Running With Scissors…

Before I begin my regular post, I should tell you my computer is broken again. It was broken before and it fixed itself. Now, it’s broken again. Not the whole computer, mind you…just whatever drives the monitor. It’s impossible to work with it when I can’t see anything, so I’m writing this at work.

When you see the words in my post that are printed in bold letters, please know that those are supposed to be links, but they’re not. When I’m preparing a post, I bold the words so I can come back and link them later. Well, somewhere between writing the post and coming back to create the links, my computer quit driving the monitor. My computer at work has a dinosaur operating system and I don’t even have a tool bar that will enable me to create the links or unbold the letters. However, I did create links to the other Flourishes designers before my computer gave up, and I’m sure they will have all kinds of useful information for you. I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience. Now — on to my regularly scheduled post…

Friday has come around again at last, and that means Friday Focus time at the Flourishes Newsletter.  Today we’re all a’twinkle with H20’s as Laura has prepared a tutorial outlining her methods with this fun coloring medium — Twinkling H20’s.  I honestly don’t think there can ever be too many tutorials on a subject.  We glean little bits here and there, and perhaps one day we stumble upon the tutorial that switches the light on for us.  Maybe Laura’s tutorial will be just the one for you.

I enjoyed making my twinkling sample with the Signs of Spring set:

I stamped the daffodil twice, masking the first with Eclipse Masking Tape.  The ink I used to stamp the image is Palette Cognac.  I was hoping the lighter colored ink would provide a less defined outline, but it’s still quite prominent.  It’s hardly noticeable on the pink areas.

About the pink — the color is called Jasmine and it appears very intense and vivid in its little jar.  I diluted it quite a bit to get this soft hue and, in so doing, I diluted the sparkle, as well.  There was left a gentle sheen, which I really quite liked, but I decided to bring the sparkle level up to that of the other colors on the image.  To accomplish this, I painted over the pink very lightly with Heavenly White.  At some angles it looks like a sugared confection, such as in the close up photo.  At other angles … it twinkles!

The card measures 5 1/4″ square.  I’d planned on making a standard A2-size card, but I just loved the colors with this paper (BasicGrey Perhaps), and I needed room to show them off.  This is definitely not a one postage stamp card, but I made it with someone special in mind, so that’s okay.  I hope she likes it!

Well, I could go on and on about the Twinkling H20’s, but why don’t we visit my fellow designers to see their samples.  I know you’ll enjoy them:  Christine, Cindy, Faith, Julie, Latisha, Laura, Stacy  And don’t forget to stop by the Flourishes Newsletter to check out Laura’s twinkling tutorial.  Thank you so much for your time today.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Stamps:  Signs of Spring  Paper:  Pink Pirouette, watercolor, Neenah Classic Solar White, BasicGrey Perhaps designer paper  Ink:  Palette Cognac, Twinkling H20’s in Jasmine, Moss Green, Ice Blue, Periwinkle, Heavenly White, Sunflower, Golden Opal  Accessories:  Satin and organdy May Arts ribbon, Kaiser flat-backed self-adhesive pearls, SU! eyelet border punch, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Hello!  I’m glad you could drop in for another One Stamp Wednesday, the day I dedicate to Post Office-friendly, no extra postage required cards.  Today I focused on bling without bulk and made a gem-studded boho flower — almost like jewelry for your card.  With the rhinestones set into the cardstock, rather than sitting on top, the card in the envelope presents a smooth surface for smooth sailing to its destination.  I have weighed this card on our postal scale at work.  With the inside writing panel lined with white cardstock, a crimped cardstock sheet to protect the front, and the envelope included, the whole works weighs in at 42¢.

I had a difficult time photographing this card and finally settled on this picture.  I apologize for the poor quality.  It’s much better looking in real life.

To make the flower, I started with SU!’s True Friend Boho-style blossom.

• Stamp it three times and cut out the parts as shown in the photo below.
• Punch two 1 3/8″ circles

• Glue the flower parts together, giving it a little dimension, but not too much bulk.
• Glue one circle on the back side of the flower.  Set the other aside.
• Use a Crop-A-Dile to punch holes in the flower.  The larger Crop-A-Dile punch did the center, and the smaller Crop-A-Dile punch did the ring around the flower center.  I stretched the center hole just a little bit by inserting a pencil in the hole and running it around the edges, sort of pushing the edges out.  I hope that makes sense.  The photo below shows the assembled flower with its punched holes.

• Color the flower.
• After coloring, press the flower face down into Versamark pad, then emboss with Glassy Glaze (ultra-thick embossing powder).  A pencil inserted through the flower’s center hole is a perfect tool for holding the flower during the embossing process.
• After the embossed flower cools, glue the other 1 3/8″ circle onto the back of the flower to give it a base behind the holes.  The photo below shows the back of the flower and the Kaiser self-adhesive rhinestones (from Flourishes).

The largest of the rhinestones fits the center hole and the smallest rhinestones fit the smaller holes.  I used a pencil eraser to push the rhinestones firmly in place.  The large rhinestone was a bit more of a squeeze, which is why it’s best to try to stretch the hole first.

I used Alene’s Tacky Glue to adhere the flower to the finished card, making sure it was pressed firmly flat.   I just love the flower!  It could easily be made into a pendant or a brooch.

The three small rhinestones on the card’s sentiment panel are inset, as well.  The designer paper provides lightweight layers and the ribbon is tied in such a way that it creates no excess bulk.  All the rest of the card’s ingredients are summed up below.

It’s time for me to run off now…I hope we can do this again soon.  Till next time…have a great day!

Stamps:  True Friend (SU!)  Paper:  Chocolate Chip, retired SU! Apple Cider designer paper, Neenah Classic Solar White  Ink:  Palette Noir, Versamark, Chocolate Chip and Really Rust markers  Accessories:  Ribbon, copper cord, rhinestones, Spellbinders dies

Today, I have two cards to share and they are, of all things, Christmas cards.  They’re in answer to my personal challenge to produce one or more Christmas cards per month, all year, in an effort to take some of the crunch out of the holidays.  I didn’t meet my challenge in January, so I was determined to stamp at least two this month to make up for it.

When I decided upon this challenge, I thought I’d be using last year’s stamps for the most part.  Well, gee…along came All Wrapped Up with all its possibilities, and now I have new stamps for Christmas!

The first card is fun, cheerful, feminine, and I especially love this particular pile of presents from the set.  The little gift bag dangling from the ribbon is also from All Wrapped Up, and the sentiment is from Flourishes O Christmas Tree.  The presents are stamped in Palette Noir and watercolored with Stampin’ Up! inks — Ruby Red, Always Artichoke, More Mustard, Taken With Teal.

• Paper:  Cool Carribean, Whisper White, watercolor, BasicGrey Figgy Pudding designer paper
• Accessories:  Stampin’ Up! Riding Hood Red ribbon, gold cord, snowflake brads, Martha Stewart lace border punch, 1 1/4″ & 1 3/8″ circle punches, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

I didn’t think I’d be much in the mood for Christmas cards and I had to give myself a little pep talk to get started.  As soon as I began coloring, though, I realized I’d be happy no matter what I was stamping, as long as I enjoyed the stamps.

This card has an entirely different character from the first, with colors and style more elegant, but still festive.  I used the beautiful Damask stamp in the background on Shimmery White cardstock, with a border of Figgy Pudding paper.  The pine boughs are from All That Glitters, and the greeting is from Holiday Greetings.

The coloring was done with Prismacolor markers.  Box:  Henna, Mahogany Red  Bow:  Goldenrod, Yellow Ochre, Tulip Yellow  Floor (or tabletop, however your eye perceives it):  Goldenrod, Dark Brown, Tulip Yellow  Pine Boughs:  Forest Green, Goldenrod

Other card details — The card base is Handsome Hunter.  The box image was stamped in Ranger Distress Walnut, and the greeting in Handsome Hunter.  Damask was stamped in SU!’s retired Baroque Burgundy.  The ribbon and pearls are from Flourishes.

Well, that wraps up this month’s Christmas cards.  I have other projects to move on to — several special orders for cards, among other things I’ll be sharing later.  I hope you’re enjoying a restful weekend.  Take care!

Today’s Friday Focus at Flourishes is colored pencils, and Julie has prepared a super tutorial on the Flourishes Newsletter, sharing some of her pencil coloring methods.  Gosh, I picked up a couple of ideas which I know I’ll try in the future.  I hope you’ll treat yourself and check it out!

I thought it would be fun to bring out my somewhat neglected Prismacolor pencils and have a go, too.  This is just plain old coloring, no Gamsol (odorless mineral spirits).  I scribbled a good, solid layer of color along the edges of the cup, then used the white pencil to pull, blend and smooth the colors, giving the shine down the center of the cup.  Really, it’s just coloring back and forth repeatedly until the colors are smooth.  The white pencil does a great job of it.  I learned a few things from Julie, though — wish I’d read her tutorial first!  Thanks Julie!

Let’s see some other colored pencil samples:  Julie, Christine, Cindy, Faith, Latisha, and Laura

Card recipe and product links are summed up below.  I have to make this short today so I’ll leave you with my most sincere wishes for a wonderful weekend.  Love those weekends, and love having you stop by!  See you soon!

Stamps:  Coffee With Friends  Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, BasicGrey Sultry designer paper  Ink:  Palette Claret, Palette Cognac (stamped off once), Prismacolor pencils — Hot Pink, Mulberry, Light Umber  Accessories:  Chocolate organdy ribbon, Chocolate Kaiser pearls, Cuttlebug Perfectly Paisley embossing folder, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

I’ve decided to devote Wednesdays to one-stamp cards — one postage stamp, that is.  In so doing, I’ll create a stash of cards I can reach for quickly, without that little hesitation — is this one stamp or two?  59¢?  62¢?  Hand cancel, please?  What in the world is the price of postage now, anyway?  It’s forever increasing but, regardless of the cost, I’ll keep on sending handmade cards.  They’re just too special.

I love this Anna Griffin Rose Basket image.  It’s colored with Prismacolor markers, and the Stampin’ Up! sentiment is embossed.  Using designer papers for layering helped to minimize weight.  The main image panel is raised on foam mounting tape, and the bow is adhered to the mat beside it so it lays nearly flush with the raised panel.  The taffeta ribbon makes a soft, low profile knot, indiscernible under a cardstock panel in the envelope.

It’s all ready to go, lightweight and bulk free and not too many compromises made in the design.  I’m comfortable with it.  Wishing you a beautiful day!

Stamps:  Anna Griffin Rose Basket for All Night Media, Stampin’ Up! sentiment — Heard from the Heart  Paper:  River Rock, Whisper White, retired SU! designer paper  Ink:  Palette brown, Versamark, Prismacolor markers for coloring  Accessories:  Ribbon, embossing powder, Spellbinders Labels 1 dies, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

I hope you don’t mind a couple of late Valentines.  I made these for a coworker’s daughters but didn’t get a chance to share them before the actual day.  Maybe there’s value in sharing the ideas or designs, though (I hope).  They wouldn’t necessarily have to be Valentines.  In fact, the ewe (from Stampin’ Up!’s Pun Fun set) is meant to be paired with a “thank ewe” sentiment.  The Mom asked for “cute animals” and I was coming up a little short in that department, but when I showed her these images as potentials, she said they were perfect.  Now, to adapt them to a Valentine theme…

I mixed things up a bit to get Valentiney with these, but I had a lot of fun doing it.  Once again, I found myself glad to be a hanger on — of those old sets, that is.  On this first card I paired the ewe with SU!’s retired Sheltering Tree to put her in a little scene.  “Love” is one word from retired So Many Sayings.  “Ewe” was made with letters from the Alphabits set.  It’s an alphabet on a single block.  The idea is to stamp and punch the letters.  They fit perfectly in the smallest heart from SU!’s new Heart to Heart punch and I love the way it looks!

This one uses the Alphabits letters again, as well as words from retired Amazing to Zany.  I used the Stamp-a-Ma-Jig for placement of the letters, rather than punching them.

I made several other Valentines, also, but these are the only ones I photographed, as I was pretty pressed for time.

Okay, that’s it for the Valentines.  Sorry they’re late.  Tomorrow I’ll be sharing something I made just for the pretty of it — my favorite kind of stamping!  I so appreciate that you took time to visit with me today, and I hope you’ll join me tomorrow.  Following is a summary of ingredients.  Have a great day!

Stamps:  Pun Fun, Sheltering Tree, So Many Sayings, Alphabits, Amazing to Zany (all SU!, some retired)  Paper:  Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, SU! Candy Lane DP and other retired SU! DP  Ink:  Palette Noir, SU! markers and Prismacolor markers  Accessories:  Ribbon, rhinestones, Heart to Heart punch, Word Window punch, Eyelet border punch, tag punch, Spellbinders oval dies, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

 This is a simple but cheery little card I made because I had all these Bud Basics flowers stamped out for practicing with my Prismacolor markers.  I stamped them when I first got the markers, gradually colored a few, and finally figured it was about time I turned some of them into cards.  I have others colored and waiting, as well.  In fact, I have several projects in various stages of completion . . . the pile on my desk just keeps getting bigger.  Every time I make one card I wind up with more spare parts for the pile.  I think this is common among all stampers, isn’t it?

The Prismacolor markers are a fairly new medium for me and I’m learning as I go along.  It seems the one consistency in my method is my inconsistency.  I do something different almost every time I sit down with them — different ink, different paper, different blending technique.  I’m not in any position to offer advice on the best way to use these markers, but I can share some of my experiences.

First, the paper:  My current favorite is Stampin’ Up!’s Whisper White.  It may not be the best choice but it works best for me at this early learning stage.  The coating which gives it such a nice surface for stamping on also minimizes the ink bleeding outside the lines of the image.  However, a more absorbent paper allows the marker inks to blend more smoothly.  It’s six of one and half a dozen of the other.  I’m still experimenting with whatever papers I have at my disposal.

Next, the ink for stamping the image:  I started out with Palette ink.  It seems to work okay as long as I’m not using the colorless blender.  It must be thoroughly “set” before you begin coloring.  This might have something to do with the Whisper White paper — maybe.  At any rate, I no longer use Palette ink with my markers.  I’ve been using whatever Ranger inks I have on hand and they all work beautifully.  I’ve used both the Adirondack inks and the Distress inks and they seem to be impervious to the blending pen.  They’re stamp & go inks — virtually no drying time is required.  I’ve also used Versafine Onyx Black with great success.  It’s a pigment ink and must be either embossed or heat set to dry, or allowed a good while to dry on it’s own.  Once dry, however, I’ve experienced no bleeding or smearing of the ink.

    Embossing the stamped image is a fun way to go.  I’ve tried it on a couple of different absorbent papers and it truly does prevent the ink from bleeding outside the embossed line.  You get the blending benefits of the absorbent paper and the added attraction of embossing, without the bleeding.  The pretty little girl in the thumbnail was embossed on watercolor paper (click for an enlarged view).  I’ll have more embossed samples to share later.

At this time, I wanted to share how I colored the flowers in today’s card.  It may not be the right way, and I may do it differently next time.  Maybe we can learn together.  Experts, please chime in with any tips you’d like to share.  Hopefully, one photo will suffice with the corresponding numbered explanations, below:

1. Color entire flower with Deco Pink.  The loopy accents at the petal bases were colored with Clay Rose.
2. Add Clay Rose along petal edges.
3. Using Deco Pink, start in the petal center and color into the Clay Rose edges.  Color all the way to the edges of the petal, but concentrate less marker ink along the edges.  The lighter colored Deco Pink will remove some of the Clay Rose.  While the marker ink is still wet on the paper, outline the petal with Clay Rose.  Wet ink on wet ink will result in a soft edge.  This will add extra definition to the petal edges.  You may have to add more ink and rework it until satisfied.  Adding more ink will darken the image, but it will only darken to a certain degree.  This is as dark as these colors get.
4. Use the colorless blender to remove some ink from the petal center.  Just color the area you wish to highlight.  If you remove too large an area of ink, you can add more Deco Pink around the highlighted area.  I’ll usually just touch the tip of my colored marker along the edges of the colorless blender ink, and it will blend in softly.  I call that blotting.  Sometimes I’ll use the colorless blender pen in a blotting fashion, too.  After you’ve tested this a few times you’ll get a feel for what the inks look like as they dry.  They do soften a bit upon drying.

I colored half the flower center in Warm Black, and colored into that with 20% Cool Gray. 

There’s not much coloring involved in the leaves and the smaller pink flowers. To color the pink flowers I outlined them with Deco Pink and went over that with the colorless blender.

I hope this information is helpful for those of you who were asking or wondering about some of these things.  I’m learning as I go, but I’ll make a point of sharing what I learn.  If you’re interested in other coloring tutorials I’ve done with different mediums, you can see them all here.  As for the card, itself, the ingredients are listed below.  Enjoy the rest of your week, and thank you so much for stopping by today!

Stamps:  Bud Basics, Warm Words  Paper:  Basic Black, Basic Gray, Whisper White, BasicGrey Phoebe designer paper  Ink:  Palette Noir, Prismacolor markers for coloring  Accessories:  SU! ribbon, eyelets, Cuttlebug Perfectly Paisley embossing folder, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Hello, again!  I couldn’t resist making one more card to celebrate, not only this beautiful Signs of Spring set, but all of Flourishes’ new releases which are now available in the store.  From what I understand, the release party was tons of fun and it’s something to look forward to every month when Flourishes reveals their new sets.  I’m unable to attend the parties because they begin when I’m still at work and are just wrapping up right about the time I’m kicking off my shoes when I come home.  Such is the life of a working girl. . . sigh. . .

I made this card as a companion to the handled gift box I shared earlier.  My daffodils are watercolored with Stampin’ Up! inks on 140 lb cold press watercolor paper.  If you haven’t already, I hope you’ll visit Christine’s watercolor tutorial here on the Flourishes Newsletter.  She gives some wonderful tips!

More new release samples may be found by visiting  Christine, Cindy, Faith, Julie, Latisha, Laura, and Stacy.

And here’s a look at the full sets, starting with the one I used today, Signs of Spring:

This is Strut Your Stuff:

And here is All Wrapped Up:

Aren’t they fabulous?  Oh, my goodness, Flourishes makes some beautiful stamps!  I hear our weather is supposed to be pretty cold and wet this weekend so, frankly, I’m looking forward to some quality time in my stamp room.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend, too!  Take care!

• Stamps:  Signs of Spring
• Paper:  Very Vanilla, 140 lb cold press watercolor paper, Wild Asparagus designer paper (purchased at my local scrapbook store)
• Ink:  Palette Umber, Barely Banana, Summer Sun, Apricot Appeal, Pumpkin Pie, Kiwi Kiss, Old Olive
• Accessories:  Ribbon, Chocolate Kaiser pearls, Spellbinders oval dies, tag punch, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Happy Friday!  One of my favorite days of the week has arrived again at last and today I’m sharing one of my favorite projects with one of my favorite new sets from Flourishes.  Lots of favorites in there!  Tonight is the release party at the Flourishes forum on SCS, when three new sets will be fully revealed, more samples will be shared, and games and prizes will be sure to make it a fun evening.  Look for the party from 7 - 9 pm EST.

My project today features the Signs of Spring set.  Oh, my!  There are some pretty stamps in that set!  I used just one little daffodil stamp — three times.  The Flourishes team is focusing on watercoloring today, so I set aside those Prismacolor markers I’ve been practicing with in favor of this tried and true method of coloring.  I’ve always loved the watercolor look, and if you have water-based dye inks (like Stampin’ Up!, for instance) and a brush or two, you can achieve this look, as well.  Christine has prepared a watercolor tutorial on the Flourishes Newsletter that I’m sure you’ll enjoy.  She’s an absolute master at this technique and her step-by-step will open new doors for many who have been puzzling over its mysteries.

Just a reminder, too, while you’re at the Flourishes Newsletter visiting Christine’s tutorial, you can leave a comment on the Living in Color - Day 3 post for a chance to win this beautiful set.  Winners are randomly selected daily by 10 pm EST.

My handled gift box is very easy to make and I’d like to share some quick instructions with you.  I only have a couple of photos, but I think it will be clear enough.  I used Wild Asparagus double-sided designer paper.  It’s heavy weight and works nicely for boxes.

• Cut paper 6″ x 10 1/2″.
• Score as shown at 3″, 5″, 8″ and 10″.
• Turn and score across the bottom at 2″.
• Slit the bottom section at the score lines up to the horizontal score line, as shown.  Cut away and discard the last 1/2″ section of the bottom.  This photo shows the inside of the box with two of the bottom flaps raised so you can see where the slits are.

Decorate the box as desired before folding closed.  I added a scalloped border along the top edge, then punched with a 1 3/8″ circle punch to give a little more handle area.  Now, fold into a box shape, overlapping the 1/2″ flap, and secure closed with double sided tape.  I used Sticky Strip, or red liner tape.

The handles are made with Spellbinders oval dies.  Applying the dies to the paper like this is the same method you’d use to make a frame.  A piece of tape at the top edge of the dies will hold them both nicely in place through the cutting and embossing process.

Once you’ve made your cute little frame, you just cut it in half to make two handles.  I adhered my handles to the inside of the box with Sticky Strip, but you could also use brads, eyelets, tacky glue — whatever suits your fancy.

The gift inside my daffodil box is a pair of garden-themed moisturizing gloves, a sample pack of shea butter, and a little bottle of hand lotion — a gardener’s gift.  As I was making this, I thought it would be so cute to make this in the Fall and tuck a single daffodil bulb inside.

I just love this Signs of Spring stamp set with all its sweet images for Spring, Mother’s Day, Easter, or any day I’d like to send a pretty card.  You’ll love what the rest of the team has made with it, too, so be sure and visit the other Flourishes designers and see their watercolor samples.  Don’t forget Christine’s tutorial, as well!  Here are the links to the rest of the team:

• Christine
• Cindy
• Faith  
• Julie
• Latisha
• Laura
• Stacy

I’m glad you found time to drop in today.  I truly do appreciate every one of you.  Have a wonderful day!

That is some bright package, isn’t it?  I’d be intrigued by what might be inside such a box.  I’d be most happy to find it full of stamping supplies but, well…that’s just me.

This is a preview of Flourishes’ soon to be released set, called All Wrapped Up.  If you can just hold on till Friday night at the release party in the SCS Flourishes Forum you’ll be able to see the whole set, as well as two other new sets, and possibly even win a set!  They’re worth waiting for!  I’m sorry to tease, but I can’t show it just yet.  You can see lots of other great samples, though, by visiting these folks: 

Christine, Cindy, Faith, Julie, Latisha, Laura, Stacy

I colored my package with Prismacolor markers.  The bow was stamped two extra times and each section layered with dimensionals so it really stands out all nice and fluffy.  The gorgeous papers are some of my favorites from the BasicGrey Eva collection.  The rhinestones underlining the image panel can be found here in a fabulous assortment of colors.  I particularly like the Kaiser rhinestones because they have a lower profile than some I’ve used in the past — less bulk and less likely to poke through the envelope during mailing.

Did you know that Flourishes gives away one of their new release sets each day of the previews?  Just go to the Flourishes Newsletter, to the post specific to today’s preview of All Wrapped Up, and leave a comment.  That’s all there is to it.  Winners are drawn each day for each set, so don’t delay — throw your name in the hat today!

I hope we can meet here again tomorrow for the third preview.  Till then, have a wonderful day!

• Stamps:  All Wrapped Up
• Paper:  Pink Pirouette, BasicGrey Eva designer paper, Whisper White
• Ink:  Ranger Walnut, Prismacolor markers
• Accessories:  Kaiser rhinestones, word window punch, Scotch brand foam mounting tape