Wednesday, April 27, 2016

StazOn Studio Glaze Papers


StazOn Studio Glaze is a translucent pigmented medium that works well on non-porous surfaces. The best results were achieved on gessoed or glossy cardstock. In the video I show how it acts on regular cardstock (not pictured above) - it's not as vibrant but it's not bad either, if you want a more muted look.

Making the Project

Watch the video for step-by-step instructions:


The papers have a wonderful texture to them. Both of the foreground pieces below were gessoed. The one at the top (between) is glossy; sorry, it's a bit hard to distinguish. The die cut pieces further below are on glossy. The biggest difference is that the glaze goes on more transparent unless applied thickly, whereas the gessoed pieces grab on to the glaze more readily. This technique could be used in mixed media projects.


These papers make great backgrounds for cards, scrapbooks, and other projects. The following pieces were die cut from Studio Glazed glossy cardstock.


I created the following card using one of the papers. Shimmer Creative Medium was added to the Studio Glaze. The dots are translucent and have a subtle shimmer.


The rest of the card was made with black cardstock, Stardream Neenah paper (Jupiter), seam binding (bow), and a die cut black clay heart (Makin's Clay, see the Clay Embellishments tutorial).



Supplies

Imagine Crafts Supplies
  • StazOn Studio Glaze: Midnight Blue, Gold, Claret, Ganache
  • Creative Medium: Clear, Shimmer
  • Brushstix
  • DoodleStix
  • Palette Knives
  • Brilliance Dew Drop Ink Pad: Rocket Red Gold
Other Supplies
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Monday, April 25, 2016

Shimmering Chrysanthemums Card

Made for the ECD Susan Tierney-Cockburn Design Team

Shimmer Sheetz make really beautiful flowers! Here I decided to try them with Susan Tierney-Cockburn's Chrysanthemum dies. In person you can see a lot of different colors in the iridescent finish as you turn the card. The layers of black cardstock that make up the Hello sentiment give a really nice 3D look to the greeting. The embossed velvet background adds even more dimensionality to the card.

Making the Card

1. Cut Bright Orange Soft Finish cardstock 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches. Fold in half for a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch card base.

2. Cut black cardstock 3 3/4 x 5 inches. Cut yellow velvet adhesive to 3 5/8 x 4 7/8 inches. Emboss using Bouquet Embossing Folder. Peel off backing and stick to black cardstock. Adhere to front of orange card base.

3. Using Garden Notes - Chrysanthemum, die cut large and medium petals from Orange Iridescent Shimmer Sheetz and small petals from Yellow Iridescent Shimmer Sheetz. Die cut leaves and stem from Green Iridescent Shimmer Sheetz. Hint: use a Metal Cutting Plate to help cut through the Shimmer Sheetz.


4. Shape petals using ball stylus - you need to apply a bit more pressure than with card stock to get them to curl. Rub back of each petal then flip and press in center to get them to cup. Shape leaves by pressing on back with ball stylus then turn over and draw vein lines with leaf tool (pointed end). I cut off the leaf from one of the stems and glued it elsewhere. I also accidentally double cut one of the leaves but it came out OK, just smaller, so I used it. I used Glue Dots to adhere petal layers together, as well as to adhere the flower to the card.

5. Using Hello die, die cut 4 or 5 copies from black cardstock and one from Orange Iridescent Shimmer Sheetz. Glue the black copies together, lining them up to form a thick stack. Glue the orange copy on top. Adhere to card as shown.

6. Adhere enamel dots where shown. Tie two pieces of twine into a bow. Adhere where shown.


Supplies

ECD Supplies
Other Supplies
  • Cardstock: Black
  • Enamel Dots
  • Twine: Candy Corn, Orange
  • Glue Dots
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Monday, April 18, 2016

Carolina Farmhouse Door Card


The new Through the Lens papers by Elizabeth Craft Designs are so beautiful and fun! I used them to give me a jump start in creating the door and stone wall on this card. They provided the perfect colors and textures since they are actual photos of wood and stone. I did some minor shading on the stones to warm them up a bit but it isn't really necessary - you could leave the paper as is.

Making the Card

1. Cut gray cardstock 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches; fold in half to form a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch card base.

2. Die cut Carolina Farmhouse Door from Wood Series cardstock - look for the piece that is mostly red on one side - that is the side you will use. If you do it carefully, you can cut extra pieces from the same sheet as shown below. The side pieces are 1/8 inch wide. Die cut an extra top part of the door as well; from this piece, cut off strips from the very top and two down.

3. Use dimensional tape to pop up pieces from windows as panels on front of door. Trim strips for sides of door if necessary, then adhere with dimensional tape. Do the same with the top strips you cut. 

4. Cut a small piece of both craft foam and gold foil cardstock; glue together. Die cut with smallest circle die from Tags & More 7 - it's the perfect size for a door knob. Adhere as shown. Cut a piece of plastic packaging to fit behind windows; adhere with glue (I used Beacon Gem-Tac).


5. Look through Stone Series cardstock for a piece that will work best for the wall (I used the one with hints of blue paint on it). Optional: Add Antique Linen Distress Ink to give the paper a warmer tone. Optional: Add shading with alcohol markers (I used Copic E31 and E34). Cut stones (New England Stone Wall & Gate).

6. Note where door will be located on front of card (I moved the door each direction to draw pencil guides under it; one on each side and one on top). Glue stones around that area. Add dimensional tape all over back of door. Adhere a piece of patterned paper behind window to look like wallpaper. Adhere door where shown.

7. Die cut several sets of leaves from green and light green cardstock using the Mini Leaves dies. Draw vein lines using colored pencils. Shape with ball stylus and draw lines down veins with leaf tool. Adhere the leaves in a wreath shape on the door (I cut a base from green cardstock using the smallest circle die in the Ring Accordion, then used the next size up to draw the outer ring and cut along the line; I adhered the leaves to this before placing on door). Tie a small bow with thin ribbon and adhere at top of wreath.

8. Optional: From light pink cardstock, cut 6 small flowers from Mini Daisy & Chrysanthemum. Shade middles with pink colored pencil. Shape with ball stylus behind flowers then pressing in middle on front. Layer offset in sets of two to make three flowers. Add a dot of Buttercup Liquid Pearls in middle of each. Adhere to wreath where shown.

9. Stamp sentiment inside of card in black ink.

Supplies

ECD Supplies
Other Supplies
  • Cardstock: Gray, Green, Light Green, Gold Foil, Optional: Light Pink
  • Craft Foam
  • Patterned Paper: Autentique Latest & Greatest 6x6 #BBL003
  • Distress Ink: Antique Linen
  • Copic Markers: E31, E34
  • Color Pencils: Green, Dark Green, Optional: Pink
  • Thin Ribbon
  • Optional: Liquid Pearls Buttercup
  • Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black
  • Stamps: Close to my Heart S1302
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Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Memento Marker Watercolor Stamping


This is a simple way to make a watercolored scene for your cards. As you will see in the video tutorial, I do a little painting to enhance the scene but you could easily skip it. (I didn't have a stamp for the small blue wild flowers so I added them by hand.)

Making the Card

1. Cut light pink cardstock 7x10 inches; fold in half for a card base.

2. Cut watercolor paper 4 1/2 x 6 inches. Tape to Craft Mat with painter's tape. Watch the video tutorial below.


Paper Sizes
Watercolor painting - cut to 4 x 5 5/8 inches
Dark pink cardstock - 4 1/8 x 5 3/4 inches, 4 5/8 x 6 1/8 inches
Patterned paper - 4 1/2 x 6 inches

3. Die cut leaves from green cardstock, shade and shape as desired. Adhere flowers, leaves, and enamel dots as shown.


Supplies

Imagine Crafts Supplies
  • Memento Markers: New Sprout, Olive Grove, Danube Blue, Grape Jelly, Lulu Lavender, Lilac Posies, Rose Bud, Angel Pink
  • Ink Potion No. 9
  • Sheer Shimmer Spritz: Sparkle
  • Craft Mat
  • VersaFine Ink: Onyx Black
Other Supplies
  • Rubber Stamps: Flower (solid - open design not recommended)
  • Painter's Tape
  • Watercolor Paper (e.g. Arches Hot Press)
  • Watercolor Brushes
  • Patterned Paper: Doodlebug Design Inc. Kraft in Color - Color 6x6 Pad
  • Cardstock: Light Pink, Dark Pink, Green
  • Petaloo DIY Paintables (Bulk Packs)
  • Stamps: Close to My Heart Artistry
  • Enamel Dots
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Monday, April 11, 2016

Window on an Embossed Wall Card

Made for the ECD Susan Tierney-Cockburn Design Team

I was so excited when I received the Carolina Window & Shutters dies by Susan Tierney-Cockburn; I just love windows for cards! I've been waiting to use it for a special design - I didn't want to just do the standard Christmas window with wreath (although they do look great) or a window with curtains. I finally decided on a monochromatic white design, using recycled plastic packaging for the panes of glass. I also love how the embossed wall creates a wonderful textured background.

Making the Card

1. Cut white cardstock 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches; fold in half for a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch card base.

2. Cut white cardstock 3 7/8 x 5 1/8 inches. Emboss with Flower Mosaic. Adhere to front of card (note: you may want to use a liquid glue to get it to really stick down).

3. Die cut from white cardstock: 2 window frames (you won't need shutters - keep them for another project or recycle them), 3 sets of vines, 4 sets of flowers (32 total). Shape leaves by drawing a line down the middle of each. Shape petals by drawing a line down each petal then rubbing in the middle with a ball stylus; on half the flowers, press harder and/or use smaller ball stylus to make center petals; this makes them cup up more. Stack center petals on base petals, gluing offset. I use Kids Choice Glue for all my flowers.


4. Using scrap leftovers from one of the windows as a template, place it just higher than center on the card. Draw a pencil guide line a little inside the template (do not draw shutters). Using a craft knife, cut window into front of card inside guide line - you want a lip on which to glue the frame but not enough to show beyond the window frame. Draw a similar guide on a piece of clear plastic packaging using an alcohol based marker, like a Sharpie. Cut along guide with scissors. Glue plastic on backside of one window fame (trim if necessary). I used Gem-Tac Glue for this. Glue to front of card, covering hole. Glue remaining frame inside card to give it a finished look.

5. Adhere one vine starting at bottom left below window as shown. Leave branches free (i.e. don't glue them down). Cut bases off other vines and glue them starting under the first vine - you want them to look like they are all one vine. Trim them apart if necessary.

6. Adhere flowers as shown. Adhere one white pearl bead in center of each with Gem-Tac Glue.


Supplies

ECD Supplies
Other Supplies
  • Cardstock: White
  • Clear Plastic Packaging
  • White Pearl Beads 3mm
  • Beacon: Kids Choice Glue, Gem-Tac Glue
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