Happy halloween card

Just a quick post with my halloween card for this year....and a wish for all for a safe and happy halloween!  Click on image to get a better look at the embossed background.

Inside:

And, finally...
a little halloween humor...
Where does a ghost do her shopping?
At the "booo-tique," of course!

OK, so I'll stick to card-making, scrapbooking, and stamping.  I know I'll never make it as a stand-up comedian! 
Blessings,
lynda

Technique Tuesday - Stamped Concertina Booklet

Concertina Booklet

This is a fun little accordian-style card/booklet that I taught at my store a few years ago. It uses folding and scoring in an accordian manner to create a terrific little gift style booklet with windows.  Here are some samples:

Open view of snowflake Concertina made with Basic Grey papers and Impression-Obsession stamps.  Here is the cover:

Here's how it's done:
Cut 7 6" x 3" pieces of cardstock to stamp images on. These will be the back pieces.  Score each at 3".
Cut 7 6" x 3" pieces of patterned paper or coordinating card stock.  Score at 1 1/2", 3", and 4 1/2".
Cut opening in second set of six pieces.  I used my Cuttlebug with Spellbinder's dies for openings. You can use a paper trimmer or large piunch.
Stamp images in center of first set of pieces - be sure the images are small enough to be seen through the holes.
Do any stamping, embellishing you wish on the opening pieces.  Fold stamped pieces in half along 3" score line.
Fold top pieces (with opening) along score lines, creating a mountain fold (looks like an upside-down "v"). Fold the two ends up to the peak of the mountain, creating two valley folds (should look like a "w").
Use glue or tape runner to attach the front panels to the stamped image panels, matching the edges. The image should show through the die cut on the front panels.  The tape will only go on the two folded up edges as you want the window to open.
Four of these "cards" will be the front, and three will be the back.  Put them in the order you want, making sure none of them are upsde-down.  Attach the right panel of one card to the left panel of another to create the concertina.  Make sure you begine with the front cover and end with the back cover.  These diagrams should help make this clearer:

Front piece with the die cut, back piece stamped.  Back piece is scored at 3".  Front die-cut piece is scored at 1 1/2", 3", and 4 1/2".

Bottom piece folded in valley, top piece folded valley, then mountain in center, then valley - looks like a "w."

Tape/glue along each side panel only, taping top piece over bottom piece.  Leave center part unglued, so the window will open out in an upside-down "v" and the sides will fold into valley folds.

Line up pieces in the order you want, four in front, and three in back.  Tape right side of a front piece to left side of a back piece.

Cut two pieces of card stock 3 1/8" x 3 1/8" for the front of the booklet and the back.  Decorate the front as desired, and tape to front, tape back to back.  Here's a close up of a couple of the panels.

Here are a couple more:

Cover of Penny Black halloween concertina.  I embossed the front die-cut pieces with my Cuttlebug embossing plates, then inked them with distress inks.  It's difficult to photograph these to show their true beauty...looks far better in person!

A closer look:

And there's the back.

Another:

Closer view of the stamping I did on the front pieces AND the back pieces:

One last one (Penny Black stamps):

All supplies/embellishments, etc. available at local craft stores or online.  The plaid ribbon on the halloween card I got at AC Moore.
I'm sure you will think of so many ideas for these.  I think photos in the center would be fun.  They're great for any occasion, and especially terrific for holidays.

Give it a try, they're fun!

Blessings and peace,

lynda

Technique Tuesday - Double Watercolor Inking Technique

I spent some more time "playing" with my Adirondack and Distress inks this weekend.  I call this the double watercolor technique, because it involves water, and stamping twice.  Here's what I used, and how it's done:
-Watercolor paper - available at any craft store (ie Michael's, AC Moore, JoAnne's).
-Dye inks - I used Adirondack inks on the fall card, and Distress inks on the Christmas card.
-Fine mist water spritzer with water.
-Inkssentials ink blending tool
All above available at www.scrapbook.com, and at some of the craft stores mentioned above.

Here are the cards I made:

I love how the double stamping makes it look as though the images have shadows.  Here is how it's done:
Start with watercolor paper.  You can use card stock, but watercolor paper works best, as the color and ink blend and soften better on the watercolor paper.

• Spritz your watercolor paper with water.  You want to use plenty of water, but not soaking.  It may take a little practice to get the right amount.  I spritz the water on from about ten - 12 inches away, giving a few good sprays.  The paper should be wet, so that when you stamp on it, the image will soften and bleed.
• Ink your stamp with dye ink, and stamp your image or images onto the wet paper.  It should start to bleed right away, and lose it's form.  If it does not, then spritz more water onto the image.
• After all your initial stamping is done, set the card aside to dry, or dry with heat tool.  The paper will curl as it is heated, but if you turn it over and heat from both sides, it will flatten out.  Make sure the card is completely dry for the next step.
• Re-ink your stamp/stamps, and stamp the image/s over the previously stamped images.  This will give the image form again, and the part underneath that bled when it was wet will look like a shadow.
• Finish card as desired.

For my fall thank you card, I used Hero Arts stamps.  The leaves are from a couple of their older leaf sets, and the script is the H2141 Manuscript Background.  I cut the leaf background out with a Spellbinder's die, available online and at JoAnne Fabrics.  The thank you panel and paper "buckle" is also a Spellbinder's die.  I used the Inkssentials ink blending tool to distress the edges of the card with distress ink, and to bring some of the butterscotch ink into the card to soften the whiteness of it.  To distress the edges, simply ink up the tool, and using circular motion, start off the card and bring the tool along the edge of the card all the way around.   On the piece in this picture, I left the die on the paper so that the narrow outside edge will not get ink on it (see the Christmas card).  I finished the fall card with some Stickles glitter glue, available also at craft stores.

The Christmas card was also made with Hero Arts stamps.  The papers are Basic Grey, available at JoAnne Fabrics, and Scrapbook.com.  For the poinsettia center, I used some tiny beads I had in my stash.  I applied Dimensional Glaze (craft stores) to the center, then spooned on the beads.

 Spritzing on the water....

Image on wet paper before overstamping....

Image after drying and stamping over the initial wet stamped and bled image.  I just love the distressed shadowy look of this!
I will add a card later with this image, so stop back to check it out soon.

That's it for tonight.

Blessings and peace,
lynda

One more technique card

Hi...
If you missed the Brushless Watercolor technique, just scroll down to the previous post, and the full directions and card samples are on that post.  Here is one more card I just finished up before calling it a night.

Stamps are by Stampendous, paper from Prima First Blush collection.  Flower from Michael's.
That's it.
Have a wonderful evening!

Blessings and peace,

lynda

Technique Tuesday - Brushless Watercolor Stamping

Today's techique is one I taught at my store a few years ago.  I learned it from Tim Holtz, and it's called brushless watercolor.  Basically it involves dabbing the corner of several colors of ink pads onto a large stamp, spritzing with water, then drying quickly with an embossing gun.
I used Adirondack ink pads for their earthy, rich colors.  The tops come off of the pad base with just a little twist, and snap back on.

I choose my colors, depending on the stamp.  For this sunflower, I chose two shades of green - oregano and pesto.  I also chose butterscotch and rust for the flower part.  Start with the lighter shade. For the flower, I inked the entire flower with butterscotch.  Then, using the corner of the rust pad, I tapped color here and there on the flower.  I also added some espresso to the inside.  For the stem and leaves, I inked the entire area with oregano, then tapped here and there with pesto.  Then, use a fine mist spritzer to lightly spritz the stamp.  Stamp onto cardstock, and hold the stamp down for a few seconds before removing it.  Using your heat tool, set the inked image by heating it right away for a few seconds.                                                                                                                                                                                   Finally, use a glue pen to apply touches of glue for embossed highlights.  Add gold embossing powder, which will stick to the glue, and heat.  Do not overdo the glue/embossing powder, as you want the rich colors to show through, and the gold to just be highlights.

Hope you enjoyed this technique.  I showed some close-ups so you can see how the colors blend together and look like watercolor.  It may take a little practice, but it really is worth it.

I am entering these cards in the following challenges:
OUR CREATIVE CORNER http://ourcreativecorner6.blogspot.com/2010/10/our-creative-corner-sketch-challenge.html
Sunflower card - The theme is a sketch challenge

PENNY BLACK AT ALLSORTS CHALLENGE http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com/2010/10/october-challenge.html 
Both cards - The theme is Colors of Autumn,
and
SATURDAY CHALLENGE http://thesecretcraftersaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com/ 
Both cards - The theme is Distressing.

Hope you find some time to check out these challenges and maybe enter some.  You never know, you just might win some great prizes.  I won last week's House That Stamps Built challenge with my fall card, and got a certificate for $25 worth of Repeat Impressions stamps!!!!  I'm so excited, and can't wait to go shopping for my freebies!

I finished another image, which I didn't make a card for yet.  Hopefully, I will get it made tomorrow, so stop back soon to check out that card.  Also, I posted a couple of posts since last Tuesday, so you might want to scroll down and check them out.  There is a fall card and a halloween card.

Blessings and peace,

lynda

Quick halloween card

Just a quick post tonight to post my halloween card for the Mojo Monday challenge http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/ , which is a sketch:                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Off now to spend some time with hubby. 

Blessings and peace,

lynda

Fall cardmaking weekend

Hi there!  I'm in a fall card-making mood today.  I did all my errands earlier today, started a huge crock pot full of chili, put hubby to work chopping fresh produce we purchased at the farmer's market this morning, and retreated to my craft room.  After considerable time surfing for the current challenges, and checking out and commenting on blogs, I finally got to work.
Here is my first card:

These are the challenges I'm entering:
MOJO MONDAY  http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/

Sketch challenge
Here's the sketch, which I love! 










SATURDAY CHALLENGE http://thesecretcraftersaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com/
Use distressing
ALLSORTS CHALLENGE http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/
Take inspiration from a song title  - I chose Autumn Song by Van Morrison (listen here) http://mp3shake.com/en/Van_Morrison/229576-Autumn_Song_mp3_download.html
MOXIE FAB WORLD http://www.moxiefabworld.com/
Use pleats on your card
IMPRESSION-OBSESSION CHALLENGE http://mitrafriant.typepad.com/impression_obsession_news/
Favorite quote or poem - I chose this quote by Keats:

"Seasons of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;
To bend with apples the moss’d cottage-trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;
To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells
With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,
And still more, later flowers for the bees,
Until they think warm days will never cease,
For Summer has o’er-brimm’d their clammy cells."
-   John Keats, To Autumn   

That's it for tonight.  Off to spend some time with hubby now.  

Blessings and peace,
lynda

Curlique Love Challenge Card

I didn't get a chance to do much stamping this week, so thought I'd get a jump start on the weekend when I got home from work today.  I made this card for four different challenges:

The papers are Basic Grey, the stamp is Penny Black (3360K Curliques).  I used the Stardust gel pen on the image after stamping it, as well as aorund the oval scallops, and Stickles glitter glue around the inside oval and on the scallops of the outer die cut. 

These are the challenges I'm submitting this to:
BASIC GREY CHALLENGE http://basicgreychallenges.blogspot.com/  
The theme is "sparkle."  I think I accomplished that!  The camera really made the stardust gel pen look almost silvery, but in "real life," it is a soft shimmer.
PENNY BLACK SATURDAY CHALLENGE http://pennybfriendssaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com/ 
The theme is "don't be square," so the card had to be any other shape.
OUR CREATIVE CORNER http://ourcreativecorner6.blogspot.com/
Beautiful fall colors - and these are some of my favorites!
and
PENNY BLACK AT ALLSORTS http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com/
Colors of autumn.
And, yes, this card does have an inside, and a back and really opens.  When you make a card from a die cut shape, simply cut two dies the same size.  To adhere the back piece, simply score about 1 1/2" from the top, and tape/glue just that portion down, then the card will open!

I plan to do some stamping and scrapping this weekend.  Hope you find some time to enjoy what makes you happy!
Blessings and peace,
lynda

Technique Tuesday - Shimmering Stippled Backgrounds

Last night I spent the evening "playing" with my inks and stipple brushes.  I use my stipple brushes a often when I want to add a touch of color here or there, and to create backgrounds.  As I was playing around with color combinations, and different effects, I thought about my stash of Perfect Pearls.  So, being the adventurous soul that I am, I opened a jar of gold Perfect Pearls, and proceeded to try different ideas with it and my inks and brushes.  Here's the finished card I made from the background I came up with:

Unfortunately, the photograph of the card does not show the shimmer of the Perfect Pearls over the entire card.  It's a soft, glowing shimmer, that's just so lovely.   You'll just have to try one for yourself to really see the beauty of these little jars of pure shimmer!

Here's how to create shimmery backgrounds with Perfect Pearls, inks, and stipple brushes:


- Choose white or ivory card stock, and two or three ink pads in colors that blend well and look good together.
- Dab a stipple brush onto the first ink pad, and tap the color onto the card.  Be sure to leave some areas open for the next color.
- Stipple the second color in the open spaces (and a third color if you like).  I use a different stipple brush for each color.  I have one for every color group (one for greens, one for pinks, one for blues, etc.)
- When you have the entire card stippled, you will have a background that looks as though it has been airbrushed.  You can stop there, and stamp on the background and develop your card from there.  OR, you can add the next step.
- Spritz the stippled background with a fine mist.  Use a stipple brush to stipple a dusting of Perfect Pearls over the entire background.  I just dipped the very tip of the brush in the pot, and tapped the pearls in the lid, then tapped into the lid a few times, then onto the card.  The fine mist of water on the card stock will hold the pearls on the background.
That's it!
To finish my card, I stamped the script background and the flowers, then added the verse panel, ribbon, and pearls.

 I use these really thick, full stipple brushes.  They hold lots of color, and it goes on really smoothly.  I used Adirondack inks on my card.







Tapping color from the stamp pads onto the card.

Fine mist spritz.

 Smaller stipple brush to apply Perfect Pearls.  I used gold pearls.

Try different color combinations when you create your backgrounds. Try different colors of Perfect Pearls.  Experiment, and see what lovely backgrounds you can make!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings and peace,
lynda