Stamping With Blue Moon Creations

Faux Flannel Day of Gratitude

I used the Faux Flannel Techique to create a soft flannel background for this fall-themed card. This is a very easy technique using tissue, the Big Shot, embossing folder and a glue stick. See below for instructions.

1. Stamp images on Whisper White card stock.
2. Separate a piece of tissue so you are using 1 ply.  Lay stamped Whisper White card stock on tissue and cut the piece of Kleenex, leaving it approx ½” larger on all sides.
3. Apply Anywhere Glue Stick to stamped Whisper White card stock.  Lay cut piece of tissue on top, smoothing it flat with your finger tips.
4. Trim tissue to edges of card stock or apply Anywhere Glue to the back and wrap the tissue around.
5. Run piece through the Big Shot using the Polka Dot or other embossing folder.

 

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Days of Gratitude, Circle Circus

Ink: OId Olive, Cajun Craze, Elegant Eggplant, More Mustard, Early Espresso

Paper: More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Whisper White

Accessories: tissue (I used Kleenex), Anywhere Glue Stick, Early Espresso ½” Scallop Dots Ribbon, Big Shot, Polka Dots Embossing Folder

 

 

 

Acrylic Smoosh Technique

 Technique: Acrylic Smooch
Create abstract backgrounds using reinkers and a window sheet

 

 

You will need:



glossy white card stock
window sheet (#114323, 2- 12"x12" sheets for 4.95) or transparency sheet
Wax paper will also work, but be sure to cover your work surface as the ink can seep through the wax paper.
reinkers

1. Cut a piece of glossy white card stock to fit your project

2. Cut a window or a transparency sheet  a little larger than the glossy white card stock

3. Choose 2-3 coordinating reinker colors

4. Place a few drops of each color onto the window or transparency sheet




5. Fold the window or transparency sheet in half and press the ink with your finger tips to mix.




6. Open the window or transparency sheet and place the piece of glossy white card stock on top of the mixed ink.  Press the card stock into the ink using your fingers.

7. Remove card stock, and you will have an interesting abstract piece that can be used as a background or cut or punched to be used as accent pieces.

My Dad and his wife Elizabeth came from Oregon to visit us the end of August.  She and I spent a morning playing with the Acrylic Smoosh technique. WooHoo,  Elizabeth has never stamped before, and she created this card!




Supplies Used:
Stamp Set: Hello Doily, Delicate Doilies
Ink: Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise, Marina Mist and So Saffron reinkers
Paper: So Saffron, glossy white
Accessories: window sheet, 1 3/4, 1 3/8 and 1 1/4" circle punches, pearl, Dimensional

Faux Stained Glass Circle Circus

This is one of the cards we created during my weekend Faux Techniques Class.  Simple card and an easy technique!  Contact me if you'd like instructions.  annehayward@wildblue.net

Supplies Used:

Stamp Sets: Circle Circus, Sincere Salutations

Ink: Black Stazon, Basic Black die, markers

Paper: Old Olive, Vellum card stock

Accessories: scallop circle punch, stylus, Mini Glue Dots, Melon Mambo ½” Scallop Dots Ribbon

So Long Fresh Cuts-Spotlighting

Spotlighting is one of my favorite stamping techniques and Fresh Cuts is a perfect stamp set to use for this technique. 

For this card, I stamped a full imaged background using Black craft ink on glossy white card stock, then heat embossed using black embossing powder.  I stamped and embossed the image again on a piece of scrap paper.  I punched out a portion of the image using a 1 1/4" circle punch.  With sponge daubers, I added Rose Red, Daffodil Delight and Tangerine Tango ink to the punched circle.  Then I layered it onto a punched 1 3/8" circle piece of Tangerine Tango and spotlighted the full image using a Dimensional.    Very simple!

Supplies Used:

Stamp Sets: Fresh Cuts (retiring June 30), Thank you Kindly

Ink: Basic Black craft, Rose Red, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango

Paper: Whisper White glossy, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango

Accessories: black embossing powder, heat tool, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" circle punches, Dimensionals, sponge daubers

Bleach Technique-Happy Father's Day

Using everday, household bleach is a great way to achieve interesting backgrounds in your crafting.

What you need:

bleach

paper towel

Powder Pal or similar

stamp

1. Cover your work surface and wear old clothing!
2. Prepare a make shift bleach pad by folding a paper towel and placing it in a Powder Pal or, a  coated paper plate or plastic containter.  Add enough bleach to the paper towel to make it moist but not dripping wet.
3. Press stamp lightly on bleach pad
4. Stamp image on colored cardstock. Every colored cardstock will change to a different color when bleached, and even the same color may yield different results at different times.  For this card, we are using the Medallion background stamp.  If needed, use the Stamp-a-ma-jig to line up the stamp.
5. Let dry. It will take several minutes for the bleach to finish its process. You can use your heat tool to speed it up.
6. Once dry, punch corners using the Ticket Corner Punch.
7. Stamp sail boat and greeting onto Very Vanilla card stock using Not Quite Navy ink.  Punch corners using the Ticket Corner punch.
8. Stamp compass on scrap piece of Very Vanilla using Not Quite Navy ink.  Punch out using 1 ¼” circle punch.  Punch out a scrap of Crumb Cake card stock using 1 3/8” circle punch.  Layer circles.
9. Finish card by layering pieces.  Add layered circles to card using Dimensionals.

Options: put bleach into a spritzer bottle and spritz onto card stock for different backgrounds.  Or pick up bleach with a toothbrush and flick on the card stock by running your thumb over the toothbrush.

Supplies Used:

Card # 1:

Stamp Set: Medallion background, Out to Sea, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Not Quite Navy

Paper: Crumb Cake, Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla

Accessories: bleach, Powder Pal, paper towel, Ticket Corner punch, 1 ¼” and 1 3/8” circle punches, Dimensionals, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Card #2:

Paper: Not Quite Navy, Pink Pirouette

Accessories: spritzer bottle filled with bleach, Snowflake punch, brads, Dimensionals

Here Comes the Sun-Wax Paper Resist Fabulous Florets

This is one of the cards we created in my recent Favorite Techniques Class for the Wetmore ladies.  The technique is Wax Paper Resist.   This is a very simple way to create unique backgrounds using wax paper and an iron.  For instructions, click on this posting

We stamped the flowers from the Fabulous Florets stamp set found in the Summer Occasions Mini catalog from Stampin' Up! using Basic Black ink  We then water colored them using Watercolor Crayons, cut them out and then popped them up using Dimensionals.  The "sun" was cut out of glossy card stock using the Big Scallop Circle die and the Big Shot before doing the Wax Paper resist.  The color brayered on was Daffodil Delight. 

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Fabulous Florets

Ink: Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz, Pumpkin Pie

Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, glossy white

Accessories: wax paper, iron, brayer, Watercolor Crayons, Aquapainter, Dimensionals, sponge

 

Faux Flocking Lovely As a Tree

Happy Mother's Day from me to you!

 

Faux Flocking:  Use a cutting tool to distress the edges of scrap pieces of card stock. 

Once you have a good sized pile of flocking, apply Crystal Effects or other glue to stamped image. 

Using a pair of tweezers, apply the pieces of flocking to the glue.

 

 

The inspiration for this card came from our apple trees which are just now starting to bloom! 

 

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Lovely As a Tree-my all time favorite!, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Melon Mambo, Early Espresso

Paper: scraps of Melon Mambo and Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Pink Pirouette

Accessories: cutting tool, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Early Espresso Satin ribbon, Dimensionals

 

Sweet Pea Seed Packet Card

Oh, Sweet Pea
Come on and dance with me
Come on, come on, come on and dance with me
Oh, Sweet Pea
Won't you be my girl
Won't you, won't you, won't you be my girl

-Tommy Roe, 1966 Oh Sweet Pea

 

This pretty card was the 3rd we created in my recent "How Does Your Garden Grow" class. 

I CASED the design from Judy Marshall.  Judy also shared her seed packet templates with me.  Thank you Judy!

We also created a gift box to hold the 3 seed packet cards and envelopes.  The box had to be narrow enough so the cards would fit snugly, but long enough to allow room without squashing the cards, especially since 2 had pop-up flowers.  I found this box pattern created by Paula Goff on SUDSOL.  You can make it any size.  Cut your paper and  score 3" in on all 4 sides.  Cut the 2 middle score lines on the short side for folding.

 

 

Pansy Seed Packet Card

This weekend I was in the garden department of my local home improvement store, and I noticed they had flats and flats of pansies for sale.  Spring must have sprung here in southern Colorado even though we had a snow storm Sunday night that left about 2" of snow on the ground! I am ready to get my garden planted, but know I need to wait at least another month before all chances of a freeze are over.  So in the meantime, I will share this pansy card.  This was one of the projects featured at my "How Does Your Garden Grow " seed packet cards class I recently offered.

 

For instructions on how to create these pretty "floating watercolor" pansies, please visit my blog posting here

Supplies Used:

Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Bashful Blue, So Saffron, Daffodil Delight, Perfect Plum, Rose Red, Regal Rose reinkers.

Elegant Eggplant, Bravo Burgundy markers

Paper:  Perfect Plum, Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, Whisper White and Shimmery White

Accessories: Pansy seed template, Butterfly and 5-petal Flower punches, Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Subtles brads, paper piercing tool and mat, Dimensionals, spray bottle with water, Aqua Painter or small tipped paint brush

Valentine's Pouch Card

My fabulous Upline, Tammy Fite, recently shared the template for this great pouch card.  I love this template and have since been using it to make birthday, thank you and valentine's day cards non stop!  I like it because it is a little different than a regular greeting card and is so easy to do! Check below for the pattern.  Thanks Tammy!

These are some of the Valentine pouch cards I've sent out. All were made with Love Impressions Designer Series Paper.  The hearts were punched out from the fabulous red glimmer paper.  This paper is so cool!  Both papers are currently found in the Occasions Mini Catalog from Stampin' Up!

This is the card I sent to my Mom for Valentine's Day.  I used non traditional Valentine's Day colors on this one.  My Mom has a small white wicker basket that she uses to display the cards she has received.  Depending on the season, she ties different colored ribbon around the basket.  Even though she has a piece of pink and white ribbon that she could use for the Valentine season, she doesn't.  You see,  pink is just not her color.  She likes fall type colors (browns, rusts, greens), and currently she has a "Always Artichoke" green ribbon tied around the basket.  Since I knew from experience that the Valentine's card she received from me would be placed right at the front of the basket, I knew that I needed to create a card that wouldn't clash with the ribbon.  So, that is why my Mom is getting a green Valentines from me!  I couldn't resist adding the red glimmer heart!  I used the retired Designer Series Paper, Autumn Tradtions.

Here is the template:

 

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Sponged Sky Background-Scenic Season

This is the "Happy New Year" card I created at the beginning of the year after a winter storm passed through our area on December 31.  The background is done using masking and the sponged sky techniques. 

This is one of those WOW techniques that is simple to create. Want to learn more?  You may purchase the Kindle book edition of my Sponged Sky Background tutorial through Amazon.com.  Tutorial includes a supply list and detailed, step by step instructions with photographs.  Cost is only $3.95.  Click here to visit my Amazon Kindle Book page.

 

The card was  inspired by the beautiful Sangre de Cristo mountains located not too far from me in the Wet Mountain Valley in Southern Colorado.  Westcliffe, CO is 16 miles west of our mountain home in Wetmore. Westcliffe is located in a beautiful valley at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. This area is home to the Crestone group of "Fourteeners", mountain peaks exceeding 14,000 ft. The view coming into Westcliffe is awe inspiring and is one of the reasons we decided to move to this beautiful part of CO!

Supplies Used:

Stamp Sets: Scenic Season, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Black craft ink, Not Quite Navy, River Rock, Soft Suede, Pacific Point, scrap pieces of computer paper for masking

Paper: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, glossy white

Accessories: Embossing Buddy, black embossing powder, heat tool, sponges

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Clear Block Trees

This card was inspired by the winter storm that hit our area on New Year's Eve Day.  It was a very cold, snowy, wintery day.  At times a heavy fog surrounded our little house in a big forest. 

I used the clear block technique for the background which has become one of my new favorite stamping techniques.  And it is really easy to do.

You will need a clear-mount block of any size and an ink pad.  That's it!

For this card, I used Clear-Mount Block "I" which is 5 7/8" x 2 1/4" and Basic Gray ink.

Open the ink pad, turn it over and swipe it across the clear block as desired.  Be sure to add a little more color to the edges giving you a frame for stamping.

Turn the block over and stamp onto your card stock.

You are ready to stamp your image!

 

Supplies  Used:

Stamp Set: Lovely As a Tree

Ink: Basic Gray, Cherry Cobbler

Paper: Basic Gray, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Clear-Mount Block "I", Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink-I know you can't see it in the photo, but I added a little pearlized ink to the branches of the trees

To view more of my Favorite Stamping Techniques, please visit here

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Fossil Stone Technique-Sense of Time

I added one of the transperancy sheets with the left-over ink on top of the Fossil Stone background.  By doing so, it added more color and brightened up the card.  I stamped the images using Stazon black ink on top of the transperancy and attached it to the background using brads.  For instructions on how to create the Fossil Stone background, please visit my posting dated 09/14.

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Sense of Time

Ink: Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Soft Suede, Black Stazon

Paper: Poppy Parade, Basic Black

Accessories: two pieces of transperancy, paper piercing tool and mat, Brights Brads

 

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Fossil Stone Technique-Inspired by Nature

Fossil Stone!  One of my new favorite background techniques.  And it is so simple to do (see the instructions on my posting dated 09/14/10)  I used one of my favorite stamp sets, Inspired by Nature for both of these samples.

Supplies Used:

Stamp Sets: Inspired by Nature, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight and Tangerine Tango for background, Black Stazon for flowers

Paper: Daffodil Delight, Basic Black, glossy white

Accessories: two transparency sheets, Modern Label and Word Window punches, Dimensionals

This sample was truly "Inspired by Nature!"  This summer we had beautiful Tall Coneflowers growing along our creek.  They stood taller than me and attracted a whole array of butterflies.  I enjoyed standing still among them watching the butterflies landing to feed.  Sometimes, each flower would have 3 to 4 butterflies feeding at once.  

 

Stamp Set: Inspired by Nature

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, Marina Mist for background, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Garden Green and Chocolate Chip markers for flowers

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, glossy white

Accessories: two transparencies

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Fossil Stone

Fossil Stone! This is a great new background technique I learned about from my fellow SU! Demonstrators over at SUDSOL (Simply Unique Demonstrators Sharing Online). All you need is glossy card stock, regular ink pads and a couple of transparency sheets. Directions are below.

 

Close up

You need:

Glossy White card stock

2 or more pieces of transparency or acetate

2 or more Classic ink pads

1.       Cut glossy white card stock to size for your project. Cut two or more transparency or acetate sheets to fit the size of the glossy white card stock.

2.        Masking Technique for the moon:  punch 1 ¼” circle out of a post-it-note.  Make sure you punch out part of the sticky part of the post-it-note so it will hold in place while you work.  Place circle on glossy white card stock as desired.

Fo   Swipe 1^st color of ink onto transparency or acetate using a Classic Ink pad.

4.       Lay transparency or acetate, ink side down, onto glossy white card stock and over post-it-note.  Using your fingers, press and rub the ink on the transparency or acetate onto the glossy white card stock. 

5.       Remove and swipe  2^nd color to the 2^nd piece of transparency or acetate.

6.       Lay transparency or acetate, ink side down, onto glossy white card stock and post-it-note.  As before, use your fingers to press and rub the ink onto the glossy white card stock.

7.       Add a 3^rd color if desired. 

8.       Touch up any areas that need more color by using what ink is left on the transparency or acetate, or add more color and repeat the steps above.

9.       Remove post-it-note and stamp image.

Try different color combinations for different effects.

You can reuse the transparency or acetate sheets.  Just make sure they are cleaned off, especially if you initially used a darker color and then will be using a lighter color.  Be careful that you are not adding a darker color to your lighter ink pad as you swipe the pad on the transparency.

 

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Inspired by Nature, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Marina Mist, Bashful Blue and Pretty in Pink for background, Basic Gray for grasses

Paper: Glossy White, Going Gray, Marina Mist

Accessories: transparency sheets purchased at a local office supply store, Modern Label and Word Window punches,  1 ¼” circle punches, Dimensionals

Crayon Melt-Fresh Cuts

I recently discovered a great new technique: Crayon Melt!  This technique gives you really interesting backgrounds.  This card was also entered onto The Treehouse Thursday Challenge-Fall Colors.

What you need:

glossy white card stock

hobby or travel iron (medium heat).  You don't want an iron with steam holes.

crayons-I used a box of 64 generic crayons I purchased at a local dollar store

scrap paper

tissue paper

protected work surface-remember you are working with a hot iron

1. Prepare  your work surface and heat up the iron. Lay the glossy white card stock onto a piece of scrap paper on your protected work surface.

2. Once the iron is hot (be careful!), hold it in your hand and turn it over.  Scribble the first crayon over the hot surface.  The crayon will melt and spread out onto the iron.

3. Add additional colors, scribbling the crayons over the iron to melt.

4. Turn the iron over and pull it over the card stock until smooth.  The melted wax from the crayons will stick to the paper.  It dries pretty much on contact.  To get edge to edge coverage, start pulling the iron on the scrap paper first, then move onto the card stock.

5. Repeat the process as desired to add more colors.

6. Buff with a piece of tissue paper to get a shine.

7. Stamp an image using Stazon or other archival ink

Create different looks:

For ridges, move the iron in a zig zag motion over the card stock.

For a textured look, tap the bottom of the iron onto the card stock.

For swirls, move the iron in a figure 8 motion.

Close up:

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Fresh Cuts

Ink: Black Stazon

Paper: Glossy White, Basic Black, Dusty Durango (retired)

Accessories: hobby iron, crayons, paper piercing tool and mat, brads

 

Faux Suede-Stenciled Newsprint

This was my swap card for the July Stamp Clubs.  It combines two of my favorite Stampin' Up! products: stencils and Designer Series Paper.  I also used one my favorite techniques: faux suede for bottom part of the card.I then over-stamped the floral image from the stamp set Essence of Love using Riding Hood Red ink on the Riding Hood Red paper for a tone on tone effect.  In person, it has a very soft look and feel.

 

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Sincere Salutations, Essence of Love

Ink: Riding Hood Red

Paper: Very Vanilla, Riding Hood Red, Basic Black, Newsprint Designer Series Paper

Accessories: crimper and bone folder for Faux Suede technique, Elegant Trio stencil, sponge for stenciling, vanilla satin ribbon, scallop and large oval punches, cutting tool for distressing, dimensionals

Click here for faux suede directions

 

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Mostly Vintage Stencil and Log Cabin Smooch Spritz

I think my favorite Stampin' Up! product is Decor Stencils.  They make such quick and easy projects.  For this card, I used the mask that comes in the Mostly Vintage Decor Stencils.  This is found in the Summer Occasions Catalog from Stampin' Up!  I laid it on the card stock and spritzed Log Cabin Smooch Spritz around it.  Pick the mask up, and you are left with this awesome design.  The photograph does not show it, but the Log Cabin Smooch Spritz has a gold sparkle that is really enhanced when coupled with the Crushed Curry card stock.

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Soft Suede

Paper: Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Whisper White

Accessories: Mostly Vintage Decor Stencil, Log Cabin Smooch Spritz, Color Catcher, Filigree brad, ice rhinestone, Word Window Punch, Cutter Kit, paper piercing tool and mat and Dimensionals

For more tips and information about using Smooch Spritz, please visit this posting

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Faux Suede Sense of Time with Log Cabin Smooch Spritz

This is my first project using Smooch Spritz found in the Summer Mini Catalog from Stampin' Up! I wanted this card to look aged, so I used the Faux Suede technique (directions below), Gold Glow Smooch Spritz and distressed the edges of the paper using my Cutter Tool.

Things I learned about the Smooch Spritz

-Shake the applicator well before use

-Make sure the nozzle is lined up with the arrow on the top of the applicator.  Test the spray before using it on your project.  If needed, rinse the nozzle before using.

-Hold the applicator at least 10" from your project and use the Color Catcher!

Faux Suede Technique-This is a great technique for masculine-themed cards.

The goal is to break down the fibers in the paper so the layers will start to separate. There are a number of ways to distress the card stock.

-Run the paper across the edge of a table top, turning it lengthwise and widthwise.

-Run the paper over a bone folder like you would if you were curling a piece of ribbon on the edge of a pair of scissors. 

-Run the paper through a crimper, first one way, then turn it and run it through the other way over and over. 

-Spritz the paper with water, then crumple it into a ball. Work the ball in your palms.  Open the ball and smooth out the card stock.

Once it is soft and pliable, peel the upper layer of the paper off like you would if you were separating a piece of two-ply paper towel. You will be left with two soft layers that look and feel like suede.

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Sense of Time

Ink: Basic Black

Paper: Going Gray, Sage Shadow (retiring) Nouveau Chic Designer Series Paper (retiring)

Accessories: Gold Glow Smooch Spritz, Cutter Tool, Vintage brads

Last Chance Revisited-Wanted

It has been fun going back through my blog posts and revisiting great projects using some my favorite retiring stamp sets.  It's not too late to add these great stamp sets to your collection.  Check out the list of Last Chance retiring stamp sets and accessories.

I am really sad to see Wanted (#115106, $23.95) retiring.  This stamp set was always a good one to use for those sometimes hard to create masculine-themed projects.

This card was one of our Stamp Club projects way back in 2008! We used the horse from Wanted to create a Reflection Technique card.  I really like this card.  For more details, please visit my posting dated 07/02/08 here

 

Wanted is also a great stamp set to use for the Burned Batik Technique which also lends itself beautifully to masculine-themed cards.   These cards were created in a masculine Valentine's Day card class. For more details on the Burned Batik Technique, please visit my posting dated 02/08/08 here

We created this card at a recent Downline meeting hosted by my fabulous Upline, Tammy Fite.  This is a perfect card to showcase Wanted. Couldn't get much more masculine than this!

And last but not least, this beauty was created by my friend Denise Coleman.  She swiped and blended watercolor crayons over watercolor paper to create this vivid background. Beautiful!

Thanks for joining me on this trip down memory lane.  Be sure to e mail me if you have any questions or if you'd like to place a Last Chance order: blumoon@comcast.net

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