Happy Everything: A Mash Up

What happens when I have two stamps and can't decide which one to work with?  I use them both and mash them up!

This card uses a combination of two new Penny Black releases: Kind Words and Chalkboard Grateful.  Plus, a new Creative Die Perched.  

               

They are all from their Happy Everything catalog.

Here's how the stamps were "mashed" together:

Step 1: Cut a piece of white cardstock slightly smaller than the card base and attached a small strip of Fall Festival to the top.

Step 2: Die cut Perched from Clear Skies cardstock and adhere to the top portion of the cardstock.

Step 3: Stamp the sentiment from Kind Words below the die cut in Onyx Black VersaFine.

Step 4: On a separate piece of white cardstock stamp a portion of Chalkboard Grateful in Morocco Memento Luxe.  Trim the piece and adhere across the middle of the previously stamped sentiment.  This will cover the words "Thank You".

Step 5: Attached the finished artwork to the front of the card base with 3-D Foam Tabs.

A great way to give your favorite images another fun look.

Enjoy,
Elizabeth

Supplies:
Penny Black Stamps: Kind Words 30-226, Chalkboard Grateful 40-315
Penny Black Creative Dies: Perched 51-031
Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Clear Skies 10-001, Fall Festival 16-002
Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Morocco Memento Luxe
Tombow: Xtreme Adhesive, 3-D Foam Tabs

Penny Black's Creative Dies

Penny Black has a new addition to their product line....Creative Dies!  They just launched their first 10 designs and they have more on the way.  The dies are spectacular and they cut magnificently.  

This design utilizes both the negative and positive cuts of the leaf image.  The positive portion is used to decorate the envelope while the negative space on the card holds sparkling glitter.  The butterfly is one of their new die cuts too.

Grab your clear packaging tape and hop over to the Penny Black blog "HERE" for the complete instructions.

Smiles,
Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Creative Dies: Leaves 51-002, Tagged 51-007

Penny Black Stamps: Lace Trims 30-181, Blissful 40-205, Flower Gallery 30-031

Penny Black Les Petites: Berrylicious 90-004

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Storm 01-001, 01-003; 09-001

3M Scotch Dimensional Foam Tape

Duncan: Scribbles 3D Paint (Iridescent White Mist)

Faber-Castell: PITT Artist Pen Big Brush Markers (Orange Glaze, Pink Madder, Magenta)

Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Habanero VersaFine, Teal Zeal Memento, Clear Embossing Powder, Jumbo Sponge Dauber

Martha Stewart Glitter: Feldspar

Ranger Distress Paint: Weathered Wood

Sakura: Black Glaze Pen

Tombow: Permanent Adhesive Stamp Runner

Zig: Glue Pen

Other: Clear Packaging Tape

A Thank You With "Sweet Buds"

Even though Valentine’s is celebrated for just one day, bunches of love sprinkled with red and pink hearts can be shared each and every day!

 

As with these “Sweet Buds” from Penny Black’s new Valentine collection, I saw so many ways to use this image during the year.  This “thank you” sentiment from Flower Gallery is a classic and one of my favorites.

TIP/HINT:  Using a colored ink for stamping flowers gives a softer alternative to the traditional black ink.  In this sample, the flowers were stamped with Lilac Posies Memento and then colored in a similar hue.

You can also see daily "thank you" inspiration all this week on the Penny Black Blog.

May love fill your heart each and every day!

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Sweet Buds 4292H, Flower Gallery 30-031

Penny Black Mix and Match Cardstock: Grand Canyon 03-001, Blue Lagoon 09-001

Copic Markers

Dimensional Foam: 3M Scotch

Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Bahama Blue Memento, Lilac Posies Memento, Teal Zeal Memento, Sponge Dauber, Clear Embossing Powder

Offray: Organza Ribbon

Thank You!

Thank you to everyone around the world, near and far, for your visits and comments on my blog for World Card Making Day and all throughout the year!

This stamp from Penny Black’s Hedgie Friends set is perfect for a window card.  Elevating the front panel of the card with extra thick foam tabs allows plenty of room for layering elements within the circle.

A piece of Summer Sun cardstock was distressed with Morocco Memento ink then stamped with the background from Warm Wishes in the same color.  This was then attached to the mini card base.

The “thank you” sentiment is one of my favorites and is from Illumination.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Hedgie Friends 30-101, Warm Wishes 40-074, Illumination 30-048

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Summer Sun 17-002

Copic Markers

Dimensional Foam

Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Morocco Memento, Clear Embossing Powder, Jumbo Sponge Dauber

Creating Laser Cuts from Stamps

When I saw the components that made up the border in Lace Delight, I was inspired to create “laser cut” edging.

One impression of the border on white cardstock in Onyx Black VersaFine heat embossed with clear powder was all that I needed for the elements.  Segmented portions of the design were colored with Copics BG 13 and 15.  After fussy cutting the outline, a craft knife was used for the ovals and a tiny hole punch for the circles.

Tangelo Memento ink was the perfect match for the Paisley Swirls stamped on Summer Sun cardstock.

Dry embossed vertical lines were positioned at the bottom of a 3 x 4 ¾ top-folded card before the decorative piece was attached with dimensional foam. 

I also found that Turquoise Gem VersaMagic for the sentiment matched the colors of the Copic markers.

Here is a second version which has de-embossed dots added to the top.

Thank you for sharing your time and "blog hugs" with me …. they are enjoyed immensely!

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Lace Delight (30-115), Paisley Swirls (40-011), Flower Gallery (30-031)

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Storm 01-001, Summer Sun 17-003

Copic Markers: BG 13, 15

Darice: Crystal Gems

Dimensional Foam

Imagine Crafts (Tsukineko): Onyx Black VersaFine, Tangelo Memento, Turquoise Gem VersaMagic, Clear Embossing Powder
Provo Craft: Cuttlebug - Just My Type Embossing Folders (37-1170)

Other: Scoring Tool, Craft Knife, Small Hole Punch, Heat Tool

 

Thank You For Always Being There

From past posts you can see how much I have enjoyed working with Penny Black’s new transparent set called “Puzzle Parts”.  Today on the Penny Black Blog it is the featured sneak peek.

Two of the four Puzzle Parts were paired with a section of the NEW background stamp “Floral Thread”.  Whether this flower pattern is used to cover the front of a card or for bits and pieces as seen “here”, this background is definitely versatile.  The design also allows you to use many stamping techniques for fabulous variations. 

Here is a quick overview of how the components were created….

• Top-folded card created from white cardstock was edged with  Crimson Red VersaFine.

• The paper on the lower half of the card is Coral Reef cardstock stamped with Puzzle Parts in Crimson Red VersaFine.  The same ink color was used to soften the edges.

• Floral Thread was stamped on white cardstock with Elderberry Memento ink.  TIP/HINT:  Deep purple and rich chocolate inks offer nice variations from black ink.  They lend a crisp contrast with a touch of softness.

• The design was colored with Copic markers and then Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Spritz was painted over the flowers to add a glittery effect.

• Puzzle Parts was stamped on Blue Lagoon cardstock with Teal Zeal Memento and trimmed.  The decorative strip was attached to the floral background and elevated on the card with dimensional foam.

• The sentiment from So Blessed was stamped on a Spellbinders Label Ten edged with Crimson Red VersaFine.  Faux brads were created with a black glaze pen.

I am excited to share another new sneak peek tomorrow!

Thank you for visiting,
Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Puzzle Parts 30-114, Floral Thread 40-135, So Blessed 40-132

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Storm 01-001, Blue Lagoon 09-003, Coral Reef 15-003

3M Scotch: Dimensional Foam

Copic Markers

Sakura: Black Glaze Pen

Spellbinders: Labels Ten (S5-022)

Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Crimson Red VersaFine, Teal Zeal Memento, Elderberry Memento, Tuxedo Black Memento Marker, Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Spritz, Clear Embossing Powder, Sponge Daubers

Frame Card Art & Hidden Tag

Decorative card frames can be created in no time at all by combining die cuts, inks and stamps!

This antique frame was designed with Spellbinder’s Labels 22 and Large Classic Ovals.  Memento inks in Espresso Truffle, Toffee Crunch, Peanut Brittle and Angel Pink were applied to the white cardstock die cuts with jumbo sponge daubers and then stamped with Letter Background before assembly.

Penny Black’s hydrangea from Flower Festival was stamped with Onyx Black VersaFine on watercolor paper and heat embossed with clear powder.  After watercoloring and trimming the image, the flower centers were accented with a black Glaze pen.  A small sentiment from Wishes was tucked under the leaves.  The soft background behind the oval window is Penny Black’s Periwinkle cardstock.

There is a hidden tag...

A small pocket nestled between the layers helps the tag glide smoothly in and out.

For the card base, a separate die cut was scored to create a gluing tab.  Having an easel base for cards with extra layers will lend stability and keep the card from “slumping” when on display.

TIP/HINT:

For consistent and even placement of brads positioned on corners, a handmade template is a handy tool.  Mark the position of the first hole with a piercing on a “scrap corner”. 

This will become the guide for piercing for the remaining corners.  The template will need to be turned and rotated as you proceed from one corner to the next.  Align the template corner with the project corner and pierce the hole position.

A heartfelt “thank you” to all that visit as well as the readers who invite me into their homes by subscribing to my posts via e-mail.  Your kindness and support are greatly appreciated!

Smiles,

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Flower Festival 30-095, Wishes 30-103, Letter Background 1999L

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Storm 01-001, Periwinkle 11-001

Canson: Watercolor Paper

Spellbinders: Classic Ovals Large (S4-110), Labels 22 (S4-346)

Sakura: Black Glaze Pen

Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Espresso Truffle Memento, Toffee Crunch Memento, Peanut Brittle Memento, Angel Pink Memento, Jumbo Sponge Daubers, Clear Embossing Powder
Other: Paper Piercing Tool

A Monochromatic Design

This sentiment included with Penny Black's Inspiring is so expressive.  I wanted it to be the focus of my card so I used a simple, yet bold, monochromatic design to showcase the emotion of the phrase.

The dark Forest Glen card base was layered with a smaller piece of white cardstock that was edged in Delicata Golden Glitz ink.

A second, smaller piece of white cardstock edged in gold was decorated with an elevated portion of a Spellbinder’s Label Seventeen die cut from light Forest Glen cardstock.  The wood-grain texture was stamped in Olympia Green VersaFine and highlighted with a sponge dauber and Spanish Moss VersaFine ink.

The dark Forest Glen band notched with a circle punch provided the placement area for the “fussy cut” leaves stamped in Spanish Moss VersaFine.

Dimensional foam tape between all the layers of the design added depth as well as some soft shadows.

One of the many things I enjoy about monochromatic designs is that they are easy to recreate using another color.  Integrating different hues of the same color also gives you artistic creativity to add depth and texture.

You can view other previously posted monochromatic designs “here”.

Pick a color, any color, and see what fun monochromatic designs can be! 

Happy Friday,

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Inspiring 40-113

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Forest Glen 07-001 & 07-003
Spellbinders: Labels Seventeen (S5-025)

Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Olympia Green VersaFine, Spanish Moss VersaFine, Delicata Golden Glitz, Jumbo Sponge Dauber, Clear Embossing Powder

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.

Thanks a Bunch!

This set of thank you cards was made using a portion of “Brimming with Love” one of Penny Black’s new Valentine stamps.

Rounded corners and decorative scored lines were added to simple tent cards.  The carts were stamped in Black VersaFine and heat embossed with clear powder.  After coloring each design with Copic markers, they were trimmed and adhered to the card with dimensional foam.  Star Dust Stickles were added as an accent.  The sentiment is part of the transparent Betsy Blue Bell set.

Enjoy pairing this cute “cart of hearts” with different sentiments for cards for all occasions!

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Brimming With Love 4232J, Betsy Blue Bell 30-053

EK Success: Dimensional Foam

Copic Markers: R24, R39, R83, RV19

Ranger: Star Dust Stickles

Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Clear Embossing Powder 

Merci Penguins

This week Penny Black is featuring thank you cards and today I am hosting their blog with this pair of thankful penguins.   

The card bases were constructed using Spellbinder’s Labels Eighteen.  The card on the left was processed through the die-cutting machine with an embossing mat and the card on the right has an additional frame added.  The white cardstock die-cut frame was transformed with Bahama Blue Memento ink and stamped with the background from Warm Wishes. 

The sentiment is from the transparent set Salutations and the cute penguin is a part of Christmas with Mimi.  A black glaze pen is great for creating brad-like accents. 

Tip/Hint:  Cutting a small portion from the back card base will give the card three points of contact when displayed and prevent the piece from “rocking”.

Merci beaucoup for visiting today!

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Christmas With Mimi 30-079, Warm Wishes 40-074, Salutations 30-014

3M Scotch & EK Success:  Dimensional Foam

Copic Markers

Sakura: Black Glaze Pen

Spellbinders: Labels Eighteen (S4-310), Classic Ovals Large (S4-110)

Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Bahama Blue Memento, Clear Embossing Powder, Sponge Daubers

"Chalk Pouncing" Technique

Soft pastel chalks make great backgrounds for your favorite sentiments.

This technique can be achieved in TWO steps!

Step 1:  Ink the desired image with VersaMark Watermark ink and stamp on white cardstock.

Step 2:  Using small bits from a cotton ball, apply chalk colors in a pouncing fashion.  The ink will “grab” the chalk and the image will come to life.

Hint:  If you find that you need to remove chalk from a non-stamped area, a clean white eraser is the perfect tool.

The card design was finished by stamping the sentiment in black ink and adding a sparkly sheer ribbon.

Have a great weekend,

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps:  Hillflowers 3938K, Gratitude 3855E

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

Tsukineko: VersaMark Watermark Ink, Onyx Black VersaFine

Offray: Ribbon

Other: Chalk, Cotton Ball  

Autumn Kindness & 1st Blog-iversary

I would like to thank YOU for YOUR kindness!  Today marks my one-year blog-iversay!  It has been a wonderful and fun experience sharing my art and meeting so many fantastic artists through blogging.  I appreciate all your comments as you supported my artwork and the time you spent visiting with me in my studio. 

 

For this autumn thank you, Reverse Wonky Rectangles were used for the card base and layers.  Before removing the die from the water color paper, a variety of distress inks were applied to the exposed center frame.  Leaving the die frame in place, Paisley Outline was stamped on top with Vintage Sepia ink.  Don’t worry that the metal die is elevated and the stamped design does not fully reach the edges.  This creates a great fade-in for the pattern and another visual “level” within the inked space.  For highlights, random gel pen markings were added to the Paisley design.

Hand-pierced holes allowed the spacing and alignment for the sewing to be tailored to the shape.  Inked heavy-weight thread was then sewn around the design.  Laying the piece face up on a foam mat provided a soft surface to de-emboss around the stitching.  An embossing stylus or bone folder are great tools to use for tracing.

The sentiment is stamped on vellum with black pigment ink and heat embossed with clear powder.  The edges were torn before attaching the band across the rectangle.  (Hint:  Before wrapping vellum around a curved edge, trace the curve on the vellum with a stylus giving the paper a scored, curved line.  Then, as in sewing, from the end of the band cut one or two slits up to the scored line.  The slits will relieve the tension of the paper as it is wrapped around the curve and result in smoother wrap on the edge.)

The pot from Amaryllis was stamped twice on watercolor paper in black pigment ink and heat embossed with clear powder.  Color was added with Faber-Castell Pitt Pens.  While constructing the pot, the base image was curved and shaped creating side surfaces that would be flat for gluing.  A small piece of dimensional foam in the center of the pot (when attached to the card) helps maintain the shape.  The top of the pot was paper pieced for added dimension.  The flowers from Sun Days were created in the same manner and then “fussy” cut with scissors and a craft knife.

With sincere appreciation for all your kindness, smiles and hugs this past year....

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Amaryllis 40-078, Paisley Outline 40-048, Sun Days 3951J, You Are Kind 3624F

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

3M Scotch: Dimensional Foam Tape

Canson: 140 lb. Watercolor Paper

Faber-Castell: Pitt Artist Pen Big Brush (Orange Glaze #113, Deep Scarlet Red #219, Cobalt Turquoise #153, Light Cobalt Turquoise #154) 

Mark Richards: Amber Gemstones

Ranger: Antique Linen Distress, Vintage Photo Distress, Shabby Shutters Distress, Fired Brick Distress

Sakura: White Gel Pen

Spellbinders: Reverse Wonky Rectangle Nestabilities (S4-307)

Tsukineko: Vintage Sepia VersaFine, Onyx Black VersaFine, Delicata Golden Glitz Ink, Sponge Daubers, Clear Embossing Powder

Other: Heavy Carpet Thread, Needle, Vellum

Thank You So Very Much!

Each time I create a thank you card it is a reminder of how blessed I am that someone bestowed a beautiful act of kindness upon me.

One technique that I like to use frequently is to create a background design with the same stamp used for the focal image.  You are always guaranteed a match!

Besides the orange used to mat the sentiment, everything else utilizes white cardstock.

Card Instructions:

• Create a 2 ¾ x 4 ¼-inch side-folded card from white cardstock.
• Blend blue ink around the edges then stamp the flower design on top with the same ink.
• Stamp sentiment on a 2 ¼ x 3 1/8-inch piece of white cardstock with black ink and heat emboss with clear powder.
• Mat with a 2 3/8 x 3 ¼-inch piece of orange cardstock.  Adhere to the front of the prepared card with dimensional foam.
• Using the same floral image inked in black, stamp on white cardstock and heat emboss with clear powder.  Color image and trim.
• Attach the image to the left side of the sentiment with double-sided adhesive and accent the flowers with rhinestones.

Thank YOU so very much for your visits and lovely comments.

With appreciation,

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps:  Flourish Thank You 4175F, Flowers & Wishes 30-047

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock:  Fall Festival 16-001

Tsukineko:  Onyx Black VersaFine, Aegean Blue VersaMagic, Clear Embossing Powder, Sponge Dauber

Copic Markers

Kaiser Craft:  Rhinestones

3M Scotch:  Dimensional Foam Tape