Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Fun with Magic Stamp by ColorBox (Clearsnap)


I was recently asked to review the Magic Stamp by ColorBox/Clearsnap with Splitcoaststampers, where you can also find the reviews. I had never used this product before and was intrigued. Clearsnap sent me two Magic Stamps to try. I watched a few YouTube videos that showed how awesome it can be by using a variety of items to create textures (e.g. rubber-bands, bubblewrap, coins, pearls, etc.) for a stamp. All you do is heat the surface (I use a heat tool) and press it on the object(s)!


Another thing about the product is that it is easily reusable - the Magic Stamp will return to its former flat state when heated again, ready to be pressed into something else!


I made three cards, one using a brass stencil, one using an embossing folder, and one using mat board die cuts. All three turned out pretty cool, if I may say so myself!

Affiliate links may be included in this post. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Share a Sale, and other affiliate programs; these affiliate advertising programs provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and/or other affiliated sites at no cost to you. This helps offset a small portion of my crafting addiction... uh, hobby. I am truly thankful for your kind support! I also receive free products from my design team companies. Regardless, all opinions are my own. I do not get paid for my posts unless otherwise specified. Cookies may be used on this site. See notice at bottom of blog for a longer description.



Making the Cards


Gear Card

1. Cut blue cardstock about 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches (or larger, for wiggle room). Place Dreamweaver Gears brass stencil on heat resistant surface. Heat the Magic Stamp on same surface with a heat tool then press on stencil. Hold for a few seconds until cool.


2. Ink Magic Stamp with Peacock ColorBox pigment ink; stamp on blue cardstock. Heat set ink (pigment ink takes a while to dry). Trim stamped image to 3 1/4 x 4 3/8 inches (note: your size may vary slightly depending on the size of the Magic Stamp - just add 1/4 inch to each dimension, i.e. leaving 1/8 inch border around stamped area).


3. Cut black cardstock 1/8 inch larger than stamped image (i.e. 1/16 inch larger all around). Adhere stamped image.

4. Cut kraft cardstock 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches; fold in half to form a top folding 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch card base. Cut brown cardstock 4 x 5 1/4 inches. Adhere to card base. Cut blue cardstock 3 1/2 x 4 3/4 inches. Adhere to card base. Adhere stamped image to card base at an angle as shown.

5. Use a Stamp Platform or Stamp Positioner to stamp tool man, wrench, and hammer (YNS Nailed it! Stamps) in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on Strathmore 500 Bristol Plate Surface paper (or white cardstock - this Strathmore paper has more tooth but may also be more of a challenge as the ink needs to be set with a heat tool or will take a very long time to dry). I recommend leaving the stamps in place so you may stamp again after coloring since the lines may get covered with pencil. I stamped multiple times due to the tooth of the paper then used a heat tool to set the ink.

6. Color the images with Derwent Colorsoft pencils, using blending stumps and walnut oil to blend light layers of pencil. Optional but recommended: after coloring, re-stamp over the top if any of the colored pencil obscured the lines (you could also use a black fine tipped pen, such as a Copic Multiliner, to trace over lines). Die cut with matching dies or fussy cut around stamps (I used my Sizzix Big Shot machine).

7. Stamp "Happy Birthday 'TOOL' you!" on light blue cardstock in VersaMark ink. Emboss with Forget-Me-Not embossing powder. Trim to a strip and add tails on the left side. Adhere to card where shown using Dimensional/Mounting Tape; add hammer where shown. Adhere tool man with wrench in hand using Dimensional/Mounting Tape.


Embossed Happy Birthday Card

1. Open the Happy Birthday embossing folder so that the readable side is facing up and ready for Magic Stamp. Heat the Magic Stamp with a heat tool then press on embossing folder (note: I recommend placing on heat resistant surface before heating, e.g. silicone mat). Hold for a few seconds until cool.


2. Cut a piece of pink cardstock about 4 1/4 x 5 inches (this will be bigger than stamp so you have some wiggle room). Ink Magic Stamp with Chianti ColorBox pigment ink; stamp on pink cardstock. Heat set ink (pigment ink takes a while to dry). Put stamped piece into embossing folder, making sure to line up text (I both looked through the plastic and also flipped it open and closed to check). Emboss (I used my Sizzix Big Shot machine). Clean ink from embossing folder. Trim stamped image to 3 1/4 x 4 3/8 inches (note: your size may vary slightly depending on the size of the Magic Stamp - just add 1/4 inch to each dimension, i.e. leaving 1/8 inch border around stamped area).


3. Cut brown Kraft-Core cardstock to 1/4 inch larger than newly trimmed stamped piece (for 1/8 inch border). Optional: sand around edges to slightly distress cardstock; wipe off any excess dust. Adhere stamped piece to brown.

4. Cut pink cardstock 4 1/4 x 11 inches; fold in half to form a left-side folding card base. Cut brown polkadot patterned paper from Lost & Found Madison Avenue 6x6 Paper Pad to 4 x 5 1/4 inches; adhere to card base. Adhere stamped piece with brown border.

5. Use a Mini Mister (or other small spray bottle) with water to spritz the Petaloo Canterbury Rose. Use a cotton swab or makeup applicator to color the petals with Old Rose (or Shabby Pink) ColorBox pigment ink. Add some Chianti ColorBox pigment ink to the center. Let dry (I fluffed up the petals into the shaped I wanted before letting it dry). Adhere to card where shown with liquid adhesive; I used Lineco pH Neutral Adhesive in a Fineline applicator.


Hi Hello Card

1. Cut dark pink cardstock 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches; fold in half to form a top folding 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch card base. Cut black cardstock 3 3/4 x 5 inches. Adhere to card base.

2. Cut light pink about 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches (or even larger for more wiggle room). Die cut "hi" (Cutout Script) and Mini Flourish from mat board. Adhere to 2" Post-it Tape for positioning. Use another piece to tape it down on heat resistant surface. Heat the Magic Stamp on same surface with a heat tool then press on stencil. Hold for a few seconds until cool.


3. Ink Magic Stamp with Old Rose (or Shabby Pink) ColorBox pigment ink; stamp on light pink cardstock. Heat set ink (pigment ink takes a while to dry). Trim stamped image to 3 1/4 x 4 3/8 inches (note: your size may vary slightly depending on the size of the Magic Stamp - just add 1/4 inch to each dimension, i.e. leaving 1/8 inch border around stamped area).


4. Use a red Stardust Gelly Roll to trace around the outline and doodle inside. (You might also try a black pen, such as a Copic Multliner.) Cut dark pink cardstock 1/8 inch larger than stamped image (i.e. 1/16 inch larger all around). Adhere stamped image to dark pink. Adhere to card base.

5. Die cut black cardstock with "hello" (Hero Arts Stamp & Cut Hello). Make it a sticker with Xyron 1.5" Create-a-Sticker. Adhere where shown.

6. On black cardstock, stamp "you make me smile" (Hero Arts Stamp & Cut Hello) using VersaMark ink and emboss with Pink Peony embossing powder. Trim (leaving room for heart) and add tails on the right. Adhere to card where shown. Die cut heart from dark pink cardstock - I used the heart from Karen Burniston's Coffee Charms set. Adhere where shown.

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Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Dragon Get Well Card with Xyron and Derwent



This is a collaborative post with Xyron and Derwent. Derwent sent the Xyron Design Team a 24 set of beautiful Procolour pencils and a sketchbook to try out. The pencils are creamy to use and smooth to blend but they are not quite as soft as Derwent Coloursoft pencils so they may be sharpened to a finer point without breaking.


I used the pencils to color this adorable dragon image in the sketchbook then die cut it with stitched ovals dies (Rubbernecker Stamps). I used stumps to blend the colored pencils with Linseed Oil, which worked amazingly well. It was super easy to get a smooth blend. The dragon and sentiment are from the Magical Dragons set by My Favorite Things.

This card can be used as a get well card or just to lift someone's spirits. For example, you could stamp "Get well soon" inside the card or write an inspiring message, as appropriate. Paper by Doodlebug Design.

Affiliate links may be included in this post. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Share a Sale, and other affiliate programs; these affiliate advertising programs provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and/or other affiliated sites at no cost to you. This helps offset a small portion of my crafting addiction... uh, hobby. I am truly thankful for your kind support! I also receive free products from my design team companies. Regardless, all opinions are my own. I do not get paid for my posts unless otherwise specified. Cookies may be used on this site. See notice at bottom of blog for a longer description.



Making the Card

The first thing I did was test the Linseed Oil with the pencils and paper to see how well they worked together. I was very happy with the results! A beautiful blend!

1. With Memento Tuxedo Black ink, stamp dragon (Magical Dragons by My Favorite Things) in Derwent Big Book sketchbook (or on white cardstock). You may want to heat set the image with a heat tool. Color with Derwent Procolour Pencils (the colors I used are listed under Supplies). I used a KUM long point sharpener to sharpen the pencils to a fine point as needed and used blending stumps with Chelsea Classic Studios Linseed Oil Extra Pale to blend.


Lay down color using a circular motion (tiny circles) and work in light layers. Don't rush - just build up the color by alternating between blending and coloring. Note: I added a ground line using a Black Copic Multiliner 0.2.


2. Once the image has been colored, die cut it using Rubbernecker Stamps: Nested Oval Small Stitch Die. Also die cut green cardstock with the next size up stitched oval and gray cardstock with one more size up.


3. Cut light blue cardstock 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches; fold in half to form a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch top folding card base. Cut dark blue cardstock 3 3/4 x 5 inches. Cut triangle patterned paper (Dragon Tails by Doodlebug Design) 3 1/2 x 4 3/4 inches.


4. Use the Xyron 9" Creative Station with permanent adhesive to coat all die cut pieces, plus dark blue cardstock and triangle patterned paper from step 3. Rub before pulling off cellophane.


5. Adhere dark blue cardstock to card base then triangle patterned paper. Adhere dragon to dark green oval then to gray oval. Adhere where shown on card.

6. Using VersaMark ink, stamp "I Heard You Were DRAGON" sentiment on light blue cardstock (may use Stamp Platform or stamp positioner to make it easier). Emboss with Fern Green Wendy Vecchi Embossing Powder using heat tool. Trim and add tails. Cut a piece of dark blue about 1/16 inch larger. Use Mega Runner to add adhesive to sentiment banner then stick to dark blue. Cut tails. Adhere to card where shown using Xyron foam tape - watch the following video to make foam tape.


7. Add Swarovski Crystals where shown using strong liquid adhesive.


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Thursday, March 22, 2018

A Magical Card with Karen Burniston Dies & Doodlebug Designs


I think this Castle Pop-up might be my favorite die set ever. My husband and I both love sci-fi/fantasy so I flipped when I saw this release! I already had the perfect papers to go with it: Doodlebug Design Fairy Tales. I wanted to make a castle to match the one in the papers, as if the fairy brought it to life. I modified the castle to have three roofed towers instead of two. I also added flag poles on top of these towers using the stir stick from the Coffee Cup Pop-up.

Karen Burniston Castle Pop-up with Doodlebug Design Paper Fairy Tales

Affiliate links may be included in this post. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Share a Sale, and other affiliate programs; these affiliate advertising programs provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and/or other affiliated sites at no cost to you. This helps offset a small portion of my crafting addiction... uh, hobby. I am truly thankful for your kind support! I also receive free products from my design team companies. Regardless, all opinions are my own. I do not get paid for my posts unless otherwise specified. Cookies may be used on this site. See notice at bottom of blog for a longer description.

Making the Card

1. Cut light pink cardstock 4 1/4 x 11 inches; fold in half to form a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch top folding card base. Cut dark pink cardstock 4 x 5 1/4 inches. Cut unicorn/castle patterned paper (Fairy Tale 12x12 pad) 3 7/8 x 5 1/8 (note: be aware of pattern if you want the unicorn and castle on card as shown); adhere to dark pink. Adhere to front of card.

2. Cut rainbow/castle image shown on front of card from label page in Fairy Tales 6x6 pad. Cut dark pink cardstock 1/8 inch bigger (this will make a 1/16 inch border around it). Adhere rainbow/castle image to dark pink cardstock. Adhere to front of card where shown. Cut "Believe in the Magic!" label from same page in Fairy Tales 6x6 pad - trim as shown (the border makes it too big if you want to see the patterned paper behind it). Cut purple polkadot paper 1/8 inch bigger. Adhere "Believe in the Magic!" to purple polkadot paper using dimensional tape. Adhere to card where shown.

Karen Burniston Castle Pop-up with Doodlebug Design Paper Fairy Tales

3. For the Castle Pop-up, cut 2 pieces of light green cardstock 3 3/4 inches by a tiny bit under 5 1/4 inches. These will go on the inside of the card leaving just enough room for the fold. Watch the following video for assembling the castle. The cardstock colors are listed below the video. I recommend watching it once, then going through the cardstock colors, and finally watching again while doing assembly.


Cardstock Colors

From the cardstock listed below, use the Castle Pop-up dies to cut the castle pieces and the Princess and Mermaid dies to cut the fairy pieces. Hint: put all little pieces in a small dish or other safe place while assembling castle. Use the stir stick (stirring end, looks like a small spoon) from the Coffee Cup Pop-up for the flag poles; cut at about 1 1/4 inches; these will be glued behind the tower roofs (may want to add a fold down the middle of the pole parts where they will attach, but leave tops round areas without folds).
  • Dark pink: main castle, 2 towers (do not adhere together until customized), extra drawbridge (from pop up piece)
  • Dark pink: flag poles (6); glue pairs back to back to form 3 poles as described above
  • Light pink: flags (3) to be glued to flag poles, drawbridge decorator piece, window decorator pieces (2 sets - won't use one of those with a longer side), front castle decorator piece, long wall sections (4), short wall section, tower decorator pieces (2); emboss all pieces with stones
  • Black and light pink: use the pop up castle piece with drawbridge to cut 6 bigger dots and 4 smaller to use as cheeks and eyes on the clouds and fairy
  • Purple polkadot (Fairy Tale 6x6 pad): 3 roof decorator pieces
  • White: a small and a large cloud (see step 4 for eyes, mouth, and cheeks - do not adhere clouds until after faces have been drawn and glued on)
  • Fairy - head/arms: peachy/cream; hair: brown, wings (dress): white glitter, dress: turquoise glitter, dress bottom and belt: dark pink glitter, wand and crown: silver glitter
Add a little Picked Raspberry Distress Oxide ink to some of the embossed stones using the stencil part of the dies - I used a cotton swab to apply it, you could also use a makeup applicator. Wipe dies with damp paper towel to remove excess ink.

Karen Burniston Castle Pop-up with Doodlebug Design Paper Fairy Tales

To customize tower, cut the tower part of the castle die from dark pink cardstock and trim as shown in photo below. Adhere to front of back tower piece (tab bends back, just flatten the tab as you work on it). Adhere front of tower (tab bends forward) - be sure not to put adhesive on tabs. Adhere purple polkadot roof. Adhere window decorator piece. Adhere stone tower front.


Assemble castle, leaving off clouds. Use dark pink/pink/white twine (or pink/white twine) for drawbridge.

4. Lightly pencil eyes, mouth, and cheek placements on clouds to match those in paper pad. Use mouth stencil on fairy head/arms die to draw eyes and mouth on large cloud and mouth on small cloud with Black Copic Multiliner .2. Adhere cheeks on both clouds and eyes on small cloud. Adhere to castle as shown.

Karen Burniston Castle Pop-up with Doodlebug Design Paper Fairy Tales

5. Optional: add Spectrum Noir Sparkle Clear to fairy hair and head/arms. From fairy head/arms piece, cut off arm that will hold wand (i.e. her left arm on right side). Assemble the fairy as shown, using white dress as wings (leave off wand for now). Adhere to front of card as shown using dimensional/mounting tape behind all but the arm holding the wand - use glue behind hand. Adhere wand in her hand.


6. Cut a piece of purple glitter cardstock just larger than Happily Ever After die. Cut a piece of dark pink glitter cardstock the size of the heart. Run though Xyron 9" Creative Station with Permanent Adhesive (you can use the 5" cartridge!). Die cut with Happily Ever After die (to die cut heart, just place it over heart part of die, then die cut).

7. Cut dotted label (Katherine Label Pop-up) from dark pink cardstock. Adhere to card where shown. Adhere "Happily ever after" and dark pink heart.

8. Cut Doodlebug Design Unicorn (also available as an SVG from Lori Whitlock) using Silhouette Cameo 3 - cardstock colors: light gray, dark gray, white, bright yellow, light pink, dark pink, bright green, orange, turquoise/blue, purple. I cut mine about 1.8 inches high but if you aren't used to cutting so small, you may want to make it larger. Assemble and adhere to card where shown using dimensional/mounting tape.

Karen Burniston Castle Pop-up with Doodlebug Design Paper Fairy Tales

Bonus Card

I made a simpler version of the same card. Cut light pink cardstock 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches; fold in half to form a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch top folding card base. For the front, use the small pattern castle/unicorn background from Fairy Tales 6x6 pad with dark pink in same dimensions but in a horizontal orientation as in step 1 above. Cut unicorn about 3 inches high (step 8). Cut large decorator label from Katherine Label Pop-up from light pink cardstock; cut dotted decorator label from light turquoise/blue cardstock and adhere to light pink. Adhere to card front where shown using dimensional/mounting tape. Adhere "happy birthday" sticker (12x12 Fairy Tales) where shown using dimensional/mounting tape. Adhere unicorn where shown using dimensional/mounting tape.


For the Castle Pop-up, cut the 2 pieces of light green cardstock 5 inches by a tiny bit under 4 inches. I didn't add faces to the clouds, add the extension to the tower or add the poles for the flags, and only attached 2 flags to the tower roofs as shown in the video. Assemble and adhere castle (step 2).


Using Word Set 5 - Royalty, die cut banner with "It's good to be" inside on dark pink Glitter Silk cardstock (use temporary adhesive to hold dies in place while die cutting). Cut light pink strip of cardstock just larger than banner. Adhere banner to strip then add to card using dimensional/mounting tape near inside top center. Die cut light pink banner; die cut "Queen" from purple Glitter Silk cardstock. Adhere banner and word where shown.

Karen Burniston Castle Pop-up with Doodlebug Design & Miss Kate Cuttables

Karen Burniston Castle Pop-up with Doodlebug Design & Miss Kate Cuttables

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