Anna’ Stampin’ Cave – Rustic Best Birds For Global Design Project #084 Challenge
Hello and welcome everyone! Today I’m back with my entry for Global Design Project. This week is Case The Designer Challenge over at GDP and we’re casing wonderful Michelle Last. I have to admit I absolutely love Michelle’s style. She’s an incredible artist and amazing person too (I had the privilege to meet her in person a few years back).
It’s a beautiful card to CASE: clean & simple with lots of yummy texture. But I didn’t really want to follow the colour combination or the layout of Michelle’s card (but as you will see I failed miserably as I ‘accidentally’ cased the layout anyway haha ). For my card, I decided to focus on a couple of products she used instead: Best Birds Stamp Set and coordinating Birds & Blooms Thinlits Dies.
Rustic Best Birds card dimensions:
Crumb Cake cardstock: 8-1/4″ x 5-7/8″ scored in half at 4-1/8″ (21cm x 14.8 cm scored in half at 10.5 cm)
Crumb Cake cardstock: 4-1/8″ x 5-6/8″ (10.2 cm x 14.6 cm)
Whisper White cardstock for stamping & die cutting
Pool Party cardstock: 3/8″ x 4-3/8″
Burlap Ribbon: approx 5-6/8″ (14.6 cm)
I don’t know about you, but when I first saw this stamp set it has called countryside to me. I only bought this bundle a few weeks ago and was really eager to have a play. So this week’s challenge was perfect for inking up my stamp for the first time.
First, I created the background for my ‘idyllic’ scene. I took Crumb Cake panel and stamped it with Hardwood background stamp in Soft Suede. I also sponged the edges of the panel with Soft Suede ink to add to the ‘rustic feel’.
Next, I stamped and die cut all the elements of my scene. The bird is stamped using Crumb Cake ink. Flowers – Pool Party. For little berries/fruits, I’ve used Pear Pizzazz. Branch is stamped in Soft Suede ink and coloured in with markers: Crumb Cake for the branch and Pear Pizzazz for leaves.
I love this sentiment “It’s a good day” from Best Birds Stamp Set. I stamped it in Soft Suede on a piece of Whisper White cardstock and die cut using an oval die from Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies. I think stitched edge suit rustic ‘feel’ of this card just perfectly.
Before I assembled my card I played a little with a placement of all the elements. To add some ‘natural’ texture I decided to use Burlap Ribbon as a banner. I also cut a thin strip of Pool Party cardstock to ‘break’ all the browns. When I was happy with the placement, I took a photo and started the assembly.
Tip: If you have a layout, either a card or a scrapbook page, that consist of lots of small elements, play with the placement first, before glueing things down. Once you’re happy, take a photo of your test layout with your phone ( we all have it on hand, don’t we?). Next, assemble your card/scrapbook page piece by piece by piece with a help of your reference photo. No more guessing ‘where was this or that element supposed to go.
I truly hope you like my little, rustic card. It reminds me of my childhood in Poland and summer holidays we spent in the countryside with our great-grandmother. Wonderful memories.
As always, I really want to encourage you to visit the Global Design Project challenge blog to see other beautiful projects from all around the world. Just click on their logo below to visit the website
Anna’ Stampin’ Cave – Stampin’ Up! Watercolour Wings – Good Things Come In Threes
Hello, everyone! I hope you have an amazing Saturday so far. We have such a beautiful weather today down here in Midlands – it doesn’t feel like I live in the UK at all ? And I really hope this weather will stay for a little while. Even just to cheer me up. This past week was one of the toughest in last few months, as the pain is back and it ain’t go anywhere in near future. It laughs at painkillers too. So my days are filled with enormous pain that truly makes my brain freeze and I find it hard to concentrate, let alone create. But I had such a great idea for this week’s challenge over at Global Design Project that I just HAD TO make it happen! Do you have it sometimes? An idea that feels that if you won’t try it you will POP!? hahaha So a couple of nights back, I hid in my cave, despite the pain, and … five hours later I came out not with one but three cards! How that even happen?! As I was creating my initial card, more ideas popped into my head and obviously, I HAD TO TRY them all, haha So just a warning: this post is long and picture (glitter) heavy ?
So I will start with my first card where it all started: lovely, clean & simple and … pink-ish. Not really something you’ve seen here often. But I actually like it:
Flirty Flamingo card dimensions:
Whisper White Thick cardstock card base: 11-6/8″ x 4-1/8″ scored in half at 5-7/8″ (29.7 x 10.5 cm scored in half at 14.8 cm)
Flirty Flamingo cardstock: 3-6/8″ x 4″ (9.6 cm x 10.2 cm)
Whisper White cardstock: 3-1/2″ x 3-6/8″ (9 cm x 9.6 cm)
Flirty Flamingo Ruched Ribbon: 12″ approx, to tie a bow
This beautiful butterfly from Watercolour Wings Stamp Set is a three step stamping image as you have three stamps to create the look. I’ve used three different shades of pink: Pink Pirouette for the base, Blushing Bride for the details on the wings and Flirty Flamingo for wings’ edges and the body of the butterfly.
Savvy tip: if you’re just starting your papercraft adventure and don’t have many ink colours (been there, done that) you can use the same ink pad to stamp all the layers. If it’s a light colour ink, you can stamp each layer on top on previous one and it will get slightly darker each time. You can repeat more detailed layers couple of times to get the shade you are happy with. If you have dark colour ink, you can use stamping off technique (also called ghost stamping or second/third generation stamping). You simply stamp off your image couple of times before stamp it on your piece. The rule is: the larger the image like the base here, the lighter the shade.
I also stamped this polka-dot-kind-of image in two opposed corners of my panel. You are probably wondering: OK, but where all that glitter come from? And no, I didn’t use glue for that.
When the image was stamped, I prepared the card with embossing buddy and I stamped the edges of the wings of the butterfly, the body and polka dots once again, but this time using Versamark ink. I sprinkled it with Heat & Stick Powder, heat it till it melts, add Dazzling Diamonds glitter and heat set it again. Heat & Stick Powder once re-heated it melts again, making all that glitter to soak in, so when I send this card out the recipient can enjoy beautiful card and won’t be covered in glitter.
I adhered my panel to a Flirty Flaming mat and next to the card base. Firstly, I wanted to create the banner or a strip of cardstock for a sentiment, but it didn’t look good. So using Stamp-A-Ma-Jig I decided where I want my sentiment to go and stamped it in Flirty Flamingo. Next, to jazz it up a little I stamped it twice more, without re-inking my stamp. It’s called ghost stamping or stampin’ off. A little, dinky bow finish off my card.
Card number 2 (Jazz it up babe ?)
Bermuda Bay & Crumb Cake card dimensions:
Crumb Cake cardstock card base: 11-6/8″ x 4-1/8″ scored in half at 5-7/8″ (29.7 x 10.5 cm scored in half at 14.8 cm)
Bermuda Bay cardstock: 3-6/8″ x 4″ (9.6 cm x 10.2 cm)
Crumb Cake cardstock: 3-1/2″ x 3-6/8″ (9 cm x 9.6 cm)
Bermuda Bay cardstock strip for a sentiment
Bermuda Bay Thick Baker’s Twine two lengths: 16″ and 4″ (approx)
I this card for the butterfly I’ve used Soft Sky for the base, Pool Party for all the details on the wings and Bermuda Bay for the body and edges of its wings. And again I stamped polka dots in the corners. I’ve added gold glitter to my images same way as with my first card, using Heat & Stick Powder.
Using two lengths of Bermuda Bay Thick Baker’s Twine I created simple sailor knot. I added mini glue dot behind the knot and adhered it to the Crumb Cake panel. I secured the twine at the back using Fast Fuse. Next, I mounted my panel to the Bermuda Bay mat using thin (1 mm) foam adhesive tape and adhered them both to the card base.
The sentiment is stamped on a strip of Bermuda Bay cardstock and in Bermuda Bay ink for the subtle, tone on tone effect. I also added a strip of DIY gold glimmer paper behind it. I popped it up with dimensionals but before I adhered it to the card base I stamped few rows of polka dot piece on the card base in Versamark.
Card number 3 (the more the fancier ?)
Elegant Eggplant & Basic Black card dimensions:
Basic Black cardstock card base: 11-6/8″ x 4-1/8″ scored in half at 5-7/8″ (29.7 x 10.5 cm scored in half at 14.8 cm)
White Vellum cardstock: 3″ x 3-6/8″ (7.7 cm x 9.6 cm) + extra for die-cutting
Elegant Eggplant Paper From Regals Designer Series Paper Stack: 5-1/2″ x 3-6/8″ (14 cm x 9.6 cm)
Basic Black cardstock for butterfly
Whisper White cardstock for sentiment
Gold Metallic Thread
To be able to stamp the butterfly in various colours on black cardstock I stamped the base of my butterfly in Whisper White Craft Ink first. When it dried I stamped the base again, but this time in Perfect Plum. For the details on the centre of the wings, I’ve used Rich Razzleberry. The edges of the wings and body of the butterfly are stamped with Elegant Eggplant ink – I could totally skip this step as honestly, you can’t see that even in person, not only on photos. I added glitter as before and die-cut my butterfly using a coordinating die from Bold Butterfly Framelits Dies.
I took a piece of Elegant Eggplant DSP and I tore two strips of paper from the top and from the bottom. I didn’t measure it, just eyeball it, briefly about 1″. I also tore in half the strip of White Vellum cardstock. I adhered both strips of torn DSP behind the main piece, but showing the reverse design and so the torn edges were showing. I also
I adhered both strips of torn DSP behind the main piece with reverse design up and both strips of vellum behind it with jagged edges showing for extra dimension. I rolled up the edges of my DSP slightly and adhered the whole panel to the card base.
I die-cut a circle from White Vellum using the largest circle die from Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies. Before I added my butterfly on top I stamped the butterfly antenna in Basic Black on the vellum. I adhered few lengths of Gold Metallic Thread behind the butterfly, glued it to the vellum circle with Fast Fuse and next add it to the card base. The sentiment is stamped in Elegant Eggplant n piece of Whisper White cardstock and adhered to the base with glue dots.
And here are all of the cards together:
I hope you like my cards and that I didn’t bore you with my mouthful-sort-of-directions, haha But this is me: love it or hate it ? Please let me know in comments below which one, which style is your favourite. I would love to hear from you!
As always, I really want to encourage you to visit the Global Design Project challenge blog to see other beautiful projects from all around the world. Just click on their logo below to visit the website.
Hello, everyone! Today I’m playing again with Global Design Project Sketch Challenge. But before I show you my take on the sketch I want to share with you some exciting news. My cards were among the winners at the last GDP Colour Challenge! Woo hoo! But that’s not all. I have also been chosen to be a Guest Designer in the next colour challenge! How cool and what a privilege?!
Totally unexpected; I’m still pinching myself 🙂 If you have not seen my winning cards, just click the button above.
But now let’s go back to today’s project.
Today I’ve got for you this beautiful, clean & simple card with an amazing message from the Bible.
Beautiful Message card dimensions:
Whisper White Thick cardstock: 11-6/8″ x 4-1/8″ scored in half at 5-7/8″ (29.7 x 10.5 cm scored in half at 14.8 cm)
Mint Macaron cardstock: 5-7/8″ x 4″ (14.8 cm x 10.2 cm)
Whisper White cardstock: 4-1/8″ x 2-2/8″ (10.4 cm x 5.7 cm)
Gold Foil: 5-7/8″ x 1″ (14.8 cm x 2.5 cm)
I was really eager to put my hands on this beautiful stamp set ‘Easter Message’ the moment I saw it. But I was able to order it only just recently.
To create this beautiful card I first took Mint Macaron panel and randomly stamped palm tree all over it, using Versamark inkpad, and heat embossed it in gold.
To make sure none of the embossing powder sticks to the cardstock where unwanted, I rubbed my embossing buddy across the paper before application.
To slightly ‘dull’ golden embossing I rubbed my piece with a dry cloth. I think it creates unique, dramatic effect.
I adhered Mint Macaron panel to the card base, followed by a piece of gold foil.
Next, I took my piece of regular Whisper White cardstock and I stamped cross image in Mint Macaron on the top of my piece, so I still had a room for a sentiment below the cross.
For the sentiment I chose this beautiful, life-giving verse from a Bible: Matthew 28:6 ‘He is not here; He has risen’. I’m short for words to say how much this little verse mean for me.
I stamped my sentiment in Versamark and heat embossed using Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder again. To stamp it and not ruin my panel, I’ve used good ole stamp-a-ma-jig, so it’s straight and exactly where it should be.
I mount my piece onto the card base using dimensionals.
I may not be an expert if it comes to clean & simple cards. I’m not good at using a minimal number of supplies either. But I’m working on it, and I have to say I’m really happy how this card came out. I hope you like it too. Gold and mint make such an amazing colour combination.
As always, I really want to encourage you to visit the Global Design Project challenge blog to see other beautiful projects from all around the world. Just click on their logo below to visit the website
If you wish to purchase any of products I have used, simply click the images below to go directly to my online store and don’t forget to enter the hostess code for the month of April XMAJ4CYX to receive a gift from me.
Stampin’ Up! Spring Summer & Annual Catalogue 2016 2017 Retiring List
It’s that time of the year again, when Stampin’ Up! is getting ready to retire stamps and accessories from both the Annual and Spring Summer catalogues. As sad as it is to see these products go, there’s still time for you to get them before they’re gone. Retiring products will only be available until 31 May, or while supplies last. So if there’s something from retiring products on your wishlist, don’t wait until last day – once they’re gone, they’re gone. And they are selling fast! Click here for more details ->
Thank you for joining us for another Simply Sketched Saturday Challenge! We are so excited to be sharing this hop with you. The products used are all available in the current Annual, or seasonal, Stampin’ Up!® Catalogues*. Simply use the buttons at the bottom of the post to keep hopping!
Hello and welcome after a long break. Today’s brilliant sketch has been designed by lovely Sam from Sam’s Sentiments blog. Just check how beautiful this sketch is?! Sadly Sam wasn’t able to take a part in the hop. Such a shame.
I’ve been so busy lately with home renovating and night shifts, that only a couple of days ago I realised our monthly blog hop is today. I panic slightly first but the moment I sit down to the sketch, I knew exactly what I wanted to make. I decided to ‘dig out’ my favourite stamp set from Autumn-Winter catalogue: Paisleys & Posies, as it seemed perfect for the technique I wanted to try: watercolour with markers. Well, it’s kinda watercolour. Anyhow. I had so much fun that I created not one but three cards.
Aren’t these gorgeous?! Such bold designs! And they really super easy to make.
Paisleys & Posies cards dimensions:
3x Basic Black cardstock: 11-6/8″ x 4-1/8″ scored in half at 5-7/8″ (29.7 x 10.5 cm scored in half at 14.8 cm) + 2 x strips 1″x 4-1/8″ + 1 stripe 3/8″x 5-2/8″
3x White Vellum cardstock: 3-5/8″ x 5-3/8″(9,2 x 13,6 cm)
3x Water Colour Paper: 3-1/2″ x 5-2/8″ (8,9 x 13,3 cm)
3x Very Vanilla cardstock: 3-1/2″ x 5″ for the inside panels + scraps for sentiments
scraps of the following cardstocks for die-cutting: Basic Black, Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive, Pool Party & Pear Pizzazz
To start off, I stamped various images from Paisleys & Posies Stamp Set onto the watercolour panel in Basic Black Archival Ink.
Tip of the day: Because I did my cards late at night, I had no time for the ink to dry completely but I didn’t want to smear black all over my watercolour panels. So I sprinkled clear embossing powder over the whole piece once I was done with stamping. But I didn’t heat set it, I just let embossing powder to ‘soak in’ all the ‘moisture’. I let it sit for couple of minutes and then brush off the powder.
When my panels were ready I started to colour them in with Stampin’ Markers. Nothing fancy really, and no need to stay in lines either.
For the first card, I’ve used Melon Mambo, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive and Tempting Turquoise. When all the images were coloured in, I spritzed the whole panel with water. And that’s when all the ‘magic’ happen, as all the colours blend together nicely creating a beautiful watercolour piece. It’s like making your own watercolour DSP. And each piece is different.
To add more colour I dried my panel with a heat tool. Next, I colour it in again with markers and spritz it with water. You can build up the colour as much as you wish, just remember to dry your panel in-between.
For my next card, I decided to use all markers from Brights family. But this time I only spritz it once, hence much more subtle look.
For the last cardI’ve used Subtles Stampin’ Markers and I have to say they needed the most work. I had to dry my piece and keep adding more colour several times until I was happy with the outcome. Once all my panels were created I decided to add some shimmer to them. I added few drops of Clear Wink of Stella to the water in my spritzer, and I spritzed all the panels.
Once the panels were dry I die-cut three circles from each panel: full circle using 1-7/8” circle from Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies and two ‘partial’ circles using Layered Circle Framelits Dies. I also die-cut slightly bigger scalloped circles from Basic Black cardstock to go underneath.
To assemble my cards I adhered vellum to card bases and watercolour panels on top. Next, I glued black scalloped circles underneath the watercolour ones and in-laid them back into the panels. I also adhered Basic Black strips, sliding them slightly underneath the die-cut circles.
I stamped my sentiments (masking a part of it) on a 3/8″ strip of Very Vanilla cardstock, and adhered it to the card with liquid glue. The full sentiment is stamped inside of the card.
For the final touch, I die-cut some leaves and flowers using a couple of intricate dies from Paisleys Framelits Dies and adhered them to the black stripes.
And these are my cards for today. I hope you like my take on the sketch. Now be sure to hop along to see more inspiring projects. Your next stop is very talented Hannah.
Anna’ Stampin’ Cave – Dragonfly Dreams Stamp Set & coordinating dies
For today’s project, I have used once again Dragonfly Dreams Stamp Set and Detailed Dragonfly Thinlits Dies. I love this bundle and either together or separate, I just can’t get enough of it. This time though I decided to revisit two of my favourite techniques: watercolour and ink smooching. Bright colours, Cucumber Crush and Island Indigo, seemed perfect combination for a dragonfly card.
Watercolour Dragonfly card dimensions:
Cucumber Crush cardstock: 8-1/4″ x 5-7/8″ scored in half at 4-1/8″ (21 x 14.8 cm scored in half at 10.5 cm)
Island Indigo cardstock: 4″x 5-6/8″(10,2 x 14,5 cm)
Whisper White cardstock: 3-7/8″ x 5-5/8″ (9.8 x 14.2 cm) and 2-7/8″ x 1/2″(7.4 x 1.3 cm) for a sentiment
Scraps of Whisper White, Shimmery White and White Vellum cardstock for die-cutting
First thing first I had to prepare my watercolour panel. And to be honest I risked a bit using regular Whisper White cardstock here.
If you are not confident with water colouring and don’t want to risk, please always use watercolour paper with ink smooshing technique.
I pressed Cucumber Crush ink pad on a craft mat, spritz it with water (not too much) and took a piece of acetate to lift some of this puddle of colour. I smooshed it on my panel and dried it with a heat gun. I repeat this process couple of times, every time drying my panel in-between until I was happy with layers of colour. Next, I switched to Island Indigo but I only added one layer of colour. The last touch was to add few splotches of ink to my panel with help of aqua painter.
I die cut two dragonflies, one from Whisper White cardstock and one from vellum (without the head) for 3D effect. To colour in cardstock dragonfly I used a very similar technique as previously. I pressed some more of Island Indigo ink on the craft mat, spritz it with water and dabbed the dragonfly straight in the puddle, dried and repeat until I was happy with the colour.
I wanted to add more depth and ‘life’ to my dragonfly, so I sponged the edges of wings and the body with Island Indigo ink. I also added few speckles with bronze metallic Sharpie marker.
While sponging I’ve noticed that the dragonfly was bit ‘flimsy’ (note to myself: if you plan to dab your intricate die-cuts in the puddles of coloured water, use paper with the higher grammage, like watercolour perhaps(!?) lol. So I die-cut just the body of a dragonfly from Shimmery White cardstock, watercolour it, sponged the edges and adhered on top of the dragonfly with liquid adhesive. Next, I adhered the vellum dragonfly underneath, offsetting slightly.
The sentiment I chose comes from the same Dragonfly Dreams stamp set. I stamped it in Versamark on the strip of Whisper White, heat embossed it using Copper Embossing Powder and trimmed it diagonally. The sentiment alone seemed a bit dull so I took a very narrow strip of Whisper White (around 1/8″), dabbed it in Versamark and heat embossed in copper as well. Next, I trimmed it and adhered it to the sentiment, underneath the top edge, so it peeks out slightly.
To assemble the card I’ve used my favourite Tombow liquid adhesive. I love it because it gives you some wiggle room before it sets. Also, it’s the best for those slightly warped watercolour panels. Next, I’ve added my sentiment in the top right corner using dimensionals. For dragonfly, I’ve used Tombow again. The last touch was to add some extra shimmer to the dragonfly with Clear Wink of Stella Glitter Brush. You can’t go wrong with this stuff right?!
I hope you’ve enjoyed my project and that it will give some extra ideas of how to use this beautiful Dragonfly Dreams Bundle. I would love to hear what you think in comments below. As always, if you wish to purchase any of products I have used, simply click the images below to go directly to my online shop.
