Use Scrap Strips to Make Ephemera Using Stamps and Washi

I have a hard time throwing away scraps, including strips. I even keep strips that I cut off the ends of patterned paper - you know, the white strip at the top, sometimes with a hole? Some come with a pattern that's found on the reverse side - I even keep those!

I'm working with cream and white scraps here but you could do this with light colored scraps too. If the color is too dark, the stamping or washi tape may not show up well. Use these strips to decorate cards, junk journals, scrapbooks, envelopes (I'd recommend using thinner cardstock or paper scraps for envelopes), decor, and more.

Copyright Notice: ©Mary Dimercurio Prasad. All rights reserved. Any illegal reproduction of this content, including images, will result in immediate legal action.

Disclaimer:  Please help support my work in this small way - just use my links if you plan to purchase anything - there's no extra cost to you. Here's the official jargon: links, affiliate links, and cookies may be used in this post and on this site. Using this site implies your consent. 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. 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 companies, possibly monetary compensation, and sometimes free products for review. Regardless, all opinions are my own. Google and Blogger use cookies to provide and improve their services. See Notice at the bottom of this blog for a longer description and/or see the full Privacy Policy for even more details.

Making the Strips

1. Gather up your cream or white cardstock scrap strips and/or cut some strips from larger scraps or full sheets. You may also use light colored cardstock strip scraps.

2. See photo for examples. Use thin washi tapes to line edges of thicker strips. Use thicker washi tapes either by themselves or with stamps depending on the thickness of the strip and the desired look. See Supplies, below, for some of the Tim Holtz Design Tapes I used.

3. Optional: use a blending tool with sanding disk on a small cutting mat to sand off some of the surface of the washi tape. Use a soft cloth, such as a microfiber cloth, to wipe off and pick up any dust before handling. Sanding makes the tape look less shiny, makes it adhere better, and gives it an aged look. Note: I use the back side of my cutting mat so I won't sand off the lines on the front. You may want to use a dedicated mat for sanding.

4. Stamp between washi tape or stamp above/below as desired. I used VersaFine Clair Inks for their crispness. Look for small stamps to fit the space. If a stamp has two lines and you want to stamp in one line, you may either ink one half at a time or mask off one line at a time (e.g. use a Post-it to cover half while inking then remove before stamping). If you get ink in an undesired area, I recommend using a Stamp Shammy to clean off ink; I fold and use a small edge or corner for accuracy. Stamp Shammies are also excellent for cleaning your stamps before putting them away.

5. Use blending tool with a domed foam applicator and brown Distress Oxide Ink or brown Distress Ink to ink edges of each strip. I used Vintage Photo Distress Oxide Ink. You may want to do this on a Craft Mat or Glass Media Mat.

Hints: See the photo above; each square is 1/2". If your stamping was crooked, try stamping over with a darker ink, maybe using a seal type stamp. You may also trim down the area and separate areas by stamp. For example, I stamped "Handle With Care" twice but they were crooked so I cut around them and inked the edges to use separately. I stamped the red stripes (above the blue and red arrows) but left too much of a gap between the stamps so I added a black Air Mail seal over that area to hide the gaps. If you have very small scraps, fit very small stamps or washi (the red "Air Mail" with stripes is one stamp).

For a more distressed look, bend strip in different directions, each time sanding and/or inking the bent edge before flattening back out - see top strip with "Special Delivery" stamped down the middle and black washi tape at top. The music strip is just washi alone - the strip was very thin, I even had to trim it down to fit the paper.

Supplies

• Cardstock - Cream or White
• Various Washi Tapes - Tim Holtz Design Tape (e.g. Postal, Vintage, Collector, Trims)
• Thin Washi Tapes
• Tim Holtz Ranger Sanding Disks (for Mini Ink Blending Tool)
• Small Cutting Mat
• Microfiber Cloth
• Stampers Anonymous Stamps:
• Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Field Notes CMS396
• Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Correspondence CMS225
• Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Holiday Postmarks CMS323
• Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Tidbits CMS488
• Optional: Post-it Notes
• Recommended: Lawn Fawn Stamp Shammy to clean stamps
• Tim Holtz Blending Tools, Domed Foam Applicator
• Brown Distress Oxide Ink (I used Vintage Photo) or Brown Distress Ink
• VersaFine Clair Inks (e.g. Nocturne, Tulip Red, Paradise)
• Craft Mat or Glass Media Mat

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Grunge Vintage Old World Maps Tim Holtz Distress Ink & Oxide

I'm enamored with old and vintage maps. I've collected a few world map stamps but haven't done much with them so I decided to make some old maps to use on cards, journals, etc. I Googled vintage map images (click Images at the top) to see what colors of ink were used and how they looked aged. I made some of mine super grungy but made others with a much less. I also added watercolor pencils on a couple.

Copyright Notice: ©Mary Dimercurio Prasad. All rights reserved. Any illegal reproduction of this content, including images, will result in immediate legal action.

Disclaimer:  Please help support my work in this small way - just use my links if you plan to purchase anything - there's no extra cost to you. Here's the official jargon: links, affiliate links, and cookies may be used in this post and on this site. Using this site implies your consent. 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. 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 companies, possibly monetary compensation, and sometimes free products for review. Regardless, all opinions are my own. Google and Blogger use cookies to provide and improve their services. See Notice at the bottom of this blog for a longer description and/or see the full Privacy Policy for even more details.

Making the Maps

1. Start with smooth ivory/cream or white cardstock - it's easier to get an aged look with cream. I was able to use some of my larger scrap pieces; they varied in thickness and surface. Use a blending brush to apply Old Paper Distress Ink all over. Don't worry if it's patchy - this just adds to the effect. To add more texture and patchiness, use a blending tool with domed foam in a twisting motion; this creates darker areas.

2a. Use a blending brush (I used a small one) with Vintage Photo Distress Oxide Ink on a craft mat or Glass Media Mat (blending area) - rub brush in ink, tap off on mat, then blend in areas of paper where you want even darker areas.

2b. Optional: if you want a very grungy look, you can add drips/splats by spraying Distress Spray Stain onto a craft mat, adding water, breaking it up with your fingers (or tool, like end of a paintbrush), then tapping paper into it. Use a heat tool between dips to add layers and also to dry final result before stamping.

3. Stamp maps. I listed three map stamps I used in Supplies, further below. The fourth was a very old previously wood mounted stamp; I don't know the manufacturer. I also listed two I didn't use but would recommend; one is the Winnie the Pooh Hundred Acre Woods stamp - so cute! The other, Antique Hero Map, reminds me of a pirate map. To get best results, use a stamping tool, such as Stamp Platform or Misti. Use VersaFine Clair ink for fine detail plus waterproof coloring. On some, I used various brown Distress Inks or Distress Oxide Inks if I didn't plan to watercolor after. These inks may stamp light so definitely best used with stamping tool unless you like that look. Note: you may use a waterbrush with Distress stamped images to add water effects, such as blurred lines. For an even bolder effect, drip of water on the image. Use a heat tool to set and dry ink. I recommend a Lawn Fawn Stamp Shammy to clean stamps.

4. Once heat set, cut out images using scissors, paper trimmer, or even dies if you have any that would work (e.g. rectangle dies). Use a Corner Chomper to round corners as desired. You may add more shading/distressing after stamping. On some I added Vintage Photo Distress Oxide Ink with a blending brush, either in spots or in a sort of frame around the edges. For the edges themselves, I used blending tool with domed foam and Walnut Stain Distress Ink, just coming in a little, then finally Scorched Timer Distress Ink where I wanted the very darkest parts, mainly in the corners.

5. Optional: distress edges by tearing, bending, sanding, or using a Paper Distressing blade. Add wrinkles by bending and inking the bent edge before flattening. For more wrinkles, crumple, flatten, then lightly ink over top to catch the peaks of the crumples.

6. Optional: use watercolor pencils to go around areas of the map then use waterbrush to extend and blend watercolor. I only did this on maps with waterproof ink but you may experiment with Distress stamped images for more grungy look. I tried Arteza watercolor pencils first - they were OK but waxy and not so easy to blend, especially on cheaper cardstock. I had a much easier time using Fabel-Castell Albrecht Dürer watercolor pencils; they blended like a dream in comparison.

Hint: keep your scraps and strips of paper, including inky ones. I'll be posting about how to take those scraps and make ephemera out of them.

Supplies

• Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Air Travel CMS102
• Deep Red Stamps Olde World Map SKU 5X705724
• Darkroom Door Background Stamp World Map DDBS025
• Recommended: Hero Arts Antique Hero map Bold Prints
• Recommended: Echo Park - Winnie the Pooh Hundred Acre Woods Map
• Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Inks (Old Paper, Walnut Stain, Scorched Timber)
• Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Oxide Inks (Vintage Photo)
• Optional: Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Spray Stain (Antique Linen, Old Paper, Vintage Photo)
• Optional: Tim Holtz Stamp Platform or Misti
• Waterbrush
• Heat Tool
• VersaFine Clair Inks (Nocturne)
• Smooth Ivory/Cream or White Cardstock
• Tim Holtz Ink Blending Tools
• Domed Foam Applicator
• Blending Brushes
• Craft Mat or Glass Media Mat
• Corner Chomper
• Optional: Paper Distressing Blade
• Optional: Tim Holtz Ranger Sanding Disks (for Mini Ink Blending Tool)
• Watercolor Pencils (I recommend Fabel-Castell Albrecht Dürer instead of Arteza if not on a budget)
• Recommended: Lawn Fawn Stamp Shammy to clean stamps

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Tim Holtz, Grunge Labels, and a Lot of Inky Fun

I've been creating my own ephemera, and other grungy items, for use at a later date. In this post I'm showing how I made sticker labels. This is a great way to use your stamp stash. I even pulled out a few holiday sets with stamps that could be used generically. Most of the stamps I used are still available, but a few are long out of print, including ones where I no longer have the original packaging (this was before I had a blog!). I have two butterfly/moth stamps, one from an old Sizzix set with four figures vertically on it, but the other, with three figures horizontally, was a single in my collection. It looks like Stampers Anonymous but I have no idea where I got it, or if it was part of a set or not. However I have seen similar butterfly/moths in other current Stampers Anonymous sets.

To isolate the single figures (butterfly or moth), I masked parts of the stamp using Post-it Notes or just inked carefully (using a stamp shammy if I got some where I didn't want it). For the small labels (photo further below), I used a stamp platform and home-made positioner from clear recycled plastic packaging.

Check out the glorious mess I made while creating these labels.

Copyright Notice: ©Mary Dimercurio Prasad. All rights reserved. Any illegal reproduction of this content, including images, will result in immediate legal action.

Disclaimer:  Please help support my work in this small way - just use my links if you plan to purchase anything - there's no extra cost to you. Here's the official jargon: links, affiliate links, and cookies may be used in this post and on this site. Using this site implies your consent. 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. 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 companies, possibly monetary compensation, and sometimes free products for review. Regardless, all opinions are my own. Google and Blogger use cookies to provide and improve their services. See Notice at the bottom of this blog for a longer description and/or see the full Privacy Policy for even more details.

Making the Labels

1. Start with a large sticker sheet (I'll discuss the small labels further below). Use an ink blending brush or blending tool (preferably with a domed applicator) to cover the page with Old Paper Distress Ink or other light ink that will give the paper an aged look. I used a blending brush first then dabbed and blended heavier areas using a blending tool and domed foam.

2. On a craft mat or plastic packaging, spray Distress Stain one color at a time, mixing with some water if desired (I wanted the colors to be lighter so I did add water). I used Speckled Egg, Antique Linen, and Vintage Photo. Break up ink by running your fingers or other tool through it. I used the end of a paint brush. Dab stickers into the droplets, creating splatters over the labels - quickly dry with heat tool. If you do not dry between dabs, the stains may interact with each other and/or bleed; this happened to me with Speckled Egg, creating undesirable color rings and bleeds.

3. Stamp! Note: more specific supplies are listed at the bottom of the post. Use butterflies, moths, other bugs, mushrooms, numbers, signatures, labels, seals, text for background, etc. I mostly used Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous stamps but also used a variety of my other stamps. It was fun digging through my stash for little treasures! On some labels, I first stamped background text using Distress Oxide Vintage Photo, on others I didn't. I wanted a variety of looks. Sometimes I stamped words or numbers up the sides of labels. When using my larger stamps, I often masked off the label edges using Post-it Notes, although you can allow stamps to go over two labels if you like that look (I only did this with a label stamp; I then stamped numbers inside each half). I also used Post-it Notes to mask parts of a stamp I didn't want inked or I used a corner of the ink pad to selectively ink the stamp, removing any excess with a stamp shammy. For most of the stamping I used either VersaFine or VersaFine Clair ink to get the cleanest images but when I wanted the stamp to fade more into the background, I used Distress Oxide Vintage Photo. Note: VersaFine ink is being replaced by VersaFine Clair ink. I still have some of the older VersaFine ink pads - I will replace them as they wear out.

To create the smaller labels (above), I used similar techniques. I didn't add the splats though; I may go back and add them later but for now I've left them off. I used a stamp platform (e.g. Tim Holtz, Misti) with a positioner I made using recycled plastic packaging. I cut the packaging to fit the platform. I put the top of a label sheet near the bottom of the stamp platform, up against the side, then lined up the stamps on a row of labels and picked them up with the door of the stamp platform. I did 4 at a time since there are 4 labels in each row, changing them out once in a while.

I put the plastic packaging in the top corner of the positioner, inked up the stamps and stamped on the packaging, being careful not to touch the images once stamped. I aligned the labels underneath to make sure the images were centered; if not, I repositioned the stamp, wiped off the ink from the positioner, and tried again. Once aligned, remove the positioner (careful not to touch the inked images), re-inked the stamps, then stamped.

To do the next row, replace the positioner and move up the labels so they align. You can change colors of ink as desired. When replacing a stamp, you will have to clean its image from the positioner and re-stamp it. Use masking and other techniques as mentioned above as desired.

Here's a look at the finished large sheet of labels. There's another close up at the bottom of this post.

Supplies

• Avery Address Labels 1 x 2-5/8" (e.g. 5160, 8160)
• Avery Labels 1/2 x 3/4" 5418
• Tim Holtz/Ranger Ink Blending Tool, Domed Foam
• Ink Blending Brush
• Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Inks (Old Paper, Walnut Stain)
• Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Oxide Inks (Vintage Photo)
• Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stains (Speckled Egg, Antique Linen, Vintage Photo)
• Heat Tool
• Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Field Notes CMS396
• Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Correspondence CMS225
• Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Tiny Toadstools CMS377
• Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Examination CMS412
• Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Rest in Peace CMS435
• Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Mini Worn Text THJ007
• Hero Arts Bold Prints Cling Stamp Novel Prose CG839
• Tim Holtz Sizzix French Flight 659884
• VersaFine Clair Inks (Nocturne)
• VersaFine Inks (Majestic Blue, Satin Red) - use VersaFine Clair Inks instead, newer version
• Lawn Fawn Stamp Shammy
• Post-it Notes
• Stamp Platform (e.g. Tim Holtz, Misti)

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Tim Holtz Distress Bloom Cards with Texture Paste

I love the light textures and soft distressed look of these cards. Be sure to check out the photos below to see more of the texture paste, which shows much better when the light is coming from above. I was inspired by some of the makers from the Tim Holtz team as well as the man himself. I haven't had much time to create in the past year or so. I finally tried breaking up creating into shorter sessions. On one day I made some of my own distressed cardstock in different colors - red, green, yellow - to have on hand for die cutting at a later date. On another day I sat in front of the TV and did some die cutting and gluing. Finally, I spent some time in my craft room creating the backgrounds above, then put together my cards!

Copyright Notice: ©Mary Dimercurio Prasad. All rights reserved. Any illegal reproduction of this content, including images, will result in immediate legal action. 

Disclaimer:  Please help support my work in this small way - just use my links if you plan to purchase anything - there's no extra cost to you. Here's the official jargon: links, affiliate links, and cookies may be used in this post and on this site. Using this site implies your consent. 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. 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 companies, possibly monetary compensation, and sometimes free products for review. Regardless, all opinions are my own. Google and Blogger use cookies to provide and improve their services. See Notice at the bottom of this blog for a longer description and/or see the full Privacy Policy for even more details.

Making the Cards

I created two cards at the same time. Although they are similar, the do have slight differences - the biggest difference being how I did the sentiment on each card. I cut out the word "THANKS" from the label for one sentiment and used the letters themselves as the sentiment on the other card.

1. You will create three distress backgrounds for the flowers, one each in red, green, and yellow. Be sure to vary each one across its sheet so you may die cut different shades in the next step. To do this, start by using a blending tool to ink up 3 half sheets of White Heavystock with various shades of red, green, or yellow Distress Inks - one sheet per color but several ink colors per sheet (or just vary the amount so you get lighter and darker shades). Splatter each with water, dab with paper towel to create lighter splats. Using one color at a time, tap ink pad(s) on craft sheet, spray with water, break up by running your fingers through it to create droplets, then tap paper into it. Dry with heat tool and repeat. You may do each step again until you get a very distress background with varied areas of each color.

2. Using Bloom Colorize dies, cut two sets of roses from different areas of the red distressed background. I used the lighter areas for the upper layers on everything. Similarly, die cut two sets of flower buds from yellow and leaves from green. Assemble as shown then set aside.

3. Cut light pink cardstock into two 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inch pieces (I actually used two different shades of light pink because I had scraps); fold in half to create two 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch card bases. Set these aside for now. For the backgrounds, cut two pieces of light pink cardstock to 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches (these will be cut down another 1/4 inch later, although you can start with the smaller size if you don't want to cut them down after inking, etc.).

4. Optional: stamp backgrounds with Picket Fence Distress Ink using Stampers Anonymous Scrollwork stamps. Dry with heat tool. This will give it a very subtle pattern below the stenciling.

5. Using a blending brush, lightly ink over opposite areas with a light pink Distress Ink or Distress Oxide Ink such as Tattered Rose or Spun Sugar. See photos. Do the same on the reverse areas with a light blue ink such as Tumbled Glass or Speckled Egg. You are just creating a light color as the base for the next step.

6. Using a blending brush, ink small random sections through Mini Set 49 Layering Stencil THMS148 in similar pink and blue colors but in slightly darker shades (or heavier application). Note: I extended the blue area over to where I planned to put the die cut "THANKS" later. Optional: splatter same color Distress Stains across the backgrounds.

7. Using Field Notes stamps, stamp in various areas using contrasting or slightly darker Distress Inks.

8. Apply texture paste through Gothic Layering Stencil to random sections. Set aside to dry.

9. Using oval label from Vintage Labels, apply Speckled Egg Distress Archival Ink by tapping gently over label die (cutting side), making sure to cover it well. Place a piece of pink cardstock, larger than label die, onto cutting pad. Carefully place inked die on pink cardstock making sure ink only touches once and does not shift; temporarily tape in place, then die cut. Arrange the letters THANKS from Alphanumeric Label dies onto the edge of a Post-it note or washi tape, cutting side up, making sure they are straight. I only put the bottom half on the tape to make it easier to center on the label. Line up on die cut label and run through die cutting machine, making sure to keep the letters.

10. Trim backgrounds to 4 1/8 x 5 3/8 inches. Adhere to card bases. Adhere flowers and label to one card as shown. Adhere flowers and letters to other card as shown.

Supplies

• Ranger - Tim Holtz - White Heavystock
• Sizzix - Tim Holtz - Bloom Colorize Die Set 665208
• Stampers Anonymous - Tim Holtz - Scrollwork Stamps CMS367
• Ranger - Tim Holtz - Distress Ink, Picket Fence
• Blending Brushes
• Ranger - Tim Holtz - Distress Inks
• Ranger - Tim Holtz - Distress Oxide Inks
• Stampers Anonymous - Tim Holtz - Layering Stencils Mini Set 49, THMS148
• Ranger - Tim Holtz - Distress Stains
• Stampers Anonymous - Tim Holtz - Field Notes Stamps CMS396
• Stampers Anonymous - Tim Holtz - Layering Stencils Gothic
• Sizzix - Tim Holtz - Thinlits Dies, Vintage Labels 665929
• Sizzix - Tim Holtz - Thinlits Dies, Alphanumeric Label 664177
• Speckled Egg Distress Archival Ink
• Post-it Notes
• Washi Tape

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Cute Teddy Bear No Line Coloring Birthday Card

Here is a little scene I put together using Dreamerland Crafts stamps, Distress Oxide inks, and Faber-Castell Polychromos colored pencils. I used Memento Desert Sand to stamp the image for no line coloring. It's helpful to have a black stamped image nearby as well in case you can't see some of the lines (I didn't do this and accidentally colored her dress a bit longer in back than it was on the stamp, oops!).

Instead of solvent blending, I used lighter and medium colors to blend over sections that needed smoothing. Overall I kept some of the texture since I liked the look. Since I wanted the focus to be on the main image, I kept the background and card simple. Have you tried no line coloring?

Disclaimer: Please help support my work in this small way - just use my links if you plan to purchase anything - there's no extra cost to you. Here's the official jargon: links, affiliate links, and cookies may be used in this post and on this site. Using this site implies your consent. 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. 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, possibly monetary compensation, and sometimes free products for review. Regardless, all opinions are my own. Google and Blogger use cookies to provide and improve their services. See Notice at bottom of blog for a longer description and/or see the full Privacy Policy for even more details.

Making the Card

1. Use Stamp Platform to stamp Cute Teddy Bear in StazOn Jet Black ink on Stamp Masking Paper, leaving stamp mounted for step 2. Fussy cut around image using detail scissors. Use craft knife on a cutting mat to cut around inside areas.

2. Cut a piece of Canson Bristol Paper about 5x6 inches (it doesn't need to be this big but I like to leave some of wiggle room for stamping and die cutting). Stamp Cute Teddy Bear (Dreamerland Crafts stamp set) in Memento Desert Sand ink leaving a bit more room on the left side for flowers and butterflies.

3. Use black Copic Multiliner SP to fill in bear's eye, nose, and mouth and girls's eye and mouth. The SP versions of Multiliners are more economical in the long run as they are refillable and the nibs can be changed - they also reduce the amount of plastic going into land fills. (Note: I used sepia for her mouth and cool gray for her eye; the mouth looks OK but you can't really tell in the eye.)

4. Place mask over image. I recommend working on a craft sheet. Use another mask to make a slight hill. It will start near the bottom of the stump - see photo (you may also use Post-it Tape). I just cut a slight arc with my scissors, keeping both pieces. Cover the bottom while blending the sky, then do the reverse when blending the grass area. With a blending tool using Salty Ocean Distress Oxide ink, start from the top just off the paper using circular motions to create the sky, stopping short of the grass line. Change the masks to blend the grass area in a similar manner using Mowed Lawn and Lucky Clover Distress Oxide inks (using two colors gives it some variation and shading). Remove the mask covering the sky area. Using the same colors for the lawn and the Just Dance with Me (Dreamerland Crafts) grass stamp, use 2nd and 3rd generation stamping to cover the hill side with grass (2nd/3rd generation stamping is done by inking stamp and stamping off on a piece of scrap paper, then, without re-inking, stamping in the image area a couple times for lighter stamping).

5. Stamp butterflies and flowers where shown using stamps from Just Dance with Me. I stamped the butterflies with Ripe Persimmon Distress Oxide ink and flowers with Candied Apple and Mustard Seed. Hint: I used the corner of my stamp pad to ink flowers individually so I could stamp flowers in different colors at the same time. Alternatively, you could ink and stamp each flower one at a time, cleaning stamp in between.

6. Use Faber-Castell Polychromos colored pencils to color image, add stems and leaves to flowers, color centers of flowers, and draw bodies on butterflies. Use a light touch in small oval motions to cover areas with pencil, building up layers. Also blend with pencils, e.g. by going over light colored areas with white or cream pencils to create and blend highlights.

7. Cut black cardstock 5x10 inches; fold in half to form a 5x5 inch card base. Cut patterned paper 4 3/4 x 4 3/4 inches. I used a sheet from My Mind's Eye: Filled with Love but it is likely hard to find; you may want to check out Doodlebug Design's Rainbow Petite Prints papers - they have many colors and light patterns that are perfect for backgrounds. Adhere to card base. Pick out two circular dies, such as those from Hero Arts Infinity Dies Nesting Circle dies, that will fit on the front of the card as shown. To die cut image, use the next smaller Large Dotted Circle Stackables die that will fit inside the two you selected.

8. Use Stamp Platform to stamp Happy Birthday (Dreamerland Crafts Birthday 11) in Memento Tuxedo Black ink where shown on image (note: I cut my sentiment stamp so that I may stack the words - if you don't want to cut your stamp, then you will have to mask or ink selectively). Die cut brown cardstock and black cardstock with selected circle dies; adhere each as shown to the front of the card, with the image on top.

Supplies

• Dreamerland Crafts Stamps: Cute Teddy Bear (D19009), Just Dance with Me (DCSD17017), Birthday 11 (DS18040)
• Canson Bristol Paper
• Memento Inks: Desert Sand, Tuxedo Black
• StazOn Jet Black Ink
• Stamp Platform
• Copic Multiliner SP: Black, Sepia, Cool Gray
• Inkadinkado Stamping Mask Paper
• Optional: Post-it Tape
• Detail Scissors
• Craft Knife
• Self-Healing Cutting Mat
• Craft Sheet
• Distress Oxide Inks: Mowed Lawn, Lucky Clover, Salty Ocean, Ripe Persimmon, Candied Apple, Mustard Seed
• Blending Tool
• Faber-Castell Polychromos Colored Pencils
• Lawn Fawn: Lawn Cuts Large Dotted Circle Stackables
• Hero Arts Infinity Dies Nesting Circle
• Cardstock: Black, Brown
• My Mind's Eye 6x6 Pad: Filled with Love (FWL6x6) or Doodlebug Design Rainbow Petites

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A Boy, a Bear, and a Train Christmas Card

I love this sweet scene of a boy playing with his train along side his bear buddy. I can just imagine him receiving the train set as a Christmas gift - playing with it all morning, as his parents get ready for visitors.

I colored the image using Derwent Coloursoft Pencils and blending with Lavender Spike Oil and blending stumps. The lavender spike oil is very strong smelling so if you don't like strong smells, I don't recommend using it. However, it does not have toxic fumes like many other solvents. It is also clear so I am hoping it does not turn yellow over time (I had this issue with Linseed Oil on my Dragon Get Well Card - sadly it turned yellow after only a few months).

Disclaimer: Please help support my work in this small way - just use my links if you plan to purchase anything - there's no extra cost to you. Here's the official jargon: links, affiliate links, and cookies may be used in this post and on this site. Using this site implies your consent. 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. 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, possibly monetary compensation, and sometimes free products for review. Regardless, all opinions are my own. Google and Blogger use cookies to provide and improve their services. See Notice at bottom of blog for a longer description and/or see the full Privacy Policy for even more details.

Making the Card

1. Cut blue 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. Cut white cardstock 3 3/4 x 5 inches. Cut blue stripe paper (Dot-Stripe) 3 5/8 x 4 7/8 inches; adhere to white cardstock, then adhere to card base as shown.

2. Cut a piece of Strathmore 500 Bristol Plate about 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches. Use a Stamp Platform and Memento Tuxedo Black Ink to stamp The Most Wonderful Gift of All (Dreamerland Crafts), leaving room to die cut image later (I actually wish I had stamped mine a bit higher). Use a Copic Multiliner SP .3 to draw a line across background. Optional: you may also draw tongues for the boy and the bear and fill in above each as shown below.

3. Color image using Derwent Coloursoft Pencils and blending stumps dipped in Lavender Spike Oil. You may want to practice blending on a scrap of the same paper before coloring image. The Spike Oil really blends the pencils well - so much so that you have to use a light hand if you want dark areas. I also recommend going over areas again in pencil, not blending with oil, to get a darker color.

4. Use Small Stitched Rectangle Stackables and Large Stitched Rectangle Stackables to die cut image and blue cardstock as shown. Adhere image to blue, then adhere to card base.

5. Use Blueprint Sketch Distress Oxide Ink to stamp "Happy Holidays" sentiment (Miscellaneous 02, Dreamerland Crafts) on strip of blue stripe paper (it may be short but tag should cover this). Trim and adhere to card as shown. Also use Blueprint Sketch to dye a length of White Seam Binding, spraying with water as you do to get ombre effects along ribbon. Set aside to dry.

6. Use 1" circle punch to punch snowflake paper (Polar Pals) then put one side in a 1" Tag Press ring so design is facing front (smooth side), push it the rest of the way in. Use Tag Press to close back. Use Crop-a-Dile (or other small hole punch) to punch a hole in top of tag. Tie bow in seam binding you dyed in step 5. Add tag to loop pin with Snowflake Adornment; pin to back of bow. Use Pop-up Glue Dot under tag and Mini Glue Dot under bow to adhere to card where shown (note if sentiment strip is short, this should cover it).

7. Use snowflake punch (All Over the Page, 3 Snowflake Punch) to punch some snowflakes from white cardstock; adhere where shown.

Supplies

• Dreamerland Crafts Stamps: The Most Wonderful Gift of All (D18038), Miscellaneous 02 (DS18039)
• Cardstock: White, Blue
• Doodlebug Design 6x6 Pads: Dot-Stripe (6135), Polar Pals (5038)
• Strathmore 500 Bristol Plate
• Derwent Coloursoft Pencils
• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
• Stamp Platform
• Copic Multiliner SP .3
• Blending Stumps
• Lavender Spike Oil
• Lawn Fawn Dies: Small Stitched Rectangle Stackables, Large Stitched Rectangle Stackables
• 1" Circle Punch
• Tim Holtz/Idea-ology 1" Tag Press Rings
• Tim Holtz/Idea-ology Tag Press
• Crop-a-Dile Tool
• Tim Holtz/Idea-ology Loop Pins
• Tim Holtz/Idea-ology Adornments Snowflakes
• Blueprint Sketch Distress Oxide Ink
• White Seam Binding
• Pop-up Glue Dots
• Mini Glue Dots
• Snowflakes Punch, Martha Stewart Unavailable - Alternatives: All Over the Page, 3 Snowflake Punch

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Screen Time Texting Card with Xyron and Lawn Fawn

This is a collaboration project between Xyron and Lawn Fawn. Lawn Fawn gave the Xyron Design
Team a $25 credit to spend on their website. They also sent us a couple sheets of paper and a length of trimmings (twin) to play with. I ordered the Screen Time stamp set and a couple small dies (not used on this card). I bought the other stamps and dies myself. I'm a huge fan of Lawn Fawn and have a big collection of their stamps, dies, papers, and trimmings. They have high quality (not to mention, adorable) products; I find myself reaching for them often!

For this card, I thought it would be fun to do a little Distress Oxide ink blending in the background using colors to match the papers I was sent. I then colored the main image with Copic markers. Since the images were so simple, I just used Post-it removable labeling tape for my masks (if you are careful, you can re-use them; I just stuck mine on the back of the stamp set).

Disclaimer: Links, affiliate links, and cookies, including those for personalized ads, may be used in this post and on this site. Using this site implies your consent. 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 very 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, possibly monetary compensation, and sometimes free products for review. Regardless, all opinions are my own. Google and Blogger use cookies to provide and improve their services. See Notice at bottom of blog for a longer description and/or see the full Privacy Policy for even more details.

Making the Card

1. Cut blue/green cardstock 7x10 inches; fold in half to form a 5x7 inch card base.

2. In Memento Tuxedo Black ink, stamp boy and girl from Screen Time and cell phone from Love Letters on Post-it Tape (or Masking Paper). Use detail scissors to fussy cut around images (I cut just inside of the outer line). Stamp again, in arrangement shown, on X-Press It Blending card (or other alcohol marker friendly cardstock), leaving extra room for die cutting around it (a piece about 5x7 inches should allow you some wiggle room). I recommend using a Stamp Platform or Stamp Positioner. Hint: you may want to draw a pencil guide around the second largest die from Small Stitched Oval Stackables, just be sure to erase before inking background. Cover images with masks. Note: check that ink is dry on all masks before proceeding; I used a heat tool to set it.

3. Using a longer piece of Post-it Tape, place the top edge just above the boy's and girl's knees. Use a blending tool with Fossilized Amber Distress Oxide Ink to blend background, starting from the middle on the Post-it Tape moving in circles up and out. Use the same piece of Post-it Tape on the clean side to cover the blended area starting at the line (hint: leave a small sliver showing so there won't be a white line when finished). Blend bottom with Evergreen Bough Distress Oxide Ink. Optional: to give the background some texture, lightly flick a little water over the image then dab with a paper towel. This is a little risky as the water may seep under the masks along with the ink - it happened to me in a couple places but I was able to hide it with my coloring.

4. Remove masks. Use Copic markers B91 and the 0 Blender to add a little shading around inside of cell phone screen. Stamp heart talk bubbles as shown in VersaFine Clair Glamorous Ink. Stamp small cell phones from Screen Time in boy's and girl's hands (I chose to make them right handed so they are holding their cell phones in their left hands).

5. Color images with Copic markers. The list of colors I used is at the bottom of Supplies. In order to make the boy's shirt a similar green to the background, I had to mix a few colors. Once finished, die cut using 2nd largest die from Small Stitched Oval Stackables.

6. Die cut blue/green striped patterned paper (Let's Polka in the Meadow Collection) using largest die from Large Stitched Oval Stackables. Cut small yellow polka dot paper 4x6 inches.

7. Run the die cut/colored image along with the two pieces of patterned paper cut in step 6 through the Xyron Creative Station with Permanent Adhesive (see photo above). Rub around edges before peeling away top film sheet. Carefully remove the striped oval and center it on the yellow polka dot rectangle, keeping the latter on the backing sheet. Next peel off colored image and stick to center of striped oval. Finally peel away the backing from the whole group but don't stick to card base yet; wrap a length of trimmings around this as shown and tie a bow in front and trim excess. Adhere to center of card base. Hint: you may want to use a liquid glue to keep bow in place as well as enforce the ends of the trimmings (I just put a little on my fingers and twist the ends with the grain).

8. Stamp "sending Love" (Love Letters) in VersaMark ink on a strip of blue/green cardstock. Use white embossing powder and a heat tool to emboss (I highly recommend first prepping the paper with a powder tool); trim if necessary and add tails with detail scissors. Adhere to card where shown using foam tape (see video below).

Supplies

• Xyron: 9" Creative Station, Permanent Adhesive
• Lawn Fawn Stamps: Screen Time (LF1694), Love Letters (LF1202)
• Lawn Fawn Dies: Small Stitched Oval Stackables (LF909), Large Stitched Oval Stackables (LF910)
• Lawn Fawn Let's Polka in the Meadow Collection (LF1105)
• Lawn Fawn Trimmings
• Cardstock: Blue/Green
• X-Press It Blending Card
• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
• VersaFine Clair Glamorous Ink
• Detail Scissors
• Heat Tool
• Stamp Platform or Stamp Positioner
• Post-it Removable Labeling Tape 695 (or Masking Paper)
• Distress Oxide Ink: Fossilized Amber, Evergreen Bough
• Ink Blending Tool, Blending Foam
• Copic Sketch or Ciao Markers: 0, B91, RV32, N3, N5, N7, E0000, E000, E00, E01, E95, E11, R24, R27, R29, B93, B97, B99, N3, N5, N7, BG62, BG70, BG72, YG41, YG45
• VersaMark Ink
• White Embossing Powder
• Optional: Powder Tool
• White Foam Sheet

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