Technique Tuesday - Side Stair Step Card

I just fell in love with this card when I began seeing it on the internet.  I finally got around to trying to make it this past weekend.  A couple of friends came over to "play," and one of them had brought one that she had received.  That was all it took.....we decided right then and there to make one.

About eight mock-ups later, I finally felt as though I "got it."  Trying to figure out how to make a card without step-by-step instructions in front of you is not as easy as it looks.  But, we persisted, laughed a lot, measured a lot, and finally, I was able to put together a mock up.  Since then, I tweaked it a little, and made a card.  Then I wrote up the instructions, step-by-step.  It is a standard A2 size card.

Here's my card:

Here's a view a little from the side, so you can see the "stairs":

Fun, huh?  It's fun to make, too.  And really easy once you work through a mock up the first time (now that I've got the measurements for you).  Here's how it's done:

Place an 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" piece of card stock in your trimmer at 2" (this is the base of your card. Cut a slit from 2 1/8" to 7 1/2".

Place the card on your score board horizontally, with the slit at the bottom.  Score from the top to the slit at 2 1/8".  (If you click on the pictures, you will see a close-up view).

Score all the way down the card at 4 1/4".

Score from the top to the slit at 5 3/8", then score from the top to the slit at 6 1/2" and 7 1/2".

 Starting with the center (the 4 1/4" fold), accordian fold the card as shown.  The 4 1/4" fold will be mountain folded at the bottom (narrow part) and valley folded at the top (wide part).  The rest of the folds will alternate mountain/valley folds.

Here is how the card looks before you add your stamps, images, and embellishments. 

That's it for the basic shape!!  Decorate as desired.
I used Penny Black stickers and stamps for a quick and easy card.  This one's going to my granddaughter, Keeley.  Now I have to make one for Kennedy!

There are variations on this card, including one with the steps in the center with a panel on both sides, and one without any panel, just steps all the way across.  My friend Arlene took home one of my "oops" mock-ups (where I slit in the wrong place), and made an adorable Easter basket card from it.  I tried put it up here, but can't seem to get it pasted in.  I will see if I can get it in my Flickr group http://www.flickr.com/groups/paperartscafe/ , so check it in a day or two.  And please, please feel free to post pictures of your cards, stair step or otherwise, on my Flickr group.  I'd love to have you in the gallery!

I've entered this in the Penny Black @ Allsorts challenge, where the theme is All You Need Is Love!  You can find the challenge here http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com/2011/01/january-challenge.html .

I hope you have fun with this.

Just a reminder, you have until Monday, February 7th to enter the coffee cup and/or coffee sleeve challenge from my previous post.  Scroll down for details.  Enter and you may win some blog candy...a free set of stamps, and the first three entries will receive a panel of stickers.

Thanks for stopping in.

Blessings,

lynda

Technique Tuesday - Paper Cup Challenge

Last week my friend, Arlene, and I met for our monthly "friend breakfast" at our favorite haunt.  As we sipped our coffee, I casually remarked that the design on our cups would make pretty patterned paper.  We chuckled.  Who else but two paper crafters would see patterned paper in a paper cup's design!  I said it would be fun to see if we could make something from the cup itself.  Arlene said, "Let's do it," and the challenge was born.  We took our cups home, and each made a card from our cup.

Here's a picture of the cup which is what each of our cards started out as:

To make our cards, we washed the cups and dried them thoroughly.  We then very carefully removed the bottom and opened out the seam.  Then, just thought about how we would use the elements on the cup, and used it like we would use any special piece of patterned paper.  I did use a stronger adhesive on the back of mine, as the cup's inside had a little bit of a waxy finish, and I wanted to make sure it would stick to my card stock.

And here are the cards (click on images to see larger) -
Arlene's card (Arlene Rose) (outside and inside)

 Arlene used Spellbinder's dies to cut the shapes, then layered them onto card stock which she had embossed with a Cuttlebug embossing folder.  I love the little details with the punched flowers and the gorgeous sheer ribbon!

My card (outside and inside)

 I cut out around the swirl border design on the cup, making it part of the card, then used Spellbinder's dies to cut the shapes.  I added some stamped flowers (Hero Arts) and verse, and a pretty purple and green edged ribbon.
To read my article about friendship on my writing blog, click here http://lynplecsblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/special-blessings-of-friends.html .

CHALLENGE!!!  PRIZE!!!   WIN!!
Paper Cup Challenge
DEADLINE:  Monday, February 7, 2011 at 11:59 PM EST
DETAILS:  So, now that you have an idea, our challenge to you is to do the same.  Save your next take-out cup, and make something from it to share with us.  If you can't find any interesting cups, you can use a coffee sleeve (the ones that fit over the cup to keep your hands from getting too hot). Take a picture of your project, and upload it to my new Flickr Group here http://www.flickr.com/groups/paperartscafe/ .  Label your card or project: PaperCupChallenge.  You just click on "add photo" to upload your picture from your Flickr gallery.  If you do not have a Flickr gallery, it's easy to create one, and it's FREE.  What is Flickr?  Flickr is the best way to store, sort, search and share your photos online. Flickr helps you organize that huge mass of photos you have and offers a way for you and your friends and family to tell stories about them.  Have you ever sent someone a card, then forgotten what it looked like?  Sometimes a recipient of a card I've sent will call and say something about the card, and I can't remember what I sent them!  It's great to have pictures of your cards, so that you can make another like it if you want. Don't worry - you can set it up so your pictures are private, or you can choose to share with just certain people, or with anyone.  The best way to learn about Flickr is to upload some photos, explore the site, join some groups and make some friends. You can find more info about Flickr in the Magical Feature Tour.

So, go ahead.  Go get that coffee, or tea, or latte, and get home to make your project.  Join my flickr group http://www.flickr.com/groups/paperartscafe/ , and post your card.  Don't forget to label it PaperCupChallenge to be eligible for the challenge prize, and leave a message here on the blog to let me know you are playing, so I can watch for your entry.  The winner will receive a Fun At The Beach cling stamp set by Memory Box.  The first five entries will receive a panel of Fresh Paisley stickers by Autumn Leaves. 

I'm really excited about my first blog challenge, and really hope you'll play along.  We can't wait to see your ideas.  Don't forget to comment here that you are entering, so we can hop over to the Flickr Group to see your cards/projects.

Blessings,

lynda

Technique Tuesday - Metallic Edge

Some of you asked about the gold metallic edge on the You're special circle on last week's technique:

So, I decided to show it on today's Technique Tuesday.  Sometimes you need a pretty, metallic edge on a panel or card layer, but cannot find just the right color paper to match the embossing on the card.  This technique makes just the right edge on your card panels and layers.  It will always match the embossing on the card.

You will need some gold (or any metallic color) embossing powder, an embossing stamp pad, or VersaMark pad, and a panel about 1/4" larger than the layer you are putting on it.  You can make the panel larger if you want more of a border showing.

 On this card, I made the embossed border around the main panel about 1/4 inch, and the border on the floral panel a little less.
Here's how it's done:
Cut a panel of card stock slightly larger than the piece you will be layering onto it.  The larger the piece, the more metallic edge will be showing.
Dab embossing ink or VersaMark along the edges, making sure to ink a little more than will show.  Dip edges into embossing powder, then heat to emboss.
Add layering panel, and Voila!  You have a metallic embossed edge!
 This card features Penny Black stickers and Basic Grey paper.
That's it for tonight.

Blessings,
    lynda

Caught My Eye

I love to surf the net, looking at cardmaking and scrapbooking blogs, and quite often something catches my eye.  I thought I would share some of these gems with you here on my blog.   I am always impressed at the amount of sheer talent and inspiration that is out there.  It's great to see that our craft is alive and well, thank you.  And that so many creative, talented people are sharing their work.

I recently spotted some gorgeous work over at CardCornerByCandee.blogspot.com .
Candee has a great eye for design.  Her work is clean, uncluttered, yet elegant and inspired.

This card really caught my eye because of it's simple layout, yet elegant design.  The colors are stimulating and pleasing.  And the focal point, that flower!!  I'm loving the way Candee used the twigs (Martha Stewart punch) behind the flower (which she made by layering flower punches.  Visit Candee's blog to see more of her pretty cards.

 I love the striking look of the red with the kraft and white on this pretty Valentine's Day card.  The playful way Candee put the little red heart punched shapes inside the hearts on the embossed background, and layered the heart punches in the center make this card fun and delightful.

 

I love everything about this card.  The soft blue with white, the texture of the embossed panel, pretty snowflake patterned paper, snowflake punches, and the saying layered up on circles!

This one really made me smile!  Black and white is such a classic color combo.  Candee's layered hearts featuring the tux and wedding dress are adorable.

 

Finally, this stunning card really caught my eye.  I'm loving the embossed vines, and the pretty sheer bow on the background paper.

Thanks to Candee for letting me share some of her work here.  Stop by and visit her blog, and leave her some love!  

I'll be back Tuesday with another technique for you.

lynda

A quick and easy card

Just sharing a quick and easy card tonight, and some exciting news.  First, for the card:
  I'm showing both front and inside.

The image is from Inkadinkado.  I simply layered gingham paper onto a card, stamped the image, sponged, wrapped with ribbon and attached to card.  I added some buttons.  On the inside, I stamped and glued the panel, then tore and added a bit of the gingham paper to the inside.  That's it....the whole card took maybe 15 minutes!

Now, for the news....

I just published a new blog.  Not to worry, I am still going to keep this blog, as this one is my "baby," and I will NEVER stop stamping and scrapping.  I will continue to share my ideas, inspirations, and, of course, Technique Tuesdays.
Many of you know that I do some writing, and have been writing on HubPages online, and for some magazines now and then.  I decided to kick it up a notch, and start a blog to publish some of my shorter pieces.  I mainly write to inspire, to challenge, and to share personal insights.  This blog will focus on the positive, and it is my hope it will inspire you.  It is called A Little Perspective.  It is about living in joy, hope, and grace.
I invite you to visit, and to read the first two posts, which I just published tonight.  The welcome post is under the first article, so be sure to read that, also.  I welcome and appreciate your comments, and hope to see you there.  Here is a link -  A Little Perspective .  There is also a link on the right panel.  You may subscribe, and follow, so that you will know when I publish new posts.

Hope you're staying warm, and making time to enjoy your craft.

Blessings,

lynda

Technique Tuesday - Hand Made Metallic Embellishments

Happy New Year!  Welcome to the first Technique Tuesday post of the year 2011!  Today's technique is how to create your own hand made metallic embellishment.  The "embellishment" is actually card stock, made to look like metallic.  I have done this with punched shapes, such as hearts, punched keys, fleur de lis, holiday shapes, as well as die cut shapes, such as the terrific label dies by Spellbinders.

Here are a couple of cards with my own hand made embellishments:

Here's how it's done:

• Punch or die cut your shape from plain white or ivory card stock.
• Use an embossing pad or VersaMark pad to ink embossing ink onto the shape, making sure to cover the entire shape completely.
• Dip inked shape into gold, copper, or silver embossing powder, and heat.  Use the edge of a craft knife to hold the shape down while heating so it doesn't blow away.
• Attach embellishment to card with glue dots.

That's it.  Easy-peasy.  And here's a link to Gina Krupsky's video, which demonstrates this technique perfectly: http://stamptv.ning.com/video/creating-a-metallic .

Hope you're keeping warm and healthy, and making time to create!

Blessings,

lynda

Technique Tuesday - Watercolor Backgrounds

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!  This is my last Technique Tuesday of the year for 2010.  I look forward to sharing many, many more ideas with you in 2011, with Techniques Tuesdays, gallery cards, and challenges, as well as general postings. 
I would like to thank so many of you who have taken time to comment on my blog postings, or sent me emails of encouragement.  It really means a lot to me, and inspires me to keep going.  It really is great to hear that you are enjoying my efforts.....so thanks again.

For today's technique, I played with watercolor for a background.  These are quite simple, really.  I just used watercolor paper, spritzed it with water until it was quite wet, then rubbed ink from stamp pads onto my craft mat, and picked up the ink colors from the mat with a water brush, then ran the brush across the wet paper.  The instant the brush touches the paper, it runs and spreads.  If the color does not bleed as much as you'd like, simply spritz, or add more water with your water brush.  When it looks the way you like, dry with a heat tool.  The colors will dry a little lighter than they appeared when they were wet, so it's good to keep that in mind. The paper will curl while it is drying, so I turn it over and dry both sides until it flattens back out.  You can always iron it flat, but I find that the tape holds it down on the card and keeps it flat.

On this purple/green sympathy card, I used eggplant and lettuce Adirondack inks, then dried the paper with my heat tool right away.  I used Nestabilities dies for the shape for the design panels, then I stamped the flourishes and the sympathy saying (Impression-Obsession stamps) with black ink.  Finally, I added some silk flowers, crystals, and highlighted with the Stardust gel pen.

I began this thank you card the same way, with watercolor paper, and cranberry and current Adirondack inks.  Then, I decided to give it another spritz of water, and inked the dragonflies in the two colors and stamped them randomly over the entire wet background.  I love the way they faded and feathered into the background.  After drying with a heat tool, I stamped and embossed thank you in the bottom right corner.  I stamped the frame and saying on white, cut it out, mounted onto black, then cut around to give a narrow black border.  I wrapped ribbon around the watercolor panel, tied a bow, then attached the frame over the bow with foam mounting tape.  I layered the panel onto a black card, and highlighted with a Stardust gel pen and added crystals to finish it off.

If you are on Facebook, stop by and say hello...I'd love to "friend" you.  This is me: http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1181568098 . 

That's it for tonight.  Have a very happy, healthy, and prosperous new year!  God bless.

lynda

Technique Tuesday - Past Winter card ideas!

Christmas is sneaking up on me, so I'm taking the pressure off myself for this Technique Tuesday post, and posted four cards I had made about three years ago.  It's fun to look back!
The first card with the tumbling snowman heads is one of my favorites.  I simply stamped one of the snowmen, then masked it off and stamped again, repeating three times.  Then a simple watercoloring, and some glitter.
For the mitten card, I stamped the background, then stamped the mittens, and the saying four times, creating a "word window."

The blue snowman let it snow card is stamped, watercolored, then layered on gorgeous blue/green paper.
Finally, the pink snowman with the star. I stamped the panel with snowflakes, then the snowman, watercolored, and layered.
What I love about these cards, is that they are not necessarily Christmas cards....just snowmen and winter cards.  It's good to have some on hand.  They make great thank you cards, also!

See you next week with the final Technique Tuesday of this year.  I look forward to another year of techniques and ideas.  I hope you are enjoying them, and, as always, if there is something you would like to see or know about, please let me know, and I will do my best to do a segment on it.

Best wishes to you and your families for a blessed, happy Christmas and New Year!!

lynda

Technique Tuesday - Chalk Ink Background With Soft Image

I took out my chalk inks this week, and started playing.  I love the cat's eye shapes in the ColorBox chalk inks.  They stack on each other, and are so easy to use and great for storing.  This is a technique I taught a few years ago at my stamp store, and thought it would be a fun one to share with you today.  I don't really know what to call it, so I'm simply calling it what it is....a chalk ink background with a soft image.  Here's how it's done:
* Start with smooth white card stock.
* Rub a white Memories or Staz-On ink pad (be sure it is freshly inked) over the entire white panel, laying down a nice, smooth base of white ink.
* Immediately rub on three or four coordinating colors of chalk ink, directly over the white inked card stock.
* Blend the ink colors into the white ink by rubbing the white ink pad back over the panel after it is inked with the chalk colors.  If you are concerned about getting the colors on your white pad, use a piece of Cut n' Dry with white Memories or Staz-on reinker to rub over the colors.  This will soften the colors, and blend them together.  See the close-up pictures from my cards.
* Stamp image/s over the background using chalk inks.  They will stamp out soft and whispy.
That's it! 
Here are a couple of cards I made with this technique:

The round poinsettia image is the part of this card which uses this technique.  I used a white Memories pad, and pink, rose, and red chalk inks for the background.  I used Penny Black stamps.  The papers are from Little Yellow Bicycle.  Here's a close-up of the background:

On this next card, I chose blue, orchid, and soft teal chalk inks.  When I rubbed my white pad over the inks, they softened to this really pretty background.  The snowflake stamped images stamped on so softly, making this background look like a soft, cool winter's snowfall.  Notice the white spots/specks all over the background?  This was a "happy accident."  I was spritzing my stamp with water to clean it, and some of the spritz landed on my work.  After a minute, these white spots appeared!!!  I loved it, and decided to keep it.

Here's a close-up of the background:

Stamps on this card are Hero Arts.

I hope you are enjoying your holiday preparations, and are almost ready and able to relax and appreciate the season.  I spent today relaxing with a great book, and dog-sitting for my neighbor's dog while she is away for a couple of days.  I made a yummy chicken casserole in my crock pot, did some stamping, listened to Christmas music, and just enjoyed watching the snow come down, and come down, and come down!!!  It actually just stopped snowing a couple of hours ago, after having snowed all evening and night, then all day today, into tonight.  It is supposed to start again, and accumulate another several inches by morning.  Slow going to work tomorrow. (Glad I had today off).

All supplies for today's technique are available at your local craft stores, or on many of the online stores.  Hope you'll give this a try!

Blessings and peace,

lynda

Technique Tuesday - Altered Notebook/Journal Gifts

Don't let the word "altered" scare you off.  These notebook gifts started out as a simple composition book and a Dollar Store 5 x 7 notebook.  To "alter" them, I simply added some papers, stamped images, embellishments, and inking.  Here's a step-by-step on each of these gifts I made:

This Christmas journal, a gift for my sister-in-law for her birthday this week, started out as a black and white composition book, costing about $1!!  Here's how it is done:
-Paint the spine binding with copper Lumiere paint, which has a really pretty copper shimmer to it (not so evident in the picture).
-After the spine was dry, apply white glue to the front cover and adhered the poinsettia paper.  I pressed the paper into the glue onto the composition book firmly and thoroughly.
-Repeat for the back cover.
-Next, trim all the edges where the paper overlapped the edges of the book, using an exacto knife.
-Repeat for inside cover panels - I used a copper shimmery paper I had on hand.
- Distress the edges of the notebook covers with Ranger distress ink.
- Embellish/decorate as desired.  I created some die cuts with my Cuttlebug and Nestabilities dies and layered them on the book cover with foam tape.  On the top die, I stamped the Penny Black poinsettia, and word background, then sponge/distressed it before layering it on.  I added pearls for accent, and the bow was made using last week's technique.  I didn't have a coppery/red brad, so I took a gold one and used permanent markers to color it!
I stamped a couple of scriptures on the inside covers, layering them up.
That's it!!  How easy is that. 
Next, I made this 5 x 7 journal for my 12 year old niece, Sierra, and she absolutely loved it!! Lots of bling, and her favorite color (which also happens to be mine)! Here it is:

This started as a $1 journal, with a slightly stiff paper cover.  I wrapped the green dotted scrapbook paper around the cover, adhering with glue. Next, I added the striped panel, then the purple paper on the bottom.  I hot-glued the large flower (got all colors of these when they were on sale at Michael's a while ago for just such a project).  Lastly, I added the purple swirl crystals, and her name with letter rhinestones.  I made these purple with a permanent marker.  Sierra loved having her name in rhinestones on her journal!

Hope you will try these.  Plain and even patterned notebooks, paper pads, and journals are available everywhere, from dollar stores, to discount stores, to office supply stores, just begging to be covered and transformed into beautiful keepsake journals.  It's easy to make some pretty gift journals with a little glue, some paper, and a few embellishments. Add a pen, and they make wonderful, treasured gifts.
Enjoy these last three weeks of gift/card making before Christmas!

lynda

Technique Tuesday - Embossing with inked shadow

I started this card to be a tone-on-tone technique, then had a thought to add some embossing.  First, I stamped the flowers with coral ink on soft peach card stock.  It was pretty, but definitely needed more, so I took out my gold embossing powder.  I heat set the inked image so no powder would stick to it.  Then, I inked up the flowers with VersaMark, and added gold embossing powder.  I embossed the image over the stamped image, just a little off so that the stamped image would appear as shadows. The gold embossing really stands out. and this simple technique looks quite intricate.  I finished the card by sponging with coral ink over the embossed flowers, concentrating the color near the image. I finished it off with a stamped sentiment.  I ran a gold leafing pen along the edges of the stamped panel before layering.
Stamps are Penny Black, ink is Vivid Ink.  Both available online, gold leafing pen available at Joann Fabrics and Michaels.
This technique works best with solid style images, and works especially well with flowers, foliage, weeds, etc.  How about snowflakes?!  Think I'll try a winter one when I get home...check back later to see it.  Give it a try, and let me see what you come up with!

I've been in Buffalo, and will be heading home today, exhausted, but one very blessed nana.  Glad I have my notebook computer, so I can keep in touch and get my Tech Tuesdays out to you.  I worked on this one while I was home on Saturday, before heading back to Buffalo.  It's back to work for me on Thursday.  I'll miss the girls and Dan, but will be taking weekend trips back and forth, with the holidays and all.

Blessings and peace,
lynda

Christmas card for challenges

One more post tonight for a card I just finished for some challenges:
Basic Grey - WINGS http://basicgreychallenges.blogspot.com/2010/11/challenge-33-wings.html
and
Penny Black at Allsorts - It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com/
and
Our Creative Corner - 3D project - http://ourcreativecorner6.blogspot.com/
and
Penny Black Saturday Challenge - http://pennybfriendssaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com/ 
Which is a sketch:

 

And, here's the card:

Penny Black stamps from 30-058 Jolly Friends, and 30-012 Bubbly.

Basic Grey papers from Wassail collection on background triangle pieces and border strips.

Colored with Tombow markers and Dove blender pen, glittered.  Martha Stewart snowflake border punch for snowflakes, then cut out of border.  EK Success border punch along striped border.

Distress inks for distressing edges.

That's it for tonight.  Getting up early tomorrow to start Christmas decorating!

Blessings,

lynda

Card for Basic Grey Wings Challenge

Just a quick post of a card for the current Basic Grey challenge, which is WINGS.  Here's a link to the challenge http://basicgreychallenges.blogspot.com/2010/11/challenge-33-wings.html .  And here's my card (the background paper with the bird cages and birds is from the Basic Grey Porcelain collection):

I just love this paper, and the colors! 
Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, end are enjoying the leftover turkey dishes!!
Peace and blessings,
lynda

Technique Tuesday - Using Crystals and Gemstones on Cards and Pages

Hello from Buffalo, where, believe it or not, it's about 55 degrees!!!!  Yep, it's almost Thanksgiving, and we're having early October weather.  Rainy, but mild.  It was a wet walk to the corner for Keeley's bus this morning, but we made a game of dodging the raindrops. 
I'm enjoying my time with daughter and family, especially the wee tiniest one, and, of course, her big sister.  Mom is doing better each day, and Kennedy is growing, and becoming extremely spoiled by her nana and papa!!  I'm having a really hard time letting her be and not holding her all day!!  Keeley is at school now, and Faith went to doc's get her stitches out (good thing I brought hubby along, cuz' I don't like driving on the skyline in Buffalo)!  I have the wee one to myself, and am taking a little time to do my Technique Tuesday while she is sleeping.  I'll be back to holding her sooooooon!!

One more week of "borrowing" techniques (even though they are techniques I use), while I'm in Buffalo helping daughter with her new bundle and her 5 year old big sister.  I love crystals and gemstones, and use them on almost everything.  Here's a video by Nancy Taylor from the Hero Arts blog, which shows some ideas on using these little embellishments on you cards and scrapbook pages...here' the link http://heroarts.com/learning/technique.cfm?techID=183 .

Here are some of my cards and pages using these techniques:

 There you have some of my cards and pages that use crystals and/or gemstones/pearls.  As far as Nancy's techniques for lifting and attaching the gemstones, I love the idea of using the craft knife.  I usually use my tweezers, but I am going to give the knife a try.  Also, I have some crystals with no sticky back.  For those, I use the glue pen, put down a tiny puddle of it, then lift the crystal onto it.  Works like a charm!
That's it for this week.  I hope to be back on schedule after next week, once mom and baby and family are settled into routine and stronger.
Blessings & peace,
lynda

Technique Tuesday - Perfect bow for cards and scrapbook pages

As many of you know, hubby and I have been in Buffalo, becoming nana and papa for the second time.  Our daughter, Faith, had her second little girl on Monday.  Kennedy Grace was born at 10:03 AM Monday, weighing 7 lbs, 3 oz, 20 inches long.  She is a precious little angel, and the perfect little sister to Keeley Ryan, and beautiful addition to our family.

Tearing myself away to come home tonight was very difficult, indeed, but I have to go back to work tomorrow.  I will be going back to Buffalo next week, for the entire week, so that I can help my daughter, since my son-in-law has to return to work on Monday.  Faith had to have a C-section, so will be unable to get Keeley to the bus stop and do many of the things a new baby and 5 year old demands.  It will be a wonderful Thanksgiving.....one which we truly have much to be grateful for!!

 Since I was otherwise detained these past few days, I am cheating this week for Technique Tuesday.
 I borrowed it from a blog called Stamping 411.  It features a really pretty flat rhinestone centered bow, which is ideal for cards and scrapbook pages.  I really like the look of this bow, and plan to use this on my future projects.  Here is the link to the post with full directions and pictures: http://stamping411.blogspot.com/2010/05/how-to-make-rhinestone-brad-bow.html .

And this is the beautiful bow:

And, of course, what kind of Nana would I be if I didn't have some pictures to share with you...so, here are pics of my new, beautiful granddaughter, Kennedy Grace:

 The above were taken right after she was born.  The next one was taken today, just before we left to come home.  Notice the bow already~! 

Thanks for stopping by my blog today.  I'm working on a technique for next Tuesday from a request from one of my blog readers.  If you have any requests, I will be happy to try to show the technique here.

Blessings from one extremely blessed and happy grandma (and tired)!
lynda

Technique Tuesday - My Christmas Card

Yep, I finished my Christmas cards!!!  I know, I can't believe it myself.  I wanted to get them done before # 2 grand baby arrives, so I got to work early.  It helped to get together with friends to work on them.  Makes all the repetition of making the same card over and over a little more fun.  I even got the envelopes addressed and ready to go.  I left them open so I can add a little note.  So, that's one less thing to have to do when I get back from Buffalo, where I'll be spending several days with my daughter and her family, helping Faith with the new baby.  In case you haven't heard, it's a girl, and she is coming on Monday!  Can't wait to meet this precious little one!

Anyways, here is my Christmas card:

And the inside:

The stamps are Penny Black.  The ribbon is from Michael's, and the inks are Ranger's Distress Inks. 
Here are the techniques I used:
I inked the poinsettia with three colors of distress inks, starting with antique linen, inking the entire stamp.  Then I added old paper around the outsides of the petals and a little inside, by using the corners of the pad.  Finally, I used the ink blending tool to add a little vintage photo to the centers and around the edges.  I also added some shabby shutters ot the stems and leaves.
Then I spritzed the stamp with a fine mist spritzer with water and stamped onto ivory card stock.
The phrase stamp is all one stamp - I masked and inked the first part, removed the mask, and stamped it on the front.  Then, I masked that part, inked the rest, and stamped it inside.
The edges of the inside and outside of the card were done with the ink blending tool and distress inks.  To achieve a soft, blended look, simply start off the paper, and using circular motion, blend from off the paper onto it, using less and less pressure as you get toward the center of the card.
A couple of copper brads added a little dimension.
That's it!
For me, it was VERY difficult to not keep going and adding more to the card.  But I decided to keep it clean and simple, something which is not easy for me.  I think the simplicity, however, adds to the powerful message I wanted to highlight.
Each year, I choose a theme for the year, which I introduce with my Christmas decor and cards.  My theme this year was "peace," which I introduced with my cards and Christmas decor last Christmas.  My 2011 theme is "hope," and my card reflects that theme, as will my decorations. 
I try to develop the theme throughout the year, by reading about it, living it, and promoting it during the year. 
We already have a jump start on next year's theme, I think, with the new life that is soon to be part of our family! 
I'll keep you posted!

Blessings and peace,
lynda

Technique Tuesday - Background Resist Embossing

I really love the Tim Holtz distress inks.  The ink blending tool has opened up so many ways to use these inks, and have made it easy to achieve professional results with minimal practice.  I have used these inks and tools in many of my technique articles, as they lend themselves to various uses.  Today, I am using the inks/tools in a much different way than previously.

I call this the background resist embossing technique.  It is basically a clear embossed image over a stamped background, creating a resist. Then, distress ink is applied, revealing the image in a dramatic way.  Instead of applying ink from the outside and working in, as in many techniques, the ink is applied to the center of the image and gradually fades out.  Here are the cards, along with directions (a link to Gina Krupsky's blog and YouTube presentation follows):

Here's how it's done:

• Stamp background with distress ink - a word or music background is especially good for this technique.  Be sure the image is dry before the next step.  
• Clear emboss image over the stamped background.  I use an anti-static bag on the card so the embossing powder only sticks to the stamped image.  Be sure image is completely cool before next step.
• Ink the ink blending tool with same color of distress ink as you stamped the background in.  Start applying ink heavily from the center of the stamped image, and working out.  Use circular motions with the tool.  Re-ink and re-apply until desired intesity is achieved.  The image will pop out.  It should be dark in the center, and fade out gradually.
• Use a paper towel or tissue to wipe any ink from the embossed image.
• Finish card as desired.

I found this technique, by Gina Krupsky, on the Gina K Designs blog.  Here's a link to the YouTube video:  http://stamptv.ning.com/video/emerging-leaves?xg_source=msg_mes_network .

Tim Holtz (Ranger) distress inks and the ink blending tool can be purchased at Michaels and AC Moore, and various internet retailers.

Enjoy!

lynda