamps

 

Bazzill: Kraft and Nautical Blue cardstocks

 

Other: antique silver brads and fine tip black pen

 

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

 

DIRECTIONS: 

 

1) Cut an 8 X 8 piece of kraft cardstock for background.

 

2) Ink Circle Pattern stamp using Chestnut Roan chalk ink and stamp design across entire background. Ink edges of page using Chestnut Roan, then Blackbird chalk inks.

 

3) Ink Lattice Background stamp using Watermark ink and stamp 2 designs on blue cardstock. When dry, cut out both and trim 1 piece to measure 1” wide, and the other to measure 1 ½” wide.

 

4) Fill in diamonds in lattice pattern using Olive Twist Smooch. When dry, ink edges of pieces using Watermark ink.

 

5) Stamp “My family” using Blackbird chalk ink on kraft cardstock. Cut out, rounding top edges. Ink edges first with Chestnut Roan, and then with Blackbird.

 

6) Lay photo on a piece of kraft cardstock and lightly trace around edges. Ink border stamp with Blackbird chalk ink and stamp along penciled line to form frame. Handcut frame, and ink edges using Blackbird chalk ink. Erase pencil lines and adhere photo to center of frame.

 

7) Stamp “family memories” border on a piece of kraft cardstock; cut out and ink edges using Chestnut Roan chalk ink. Fill in tiny circles along the bottom using Green Apple Smooch.

 

8) Stamp word border on kraft cardstock using Blackbird chalk ink. Cut out border, creating flag at right end. Ink edges first with Chestnut Roan, and then with Blackbird chalk ink. Outline “Family” with Green Apple Smooch, when dry, outline with black pen.

 

9) To assemble, adhere “my family” title tab to upper left of framed photo. Use paper piercer to make holes and insert brads. Lay photo on page and line up blue stamped pieces on either side with the narrower piece on the left. Remove photo and adhere blue pieces, then adhere photo. Use dimensional foam dots to adhere “family memories” border to lower right of photo, then adhere word border beneath aligning left edge with left side of background.

 

Hopefully, you’ll find these ideas helpful in creating projects for your guys…

 

---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