Package Repurposing & CHA Convention

I am a big proponent of recycling and love to find ways to re-purpose things.

This thank you box originally started out as fishing lure package.

The manufacturer’s advertising was removed and used as a template. 

Back View of  Acrylic Package

After tracing the template on white cardstock and trimming, the edges were colored with new Memento Inks - Love Letter, Elderberry and Peanut Brittle which were applied with Ink Blushers.  Ink Blushers are fun, new sponges by Tsukineko.  The sentiment (Flower Gallery) was stamped in Onyx Black VersaFine and heat embossed with clear powder.  The tiny heart (Raindrops & Kisses) was stamped in Love Letter Memento and distressed with Peanut Brittle Memento. 

To create a subtle texture, a VersaMark Watermark Ink Pen was used to trace around the inked perimeter.   Clear embossing powder was sprinkled on the wet ink and then heated. 

A small slot punched into the top of the tag allows the acrylic box to be secured closed with a ribbon.

All that is left is to fill the container with some yummy treats!

I will be away from my blog for a few days as I am excited to be attending the winter CHA convention and will be in the Penny Black booth.  If you are attending, please stop by and say hello.  

I will see you next Friday with a new post.

Happily,
Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Raindrops & Kisses 30-088, Flower Gallery 30-031

3M Scotch:  Dimensional Foam Tape

American Crafts: Ribbon

Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Love Letter Memento, Elderberry Memento, Peanut Brittle Memento, Ink Blushers, VersaMark Watermark Ink Pen, Clear Embossing Powder.

Celebrate Friends

Beginning today, the Penny Black Blog will be featuring “All Occasion” cards.  Over the next ten days, there will be great ideas for making cards that can be used anytime during the year!

I created a “friendship” card for the event.

The summer sun card base was stamped with Circular Design in Habanero VersaFine ink with an added bit of distressing around the edges.

The fussy cut mice are from The Touch of Love transparent set.  The flag was created by combining the banner from Halloween Treats with the word “friends” from the True Friends verse.

Tip/Hint:  Stamp “friends” from the wood block stamp first and then stamp the banner.  With the banner being an acrylic stamp, it is easy to view the sentiment through the stamp and acrylic block for quick alignment.

The elements are elevated on a Spellbinders’ Label Eighteen die cut which was shaded with a jumbo sponge dauber and Majestic Blue VersaFine ink.

Thank you for YOUR friendship!

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: The Touch of Love 30-089, Circular Design 40-046, Halloween Treats 30-078, True Friends 3852E

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Summer Sun 17-003

Copic Markers

Dimensional Foam: EK Success, 3M Scotch

Spellbinders: Labels Eighteen (S4-310)

Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Majestic Blue VersaFine, Habanero VersaFine, Jumbo Sponge Dauber, Clear Embossing Powder

Other: Florist Wire

Gold - A Dressy Alternative

Today I am switching from basic black to dressy gold. 

I really like this sentiment from Penny Black’s Raindrops & Kisses set and wanted to use it with a fancier design.  To “dress up” the verse, I stamped it with VersaMark Watermark ink and heat embossed it with gold powder.

Love Grows was stamped on white cardstock with VersaMark Watermark ink and heat embossed with white powder and then distressed with Angel Pink and Lilac Posies Memento inks.  For an alternative to a black outline, a VersaMarker pen was traced along the cut edge.  While the ink was wet, it was sprinkled with gold embossing powder then heat set.

A paintbrush dipped in Angel Pink Fireworks and “flicked” over the white card base added speckles of sparkle.

A faint stamping of this postage stamp from Flowers & Wishes in Pixie Dust VersaMagic adorns the upper right corner.

Hearts All Over was stamped on light Fuchsia Fantasies cardstock with Lilac Posies ink for a shower of hearts.

Thank you for your visit and I hope that any showers that come your way are filled with hearts and kisses!

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps:  Raindrops & Kisses 30-088, Hearts All Over 40-094, Love Grows 4121K, Flowers & Wishes 30-047

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock:  Fuchsia Fantasies 13-001

Darice: Crystal Gems

EK Success: 3D Dots

Tsukineko: Lilac Posies Memento, Angel Pink Memento, VersaMark Watermark Ink, VersaMarker Pen, Gold Embossing Powder, White Embossing Powder, Angel Pink Fireworks, Sponge Daubers

Offray: Pink Sheer Ribbon

A Rose for You

Using themed stamps throughout the year is one of my favorite challenges.  Today I slipped a small section of Penny Black’s "A Merry Little Christmas" behind my focal point to create the patterned paper.

The background piece uses a resist/ironing technique which you can read about in this post “here”.

The “I love you” letter inside the envelope was switched with a “for you” message and a fussy cut rose was included.  All these images are part of Love Assortment.

From this angle, you can see that various elements of the card were elevated with dimensional foam.

The decorative outer edge of the card was highlighted with Sahara Sand VersaMagic ink and the Scroll Strip was then stamped with the same color ink.  For added sparkle, the stamped scrolls were dotted with a sparkle gel pen.

A rose is a rose is a rose is a rose. - Gertrude Stein

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Love Assortment 30-090, Tiny Wishes 30-026, A Merry Little Christmas 4209K, Scroll Strip 3863H

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Storm 01-003, Sticks & Stones 02-001

Copic Markers

EK Success: 3D-Dots

Sakura: Sparkle Gel Pen

Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Sahara Sand VersaMagic, Delicata Golden Glitz, Pear Tart Fireworks, Rhubarb Stalk Fireworks, Clear Embossing Powder, Sponge Daubers

Ribbon: Offray

Especially For You

Valentine stamps are perfect for sending love all during the year.

The brushstroke Rose Heart by Penny Black was stamped on white cardstock with Crimson Red VersaFine ink and heat embossed with clear powder.  After coloring the image with Copics and trimming, the sentiment from Love Assortment was stamped in black ink.  The entire piece was then pounced with Frost VersaMagic Watermark ink.  While the ink was still wet, clear embossing powder was sprinkled on top and heat set to create a decal/sticker effect.

Tip/Hint:  To keep twine or ribbon from sliding off of angled images, cut small “v” notches in the image to hold the wrappings in place.

The flowers were accented with Fruit Punch Stickles.

The first base layer of the card is white cardstock stamped with Letter Background in Delicata Golden Glitz ink and distressed with a combination of Lilac Posies Memento and Pink Petunia VersaMagic.

A thin strip of light Fuchsia Fantasies cardstock stamped with Paisley Outline in Rhubarb Stalk Memento ink was pleated and hand stitched.  Before the band was wrapped around the stamped base, a strip of die-cut scallops from medium Fern Green cardstock was attached.   After the band was secured in position, a few pieces of dimensional foam were tucked underneath to add dimension.

The finished piece was then matted with squares of light and dark Fuchsia Fantasies cardstocks. 

You can see more beautiful brushstroke stamps by Penny Black featured on their blog “here”.  The design team has lots of colorful inspiration to share with you this week. 

Thank you for visiting!

Elizabeth

 

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Rose Heart 40-095, Love Assortment 30-090, Paisley Outline 40-048, Letter Background 1999L

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Fern Green 05-002, Fuchsia Fantasies 13-001, 13-003

Copic Markers

EK Success: 3-D Dots

Making Memories: Celery Elastic Cord

Spellbinders: Scalloped Squares

Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Crimson Red VersaFine, Frost VersaMark Watermark Ink, Rhubarb Stalk Memento, Lilac Posies Memento, Pink Petunia VersaMagic, Delicata Golden Glitz, Clear Embossing Powder, Sponge Daubers

Other: White Thread, Needle, Paper Piercer

Vellum Birthday Flowers

Layering portions of a die-cut is a fun way to create a pocket which today I filled with vellum flowers. 

This pocket was made with Spellbinders' Labels Fifteen die cuts.  The metal die was also used as a mask for the ink shading and as a template to trace the black outline.  The smaller pocket portion wrapped with ribbon was stamped with Flourish Birthday.

A view of the embossing on the front of the vellum with the coloring on the back.

Sundial was stamped on vellum with white pigment ink and heat embossed with white powder.  On the back of the stamped image, darker highlight tones were added with a dark blue colored pencil then light blue dye ink was rubbed over the entire image with a sponge dauber. 

On the front of the flower, a stardust gel pen was scribbled on the petals a little at a time and gently smoothed with my fingertip.  A circle die-cut from vellum was pounced with blue ink and stamped on the opposite side with the sentiment.  Layering the vellum with a white cardstock circle stiffened the button embellishment before it was attached with dimensional foam.

The card base holding the pocket of flowers is a blue lagoon tent card measuring 2 7/8 x 3 3/4 inches.

Thank you for your visit.

Have a fabulous day,

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Sundial 4159K, Flourish Birthday 4071F, Micey Day 30-028

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Blue Lagoon 09-003

3M Scotch: Dimensional Foam (1/16)

EK Success: Dimensional Foam (1/8)

Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Bahama Blue Memento, White VersaColor, Magnolia Bud VersaMagic, Sponge Dauber, Clear Embossing Powder, White Embossing Powder

Sakura: Stardust Gelly Roll Pen

Staedtler-Mars, Ltd: Ergosoft Colored Pencils

Spellbinders: Standard Circles Large, Labels Fifteen

Other: Black Swiss Dot Grosgrain Ribbon 

Miniature Gift Bag Art

This little “present with a handle” was inspired by a gift bag. 



Finished Size: 2" Square

I used Penny Black’s Mix & Match Cardstock to create the bag which gives a traditional white interior and allowed me to sand the color away from the exterior edges for a contrasting border.

To hide the cut ends of the cording and add reinforcement to the handles, small strips of white cardstock were adhered to the inside top edges. 

I picked the little girl from the Beep Beep transparent set to use as an embellishment.  A stamped, colored and trimmed image was elevated with dimensional foam.  (Tip/Hint:  If you decide to add a sentiment, as shown on this design, it is easier to do the stamping prior to folding and assembling the bag.)  A coordinating tag and tissue paper for “birthday” or “thinking of you” wishes can be added to personalize the gift. 

These little bags are also fun to design as purses and party favors!

Happy Friday,

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Beep Beep 30-092, Salutations 30-014

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Sticks & Stones 02-002

3M Scotch: Dimensional Foam Tape

Copic Markers

Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Clear Embossing Powder

Other: Black Cording, Sandpaper

A Hug

Tom and Tilly are here to share a hug….

This little “squeeze” is a flash to assemble in 5 steps:

1. Create a 2 ¾ x 5 ½-inch top-fold card from white cardstock.
2. Stamp a portion of Rose Heart in Pixie Dust VersaMagic ink across the lower half of the card.
3. Stamp “A hug” in Onyx Black VersaFine ink.
4. Stamp Tom and Tilly on a separate piece of white cardstock in Onyx Black VersaFine Ink and heat emboss with clear powder.  Color and trim.
5. Attached the trimmed image to the front of the card with dimensional foam.

Have a great day and share a hug!

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Tom and Tilly 40-098, Rose Heart 40-095, Perfect Gift 4179J

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Storm 01-001

Copic Markers

EK Success: 3D Dots

Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Pixie Dust VersaMagic

Card Canopy Technique

Folded card toppers are a fun way to add a “canopy” to your card while also adding a design element to the back.

The canopy was created from a rectangular scalloped piece of white cardstock which was stamped with Delicate Pattern in VersaMark Watermark Ink and heat embossed with clear powder.  Lilac Posies ink was then sponged on to fill in and around the embossed image.  

The piece was trimmed to allow a portion to be glued to the back of the card with enough length to fold over the top and be elevated with dimensional foam to create the "canopy" on the front. 

The hearts from Love Assortment were stamped on watercolor paper with black pigment ink and heat embossed with clear powder.  Marker ink applied to a plastic palette was then transferred with a paintbrush to color the design.  The trimmed piece was bended slightly before being attached with dimensional foam.  The beautiful flourish sentiment is also from Love Assortment.

Have a wonderful day!

Elizabeth

Penny Black Stamps: Love Assortment 30-090, Delicate Pattern 40-047

Canson: Watercolor Paper

Tombow Dual Brush Pens: 055, 076, 090, 098, 133, 195, 606, 703, 757, 761, 835, 925, 985

Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Lilac Posies Memento Ink, VersaMark Watermark Ink, Lilac Posies Memento Ink Pen, Clear Embossing Powder, Sponge Dauber

Spellbinders: Small Classic Scalloped Rectangles S4-131

Other: Paintbrush, Dimensional Foam

Stamped Valentine Medallion

Ornate stamps are fabulous for creating custom die-cut embellishments. 

Four sections of Penny Black’s Corner Piece were nestled together to create this elegant Valentine medallion.

Stamping the Corner Piece four times on white cardstock with black pigment ink and heat embossing with clear powder created the components for the medallion.  After each section was trimmed and aligned, additional pieces of cardstock were used on the reverse side for reinforcement.  A light application of Wheat VersaMagic and Crimson Red VersaFine inks were used for shading.  (Option:  If desired, this design can also be achieved by using a stamp positioner.) 

The medallion is elevated on a frame made with a Labels Fifteen Spellbinders' die with the addition of a circular die-cut window.   

For a glittery tint, the frame was pounced with Frost VersaMark Watermark Ink and dusted with Gold Perfect Pearls.

The tiny heart from Love Assortment adds a pop of color to the center of the medallion and the sentiment is a part of the cling set All You Need.

Thank you for stopping by to visit and sharing your comments!

Have a happy day,

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Corner Piece 3859H, All You Need 40-092, Love Assortment 30-090

Mark Richards: Pearl Stickers

Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Wheat VersaMagic, Crimson Red VersaFine, Frost VersaMark Watermark, Clear Embossing Powder

Ranger: Gold Perfect Pearls

Spellbinders: Labels Fifteen, Standard Circles

Other: Dimensional Foam

Love Is In The Air (Spot Coloring Technique)

This week the Penny Black Blog is featuring cards that contain spot coloring.  This is a fun technique for creating bold statements of color.

Two different types of spot coloring were used on Penny Black’s “In the Air”.

(1)  The sentiment was inked with red and black VersaFine ink pads before stamping for a two-tone effect. 

(2)  To add another corresponding punch of color, the extra elevated balloon was accented with red micro-fine glitter.

Tip/Hint:  Red Stickles were applied to the elevated balloon and while wet, red micro-fine glitter was sprinkled on top.  When dry, a light brush was used to dust away any excess or loose glitter.

Thank you for visiting!

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: In the Air 40-093

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Storm 01-001

Art Institute Glitter: Ruby Red Microfine Opaque

Ranger: X-Mas Red Stickles

Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Crimson Red VersaFine, Clear Embossing Powder

Frog Love

Today I am working with Penny Black’s Mix & Match Cardstock in reverse.  Instead of having the color on the outside, I folded the card with the white facing out and trimmed the front flap to reveal a small border of the pretty green from the inside.  

Here is a view of the card slightly opened:

Viva Diva was stamped on a separate piece of white cardstock with Onyx Black VersaFine ink and heat embossed with clear powder.  The heat embossing provides a great “fence” when coloring and the image remains crisp and sharp.  After trimming, it was then attached with dimensional foam.

The Scroll Strip stamped in Magnolia Bud ink provided a subtle and elegant design in which the sentiment was over stamped.

Last but not least - every crown needs some glitter!

Have a happy day,

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: All You Need 40-092, Viva Diva! 4025H, Scroll Strip 3863H

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Fern Green 05-002

Copic Markers: G0000, G02, G03, G28, R12, R20, R24, Y0000, YG11, Gold Atyou Spica Pen

Ranger: Crystal Stickles

Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Magnolia Bud VersaMagic, Clear Embossing Powder