I love the look of patent leather on shoes and handbags, so why not on my cards? 

By applying one or two layers of clear embossing powder to cardstock, I can recreate the look of patent leather. See the step by step directions below for patent leather embossing.

To make the Black and White Watercolor Trio card above, I ran my patent leather paper through the Big Shot using the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder. I added four black brads from the Vintage Brads assortment (did you notice that these are retiring? I use them all the time!)

The greeting and image were stamped with Black StazOn ink. To complete the card, I layered different sizes of circle punches under the greeting.  

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For this card, I used Real Red cardstock that was run through the Big Shot with the Finial Press embossing folder. Since this folder has a bolder image,  it created a really interesting vintage look on the cardstock.

I layered with Basic Black, Whisper White and Brushed Silver cardstocks and stamped again with Black Stazon ink. The greeting is the Elegant Thank You stamp.

The Basic Black satin ribbon was threaded through the Flower Ribbon Slide included in the Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware kit. 

This card uses Sahara Sand cardstock that has been patent leather embossed. The embossing folder is Manhattan Flower. 

I stamped the same Watercolor Trio greeting as the first card in Night of Navy ink and punched it with the large oval punch. It was layered onto a scallop oval in Night of Navy cardstock and applied with stampin’ dimensionals. 

The card itself is Night of Navy cardstock with a layer of Certainly Celery. I used those two colours again for the ribbon – Certainly Celery satin ribbon and Night of Navy 1/4" grosgrain.

Patent Leather Embossing is a simple technique that creates a look that can be fun or elegant. Try it today!

 Apply clear embossing powder to the entire surface of the cardstock. 

 Heat with a heat tool until all the powder is melted. If necessary, let cardstock cool and apply a second coat of VersaMark ink and embossing powder so coverage is even.

June 1st is a big day for stampers and scrapbookers!

Tomorrow is the day Stampin’ Up! will release the list of all of the retiring stamp sets and accessories. Make sure you stop back tomorrow to see the list posted here on my blog. Retiring products may sell out quickly.

I don’t know why I don’t use this Upsy Daisy stamp set more often. It is definitely one of my favourites and I love the way the big bold image of the daisies fills the card. The finished size of this card is 5-1/2" x 5-1/2".

I wanted to have a shadow behind the focal image so I stamped once on a Window Sheet and heat embossed with white embossing powder and stamped a second time on cardstock. I cut both pieces generously so I could line them up and trim a second time. Stampin’ Dimensionals were positioned between the window sheets and the cardstock to let the light get in between the two. A frame of Melon Mambo cardstock was added on top.

This card needed Melon Mambo embellishments so I created my own with the clear buttons. If you don’t own the clear buttons, you should! Simply punch any cardstock or paper and adhere behind the button with a mini glue dot. You can add thread or twine to finish the buttons or use the white gel pen as I did here to add faux thread. 

We have had a lot of dark and dreary days here so I needed a bold and colourful card to bright my Monday. Enjoy!

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Punches: 1" Circle, 3/4" Circle, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309)

Other: Clear Buttons (105447), Bitty Buttons (118761), White Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Basic Black Satin Ribbon, Uni-ball Signo Gel Pen, Window Sheets Thick (114324)

Upsy Daisy Stamp Set 

  $24.95, #111710, Set of 4

Page 95 of the Idea Book & Catalogue

Don’t think it, ink it!

If you want to create colorful backgrounds using a minimum of  supplies, this is the technique for you.

Follow the simple directions below to make your own Smacking Acetate backgrounds.

Caution: You may not be able to stop – wipe off your window sheets and try a new colour combination. 

To make this card, I used Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry and Soft Suede markers. Once the background was dry, I stamped an image from Elements of Style in Rich Razzleberry ink on the background piece and the greeting onto Glossy White cardstock. To embellish the card, I added designer series paper from the Thoroughly Modern package and Vintage Brads and Jumbo Eyelets in Antique Brass.     

Give this technique a try – I bet you’ll like it. If you have any questions, please let me know.

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You will need assorted  markers, a spray bottle, glossy white cardstock and two window sheets  of any thickness.

Scribble with the markers onto the window sheets. I like to use three colours of ink. Try not to overlap the inks so the markers do not become contaminated.

Place two pieces of glossy white cardstock back to back and sandwich between the window sheets. Work out any air bubbles. 

Remove glossy cardstock from between the window sheets. Allow  to dry.

Stamps: Elements of Style

Ink: Rich Razzleberry

Markers: Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Soft Suede

Paper: Rich Razzlberry, Soft Suede, Glossy White, Thoroughlty Modern DSP 

Punches: Large Oval, Scallop Oval

Other: Window Sheets, Soft Suede Polka-Dot Ribbon, Jumbo Eyelets, Vintage Brads

Elements of Style Stamp Set, Set of 5

  Clear $26.95, #120045

Wood $36.95, #118611

Page 12 of the Summer Mini Catalogue

Don’t think it, ink it!

Collage stamping is a simple technique that is one of favourites. This technique is the layering of images and inks.

The Sentimental Journey stamp set I used here is perfect for collage stamping. A set of 8, it has a variety of sizes and types of images perfect for layering. 

I prefer to start with the largest images and then work my way down to the smaller images. This allows me to fill in white space as I work towards the finished product. I also prefer to use the darkest ink colours with the smaller stamps so the collage is not overwhelmed.

You really can’t go wrong with this technique. Try it today!

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Big Shot: Square Lattice

Other: Pumpkin Pie 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Night of Navy 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin Dimensionals

Sentimental Journey Stamp Set

Clear $23.95, #120075

Wood $31.95, #118513

Set of 8

Page 22 of the Summer Mini Catalogue

Don’t think it, ink it!

This is an easy although a little bit messy technique that creates great backgrounds. Don’t have the designer paper you need? Make your own.

The instructions are below. Please contact me with any questions.

This technique was explained to me by one of my downline and I have no idea what to call it. I called it cardstock peek-a-boo. Anyone know it by another name?

Once I had created the background piece, I topped it with circles and a scallop circle made using the Big Shot and the Circle Scissor Plus. I threaded the two ribbons between the layers so they didn’t sit too low on the card. 

Finally, I added three white flower buttons from the Button Latte package. I am on a real button frenzy right now. You cant go wrong adding a button, can you?

And, a color renovation reminder: the retiring colours are going much faster than expected especially the cardstock. Don’t miss out. Place your order today and don’t forget to order refills for your ink pads.

 Using direct to paper, cover the cardstock with craft ink. 

 Make sure cardstock is completely covered and let dry.

 With the Big Shot and a Texturz plate, emboss cardstock. 
Any ink that transfers to the plate can be easily removed with water.

 Take a sanding block and sand cardstock to remove the ink on the embossed design.

Your sanding block will pick up the colour. I have one I use only for this and other techniques that stain the block with ink.

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Big Shot: Stampin’ Up! Perfect Details Textura Plate, Scallop Circle #2, Circles #2

Other: Whisper White Satin Ribbon, Tempting Turquoise 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Button Latte, Circle Scissor Plus, Sanding Block

  $34.95, #115466, Set of 7

Page 48 of the Idea Book & Catalogue

Don’t think it, ink it!

An oldie but a goodie!

I don’t think I have used this Retiform technique in a long time. The last time I made a Retiform card I used the Botanicals stamp set which is long retired. But this set, Flores Suaves, reminds me of that old set and this technique came to mind.

I had so much fun creating I couldn’t stop and actually made three cards using this technique. The middle card is a very traditional Retiform or Grid card and the other two cards tweak the technique a bit.

Scroll down this post to see the instructions and close up views of the three cards.

So, which of the three samples is your favourite? Leave a comment and let me know.

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This first Retiform card most closely follows how I learned the technique years ago – Glossy White cardstock, a dark ink for the stamped images and vibrant but not too overwhelming ink colours for the grid.

The stamped images were done with Basic Brown ink.

The grids were created by sponging Cameo Coral and Certainly Celery ink onto the Glossy White. Creamy Caramel ink was sponged on last to blend everything together.

This card needed no embellishments.

Stamps:  Flores Suaves

Ink:  Basic Brown, Cameo Coral, Certainly Celery, Creamy Caramel

Paper: Glossy White, Cameo Coral, Chocolate Chip  

Other: Sponge Daubers

 Stamp the focal image into the center of the card. Here I used Basic Brown ink on Glossy White cardstock.

 Use a piece of paper to cover the main image. I like to use copy paper as you can faintly see through the paper.

Align the paper over the stamped image at an angle and sponge along the paper. I used Cameo Coral ink and a sponge dauber.

 Move the paper to the other side.

Ink the sponge dauber up again in Cameo Coral ink and sponge along the paper on this second side.

 Now, place your paper closer to the top so it is intersecting the lines you have already created.

This time I used Certainly Celery ink to create the grid line. Repeat this step again along the bottom.

Once the grid lines are created, it’s time to add the rest of the stamped images.

Line up the paper a second time and stamp with a darker colour of ink. I used Basic Brown. You may need to use multiple sheets of paper to keep the grid lines covered.

To finish the card, you can colour in the main image if desired.

To create this second Retiform card, I used Very Vanilla cardstock instead of Glossy White.

This grid has more spaces then the first one and the design is random. I had to be sure not to have the same colour up against itself when creating the grid.

The inks I used for the grid were Sahara Sand and Bashful Blue. The images were stamped in Night of Navy ink. 

I added an overlay of Vellum Paper and stamped the butterfly a second time onto the Vellum with a Stamp-a-ma-jig to make it stand out against the rest of the card.

The vanilla brads and tag holder are from the Hodgepodge Hardware kit. I used Night of Navy grosgrain ribbon to hold the tag in place.

Finally, I layered the finished Retiform piece onto Sahara Sand and Night of Navy cardstocks.  

Stamps:  Flores Suaves

Ink:  Night of Navy, Sahara Sand, Bashful Blue

Paper: Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand, Night of Navy, Vellum Paper  

Other: Night of Navy 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware, Sponge Daubers

To make this third Retiform card, I used Basic Gray ink on a Sponge Dauber to create the grid. 

The images were stamped with Black Stazon on Glossy White cardstock.

Since I had left a large border along the bottom of the butterfly, I added five black brads from the Vintage Brads assortment to fill in the space.  

The Glossy White cardstock was layered onto Basic Black and then Bermuda Bay cardstocks to finish.

Stamps:  Flores Suaves

Ink:  Basic Stazon, Basic Gray

Paper: Glossy White, Bermuda Bay, Basic Black  

Other: Vintage Brads, Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Sponge Dauber

Flores Suaves Stamp Set

$24.95, Set of 4, #112913

Don’t think it, ink it! 
 

Time for another Technique Tuesday! Today’s card features the Salt Background which uses an item I bet most, if not all, of us have at home. Different types of salt create different looks – try table salt, coarse salt, sea salt, etc.

My card uses coarse canning salt although I made a similar card with table salt and it looks really neat as well.

After a lot of experimentation (and drinking a lot of water because I had salt everywhere!), I have discovered that the secret is to keep a pretty light hand with the salt. My first umpteen attempts used way too much salt and the individual grains didn’t have opportunity to spread out.

This card also features a Summer Mini catalogue sneak peek. This stamp set is called A Little Bit of Magic and is a set of 4. It includes a second little fairy girl holding a flower and a greeting that says"there’s a bit of magic in everything – Lou Reed". Don’t you love that sentiment? Finally, there is small stamp with a bunch of stars on it that looks great stamped over the greeting in a lighter colour of ink.  The set is $19.95 clear and $24.95 wood.  What a fun set!

Scroll down to see a full list of instructions and please let me know if you have any questions on this technique. 

To finish the card, I added two different widths of ribbon one on top of the other down the side and adhered three small buttons with paper thread.  A very simple card that would be great for a girls birthday card or an invitation.  Hope you like it.

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Inks: Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue, Black StazOn

Paper: Glossy White, Brocade Blue, Night of Navy

Other: Brocade Blue 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Night of Navy 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Fresh Favourites II Buttons, Mini Glue Dots

Drop salt randomly over the card and allow to dry. Once the salt has been on the paper for a few minutes, you can speed the drying time with a heat tool or blow dryer. Once dry, brush off the salt.

Don’t think it, ink it!

It’s Technique Tuesday! And today I am making paper flowers with the Extra Large Fancy Flower punch. Because the flowers need to be misted down a bit, your work space may get wet. But doesn’t it feel great to be a kid again!

To make a paper flower, you will need 4 to 8 punched flowers for layering.  For my card, I used 8 layers but I have been playing with other numbers of layers and they all look good.  Try different punched sizes and shapes to make different flowers. Various circle punches, the scallop circle and the boho blossoms punch are others I have tried.

For this card, I layered Whisper White cardstock onto Kraft and then added a top layer of Vellum cardstock embossed with the Finial Press embossing folder for the Big Shot. The greeting from the Messages for Mom stamp set was stamped in Rose Red ink and layered onto Rose Red and then Regal Rose cardstocks.

After creating one Red Rose flower and one Regal Rose flower, I added Certainly Celery leaves made from cutting up a 5-Petal flower punch. I adhered the flowers with stampin dimensionals.

This is one card you will want to hand deliver or mail in a large padded envelope. Either way, the recipient will love it!

Scroll down to see a full list of instructions and let me know if you have any questions.

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Inks: Rose Red

Paper: Kraft, Vellum Cardstock, Whisper White, Rose Red, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery

Punches: Extra Large Fancy Flower - $22.95, #118073, 5-Petal Flower

Other: Finial Press Embossing Folder, Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Silver Brads, Stampin’ Dimensionals 

Scrunch punched flowers into a tight ball. 

Open the flowers and stack. 

With a paper piercing tool, make a hole in the center of the stack of flowers.

Pull the first flower tightly around the brad.

  Repeat one layer at a time until all the layers have been pulled together to complete the flower.

Allow the flower to dry and adhere it to your card or other project.

Don’t think it, ink it! 

You asked for it! The most requested tutorial I have had recently is for a Swing Card. And here it is, Please leave a comment below with other tutorials you would like to see.

The Swing Card video below will provide you with step by step instructions for making this fancy fold card. And once you have made a couple, you won’t be able to stop!

This card is a sneak peek of the new Summer Mini catalogue stamp set, Watercolor Trio.  I am having a hard time choosing my favourite Summer Mini stamp set but this set is definitely in the running.

This card uses Night of Navy and Kraft and embellishments including punches, clear buttons, ribbons and a new designer series paper, Travel Journal.

Below is a picture of the reverse side of the Swing card.

 Can you see the textured cardstock made using the new embossing folder, Square Lattice?

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Don’t think it, ink it!   

Today’s Technique is Faux Mother of Pearl. This is a simple way to create beautiful, soft backgrounds.

To make this card, I stamped the flower from Bloomin’ Beautiful and coloured it in with markers. I used a Regal Rose marker to colour the inside of the flower first following the marks on the stamp. Next, I coloured the flower with a Pretty in Pink marker. I then did the leaves on the stamp with Old Olive and Certainly Celery. 

I embellished the card with Pretty in Pink satin ribbon and a Pretty in Pink corduroy button with a Basic Black cardstock stitch.

Below is a close up of the Faux Mother of Pearl. Can you see how pretty the background is?

 For this technique, you will need Frost White Shimmer Paint, Glossy White cardstock and plastic wrap.

 Add a small amount of the Frost White Shimmer Paint to the scrunched up plastic wrap. Dab the plastic wrap all over your glossy cardstock ensuring you leave some parts of the cardstock blank. Let dry completely. 

Sponge or brayer a light colored Classic ink over your cardstock. allow ink to dry for a moment.  Wipe your cardstock with a paper towel.

Stamps:  Bloomin’ Beautiful, $34.95. #111490

Inks: Basic Black

Markers: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Old Olive, Certainly Celery

Paper: Pretty in Pink, Basic Black, Glossy White

Other: Frost White Shimmer Paint, Sponge, Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon, Pretty in Pink Corduroy Buttons, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Bloomin’ Beautiful Stamp Set

  $34.95, #111490, Set of 5

Page 98 of the Idea Book & Catalogue

Don’t think it, ink it! 

This card didn’t use a single stamp. Not one!

So how did I create a card without stamps? I used one of my favourite decor stencil sets from Stampin’ Up’s Definitely Decorative line of wall vinyl and stencils. If you haven’t looked at these catalogues recently, you should!  Click here for the Definitely Decorative catalogue and click here for the 2010 Insert with even more great products and home decor ideas. 

Elegant Trio is a set of 3 stencils all sized for cards as well as other home decor projects. And priced at only $12.95 the possibilities for creating with this set are endless.

See my instructions below for using the stencil to create the main image on this vintage looking card. After making the image with the stencil, I layered the watercolor paper onto a piece of Flock Together designer series paper in Certainly Celery. I added two ribbon corners using Certainly Celery satin ribbon and Very Vanilla narrow grosgrain. Three small vanilla halfback pearls were added from the Pretties Kit with mini glue dots to add another element to the card. Finally, I adhered the stencilled image to a Certainly Celery card with stampin dimensionals. Please leave a comment if you like this card or have any questions.

 Ink up the stencil by applying the Soft Suede ink directly from the ink pad. You can’t really see it in the picture but there is alot of ink on the stencil. Next, generously spritz the stencil with water. Carefully, press the stencil onto the watercolour paper. And here is the trick: use your finger to work the stencil onto the paper. There should be no air bubbles under the stencil.

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Ink:  Soft Suede

Paper: Watercolor Paper $9.25, #105019 Page 158, Certainly Celery, Flock Together DSP

Other: Elegant Trio Decor Stencils, Certainly Celery Satin Ribbon, Very Vanilla 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Pretties Kit, Mini Glue Dots,Stampin’ Dimensionals, Spray Bottle

Elegant Trio Decor Stencils

$12.95, #008262, Set of 3

Page 11 of the Definitely Decorative 2010 Insert

Don’t think it, ink it! 

Today’s rubber stamping technique is called Joseph’s Coat. The technique gets its name from Joseph’s coat of many colours in the bible. 

Here I used Rose Red, Regal Rose and Pretty in Pink inks to create the background that will show through the Basic Brown ink on top. For cardstock I used Chocolate Chip and Pretty in Pink in keeping with the ink colours. The greeting is stamped onto Very Vanilla cardstock to match the vanilla in the 1-1/4" striped Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon. Lastly, I made a center for the Medallion stamp set with a 5/8" Chocolate Chip jumbo brad and attached to it the center of a Pretty in Pink epoxy brad. I carefully loosened the center of the epoxy brad with my fingernail.

This technique is a bit of a lengthy one but you do not need to rush any of the steps and the finished projects are a wow.  

Make a coloured background on glossy white cardstock.

Here I used direct to paper but you could also use a brayer or sponge to create the background. Let the inks dry.

Using a brayer, cover background piece completely with a dark ink.

Although black is used most commonly, I also like to use Night of Navy, Basic Gray and Chocolate Chip inks to create different looks.

When brayering, it is important to continue adding colour until the paper is completely covered and there are no lines showing from the brayer. It may help to go in different directions with the brayer. Let ink dry completely. 

If you do not own a brayer, a sponge will also work but it will take more effort and you may need to let the layers dry before adding more ink.

With a tissue or soft cloth, wipe excess ink from stamped image.

Since the image was embossed with clear embossing powder, the ink cannot absorb into the paper where it is embossed and will not dry. This final step allows the colours in the background to show through.

Don’t think it, ink it!