Melt Snow, Melt!

A little something to melt away the snow (in northern Michigan) and encourage summer to head on in...

This was a project I made while on the 2012 AIR Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko Design Team.

Instructions

Component Preparation

• Stamp girl, sun and beach pail on watercolor paper with Onyx Black VersaFine and heat emboss with clear powder.  Watercolor the images by applying ink from Memento markers to a plastic (non-porous) surface and then transfer the ink with a paintbrush.  Trim the images and edge the cut sides with a Tuxedo Black Memento marker.  Set aside. 
• Tip/Hint:  Using Ink Potion No. 9 for the water source to clean and dampen the paintbrush helps encourage migration of water-based inks and resists paper curling when dried. 

 

• Tip/Hint:  For a glimmer effect, pour a small amount of Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Spritz on a non-porous surface and use as paint.  This was the final application applied to the inner tube.
• Tip/Hint:  For a glass effect, small amounts of GooseBumps were applied with a toothpick to the sunglasses.
• Die cut 3 large Labels Two from white cardstock.  Score one die cut ¾” from the top and set aside.
• On the second die cut, apply Dandelion, Cantaloupe and Tangelo inks using InkBlushers.  Accent the inked area with dots from a white gel pen.  Set aside.
• Trim off  1 ¼” from the third die cut and lightly apply Peanut Brittle Memento ink with an InkBlusher to cover the surface.  Apply a thin coat of Duo Embellishing Adhesive and let dry to form a tacky surface.  Sprinkle with crushed velvet flock.  Cut a small slit in the “sand” and insert the beach pail and secure with tape on the reverse side.  Set aside.     
• Place the same die used in the first step on Blue Lagoon cardstock and lightly trace the perimeter.  Trim with scissors and remove 7/8” from the bottom.  Stamp bubbles in Nautical Blue Memento around the outside edge.  Set aside.
• From a separate piece of white cardstock punch a segment of Boundary Waters.  Trim the wave so a portion will extend beyond the “beach” element.  Using an InkBlusher, dab the surface with Nautical Blue Memento.  Using the wand from the GooseBumps spray bottle as an applicator, coat the waves then set aside to dry.

Card Assembly

• Apply double-sided adhesive to the scored tab of the white die-cut card base and adhere it to the back of the Blue Lagoon die cut.  The Blue Lagoon piece is larger and will slightly overhang the base.
• Attach the yellow highlighted cardstock to the front of the Blue Lagoon cardstock with dimensional foam.
• Attach the waves with dimensional foam as well as the “sandy beach”.
• Using different thicknesses of dimensional foam, attach the sun and girl to the front of the prepared card.

Fun Penny Black news to share.....

Iwona Palamountain is a guest designer for Penny Black this week.  Check out her fabulous work HERE!

Hoping warm sunbeams fill your day!

Elizabeth

For questions and/or comments, please feel free to e-mail me at:  elizabeth.a.allan@gmail.com

Supplies:

Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Inks: Onyx Black VersaFine, Dandelion Memento, Cantaloupe Memento, Tangelo Memento, Nautical Blue Memento, Peanut Brittle Memento

Memento Markers:   Dandelion, Cantaloupe, Tangelo,   Lady Bug, Rhubarb Stalk, Love Letter, Rose Bud, Angel Pink, Bahama Blue, Teal Zeal,   Summer Sky, Nautical Blue, Pear Tart, New Sprout, Rich Cocoa, Peanut Brittle, Desert Sand,  Toffee Crunch, Tuxedo Black  

GooseBumps Clear Texture Spray

Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Spritz

Ink Potion No. 9

InkBlushers  

Clear Embossing Powder

Stamps:

Beach Day (30-051) by Penny Black, Inc.

Papers/Cardstocks:

Storm (01-001), Blue Lagoon (09-003) Mix & Match Papers by Penny Black, Inc.

120 lb. Watercolor Paper by Canson

Other:

Labels Two Nestabilities (S4-162) by Spellbinders

Boundary Waters Border Punch by Fiskars

Duo Embellishing Adhesive by USArtQuest, Inc.

Brown Crushed Velvet Flock by Doodlebug Design, Inc.

White Gel Pen by Sakura

Adhesives: Dimensional Foam & Double-Sided Tape

Scissors, Pencil, Paintbrush, Plastic Palette, Heat Tool

Coffee Filter Flowers

Have fun creating dimensional flowers from coffee filters!

It's as easy as spritzing coffee filters with Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko's Fireworks and stamping with a flower from Penny Black's Flowers Sweet set. 

Instructions

• Create a 3 ¾ x 5 ½-inch side-folded card from white cardstock.  Trim the upper right corner with a rounding punch.
• Stamp the sentiment in Onyx Black VersaFine ½-inch from the top of the card and heat emboss with clear powder.
• Stamp the decorative pattern with Spanish Moss VersaFine on a 3 ¾-inch square of Fern Green cardstock.  Lightly distress the edges with the same ink and a jumbo sponge dauber.
• Attach the stamped cardstock to the front of the prepared card with dimensional foam.  Set aside.
• Spray coffee filters with Fireworks.  Let dry.  TIP/HINT: A heat tool can be used to speed drying time.
• Stamp the flower on the sprayed coffee filters with Onyx Black VersaFine. 
• Trim the flowers.  Using a needle and thread, sew a basting stitch around the center of each flower.  Pull the thread ends to cinch the flower together and tie off the threads.
• Place a crystal gem in the center of each flower.
• Adhere the flowers to the top the elevated green mat.

Enjoy "brewing" a bouquet of blooms!

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps:  Flowers Sweet (30-096), Gratitude (30-105), Puzzle Parts (30-114)

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock:  Storm (01-001), Fern Green (05-002)

Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko:  Onyx Black VersaFine (VF-082), Spanish Moss VersaFine (VF-062), Fireworks: Dandelion (FW-100), Cantaloupe (FW-103), Rose Bud (FW-400), Clear Embossing Powder (EB-000-005), Jumbo Sponge Dauber (ST-PKG-002)

Mark Richards, Inc.:  Crystal Sticker Elements (Clear #1609)

Other:  Coffee Filters, Heat Tool, Dimensional Foam Tape, Corner Rounder, Needle & Thread

For questions and/or comments, please feel free to e-mail me at:  elizabeth.a.allan@gmail.com

Stamped Glass Trivets (Tutorial)

One Penny Black stamp and a colorful array of Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko inks is all it took to make this pair of decorative glass trivets!

Instructions

Clean glass to remove any oils or residue.

Stamp Penny Black's Mosaic on the glass tile in Ivory Black Opaque StazOn.  Let dry.

Mask off the exterior edges of the glass/design to protect the unstamped surface.

Apply a small amount of Matte GlazOn to a Jumbo Dauber and lightly pounce across the stamped image.  Let dry.

Pull inks directly from the StazOn ink pads with Fantastixs and lightly brush on the color. 

TIP/HINTS:  

• To cover large areas, dip the Fantastix directly into StazOn Wide Mouth Bottles of ink.  The wide-mouth bottles are ideal for re-inking pads when the ink is transferred with Ink Droppers.  The inks can also be mixed to create custom colors.
• Working in small areas at a time can be helpful when blending two colors.
• Applying a thin coat of GlazOn between colors will keep them from migrating or blending.

After the coloring has been completed and the inks are fully dried, pounce the whole design with another layer of GlazOn.

To finish the design, use a Jumbo Dauber to pounce on Copper Metallic StazOn.  Let dry.  Repeat two more times.

Remove the masking tape and let dry.  (For decorative use only. Not heat resistant.)

Happy April, happy spring, happy everything!
Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps:  Mosaic (40-101)

Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Ivory Black Opaque StazOn (SZ-000-182), Vibrant Violet StazOn (SZ-012), Blazing Red StazOn (SZ-021), Cactus Green StazOn (SZ-052), Eden Green (SZ-053)

Hydrangea Blue StazOn (SZ-064), Cherry Pink StazOn (SZ-081), Mustard StazOn (SZ-091), Forest Green StazOn (SZ-099), Royal Purple StazOn (SZ-101), Copper StazOn Metallic (SZ-000-193), GlazOn Matte (GZ-000-003), Fantastix – Brush Tip (FX-100-006), Jumbo Daubers (ST-PKG-002), StazOn All Purpose Cleaner (SC-000-004)

Other:  4 ½ Square Glass Tiles (Cut at my local glass shop), Eclipse Tape by Judi Kins 

For questions and/or comments, please feel free to e-mail me at:  elizabeth.a.allan@gmail.com

An Explosion of Fireworks and VersaMagic

Sharing a card today that I designed for a product challenge for Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko (2012 AIR Design Team) using VersaMagic and Fireworks.

Instructions

1. Create a 3 x 5 ½ inch white card with a top fold.  Stamp “happy birthday” three times across the bottom with Onyx Black VersaFine.  Re-ink the stamp after each impression.  Add small dots between the sentiments with a Tuxedo Black marker.  Set aside.
2. Using a Jumbo Sponge Dauber, rub Magnolia Bud VersaMagic ink over a 2 x 5 ½ inch piece of white cardstock.  Spray the piece with Danube Blue and Potter’s Clay Fireworks.
3. Lightly ink the edges using a Jumbo Sponge Dauber and Aegean Blue VersaMagic.  Mat with a 2 ¼ x 5 ½ inch piece of red cardstock and attach to the front of the prepared card with dimensional foam.
4. On a separate piece of white cardstock, create three circles of color with the Jumbo Sponge Daubers and Aegean Blue and Turquoise Gem VersaMagic inks.  Pat the colored areas with an anti-static embossing pouch.
5. Stamp the flower three times over the spots of color with VersaMark Watermark ink. Re-ink the stamp after each impression.  Sprinkle with white embossing powder, tap off excess powder and heat set.  Trim the flowers.
6. Punch three ½” circles from the leftover shaded pieces of cardstock. 
7. Add highlights to the flowers and circles with Brushstixs randomly alternating between Turquoise Gem, Aegean Blue and Purple Hydrangea VersaMagic inks.  Add decorative dots to the flower petals with a Teal Zeal Memento marker.
8. Attach the circles to the centers of the flowers with dimensional foam.
9. Unscrew the cap from the GooseBumps bottle and, using the wand as an applicator, apply a thin coat to the flower centers.  Let dry.    
10. Adhere the flowers to the front of the prepared card with dimensional foam.

TIP/HINT:  Add a small pocket to the inside to create a space to tuck a gift of money or a certificate for the recipient.

Design Variation:  Without any alterations, this card can be turned and presented with the fold on the left.  This is helpful if design elements added to the inside are vertical.  

Enjoy,

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Trims (30-068), Wishes (30-103)

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock:  Storm 01-001, Rose Garden 14-003

Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko:  Turquoise Gem (VG-015), Magnolia Bud VersaMagic (VG-032), Purple Hydrangea (VG-055), Aegean Blue VersaMagic (VG-078), Onyx Black VersaFine (VF-082), VersaMark Watermark Ink (VM-001), Memento Markers: Teal Zeal (PM-602), Tuxedo Black (PM-900), Danube Blue Fireworks (FW-600), Potter’s Clay Fireworks (FW-801), GooseBumps Clear Texture Spray (Original) (TS-000-001), Brushstix (BX-100-002), Jumbo Sponge Daubers (ST-PKG-002), White Embossing Powder (EB-000-004)

Other:  ½” Circle Punch, Double-sided Adhesive, Dimensional Foam, Anti-static Embossing Pouch, Scissors, Heat Tool

For questions and/or comments, please feel free to e-mail me at:  elizabeth.a.allan@gmail.com

"Tagged" with Happy Wishes (Tutorial)

Welcome to a colorful collision of Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko inks and Penny Black stamps.

A festive birthday tag!

Instructions

Stamp two flowers on white cardstock with Onyx Black VersaFine

and heat emboss with clear powder.

Trim the flowers and apply Dandelion Memento ink

to the centers with a sponge dauber.

Next, apply Morocco Memento ink with a sponge dauber.

To finish, apply Lilac Posies Memento ink to the outside edges.

Spray the flowers with Sparkle Psst Sheer Shimmer Spritz.

For dimension, add soft bends to the flower petals.

  

Tap Mustard StazOn on a clear button and Cherry Pink StazOn on a crystal gem.
Tip/Hint:  Embellishments that are clear or neutral can be easily color coordinated to any project. 

Assemble the tag by placing a piece of dimensional foam in the center of the first flower 
and tie the twine loop around the foam.  Top with the second flower.

For the banner, stamp the sentiment on white cardstock with 

Onyx Black VersaFine and heat emboss in clear powder. 

Edge the banner with Peanut Brittle Memento ink.  

Attach to the back of the button using GooseBumps Clear Texture Spray as an adhesive.  

Attach the button/banner accent to the center of the flower with dimensional foam. 

Add the colored gem to the button.

Design Variations:  Eliminate the twine loop and use as a bow for a gift.

                             String multiple flowers together for a festive garland.

                             Use as a card embellishment.

Thank you for stopping by!  

Have a wonderful day,
Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Petal Party (30-113), Wishes (30-103)

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Storm 01-001

Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko:  Onyx Black VersaFine (VF-082), Dandelion Memento (MD-100), Morocco Memento (ME-201), Lilac Posies Memento (MD-501), Peanut Brittle Memento (ME-802), Mustard StazOn (SZ-091), Cherry Pink StazOn (SZ-081), Sparkle Psst Sheer Shimmer Spritz (IA-SML-004), GooseBumps Clear Texture Spray (TS-000-001), Sponge Daubers (ST-DAB-003) , Clear Embossing Powder (EB-000-005)

Other:  Clear Button, Crystal Sticker Gem – Mark Richards, Twine, Heat Tool, Scissors, Dimensional Foam

For questions and/or comments, please feel free to e-mail me at:  elizabeth.a.allan@gmail.com

Road Trip

I am thrilled to announce that during the next several weeks I will be sprinkling in posts of projects that I created as a 2012 AIR designer for Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko.  It was an exciting adventure working with them, their talented group of co-artists and their amazing and colorful products!  

Today's project is a notebook designed to be a small journal to capture memories.

Inside there are lots of pages to affix photos/memorabilia or to write notes.  

If you are interested in assembling one of your own or would like to see how a certain segment was made, the detailed instructions along with a supply list have been provided below for your reference.

Instructions

Cut a 3 ½ x 8 7/8 inch piece of pink cardstock and score two vertical lines along the horizontal edge at 4 3/8 and 4 ½.  Fold on the creases to create a 3 ½ x 4 3/8 card with a 1/8-inch top fold.

Stamp San Francisco on the top half with Toffee Crunch Memento.  Using jumbo sponge daubers, highlight the edges with Peanut Brittle and Vintage Sepia VersaFine inks.

Cut a 2 ¼ x 3 ½ inch piece of orange cardstock and stamp with New York in Toffee Crunch Memento.  Using sponge daubers, highlight the edges with Peanut Brittle and Vintage Sepia VersaFine inks.  Attach to bottom half of the prepared base with dimensional foam.

Add small dots around the perimeter of the design with a Tuxedo Black Memento marker.

Letters:

Stamp the letters (Robust Lowercase) on white cardstock with Toffee VersaFine.  Add subtle highlights with a sponge dauber and Love Letter Memento. 

Stamp San Francisco and New York over the letters in Tuxedo Black Memento.  Trim the letters and pounce with Vintage Sepia VersaFine.  Sprinkle each letter with embossing powder, tap off excess and heat set.

Adhere the letters to the front of the notepad with dimensional foam.

Car Embellishment:

Stamp the car (Hello Gorgeous) with Onyx Black VersaFine on white cardstock and heat emboss with clear powder.  Trim the image and color the windshield, driver and wheels with Memento markers.  Set aside.

Apply Turquoise Gem VersaMagic to white cardstock with a jumbo sponge dauber.  Stamp the car over the ink with Onyx Black VersaFine and heat emboss with clear powder.  Trim the body of the car eliminating the windshield, driver and wheels.

With dimensional foam, elevate the trimmed inked design over the full image.  Attach the dimensional element to the front of the notepad with additional dimensional foam.

Notepad:

For a sturdy base for the notepaper, cut a 3 ¼ x 4 ¼ inch piece of cardboard and using the fastener as a template, lightly trace the holes with a pencil.  Create the holes with a hole punch. 

Cut 24 pieces of copy paper to measure 3 ¼ x 4 ¼.  Using the cardboard base created in the previous step as a template, mark the hole placement with a pencil on the copy paper rectangles and punch the holes.

Thread the cardboard base onto the prong fastener, then the notepaper and finish with the top portion of the fastener.  Secure the fastener arms.

Apply heavy-duty, double-sided adhesive tape to the back of the notepad and adhere inside the cover.

Thank you for "zooming" by today in your cyber car and sharing a bit of your day with me!

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps:  Hello Gorgeous 30-097,  San Francisco 40-117, New York 40-118, Robust Lowercase 30-002

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Rose Garden 14-001, Summer Sun 17-002

ImagineCrafts/Tsukineko:  Toffee VersaFine (VF-052), Vintage Sepia VersaFine (VF-054), Onyx Black VersaFine (VF-082), Turquoise Gem VersaMagic (VG-015), Love Letter Memento (ME-302), Peanut Brittle Memento (ME-802), Toffee Crunch (ME-805), Tuxedo Black Memento (ME-900), Memento Markers: Cantaloupe (PM-103), Angel Pink (PM-404), Lilac Posies (PM-501), Summer Sky (PM-604), Desert Sand (PM-804), Tuxedo Black (PM-900), London Fog (PM-901), Sponge Daubers (ST-DAB-003), Jumbo Sponge Daubers (ST-PKG-002)

Clear Embossing Powder (EB-000-005)

Other: Dimensional Foam Tape, Heavy-duty, Double-sided Adhesive Tape, Cardboard, Copy Paper, Hole Punch, Prong Fasteners

For questions and/or comments, please feel free to e-mail me at:  elizabeth.a.allan@gmail.com

Snowflake Charms (Tutorial)

Here is a way to capture beautiful, wintry snowflakes without them melting!

These little charms are made from Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko’s Sheet Metal Circles and Penny Black’s All is Bright transparent stamps.

They are “charming” for holiday ornaments, card embellishments, decorative gift bag tags and jewelry adornments!

Instructions

 

Apply a few drops of Matte GlazOn to a Sheet Metal tag

and spread to cover with a mini squeegee.  Let dry.

 

Place a few drops of Cotton White Opaque StazOn on 

an InkBlusher and lightly dab the tag to cover.  Let dry.

 

Apply a few drop of Matte StazOn to a clean InkBlusher 

and dab over the Cotton White StazOn Ink.  Let dry.

Slightly distress the edges of the tag with an InkBlusher and Hydrangea Blue StazOn.  

Stamp snowflake design in the same color ink.  Let dry.

 

Spray with GooseBumps Clear Texture Spray and let dry.  

Remove protective backing and accent with ribbon.

Special Event News….. Starting today, Penny Black is having an exciting sneak peek week on their blog of their new Valentine designs.  Stop by for DAILY fun and giveaways!

Enjoy,

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: All is Bright 30-137

Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko:  Sheet Metal Circles, Hydrangea Blue StazOn, Cotton White StazOn Opaque, Matte GlazOn, GooseBumps Clear Texture Spray, Mini Squeegee, InkBlushers  

Metal Tag Bracelet

Continuing with the theme of jewelry, I have a second bracelet made for the “Artist in Residence” Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko Design Team using their new metal dog tags.

 

Enjoy following along with this step-by-step picture tutorial.

 

 

Instructions

Apply droplets of ink from StazOn Wide Mouth Bottles

(Blazing Red, Vibrant Violet and Teal Blue)

to a metal dog tag using Ink Droppers. 

Mottle the ink by pouncing it with

a small piece of an InkBlusher.  Let dry.

Punch a hole on the opposite end to match the pre-fabricated hole.

 

 

 Apply a few drops of Matte GlazOn to an

InkBlusher and gently dab the surface of the colored tag.

Let dry.

 

Stamp Paisley Swirls (Penny Black) on the dog tag in Cotton White StazOn Opaque.

Let dry.

 

Remove the blue protective backing from back of the tag.

Bend the piece to add a slight curve.

 

 

 

Finish the bracelet by adding assorted beads with elastic cording.

 

Thank you for sharing your time with me!

Smiles,

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Paisley Swirls 40-011
Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko:  Cotton White Opaque StazOn, Vibrant Violet StazOn Wide Mouth Bottle Ink, Blazing Red StazOn Wide Mouth Bottle Ink, Teal Blue StazOn Wide Mouth Bottle Ink, GlazOn Matte, Ink Droppers, InkBlushers, Sheet Metal Dog Tags
Other:  Assorted Beads, Elastic Beading Cord

Flower Charm Bracelet

Recently I created a few pieces of jewelry as “Artist in Residence” projects for Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko and I am excited to share them with you this week. 

Today’s piece uses shrink plastic stamped with flowers in StazOn Ink to make the charms for this bracelet.

 Here is how to create this wrist adornment:

1. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for preparing shrink plastic. 
2. Stamp circular flower elements (Wishes by Penny Black) on the prepared shrink plastic using Ultramarine StazOn ink.  Immediately clean stamps after use. 
3. Let the stamped impressions dry for approximately 5 minutes.
4. Die cut the stamped circles using Spellbinders Standard Circles.
5. Punch a 1/8” hole on each side of the plastic circle.
6. Heat the shrink plastic circles according to the manufacturer’s directions.
7. Link the circles with jump rings, beads and finish with a clasp.

I will have a second piece later this week that has Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko’s new metal dog tags!

Thank you for visiting,

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Wishes (30-103)
Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Ultramarine StazOn, StazOn All Purpose Cleaner
Spellbinders: Standard Circles Large (S4-114)
Other: Shrink Plastic, 1/8” Hole Punch, Jump Rings, Silver Beads, Lobster Claw Clasp

Decorative Napkin Ring (Tutorial)

A little touch of autumn flair for the holiday table with this decorative napkin ring using Penny Black's Foliage Fancy and Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko Sheet Metal.

Create this project in 8 quick steps!

Step 1:  Apply a thin coat of Matte GlazOn with a chisel tip

Brushstix to the metal sheet.  Let dry.

Step 2:  Stamp the solid leaf in Copper StazOn Metallic over the area of metal

that has been brushed with the Matte GlazOn.  Let dry.

Step 3:  Apply a thin coat of Matte GlazOn with the Brushstix

over the stamped image.  Let dry.

Step 4:  Stamp the detailed leaf in Forest Green StazOn

        directly on top of the solid leaf.  Let dry. 

Step 5:  Apply a thin coat of Creative Medium Vintage

          over the image with a Brushstix.  Let dry.

Step 6:  Trim the image with tin snips and peel away

the protective backing.

Step 7:  Create a ring with green florist wire.  Wrap copper wire around the ring

       to add a decorative touch as well as to secure the leaf to the ring.

 

 

Step 8:  Add soft bends to the design for visual interest.

Design Variations:  Autumn Wreath, Charms, Jewelry

A SPECIAL THANK YOU to Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko for providing INKd project sheets for this week’s autumn designs.  Enjoy these free downloadable and printable links: 

Decorative Napkin Ring (posted today) can be accessed “here”

Thanks A Bunch (as seen “here”) can be accessed “here”

Autumn Kindness (as seen “here”) can be accessed “here”

Have a great weekend,

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Foliage Fancy (30-138)

Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Sheet Metal Postcard, Brushstix Chisel Tip, GlazOn Matte, Copper StazOn Metallic, Forest Green StazOn, Creative Medium Vintage

Other: Green Florist Wire, Copper Wire, Tin Snips