Stamping With Blue Moon Creations

EEK, You're Sweet-Sweet Centers Happy Halloween

Dark night, wind swept leaves

The pumpkins are carved and bright

 

Welcome Halloween

-a Haiku by Anne Hayward

Happy Halloween from me to all of you!  Anne

Stamp Set: Sweet Centers

Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Pumpkin Pie

Paper: Cast-A-Spell Designer Series Paper, Basic Black

Accessories: Sweet Treat Cups, 5/8 black and 1/4 pumpkin pie grosgrain ribbon, 1 3/8" circle punch, candy corn

 

Wax Paper Resist with embossing folder

Step up the wax paper resist technique (see previous post) by putting the wax paper inside an embossing folder and then run it through your Big Shot!  Lay the wax paper on your glossy card stock, cover to protect your iron, iron with a dry setting and then brayer on your color.

The embossing folders are my favorite Big Shot accessory.  It is so simple to do, but this technique adds that extra "WOW" factor. 

Stamp Set: Sincere Salutations

Ink: Choclate Chip

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, glossy white

Accessories: Petals-A-Plenty Textured Impressions Folder, Big Shot, Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, Eyelet Border punch, wax paper,iron, brayer, dimensionals

Wax Paper Resist-Kind and Caring Thoughts

Wax Paper resist is one of my favorite stampin' techniques. It's fun to use everyday, household items in our creativity.

I created this one for a color challenge posted on Late Night Stampers. The color challenge was Real Rust, Old Olive and Ruby Red. I love these fall colors, and I really like how this one turned out. It's also the first time I've used Kind and Caring Thoughts.  I like this set.

 

Wax Paper Resist?  Here's how:

You need:

glossy white card stock

wax paper

iron set on high heat, dry setting

dye ink pad and brayer or sponge

scrap piece of paper, old towel or pillow case

1. Cut a piece of wax paper from roll and trim to just a bit larger than your glossy card stock.

2. Crumple the wax paper up in a ball.  Yes, I said crumple it.  It's ok, trust me.  Breathe in and out.

3. Smooth out the the wax paper (whew!) and lay on top of the glossy card stock.  Cover this with a piece of scrap paper or towel (I use a pillow case) to protect your iron.  With a dry iron, iron this "sandwich." Remove the cover sheet and the wax paper, and your glossy white card stock will have a crinkle pattern left over from where the wax from the wax paper melted to the card stock.

 
4. Brayer or sponge over this piece with dye ink.  If you use a sponge, you can use more than one color for a different effect.  The ink will resist where the wax was ironed onto the card stock. Buff with a paper towel.  Remember, the ink will take a little longer to dry because it is on glossy paper. 

Stamp Sets: Kind and Caring Thoughts (level 3 Hostess), Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Ruby Red dye ink, Ruby Red, Real Rust and Old Olive markers

Paper: glossy white, Real Rust and Old Olive

Accessories: brayer, iron, wax paper, Dusty Durango polka dot ribbon

My Digital Studio 2010 Calendar

I'm having so much fun using My Digital Studio!  I created this  2010 calendar for my Mom using MDS.  It was simple to create, and I know she will really like it.  It was fun going through the photos of our travels together.  Take a look, and let me know what you think. blumoon@comcast.net

 

For those of you who will be creating hard bound albums using My Digital Studio, one word of advice: Watch your margins.

This came from Stampin' Up!:

Stampin' Up! sent this notice out on the 20th:

When creating personalized hardcover albums, you will need to leave a 5/8" margin/bleed area on all sides of the front and back covers (your first and last pages) to ensure that your designs aren't cut off at the edges when your book is printed. For all other pages, leave 1/4" on the top and bottom of the pages and 1/2" on the sides. An update to all guides will be included in a software patch, expected in the coming weeks.

All personalized hardcover albums will have a barcode printed directly on the back of the book. While the actual barcode is only 1-3/4" x 1/4" (1.75" x .25"), there is a 2-7/8" x 1-1/8" (2.875" x 1.125") window where the barcode could be placed. The edge of the window is 7/8" (.875") from the spine and 3/8" (.375") from the bottom of the book. Please see visual above.

If there is a designed image/background anywhere in this window it could be covered by a permanent barcode with a white background box that is 1-3/4" x 1/4" (1.75" x .25").

 

 

My Digital Studio Sampler Book-advice for margin settings

I've completed my first major project using My Digital Studio!  This sampler has surely been a labor of love! View below and please let me know what you think.  blumoon@comcast.net

Update 10/21: UPS just delivered the hard bound copy of the MDS sampler album I created.  I am very happy with it.  A word of advice, watch your margins. 

Stampin' Up! sent this notice out on the 20th:

When creating personalized hardcover albums, you will need to leave a 5/8" margin/bleed area on all sides of the front and back covers (your first and last pages) to ensure that your designs aren't cut off at the edges when your book is printed. For all other pages, leave 1/4" on the top and bottom of the pages and 1/2" on the sides. An update to all guides will be included in a software patch, expected in the coming weeks.

All personalized hardcover albums will have a barcode printed directly on the back of the book. While the actual barcode is only 1-3/4" x 1/4" (1.75" x .25"), there is a 2-7/8" x 1-1/8" (2.875" x 1.125") window where the barcode could be placed. The edge of the window is 7/8" (.875") from the spine and 3/8" (.375") from the bottom of the book. Please see visual above.

If there is a designed image/background anywhere in this window it could be covered by a permanent barcode with a white background box that is 1-3/4" x 1/4" (1.75" x .25").

 

I have a couple pages that could be centered better and are too close to the spine.   But on the whole, I am very pleased.

Thank you to Patty Bennett and Patti Scanlan for their inspiration!

Another Pine Cone Card

Yes, I'm still trying to find uses for the gazillion pine cones we have at our mountain property in Colorado. I made this card to post on the Going Green Crafters and Artists website. 

For this card, I removed the scales of a pine cone so I would have little pieces. I just tore the pieces off using my fingers. My pruners didn't work well as it was too hard to get them far enough into the cone to make a cut.


I envisioned a sun or a wreath, so I stamped a circle on a piece of regular white card stock. This circle would be my template for placement of the scales. The stamped template and rough ends of the scales would be covered with punched circles and the greeting.

Once I had the design I wanted, I began attaching the scales to the card stock using Mini Glue Dots. I had my doubts on whether the Mini Glue Dots would hold the bulky pieces, but never fear, they work great. One should never under estimate a Mini Glue Dot!

Stamp Sets: Matchbox Messages, Simple Shapes (retired)

 

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Elegant Eggplant

 

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red, Whisper White, Autumn Traditions Designer Series paper

 

Accessories: Elegant Eggplant grosgrain ribbon, 1 3/8 and 1 1/4 circle punches, Mini Glue Dots,

pine cone from Wetmore, CO

Happy Thanksgiving Pine Cone Card

My friend and paper quilling mentor, Monica Bergeron has created a great web site entitled Going Green Crafters & Artists.  This web site is a place that showcases paper craft or other artwork using Eco friendly or re-purposed items. This is my first posting to the Going Green Crafters and Artist web site! Thank you to Monica for the invitation to participate.

We have a 2nd home in the mountains of Colorado, surrounded by beautiful, tall pine trees. Unfortunately what comes with these stately trees are lots and lots of pine cones! Although many of the pine cones are harvested by the squirrels, I am amazed at how many have dropped onto our yard during our time away from the house. It is a constant battle to keep them picked up. It wouldn't mind them so much, but sometimes it is difficult to even walk in the front and back yards without kicking them or stepping on them. Pine cones are not easy on the feet! So early on, I knew I would have to figure out a way to use some of them in my crafting. Hmmm, what can I do with pine cones? Make pine cone wreaths and table decorations, pine cone bird feeders, pine cone fire starters.... My husband and I joke that everyone on our Christmas gift list this year will get a pine cone something.

 

This is my first pine cone creation!  One down and a gazillion more to go!

 

I first "seasoned" the pine cone by baking it in the oven on a foil lined cookie sheet for 45 minutes at 200 degrees. This kills any critters that might still be living in the cone, plus dries up any sap.

To cut the pine cone in half, I used a pair of really sharp pruners.

 

  

The pine cone is attached with Mini Glue Dots, the Little Giants in the adhesive world.

Supplies used:

All supplies are from Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Stamp Set: Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Elegant Eggplant

Paper: Autumn Traditions Designer Series Paper, Elegant Eggplant, Always Artichoke and Crushed Curry card stock

Accessories: Soft Suede Polka Dot and Elegant Eggplant grosgrain ribbon, Word Window Punch, Mini Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Non Stampin' Up!: pine cone from Wetmore, Colorado, pruners

 

 

Inspiration Challenge: Baby Swipes Morning Dawn Background

My inspiration for this card came after spending a weekend at our home in Colorado.  Very early one morning, I looked out our upstairs bedroom window and saw the beautiful tall pine trees on our property silhouetted against the early morning dawn.  I was struck by the beauty and counted myself very lucky to have a home in the beautiful Wet Mountains of southern Colorado.  When we returned home, I took out my reinkers, baby wipes and my all time favorite stamp set, Lovely as a Tree to see if I could recapture the moment.

 

I used Regal Rose, So Saffron and Pretty in Pink reinkers. 

To learn how to do the Baby Swipes technique, please visit my on line tutorial here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCkub-ubYsQ

Stamp Set: Lovely As a Tree, Four the Holidays

Ink: Regal Rose, So Saffron and Pretty in Pink reinkers, Basic Black

Paper: Glossy white card stock, Basic Black, Barely Banana

Accessories: Baby Wipes,  1/16", 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" circle punches, black brads

Video Tutorial: Creating a sky background using Baby Wipes

Learn how to create this pretty sky background using baby wipes and reinkers.  The video is below.

Stamp Set: Scenic Season

Ink: Night Quite Navy, Bashful Blue, Perfect Plum, Pretty in Pink and Going Grey reinkers, Basic Black

Paper: Pretty in Pink, Basic Black, glossy white

Accessories: Baby Wipes, Top Note die, Big Shot, Stamp-a- ma-jig, Circle  Ice Rhinestone

 

Iris Folding-Instructions and video tutorial

Iris Folding

Iris folding is a paper craft technique that involves folding strips of colored paper in such a way to form a spiraling design. The center of the design forms an iris -- similar to the shape of the iris of a camera lens.

Iris folding originated in Holland.  Designs initially were made using patterned paper cut from the inside of envelopes. Any light weight paper, such as scrapbook paper, origami paper, wrapping paper, the inside of envelopes, pages of magazines or even ribbon can be used. I would not recommend using card stock.  It becomes too bulky when folded in half.  The Designer Series Paper from Stampin' Up!  is perfect for Iris Folding.

Iris Folding can be used as the front of a greeting card, as a scrapbook embellishment or on numerous other paper crafting projects.

Supplies for iris folding include a pattern, strips of colored paper, permanent adhesive, cutting tools and a temporary tape such as painters tape. The temporary tape is used to hold the pattern in place while the design is created.

Iris folding always begins with a pattern.  Iris folding patterns are available in books or can be downloaded from numerous web sites. My favorite patterns are found in the book Iris Folding Compendium, Iris Folding with Iris Folding Paper and Iris Folding with Greetings  by Maruscha Gaasenbeek and Tine Beauveser.  I purchased this several years ago through Amazon.com.

The main 3 patterns for Iris Folding are the square, the circle and the triangle.  Click on the link below to view.

Basic Iris Folding Patterns

1. Trace your design on card stock and then cut out with a pair of detail scissors.  You may also use a punch, Big Shot and dies, or the Circles Scissors Plus from Stampin’ Up!  For the Christmas ornament design below, I used this circle pattern  and cut a 3” circle using the Circles Scissors Plus.  Be sure to to do any embossing, stamping or other additions to the front of the card before starting the iris folding pattern.  The front will be too bulky to add these designs afterwards.

 2. Decide on your design and cut your paper into 3/4" wide strips. The number of strips needed will depend on the pattern and the length of the paper.   Fold the strips in half lengthwise.  I find the final project is less bulky if you glue the folded strips closed with Mono or SNAIL adhesive.  While most of the instructions I’ve seen for Iris Folding say to use scotch tape to secure the folded pieces, I find this creates added bulk and prefer to use Mono or SNAIL adhesive. Be sure to use a bone folder to get sharp, crisp crease.

Tip:  Once you have decided on and have cut the paper you’d like for your design, lay the strips in front of you in the order that you will be using them. Keep them in this order as you are working on the pattern.  Or write down a description of the design (circles, stripes, solids etc) and number them in the order of use in the margins of the pattern you are following.  It can get confusing once you begin working with the paper, especially if you are working with a more complicated pattern.  

5 designs of cut 3/4" x 12" paper:

3. Lay the pattern down on your work surface face up.  Lay your cut or punched piece of card stock FACE DOWN on the pattern.  You always work with the back side of the project.  Adhere the card stock to the pattern on the right or left side only using painters or scotch tape, creating a hinge so you are able to lift up your card stock to check the progress on the front side as you go.

Back side of card secured to pattern creating a hinge:

 
  Hinged card opened to the front:

Strips of paper laid out in the order of use along the side of the pattern.  You are ready to get started!

 

For this circle, pattern color 1 will be placed on sections 1, 6, 11, 16, 21, 26, 31

color 2 will be placed on  sections 7, 12, 17, 22, 27, 32

color 3 will be placed on sections 8, 13, 18, 23, 28, 33

color 4 will be placed on sections 9, 14, 19, 24, 29, 34

color 5 will be placed on sections 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35

4. Begin with folded color 1, placing it over section 1 exactly against the line of the pattern with the fold facing towards the middle.  Apply Mono or SNAIL Adhesive to only the outside facing ends to adhere the strips to the back of the project.  If you apply it towards the center of the paper, the adhesive will show on the front of the project. 

5. Take color 2 and place it on the section 2 of the pattern.  Take color 3 and place it on the section 3 of the pattern.  Continue with color 4 placed on section 4 of the pattern and color 5 placed on section 5 of the pattern.  You will now have completed the first spiral of the pattern.

1st spiral of the  pattern has been completed.  View from the back side of project:

6. Continue working the pattern with color 1 placed on section 6, color 2 on section 7, color 3 on section 8, color 4 on section 9 and color 5 on section 10. 

As you progress with the spiral sections, be sure to check your work by viewing the project from the front, lifting the card stock using the hinge created with the painter's tape.

2nd spiral of the pattern has been completed.  View of the back side of the project:

 7. Continue working the pattern in sections until you have a hole in the center which is the "iris".

Back side of completed pattern with hole in the center left for the iris:

8. When you have completed the pattern, it is time to add the iris to the center of the pattern.  Use a stamped and punched image or an attractive piece of paper to cover the hole in the middle, again adhering it from the back.

Front view of Iris with rhinestone brad in the center.

9. Once complete, remove the painter's tape and remove the project from the pattern.  To finish, apply Sticky Strip to the 4 edges of the back side of Iris Folded design, then attach to the card base.  I find that Sticky Strip best helps adhere the card front to the card base, especially with the bulk of the folded paper.

 Iris Folded Ornament Card

 

Supplies Used:

Stamp Sets: Sweet Centers (the top of the ornament), Cute by the Inch (iris) and Four for the Holidays (greeting)

Ink: Cherry Cobbler

Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Jolly Holiday  12 x 12 Designer Series Paper cut into 3/4" x 12" strips.  I used approx 1 1/2 strips for each part of the pattern.

Accessories: Big Shot, Finial Press Embossing Folder, Circle Scssors Plus and Glass Cutting Mat, 1 1/4" square punch, rhinestone, paper piercing tool and mat, sticky strip

 

As promised, I have completed my iris folding video tutorial!  Still learning the ropes, especially when it comes to the lighting.  Check below for the video link.  Please leave a comment.  I'd love to hear what you think.

I used my stamp-a-ma-jig to align the gondola to the punched circle.  I have learned to really like the stamp-a-ma-jig!  A stamp-a-ma-jig tutorial will follow soon.

Stamp Set: Sweat Centers, Stem Sayings

Paper: Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP

Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Ballet Blue, Pixie Pink, Lovely Lilac (for clouds)

Accessories: 1 3/4" Circle punch, Scallop Circle punch, Large Scallop Circle die, Big Shot

To download the circle pattern, click here

 

 

 

Video: How to make a cloudy background

 

I've made my first video tutorial (see below)! I invite you to watch and learn how to make the cloudy background on this iris folded hot air balloon card.  It's super easy.  All you need is the large scallop circle die, Big Shot and the scallop circle punch, all from Stampin' Up!  Be sure to leave a comment.  I'd love to hear what you think. A video tutorial on how to create the folded iris balloon will be posted soon!

 

 

 

  

 

My Digital Studio Workshop class invitation

My Digital Studio.  Love it!!  I created this invitation for an upcoming My Digital Studio class in a matter of minutes.  It is so easy to "share" the project by converting it to a .jpeg file and then sending it by e mailing or uploading to a web site like I have done here.  I hope you will join us for this hands-on My Digital Studio class!

 

 

My Digital Studio-my very first project

My Digital Studio from Stampin' Up! is available for purchase today!  This is the coolest digital paper crafting software.  Here is my first attempt at a scrapbook page. I put together this simple design in a matter of minutes. 

I am not a scrapbooker. In fact, I find scrapbooking frustrating. I've been working on a traditional scrapbook for a woman's group I belong to for close to a year now.  I have all the pages complete except for the journaling and embellishments. It is like I have hit a brick wall. My creativity has left me, so the scrapbook sits and sits, collecting dust, waiting to be finished. 

Well, if I had had MDS last October when I started the scrapbook, it would have been finished and sent off to be professionally printed in a hard bound book right after our end of the year dinner in May! 

 

My Digital Studio is not just for scrapbooking though.  You can create other projects like calendars, cards, fliers and invitations.  You can even create videos.  Or use it as a design tool.  No need to pull out all the stamps, paper and embellishments to work on a design you've got in your head.  Instead, first design and tweak it in MDS!

Contact me today for more information on My Digital Studio! blumoon@comcast.net