Black and White and Spirelli...

All Images Copyright Stampin' Up 1990- 2008

I have been looking for new ideas to "spice" up my classes and I also wanted fun and simple techniques that won't overwhelm someone just getting started. I think that Spirelli fits the bill. Do you remember playing with a Spirograph as a child? If so, you are already familiar with the Spirelli concept. Basically, you create a pattern by wrapping thread around a punched out image. The closer the thread is wrapped, the wider the center opening is. For the piece I used on this card, I punched a scrap of Real Red CS with our Scallop punch and then used the (now discontinued) silver cording to create the pattern. Using a piece of tape (or a glue dot), I taped the starting piece of cord to the back of the punched cs. Then I came up over the top counted five valleys (the little dips between scallops) wound back and then over, always working clockwise.

After the first try or two, it actually went quite quickly. The biggest challenge was keeping Breezy (the silly orange tabby) from helping!

The finished card uses Basic Black, Whisper White and Real Red CS, the Baroque Motifs set and the scallop punch. Simple, elegant, and multi-purpose.

Faux Silk

All Images Copyright Stampin' Up 1990-2008

I think I've just found my new favorite technique! At least for this week LOL! I was prepping for my Stamp a Stack this week and new that I had a good mix of experienced stampers and newbies attending so I wanted to show a simple technique that had a lot of "WOW" to it. I stumbled across the tutorial for Faux Silk over at SCS and decided I couldn't go wrong.

For this card, I used Wild Wasabi cs for the base and then layered my tissue paper piece on top of a Purely Pomegranate. I finished it off with some double-stitched Purely Pomegranate ribbon I had in my ribbon drawer. I stamped the image, From the Garden in Bravo Burgundy for a slightly lighter shade.

I'm pleased with it.

Shaving Cream Anyone?

I signed up for a technique swap on the Tennessee Stampers group and chose the Shaving Cream Technique. This is one of my all time favorite techniques, especially when I'm a little stressed and need some good "clean" stamping fun.

If you'd like to try this technique, here's what you need:

• Shaving cream (the less expensive the better), unscented, without any emollients. I've found that Barabasol in the red can works best
• Re-inkers (I used Stampin' Up, but any dye based re-inker will work)
• Glossy photo paper (you can use regular CS but it gets even messier)
• Pie tins
• Something to scrape with (I used my stoneware scrapper from Pampered Chef)

Now for the fun part. Follow these simple steps. I suggest having lots of paper towels around, too. It's best to mass produce this otherwise, you waste supplies and each page you make is very unique. I used my Pampered Chef baking racks to dry the paper on.

Here are the steps:

• Spray a pile of shaving cream into the pie plate
• Add drops from the re-inkers. I usually limit to 3 complementary colors. For this sample, I used Barely Banana, Bashful Blue and Gable Green.
  
• Use a chopstick or knife to swirl the ink through the shaving cream. Be careful not to blend too much
• Take your first piece of paper and smoosh it into the shaving cream mixture
• Scrape the shaving cream off the paper
• Take a paper towel to remove any extra shaving cream
• Place on rack to dry
  

Here's the finished product. Once it dries (I usually let mine dry overnight) you can stamp on it, use it for a background, create a layout and more.

Come join us tomorrow (Sunday) for some stamping fun. There's still room for you.

A New Look at a Favorite Template

It's been a busy craft weekend around the house. I'm almost caught up on all of my swap commitments. Today's card is a new take on a favorite template. I've included a link to the pattern for you. It uses a half circle to draw attention to the cards. This particular card was created for a demo only swap on Splitcoast Stampers. The only requirement was to use a new set from the Spring/Summer collection. I chose the level three hostess set, Time Well Spent which is turning out to be one of my favorites (surprising, since I'm not usually a flower type of person). All of the coloring on this card was done using Watercolor Wonder crayons and an aqua painter. I just love the look I can achieve with them.

I also learned painting miniature figurines, my son, enjoyes the book and game called Warhammer 40k. He is going to be playing this with a group of other homeschool boys, regularly and so he needed his army. We'll be painting minatures for quite some time. It's a good thing I like doing detail work.

All images copyright Stampin' Up 1998-2008

This weeks' Technique Adorable card

Sorry for not posting more this weekend, between 2 sick kids (stomach virus), the doubles tournament (Ama took a line drive straight to the chest when playing the net), and wathing the MTSU Men's tennis team on Sunday, it's been insane. However, my good friend Kellie came to the rescue and said I could share this cute card my friend she made at her Stamp a Stack this weekend.

This card is also the technique of the week card- try using the postage stamp template to create your own fun "post" card.

Downloaded the postage image from SCS, copied on to whisper white
(photocopier)

Made the grid w/ OH film (transparency)
Black ink for the zebra on whisper white Zoo Animals stamp set)
Lovely Lilac cardstock
Basic Black cardstock
Lovely lilac ink for "adorable"; attached w/ SU dimensionals
Postage scissors to cut the edges (non SU)
Non SU yarn (Fun Fur)

Black and White- so cool

All Images Copyright Stampin' Up 1990-2008

I had a chance this weekend to organize my cards and also get some stamping in - that is in between tennis matches and clinics. Here's a card I received from one of my downline- (thanks Melissa). I really like how well the images work with just White Craft Ink and black.

Thanks to everyone who posted a tip for using dimensionals. If you can email me your snail mail addy, I'll get your prize to you :)

And congrats to the MTSU Blue Raiders Men's Tennis team who won their matches today 6-1. Special Congrats to Richard, Alex, and John P for some spectacular play! You can get the whole story at MTSU Men's Tennis.

This Week's Technique: Using Dimensionals

This week's technique is easy and one that everyone can create a card using. Pull out your Stampin' Dimensionals (pop-dots) and see what you can create with them. Here are a few uses to help get you started:

• Use them to add height to a card (see the Time Well Spent card for one example)
• Use them to draw attention to a section of a card (for example in the spotlighting technique)
• Dip the top side of a dimensional in glitter and adhere to a flower for a little extra sparkle in the middle
• Don't just use the big dot, the smaller remains on the sides of the dot page are perfect for adhering to skinny spots such as stems, and butterfly middles
• Use these to create pocket pages or when making shaker cards
• Perfect for creating slider cards, using the dimensionals to create some distance in the pennies that you use for sliding

What other creative ways have you used your dimensionals? Post your comments here (by Saturday 1/26) and you'll be entered for a chance to win a pack of Pop Dots all your own! Spread the word, I'll pick one luck winner Sunday morning.

Faux Linen Attempt II

All Images Copyright Stampin' Up 1998-2008

Here's my next attempt at Faux Linen- this card was Case'd from Splitcoast Stampers. I'm not sure if I like it, but my daughter really thought it looked good.

CS: Creamy Caramel, glossy white
Ink: Coral, Ruby Red, Garden Green, Creamy Caramel
Technique: Faux Linen- sand the cardstock vertically, then horizontally until all the gloss is removed. Sponge ink over base, then stamp images

What do you think? Have you tried this technique yet? If so, please post a link to your work in the comments area for others to enjoy.

Faux Linen- 1st Attempt

All Images Copyright Stampin' Up 1997-2008

Here's my first attempt at the Faux Linen technique. I don't think I got the camera close enough to the image to really see it but the first layer (closes to the card base, uses the technique). Here's what you need to make this cute little card. I also got a little carried away with the Dazzling Diamonds but as my daughter says, "You Can NEVER Have TOO Much Sparkle".

Technique: Faux Linen
Stamps: Happy Heart Day
Inks: Basic Black, Basic Grey, Pink Passion, Lavendar Lace, Pixie Pink, Green
Galore
CS: Whisper White, Green Galore, Glossy, Almost Amethyst
Other: Dazzling Diamonds

I'd love to know what you think!

This Week's Card Technique/Challenge

I was bored last night (no internet access - still) and not really in the mood to do anything (well maybe eat some chocolate!) While I was waiting for my son to get home from Basketball practice, I decided it was time for a new stamping idea/motivation. I pulled out some back issues of Stamp and Scrap and also Rubber Stampede (I think) to get the creative juices flowing. Here's the technique for you to try:

Faux Linen

Step 1- grab some glossy cardstock and stamp your background image(s) in versamark
Step 2- find some medium grit sandpaper and gently sand up the page
Step 3 - using the same sandpaper sand across the page
Step 4- make sure all the gloss is removed
Step 5- find your sponge dauber and your Creamy Caramel ink pad, gently splot the carmel on the paper
Step 6 - find your handy stamping sponge and smooth the color over the paper- the sanding has made areas for the ink to "catch"
Step 7 - use your finger (or a brush) to highlight some areas (add a little more color)
Step 8 - finish your card
Step 9 - Post a link to your finished card in the comments for the world to see!

For more detailed instructions, complete with pictures check out the tutorial at Splitcoast

Cleaning Out the Stamping Closet

I don't know if its the colder weather that has me in a crafty mood or if it's the start of the new year. However, I'm going to go with the flow while the muse is with me.

I made a commitment to myself that I would work on one project per night (not necessarily finish it!). Tonight, after helping Amadeus with his algebra homework (yuck), and then watching the Celebrity Apprentice (the task was marketing a hot dog stand in NYC- I thought I might be able to use some of it for a Hospitality Marketing class I'm teaching this semester- not). I started cleaning.

This past summer, I participated in one of the most fun Yahoogroups ever- it only lasts for a few months and there are tons of swaps including Hotel Roomies, Secret sisters and lots and lots of projects. The group is open to SU demo's and customers- primarily those of us who can't attend convention.

Anyway, one of the swaps was for OSW (one sheet wonders). Well, I found my stash of papers and decided its time to do something with them. For those of you who aren't familiar with the OSW concept- it's great. You choose a stamp set and just randomly stamp all over a piece of 8.5 x 11 paper (or even 12x12). Then you can either use a template or do your own thing and make up to 10 cards from one page (of course you'll need accessories, extra cs, and adhesive).

Tomorrow, I'll post my first card (or more if I get them done!). The set I am using is a retired set but one of my favorites. It's from SU and called, Natural Beauty (just retired this year). Paper is Confetti white and the ink is Brilliant Blue, Green Galore, Real Red, and Pink Passion.

If you'd like to try creating an OSW card yourself, here's a link to a great template. I found this on Sharon Field's Created by U. So if you get a chance, please stop by her blog and leave a comment to thank her for sharing. This template actually comes from her Mobile blog.

Check back tomorrow to see my creations. If you have any OSW cards posted on your blog and website that you'd like to share, please leave a comment with a link to the cards! Also if you search through the summer entries on my blog, you'll see some great OSW cards that were created when I hosted an OSW swap.

Note: Images Copyright Stampin' Up 1997-2008