ATC's - QKD & Ink Stained Roni Style!

Today is Tuesday and you know what that means...

Queen Kat Designs Royal Blog Hop!

Today we were challenged to make something other than a card so I decided to play with some ATC's!!

I have created a couple using some of my Diva's...

Irreplaceable

Stamp: Ink Stained Roni Designs - Briggitte

Technique: The background was initially created using a mono print technique with Mustard Seed and Scattered Straw Distress Inks. Then I stamped the flowers with Butterscotch and highlighted them with Stickles Glitter Glue. The main image was stamped then colored using various colors of blue Distress Inks. The sentiment is one of my fav's :)

Heat

Stamp: Ink Stained Roni Designs - Grace & stamps from May Get Inked Kit

If you haven't stopped by recently be sure to check out the

amazing 30% off sale at QKD ~

with deals like this you won't want to miss out :)

Dimensional Watercolor Hydrangea Card

Today's stamping project is a dimensional card I created using only 3 stamps....a Hydrangea stamp from Rubber Stampede, flourish by Fancy Pants and the sentiment from Wordsworth Stamps which sadly is no longer in business.

Now I know this card is very time consuming due to all of the tiny flowers which make up a Hydrangea but you can take this basic design and switch up the flowers for another image that requires less coloring time. Despite the time involved, in the end you are going to create a stunning card!

Dimensional Water colored Hydrangea Card

Supplies:

Adirondack Dye Inks - Denim, Stonewash, Cool Peri, Lettuce & Butterscotch

Stamps - Flower, Flourish & Sentiment (all mfg. listed above)

Cardstock

Stickles Glitter Glue (for flower centers)

Niji Waterbrush

Double Stick Foam Tape

Instructions:

1. Trim a piece of cardstock to approximately the desired size of your finished card. I like to add an extra 1/4" or so along each side so I can trim away a bit of the excess after the images have been colored to eliminate some of the "rough" edge coloring. Let's face it ~ it's very difficult to color along the edges and make them look great so this eliminates the frustrations of trying to make the edges look perfect!

2. I used Denim Adirondack Dye Ink for the main images. Stamp the hydrangea 3 times along the left hand side of the cardstock. Stamp the image so that part of each flower has been stamped off the edge. Stamp a smaller portion once along the bottom and an even smaller portion at the top edge. In addition to the main card panel, stamp 3 additional flowers on scrap paper. These will be used to add dimension later on.

3. Use your favorite method to color all of the flowers (both on the main card panel and those stamped on the scrap paper.) I prefer to use the Niji Waterbrush and dye inks for a watercolored look. You of course could use a regular paint brush and water, copic or other markers, colored pencils, pastels, acrylic paints, etc. Totally up to you.

4. After you have finished coloring the flowers, stamp the flourish image along the remaining 3 sides of your card panel. Stamp the sentiment.

5. Trim the edges of each side of your panel. Mount the main card panel on desired color of cardstock.

6. Cut out the extra flowers on the scrap paper. Mount two of the flowers with double stick foam in between the three flowers stamped on the main card panel. Take the last flower and cut it roughly in half. Mount both again using double stick foam tape ~ one half along the bottom and the other half along the top edge.

(Since it's a bit hard to see I added arrows pointing out each of the raised flowers.)

7. Add a dot of Stickles Glitter Glue to the center of each of the tiny flowers. This just adds an extra little bit of pop to your card.

Enjoy!!

Now it's your turn...

Create your very own dimensional card

and add a bit of pop to your next stamped project!

Popcorn Bear @ Stampers Quest

Woo Hoo...it's Saturday!!

I hope you're having a wonderful day...

My day started out before the sun was up. I took Bob to an auction (he's not 18 yet so he couldn't get his own buyers number) ~ they had some tractor/farm stuff he was interested in BUT I found some goodies for me ;) Some really cool number tags ~ I think they are zinc ~ they are that color anyway, a BUNCH of old hardware, etc...all in a pile for $5.00!!! I actually only wanted the tags but they added the tub they were in to the huge pile of nails and stuff. I think I have like 30-40 old jars of "stuff" to sort though now. What fun :)

I also bought a vintage chicken crate which is nifty as an antique but we will really use it for our chickens.

I left when Eric got there so I'm not sure what all they bought after I left.

THEN I hit the last remaining independent scrapbook store in our area which happened to be right down the road from the auction! They were having a 50% off everything sale ~ yep...cause they are going out of business :( It's so sad ~ the economy has just killed the independents in our area. Now the next closest store is in Bryan, Ohio which is like 2.5-3 hours away (one way). I guess I'll just have to stick to the net now and pay the @$*%@ shipping charges.

I wanted to invite you to visit Stampers Quest...This months featured Rubber Stamp Company is Crafters Companion and if you're not familiar with them they are the home of Popcorn Bear! (they have several other characters but we worked with popcorn bear)

This was the first time I have ever had the pleasure to play with these darling little bears and I have to tell you I fell in love!!! I normally don't do cute but man oh man ~ he is just a sweetie :) I was pretty amazed at how large these sets were since they are only 6.95 per set!

I was lucky enough to get a couple "guy" stamp sets....Father's Day Bear and Fishing Bear. You can see what I created with them here....Roni's View - Popcorn Bear. Be sure to check out the other cool stamp sets and what each designer created. It will make you want to add to your "Must Have" list ;) LOL!!! I have several in my wish basket now.

You all have a wonderful day now!!!

Cut Your Stamps Apart!

I told you people think I'm nuts!

Yes, you can cut your stamps apart for more versatile and usable stamps!

Whenever I start talking about cutting my stamps apart people automatically think I mean trimming unmounted stamps from the die sheet....NO I mean taking a stamp image and cutting it apart to use in a different arrangement than the mfg. originally intended.

It has made a world of difference in how I can stamp images.

For example I recently bought this stamp.....

It's lovely but I don't always want to stamp a card that is 4"x6" which is what this border stamp was meant for.

SOOOO, I got my scissors out and cut it apart!

Here is what they look like now...

and the resulting images....

and

Now instead of one background border stamp I have 4 stamps I can use in any configuration I want!

I also like to cut apart sentiments as many times the sentiments are too long to fit where I want them to go. This also allows me to arrange the words in different configurations for example I may only have room to stack the words or run them along an edge or use part of the sentiment in one area and the rest in another.

Original...

(Just For Fun Rubber Stamps)

Cut Apart...

Original...

(Just For Fun Rubber Stamps)

Cut Apart...

I have also cut apart other stamps such as this set from Basic Grey (I think)...

The wreath originally came with the sentiment Merry Christmas inside. I cut that out and can now use the sentiment and wreath separately. I can also stamp other sentiments in the wreath as desired!

So you see I'm really not as crazy as you thought huh?

hey....no comments from the peanut gallery ;)

LOL!!!

O.k....

Let me clarify

I'm not crazy for cutting my stamps apart...

better?

Anyway, take a second look at the stamps in your collection. Particularly those stamps that you don't use often because they are too large, maybe you don't like one aspect of the stamp or whatever the reason you have.

Perhaps this is the answer to your dilemma...

Cut them apart and get a bit more use out of them!

Stamps are too expensive to sit around collecting dust...

You need to dig them out

and

make some Ink Stains!!

Just For Fun Color Challenge #26

Happy Friday!!!

Woo Hooo!!!

It's another great Just For Fun Friday Color Challenge!

This week we're working with another great color combo....

and

I got a bit adventurous with the Just For Fun Ornamental Dress Form stamp...

I decided to see if I could trim it out with my Exacto Knife!

It took a bit of time but I really like how it turned out! The little flower on the dress form is made from a length of ribbon that I tied onto the card. It was just rolled then mushed into some glue. The pattern paper is Basic Grey.

Lots of fun!

Now if you're up for the challenge be sure to post a link on the Just For Fun Blog to be entered to win a $50.00 Gift Certificate!!

Also, check out all the other amazing creations from the rest of the Just For Fun Design Team!!

Have a wonderful Day Friends!!

Just For Fun Blog
http://jffstamps.typepad.com/jffstamps/

Just For Fun Rubber Stamps
http://www.jffstamps.com/

Glenda Brooks
http://glendabrooks.blogspot.com/

Sherry Cheever
http://sherrycheever.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

Terre Fry
http://terresscraptherapy.blogspot.com/

Broni Holcombe
http://bronih.typepad.com/splashesofwatercolor/

Roni Johnson
You Are Here :)

Elizabeth (Beth) A. Moore
http://www.runswithscraps.blogspot.com/

Starla Nelson
http://sn-exploringcreativity.blogspot.com/

Sandy Sandrus
http://www.sjscleverideas.blogspot.com/

Kathy Tucker
http://www.kattoys.blogspot.com/

Margarita Ybarra
http://Mycreationsbymy.blogspot.com/

Congratulations Wine Card

Today I wanted to share a card that puts yesterday's Trimmed Image tip to use!

Here is my card....

Congratulations Wine Card

Credits: All stamps - B-Line Designs; Inks - Distress & Archival Inks; Glossy Accents.

I had a heck of a time with the glass edge because the lines were very thin but by using the black Sharpie marker trick the glass looks perfect! The best part about using a Sharpie is that it isn't effected by the Glossy Accents which I layered over both the glass and bottle.

The background and main images were both water colored using Distress Inks and my Niji Waterbrush...one of my favorite and most used tools (after the Ink Blending Tool of course ;) - lol!!).

Tomorrow is Just For Fun Friday...if you didn't have a chance to post your card for last week's challenge you still have a bit of time before Sherry draws a winner for the $50.00 gift certificate! If you didn't have time for last week's challenge maybe you can jump in and add your name to the hat for this weeks challenge.

I'll also have another fun tip that usually makes people think I'm crazy when I first suggest it until they see what I do with it....curious?!?!?

You'll just have to wait till tomorrow!

Trimmed Image Tip

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

I hope you've had a chance to craft this week and if not hopefully you'll find a few minutes to soon.

Today I wanted to address a question I received from Francie & Tammy. Actually I get asked about this problem quite frequently so I thought I'd share it here as well...

How do I cut out images so that I always have a nice crisp black edge?

Well I have a little secret that I want to share with you all ~

I always edge my trimmed images with a black marker!

NOTE: This will work with most types of images including stamped images, digital images, collage images, etc.

Before I get to the marker I wanted to talk a bit about the scissors I use. I firmly believe that the scissors you use make a great difference in the difficulty/ease of cutting out images. I prefer to use Fiskars Micro Tip Spring Action scissors for several reasons.

*They hold a very sharp edge. I have had these scissors since I began scrapbooking back in 1999 and they are still razor sharp.

*These scissors also have a nice micro tip which enables me to cut very fine, precise edges.

*The spring action feature that these scissor offer enables you to cut and trim with very little stress. When you use ordinary scissors you have to pull open every time you close the scissors to make a cut... These scissors open back up for you so you're actually only don't half the work.

*These scissors also have a comfort grip (no finger holes like regular scissors!).

O.k...so enough about scissors ~ on to the nifty edging tip....

Let's say this is a typical stamped and trimmed image. Notice how much of the black edge was trimmed off in many areas while it was left intact in other areas. It's o.k. but it's not going to win any prizes.

Well to fix this image right up all you have to do is run a marker across the edge and you'll be all set! I like to hold my marker steady and move the image instead of the other way around. This will help to minimize any mistakes I might make other wise. For example, when you move the marker you might slip causing the marker to skid across the image ruining it in the process. I also like to use the side of the marker instead of the tip to actually apply the color ~ again to help minimize mistakes.

This is the same image as pictured above. You can instantly see what a difference the marker line makes. The image just pops right off the page! And it only takes a matter of seconds to complete. I use this little trick on all of the images I cut out.

So there you go...

I hope this little tip helps take out some of the frustrations associated with cutting out your images!

QKD "Fiesta Ware" Inspiration Card

Today is Queen Kat Designs Royal Blog Hop day!!

The inspiration for the day is this nifty Crate & Barrel image of a set of dishes that reminds me of Fiesta Ware. Please don't ask what Fiesta Ware is...you'll make me feel really old - LOL!! ;)

What inspired me most from this image is the bright cheerful colors as well as the scallop edges. I thought it would be nice to incorporate this into my card.

Here is what I came up with....

The main image on the tag is from my Thank You Bird Set and the background was created using the Just Dandy stamp set. All inks are Ranger (blue & green - Nick Bantock, red & black - Archival). The ribbon is dyed rayon seam binding.

Be sure to check out all of the other Fiesta Ware inspired designs by the rest of the Royal Court and don't forget all the stamps used can be found at Queen Kat Designs!

I'll be back later today with another fun and nifty stamping tip to help with stamped & cut out images.

Highlight Stamping Technique

Happy Monday!

I hope you've all had a wonderful day today. I'm a bit late posting today because it is dh & I 24th wedding anniversary today! Went with him on a call today and he took me out to lunch but he said he's got a day planned on Wednesday (had calls booked till then) taking me away for the day :)

Today I thought I'd continue with stretching your stamps and giving them a bit of a zing so I wanted to share the Highlight Stamping technique. This is a super way to quickly spice up virtually any stamped image again with a minimal amount of supplies and nothing exotic in the least!
I also have a handy little "Green" (green as recycling) tip for a supply alternative. Be sure to check the "*Note" out after the supply list.

Highlight Stamping

Supplies:

Cardstock

Rubber Stamp

Archival Ink

Glossy Accents

Microscope Slide or Memory Glass*

Adhesive

Distress Inks or coloring medium of your choice

(optional) Krylon Metallic Paint Pen

*Note - (GREEN TIP!!) I know some people might not have microscope slides or Memory Glass (by Ranger) pieces available or maybe you just don't want to spend the $'s to purchase them.

Sooooooo I have a nifty alternative that works just as well....clear plastic packaging!!!!

Yes, you can cut the smooth areas from your discarded packages and cut your very own faux microscope slides (or Faux Memory Glass). Simply cut trim away the bumpy, molded or edges away from the flat smooth sections of the plastic and cut your Faux Slides to the desired sizes. Most common sizes are 1x1, 1x3, 2x2, 2x3. Since you're cutting your own though you can make the Faux Slides any size you want!

Instructions:

1. Stamp 1 main image and stamp the same image on a piece of scrap paper.

2. Color the image that you have stamped on scrap paper with your choice of medium. I used Distress Inks and my Niji Waterbrush for this example.

3. Apply a nice coat of Glossy Accents to the Memory Glass/Micro Slide. You don't need a whole lot~ a nice even coat works best.

4. Position the slide over the colored image....I like to position mine at a bit of an angle but that's totally up to you. Let the GA dry completely.

5. After your image/slide has dried completely, trim away the excess paper.

6. (optional) I like to finish off the slide image by edging it with a Krylon Metallic Paint Pen. Gives the slide a nice polished look.

7. Affix and align the slide image over the original stamped image so that both of the images line up.

And here is what your highlighted image might look like when used on a card....

a close up of the image it's self....

Alternative Idea: If you want to add a bit more natural, organic look to this technique try substituting MICA pieces for the Microscope Slides! I LOVE using mica paired with this technique...it really adds such a cool dimension when you toss in the amber tint of the mica with the colored image.

So, Amazing results huh?

And you don't even have to buy anything special to complete this project!!

I hope you give this technique a try!

I guarantee you'll fall in love with the ease and simplicity
while your friends will marvel at the stunning results!

Have fun friends

and

go get inky!!

Just For Fun Color Challenge #25

Today is Just For Fun Color Challenge Friday!!!

#25 to be exact

and

this is actually MY 15th Color Challenge

since joining the Just For Fun Team :)

Woo Hoo!!

Today's colors are a great autumn color combo....

and I actually created two cards.

This one that I created using the "Beyond the Edge Stamping Technique" posted earlier today....

And this one I created especially for the challenge....

(The orange isn't nearly as bright as it looks in this photo)

If you'd like to play along be sure to post a link to your creation on the Just For Fun blog....you just might be the lucky winner of a $50.00 gift certificate!!

Be sure to check out the awesome creations from the rest

of the Just For Fun Girls!!

Just For Fun Blog
http://jffstamps.typepad.com/jffstamps/

Just For Fun Rubber Stamps
http://www.jffstamps.com/

Glenda Brooks
http://glendabrooks.blogspot.com/

Sherry Cheever
http://sherrycheever.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

Terre Fry
http://terresscraptherapy.blogspot.com/

Broni Holcombe
http://bronih.typepad.com/splashesofwatercolor/

Roni Johnson
You Are Here :)

Elizabeth (Beth) A. Moore
http://www.runswithscraps.blogspot.com/

Starla Nelson
http://sn-exploringcreativity.blogspot.com/

Sandy Sandrus
http://www.sjscleverideas.blogspot.com/

Kathy Tucker
http://www.kattoys.blogspot.com/

Margarita Ybarra
http://Mycreationsbymy.blogspot.com/

Beyond the Edge Stamping

Today I have another fun way to get just a bit more from your stamps AND die-cuts!

I like to call it Beyond the Edge Stamping....and it's just that, stamping beyond the edge of your paper to create a nifty cut-out look.

I hear all the time about people not wanting to cut out intricate detailed stamps. This technique is for you! It is especially nice when you don't have the time or desire to cut out highly detailed stamp designs.

This is actually a two for one as I am pairing it with today's Just For Fun color challenge as well!!

Here are the colors for this week....

Let's begin...

Beyond The Edge Stamping

1. Outline your desired die-cut shape...I like using my Nesties for this because you can use the inside or outside edge.

2. Stamp your images using the line as your guide. Stamp some of your images "Beyond the Edge" of the lines.

Here is how my stamped scene turned out....

3. Trim the die-cut and stamped image. Use the outermost lines as your cutting guide as shown. Erase all pencil lines after you've finished cutting.

4. Color as desired... I used Distress Inks, Bic Markers and my White Inkssentials Pigment Pen.

And here is how my card turned out...

This technique just adds a bit of life to your cards without having to cut out the entire image.

If things go well I am planning on sharing a couple more examples of this technique tomorrow :)

Silhouette Stamping

I thought I'd continue today with another fun way to stretch your stamping power. OH, btw, before I forget the stamp I used yesterday was from Rubber Stampede by Delta.

I don't know about you but I love the look of Silhouette stamps BUT I don't always have the extra $'s to buy more soooooo....

Today I wanted to show you a nifty way to turn many of your stamps into silhouettes with just a few simple items you probably already have around your home....two actually....an extra fine and a fine black marker.

Now you may not need both of them depending on the stamp you're using. I find it is easier for me to use the extra fine for outlining my image and the fine for coloring in larger areas. I don't have a very steady hand so trying to use just the fine line is out of the question for me. ;)

Instructions:

1. Stamp the desired image using black ink...

Stamp Credit: Great Impressions SOTM - August 2010

2. Outline the very outside edges using the extra fine marker (this makes it easier to color in the next step). You may have to determine just where you want the outside edge to be for example if you notice on the area I have colored in about mid way down the left side I could have joined the two petals that are very close but I chose to go in a bit further to the secondary level of flowers. Totally up to you.

3. Now fill in the rest of the image with the fine tip marker (you could use a larger tip if you like). If you work in one direction, one area at a time you will notice a much smoother look than if you colored it in like you would with crayons.

And here is how this particular image turned out....

Now this won't work with EVERY stamp you have in your collection as there are many that just don't have the right angles or lines to make it work but here are several more examples of images that I turned into silhouettes (stamp credits are listed in each photo).

Pretty cool huh?

It really changes the whole look of the image doesn't it?

You have an entire new collection of silhouette stamps

and it didn't even cost you a dime!!

Can't beat that now can ya?

Tomorrow I'll have another fun way to showcase your stamps giving them a totally new look.

Till then friends,

go play with some ink!!