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Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Sea of Textures for Global Design Project #150

Hey Y'all!
It's another challenge from the Global Design Project!  I have a fun card today made with the Sea of Textures Bundle.  The challenge was a sketch challenge:
Here is what I came up with:
Here it is from another view:
And then the inside:
I used the colors featured in the DSP-Fresh Fig and Tranquil Tide.  I stamped directly onto the DSP for my background, getting the different color variation by 2nd and 3rd generation stamping.  I stamped my greetings onto the Wood Textures DSP.  Don't you love the "Thanks" font? Then I cut them out with framelits from the Stitched Labels Framelit Dies to make those fun signs that cute octopus is holding...he has grown on me!  In fact, this whole stamp set has become one of my favorites!  I think I am going to name the octopus, let me know in the comments below what you think a good name for him would be!

Card Measurements:
Card Base: 8-1/2 x 5-1/2, scored at 4-1/4
DSP Layer: 4 x 5-1/4
Fresh Fig strip: 3-1/2 x 5/8
DSP strip: 3-1/4 x 1/2
Whisper White for octopus
Scraps of Wood Textures DSP for signs

Tips & Tricks:
  • Stamp directly onto DSP for a fun look
  • The "Thanks" came from the stamp that says "Thanks for reaching out."  Use a sticky note to mask and only ink the word (s) you want in your greeting.
  • Remember to remove the sticky note before stamping onto your project!
  • Get more than one color from a single ink pad.  It's called "Stamping Off" or "Generation Stamping".  The first time you stamp after inking is the "first" generation, then stamp again without inking, that's the 2nd generation, stamp again, "third" generation, etc.  

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my card, hope you were inspired to get in your craft room and get some inking done!  If you are interested in purchasing any of the products, you can click on the images below to go to my online store.  Please use the current host code, 4N6SP7RG, when purchasing, unless your order is $150 or more, then you can claim the host rewards and get free products!  
Have a wonderful day!
Love, 
Nina


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Bleaching Technique with Blended Seasons-Let's Get Hopping Round 12


Hey Y'all!
I am excited to be a part of this fun blog hop with some amazing crafters from around the world.  You may have arrived here from Teresa Brown's blog.  She always has projects that make you say "Wow!" I love the topic of this hop, "Techniques."  There are so many ways you can step up your papercrafting.  In my project, I used 3 techniques.  One is the very basic technique of heat embossing, which is what I would have to say is my "go to" technique.  In fact, that is what made me really fall in love with cardmaking, just seeing the magic happen when the embossing powder melts! My other favorite technique is dry embossing with an embossing folder.  That may be my other "go to."  Come to think of it, there aren't many cards I don't use an embossing folder on.  The third technique has been around awhile, but not one I have used very often, and that is the bleaching technique.
Doesn't it pack a "WOW?" How do you do it?  All you need is a cotton swab and some good ol' household bleach.  You can also use a paintbrush or an old aqua painter (if you use an aquapainter, I would definitely have it designated for bleach only, and pour the bleach out after each use and rinse well.)  You can even use a dried up blender pen (a reason to save those!)  I heat embossed the image in gold, then dipped the swab in bleach and rubbed it onto the images I wanted to lighten, in this case, the flower.  Every card will turn out different.
Then I "fussy cut" the image.  Before I attached everything, I placed it how I wanted it on the vellum to see where to heat emboss the "Congrats" sentiment. I added some gold metallic thread to the back of the image then attached it along with that beautiful Delicate Lace Edgelit Die cut out of gold foil.  The card base is Basic Gray, and I embossed it with the Subtles embossing folder to give it added texture.  That embossing folder is becoming a staple in my craft room! 
I stamped the flower image in Basic Gray onto a piece of Whisper White for the inside of the card.  
So what is your favorite papercrafting technique?  I love learning new ways to jazz up my cards.  Now hop on over to Diana Tillery's blog to see what she has in store, I know you will be amazed!


If you would like to order any of the products used in this card, you can click on the items below and it will take you to my online store.  Please use the current host code, 4N6SP7RG, when placing an order.  Bonus Days are here, and for every $50 you order, Stampin' Up! will give you a $5 coupon to use in September.  
Hit the subscribe button so you don't miss any projects. 
Thanks for stopping by, see you next time!
Love,
Nina

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Saturday, August 4, 2018

Country Livin' Birthday-CASEing the Catty 189

Hey Y'all!
I am participating in another challenge!  This challenge is from the CASEing the Catty Sunday Challenge, and you could CASE any of the projects in the Love, Thanks, and Support section of the Annual Catalog, pages 105-125.  I love these challenges because it gets me to really look at the projects, and think of ways I can use what they have done in my classes.
I chose to CASE the embossing technique on page 115.
This is done by layering embossing powder several times in a spot (heating it each layer), then the last time while it is still hot, stamp your sentiment or image into it.  It looks like stamped metal.
I needed a masculine birthday card, so I chose the old truck from Country Livin', and used Copper Embossing Powder for the sentiment.
I just took the Versamark pad straight to the paper, sprinkled the powder on, then melted it with the heat tool.  I did this 6 times, so that is 6 layers of embossing powder!  The Happy Birthday sentiment came from the Lemon Zest set.  I also used the copper powder with the rectangle frame from Swirly frames, embossed it onto some Wood Texture DSP to look like a framed picture.  And did you know the rectangle from the Sliding Door framelits that coordinates with the Barn Door will fit inside the Swirly Frame rectangle stamp?  I was just so proud of myself for figuring that out!

Now watercoloring is NOT my strong suit, but practice makes perfect, right?  I really enjoyed making this card, it is for a very special person in our lives, my daughter's boyfriend who is like a son to us.  I think when we make projects, we get frustrated if it doesn't look as good as we would like it to be.  That's why I shared this card.  The recipient is not going to critique the flaws in the card, they are going to be so grateful that they were thought of enough that you put forth the effort.  Stamping and card making makes me happy, and it is a BONUS that I get to bless others with my hobby.  So I encourage you to go make some happy mail, and if it's not perfect, send it anyway!  I promise, whomever you made it for will LOVE it!  Go have some fun!
If you would like to purchase any of the products used, please click on the images below to go to my online store.  Please use the current host code, 4N6SP7RG.  
Thanks for stopping by!  I've got a birthday party to get ready for!
Love, 
Nina



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