Elegant Embossed Christmas Card

I have collected a lot of metallic embossing powders over the years. When I saw this Christmas Tree Set by Rubbernecker Stamps, I thought I would like to emboss the different trees in variety of metallics on dark cardstock. The touch of gold matting really finishes this elegant card.

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Making the Card

1. Cut dark blue cardstock 7 x 10 inches; fold in half to form a 5 x 7 inch card base.

2. Cut gold metallic cardstock 4 3/4 x 6 3/4 inches. Adhere to card base.

3. Cut dark blue cardstock 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches. Use a powder tool over the surface. Place cardstock in corner of Stamp Platform then line up stamps in their approximate positions. Be sure to leave enough space in the middle for sentiment. Remove all but one stamp. Note: you could also use a stamp positioner or just eyeball it. Stamp using VersaMark ink or other embossing ink. Emboss in one of the metallic colors. Repeat the process one stamp at a time, using a different metallic embossing powder for each tree until all six have been embossed. You might want to keep in mind the order you would like the embossing colors to be on the final card. Some of my powders are old and no longer manufactured but I also used Ranger powders; I love the way they emboss. Under Supplies, I listed the Ranger powders I used plus recommended a few replacements for the ones no longer made.

4. Emboss sentient from Snowflakes and Stardust Set in gold on vellum. Trim to a strip that's about 5 inches wide. Fold edges around embossed blue cardstock where shown. Hint: add a little adhesive behind the areas where the vellum will go, stick one side in the adhesive then fold around, adhering behind the other side. Adhere to card base.

Supplies

• Rubbernecker Stamps: Christmas Tree Set (592),  Snowflakes and Stardust Set (481)
• Cardstock: Dark Blue, Gold Metallic
• Vellum
• Ranger Embossing Powders: Silver, Silver Pearl, Gold, Copper, Liquid Platinum, Princess Gold
• VersaMark Ink or Other Embossing Ink
• Powder Tool
• Stamp Platform or Stamp Positioner
• Heat Tool

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Rainbow Inked Argyle Congrats Card

This argyle background die by Frantic Stamper can be used to create more than just traditional argyle patterns. For this card, I wanted a rainbow look but with a twist. After blending the rainbow colors and die cutting, I reversed the pattern for something a bit more interesting (I hope). The cheery colors make a good backdrop for this congrats card. And check out how cool the crystal sequins look.

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Making the Card

1. Cut white 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 black cardstock 3 7/8 x 5 1/8 inches.

2. Cut a piece of white cardstock about 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches. Using Distress Inks (or Mini Distress Inks) and an Ink Blending Tool, blend from Mustard Seed to Chipped Sapphire (the full ordered list is in the Supplies). Add clear double sided adhesive to the back.

3. Die cut with Argyle Card Panel. Be careful to leave all pieces in the die if possible. Over a craft mat - above or to the side of your work area - flip die onto the craft mat and use a die pick or tweezers to poke out all pieces taking care not to lose any (the small ones are particularly annoying).

4. Remove backing paper from the frame and place in center of black cardstock piece (cut in step 1). Orient such that the colors go opposite to the triangle and diamond pieces off to the side of your work area. Working from bottom to top, piece in triangles and diamonds.

5. Die cut 4 or 5 copies of "Congrats" from white cardstock plus one from black cardstock. Line up and glue these in a stack with the black on top to form a thick word. Use a VersaMarker to coat (or tap in VersaMark ink); emboss with Holographic embossing powder. Top with Glossy Accents. Once dry, adhere to card where shown.

6. Adhere sequins where shown.

Supplies

• Cardstock: White, Black
• Frantic Stamper Dies: Argyle Card Panel (FRA-DIE-10104), Colorblock #2 Panel (FRA-DIE-10103)
• Distress Inks: Mustard Seed, Carved Pumpkin, Ripe Persimmon, Barn Door, Seedless Preserves, Wilted Violet, Blueprint Sketch, Chipped Saphire (I used Mini Distress Inks)
• Ink Blending Tool
• Clear Double Sided Adhesive
• VersaMarker (or VersaMark Ink)
• Holographic Embossing Powder (Ranger EPJ00709)
• Glossy Accents
• Crystal Sequins (Different Sizes)

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Baby Shower Invite

This slightly interactive card has drawers that open to see the information inside (Date, Time, Place). I made it in pink but of course it can be made in other colors such as blue or yellow. I used a wood plank stamp with VersaMark ink to give the drawers a subtle wood like pattern.

Making the Card

1. Cut light gray 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 pink newsprint patterned paper 2 1/2 x 3 1/8 inches. Ink edges with Smokey Gray VersaFine. Sand and rough up edges. Add more ink if desired. Cut dark gray cardstock 4 x 5 1/4 inches. Adhere inked newsprint to dark gray as shown. Wrap a piece of trim around the front, gluing down then attaching on each side in back. Adhere to card base.

3. Die cut Onsie from pink/white polka dot paper. Stamp "You're invited to a" and "party" on the front as shown in Smokey Gray VersaFine ink. Adhere to card as shown using dimensional tape.

4. Stamp wood grain on light gray cardstock using VersaMark ink (you could also use a slightly darker gray ink). Die cut Little Dresser. Also die cut Little Dresser from silver metallic cardstock - keep knobs only.

5. With Smokey Gray VersaFine ink stamp "Date", "Time", and "Place" on front of the three longer drawers (if you don't want the colons ":" you will have to mask them or remove the ink with your finger before stamping).

6. Cut three strips of thick white paper or thin cardstock to just under 3/8 inches by 2 5/8 inches; fold in half. Write the date, time, and place on the right side insides if you are creating invitations and know the information. Carefully glue drawers to the fronts making sure none of the white shows.

7. Cut white cardstock 1 5/8 x 2 1/8 inches; glue behind dresser frame, lining up near top. Adhere drawers. Adhere knobs - I added the gray knobs first then the silver ones so they would sit up a little higher. Use dimensional tape to adhere dresser as shown.

8. Adhere buttons where shown.

Supplies

• Frantic Stamper Dies: Little Dresser (FRA-DIE-10136), Onsie (FRA-DIE-10137)
• Frantic Stamper Stamps: Baby Party (FRA-CL-066)
• Cardstock: White, Light Gray, Dark Gray, Silver Metallic (e.g. Kraft-Core Metallic Collection)
• Patterned Paper: Pink/White Polka Dot (or other light colors), Lost & Found Madison Avenue 6x6 Pad (Newsprint)
• Wood Grain Stamp (I used My Favorite Things Wood Plank)
• VersaMark Ink
• Smokey Gray VersaFine Ink
• Pink Trim (I used Michaels brand Trims: Spring Blossoms)
• Buttons
• Dimensional Tape

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Let's Play Kaboodle Dog Card with Faber-Castell Polychromos Colored Pencils

The adorable doggie footprint border, stitching, and stitched tag dies are new from Frantic Stamper, as part of their March release. The Whipper Snapper Kaboodle dog is perfect for the tag (a little bit has been cropped but enough shows to be super cute). The background is also by Whipper Snapper; background Dog's Life was stamped in VersaMark ink to provide a subtle pattern. This ink is great for watermarking - it looks like you stamped in a darker toned ink that perfectly matches the paper.

I used Faber-Castell Polychromos colored pencils to color the image. These pencils are easily blended with a light hand.

Making the Card

1. Cut Desert Storm 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. Cut Kraft cardstock to 4 x 5 1/4 inches. Die cut scallop border very close to the left side (Large Scalloped Edger Set); die cut paw prints (keep a couple of the footprints for an optional inside decoration). Die cut stitching down the right side (In Stitches #3). Stamp Dog's Life background using VersaMark ink in center (I recommend using a stamp positioner). Die cut a strip of black cardstock, about 1 x 5 1/4 inches, with scallop border. Adhere behind footprints; trim if necessary. Adhere to card front.

3. Stamp Kaboodle in black ink on Desert Storm cardstock (about 3 x 4 1/2 inches). Color with colored pencils. Die cut with largest Nested Tags #2. Tie jute through tag hole. Adhere to card as shown using dimensional tape.

4. Cut a 3/4 x 3 1/8 inch strip of Desert Storm Cardstock. Stamp "let's PLaY" and two paw prints as shown. Cut tails in one side. Adhere to card as shown using dimensional tape.

5. Optional: glue a couple footprints inside the card (I put two on the bottom right - adhered after some of the photos were taken).

Supplies

• Frantic Stamper Dies: Large Scalloped Edger Set (FRA-DIE-10129), Nested Tags #2 (FRA-DIE-10101), In Stitches #3 (FRA-DIE-10187)
• Whipper Snapper Stamps: Dog's Life B/G (AT622), Kaboodle (MY927)
• Paper Smooches Stamps: Chubby Chums
• Cardstock: Desert Storm (Neenah), Kraft (Recollections), Black
• VersaMark Ink
• Black Ink (e.g. Memento Tuxedo Black)
• Colored Pencils (e.g. Faber-Castell Polychromos)
• Jute
• Dimensional Tape

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Faux Glass Charm with StazOn

This charm is both fun to make and looks really cool. You could easily use this technique to make a pendant, earrings, or smaller charms for hanging off tags or a charm bracelet. I made this one with potions for Halloween.

The clear embossing powder gives the charm a shine that makes it look like glass. I edged the piece with silver embossing powder, which looks like a metal frame when finished. You could also use other colors, such as gold or black.

Making the Charm

1. Die cut shrink plastic using Potion Bottles. Cut a piece of shrink plastic in a rectangle that is larger than the potions stamp (Mini Halloween 4) - I recommend using a cutter so the lines will be straight.

2. Watch the video below for stamping, coloring, and embossing. You will emboss the piece multiple times with clear embossing powder. You may add VersaMarker (or VersaMark Ink) in between layers, or if you work quickly, you may dip the just heated piece back into the clear powder and it will stick.

3. Hints: I left the back of the charm with a pebble-like texture for a rough glass look. You may put more on to make it smooth. Also, I made the mistake of coloring the entire purple bottle, which had the unfortunate effect of making the label too dark. If I did this over, I would leave the center of the bottle clear where the label would go. The green bottle label didn't fit in the hole after shrinking (they don't shrink evenly) - it didn't bother me since I wanted it to stick up anyway. I'm not sure if adding it to the center of the plastic before shrinking would work - I wouldn't recommend putting glue on before baking; it might start a fire.

4. Attach a jump ring to each side through the hole punched earlier. Attach one jump ring to the lobster claw hook clasp and the other to the chain. Note, if you don't like the clasp next to the charm, you may attach it in the middle of the chain so it won't show on the front, just open a link in the middle to do so. I like the look of it so I put it next to the charm.

Supplies

• StazOn Inks (Midi and/or Full Sized Ink Pads): Jet Black, Cactus Green, Forest Green, Eden
  
  Green, Orange Zest, Pumpkin, Gothic Purple, Royal Purple, Midnight Blue, Dove Gray, Spiced Chai
• StazOn All Purpose Stamp Cleaner
• Embossing Powder: Clear, Silver
• VersaMarker (Preferred) or VersaMark Ink Pad
• Ink Blushers
• DoodleStix
• GlazOn Clear
• Shrink Plastic: Clear (e.g. Shrinky Dinks)
• Stamps: Stampers Anonymous - Mini Haloween 4 CMS198, Mini Blueprints 5 CMS170
• Dies: Taylored Expressions - Potion Bottles
• Hole Punch (e.g. Crop-A-Dile)
• Alcohol
• Cotton Swabs
• Glue
• Chain, Jump Rings, Lobster Claw Hook Clasp
• Optional: Stamp Positioner

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Creating a Galaxy or Nebula with Radiant Neon

Creating galaxy or nebula backgrounds is really popular these days. Many people are using watercolor paints to create them. I decided to use the incredibly bright Radiant Neon Inks by Imagine Crafts to create mine, along with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. This combination gives a surprisingly realistic look (well, similar to the enhanced space photos seen in magazines and online). I applied Sheer Shimmer Spritz to the background as well - it's so beautiful in person! Unfortunately the photos don't pick up much more than a few shiny dots here & there but you can see it better in the video (although the colors are duller in the video, sigh).

Making the Card

1. Cut purple/blue cardstock to 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches; fold in half for a card base.

2. Cut watercolor paper to about 5 x 6 inches. Note: the final size will be 4 x 5 1/4 inches, leaving extra space for taping down and triming.

3. Watch the video below to create the nebula look on the watercolor paper. To create a galaxy, just apply the color in a band across the card. Hint: do a Google search for "nebula" or "galaxy" - click the "Images" tab and use one of the photos as a model as you work. You will see me do this on my iPhone, which I set up in front of my work area (out of view of the video camera).

NOTE: YouTube took down my video and put a strike on my account due to a FALSE copyright claim by Sony Music Entertainment (SME). The actual music copyright owner is Pacific Digital Video, from whom I have permission to use their music. Someone called "Ogie" sang over Pacific's music track illegally and SME is distributing it. SME filed a false copyright violation against me and YouTube will not even look at this unless I allow SME to sue me! Their process rewards false copyright claims - the victims have no viable recourse. I now have a strike on my YouTube account because I filed a counter notification and wouldn't yield to them. No one at YouTube will look at the issue.

4. After cutting down the watercolor piece to 4 x 5 1/4 inches, emboss the sentiment in white embossing powder where shown (I use an anti-static tool before embossing). Mount it on the front of the card base using a strong tape, e.g. Tear It tape. Adhere alien using dimensional tape.

Supplies

• Radiant Neon Ink Pads or Inkers:  Electric Yellow, Electric Orange, Electric Coral, Electric Pink, Electric Purple, Electric Blue, Electric Green
• StazOn Ink: Jet Black
• irRESISTible Texture Spray: Wedding Dress
• Memento Ink Pad: Tuxedo Black
• Memento Marker: Tuxedo Black
• Sheer Shimmer Spritz: Sparkle
• VersaMark Ink Pad (For Embossing)
• Embossing Powder: White
• Watercolor Paper: Arches Hot Press (Recommended)
• Ink Blushers
• Tear It! Tape
• Painter's Tape (Masking Tape)
• Stamps: Paper Smooches Space Cadet
• Plastic Packaging
• Paintbrush(s)
• Optional: Spray Bottle with Water
• Cardstock: Purple/Blue
• Dimensional Tape

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