Stamping on ceramic tiles is one of my all-time favorite techniques!

These make great gifts and are good for an "anything but a card" theme. 

This would be a great idea for Mother's Day.

Or how about for an upcoming bridal or baby shower?

Colors could easily be chosen to match the theme of the party!

The technique is easy to do!

You will first need to purchase the tiles.  These can be found at any home improvement store for very little cost.

There are many varieties in many sizes, but I find that unglazed tiles work the best.  

Great tiles to use for this technique are tumbled marble which can be found at your local hardware store.  These tiles are often pitted which provides interest.

I purchased a shrink wrapped bundle of 9 tumbled marble tiles at our local Ho** De*** for about 10.00.

After removing the shrink wrap, I wiped all sides of the tiles with a damp paper towel to remove any dust.

Once the tiles dried completely, I was ready to start.

I simply stamped the "dancing girl" image and greeting from the stamp set Beautiful You using Stazon ink.

Stazon works well because it is permanent and will not smear. 

If you don't have Stazon, you could use an archival ink.  This should work ok because you will be sealing the tiles at the end anyway.

I then colored in the dress and hat using regular dye based Stampin' Up! Write Markers and set them aside to dry completely.

Stampin' Blends would work also.

This was the fun part.  Mixing and matching colors to create a colorful outfit. 

I found that my favorites were the images colored in bright pinks and blues

Experimenting is half the fun!

Once the marker ink was dry, I sprayed them with a clear acrylic matte sealant to seal in the inks. 

When using the sealant, be sure to follow the directions for use, especially spraying in a well-ventilated area.

The sealant will dry fairly quickly.  And now your tiles should be water resistant!

To protect any furniture that these tiles may be placed on from scratching, I added some fun foam "feet" to the bottom of each.  I simply cut the fun foam down to size (the tiles are approx 4"x4", so the fun foam was cut to 3 1/2" x 3 1/2") and then attached it to the bottom of the tile using a spray adhesive.

Easy, easy and a perfect gift. 

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Beautiful You (retiring)

Ink: Black Stazon, various markers

Accessories: tumbled marble tiles, matte sealant, fun foam, spray adhesive

Beautiful You Cling-Mount Stamp Set
$28.00

Jet Black Stāzon Ink Pad
$10.00

Brights Stampin' Write Markers
$30.00

Subtles Stampin' Write Markers
$30.00

Regals Stampin' Write Markers
$30.00

Generated by SUDSOL, Free Trial at www.sudsol.org

A blast from the past!

Some of the products used to create this card in 2017 are retired, but current product can easily be substitued.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

To create this card, I used the Shaving Cream Background Technique, one of my all-time favorite stamping techniques!

It is one of those simple, yet WOW stamping techniques!

Click Here for complete instructions

Here are the shaving cream pieces before I punched out 3 hearts to form the shamrock

I love the soft swirls of the Shaving Cream Technique!

I hope you'll give the Shaving Cream Background Technique a try.  The color possibilities are endless!

Supplies Used:

Shaving Cream Shamrock:

Stamp Set: Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Garden Green, Wild Wasabi, Pear Pizzazz and Crumb Cake reinkers, Soft Suede

Paper: Garden Green, Whisper White, Soft Suede, Love Blossom's Designer Series Paper Stack

Accessories: shaving cream, Big Shot, Bitty Banners Framelits, Full Heart and Bird Builder punches, Dimensionals, large rhinestone, Sharpie pen

Recently, I shared a card inspired by the optical phenomenon, Light Pillars. 

This happens when light is refracted by ice crystals.

I used this photo taken of light pillars as the inspiration to make my own.

The card above was my first go at it.

While I really like how it turned out, I think it is more of a Northern Lights Background than a Light Pillars Background.

So, I kept at it, coming up and sharing a Light Pillar card HERE.

For the Northern Lights card, I sponged Poppy Parade, Highland Heather, Crushed Curry, Pacific Point, Granny Apple Green, and Pretty Peacock inks onto my Shimmery White card front.  I sponged up from the bottom where the landscape is so my colors would be more even as I got to the top.

The sky was sponged on using Night of Navy, Basic Black, and Whisper White Craft inks.

Supplies Used:

Ink: Poppy Parade, Highland Heather, Crushed Curry, Pacific Point, Granny Apple Green, and Pretty Peacock, Night of Navy, Basic Black, Whisper White Craft

Paper: Whisper White, Night of Navy, Shimmery White, Basic Black

Accessories: sponges, Big Shot, Snow Globe Scenes Die, Mini Dimensionals

Recently, I learned about Light Pillars, an optical phenomenon that occurs when light is refracted by ice crystals.

I used this photo of light pillars taken in Canada to create my own.

I used post-it-notes to mask the light pillars and sponge daubers to add Poppy Parade, Pretty Peacock, Crushed Curry, and metallic copper inks.  

The sky was sponged using Balmy Blue, Pacific Point, Night of Navy, Basic Black, metallic copper, and Whisper White Craft (like a Northern Lights background.)

The card front is Shimmery White matted to Gold Foil.  The trees are from Snow Globe Scenes Dies

Supplies Used:

Paper: Whisper White, Gold Foil, Shimmery White, Basic Black

Ink: Poppy Parade, Pretty Peacock, Crushed Curry, metallic copper, Balmy Blue, Pacific Point, Night of Navy, Whisper White Craft

Accessories: post-it-notes, sponge daubers, sponge, Big Shot, Snow Globe Scenes Dies

Snow Front Purple Reflections

Snow Front in Purple

One of my favorite stamp sets in the Holiday Catalog is Snow Front.

With the mountains, pine trees, snow, and even the cute little country cabin, it is the perfect set for my surroundings here in the mountains of southern Colorado.

I played around with the set to create some different watercolor landscapes.

For both cards, I started by creating a mask for the moon cut out of a post-it-note using my 1 3/4" circle punch.

I laid the stencil on my watercolor paper card front and sponged on metallic silver ink.

For the first card, I placed the punched circle over the sponged moon, and added Pacific Point and Highland Heather inks to create the sky.

Next, I stamped the trees and landscape using Highland Heather ink and the water using Seaside Spray and Balmy Blue inks.

To create the reflection, I stamped the trees on my Silicone Craft Mat in Highland Heather ink.  Then, I turned the mat so the image would be upside down.  I placed it on the bottom section of the card front and gently rubbed the backside of the mat with my fingers, transferring the ink to the paper.

For the second card, after sponging the moon, I stamped the mountains using Soft Suede ink.  I tapped Shaded Spruce, Pretty Peacock, and Highland Heather inks on the tree stamp to get the three-tone coloring.  A simple watercolor wash using an aqua painter was done to create the water.

Snow Front is the featured product in my December Newsletter.

For more Snow Front Ideas, please be sure to add your name to my mailing list.

The sign up box is located in the upper right-hand side of this page.

Snow Front

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Snow Front, Itty Bitty Greetings

Ink:

Card #1: Highland Heather, Pacific Point, Seaside Spray, Balmy Blue, silver metallic

Card #2: Highland Heather,  Shaded Spruce, Pretty Peacock, Soft Suede, silver metallic

Paper:

Card 1: Balmy Blue, Rich Razzleberry, watercolor

Card 2: Seaside Spray, Highland Heather, watercolor

Accessories: post-it-note, 1 3/4" circle punch, sponge, Silicone Craft mat, aqua painter, Stamparatus

Recycle and reuse!

I always try to use the paper towels in my crafting that I've used to blot the color from Pigment Sprinkles, watercolor, or after cleaning stamps.

That was the case with this card.

I incorporated the paper towel I used to blot the Pigment Sprinkles from this Winter Woods card HERE.

I separated the plys, using 1 and saving the other for another creation.

I glued it to a piece of Whisper White card stock, then cut it down to the size I needed.

The trees were cut out of Early Espresso card stock using my Big Shot and In the Woods Die.

I added the Early Espresso landscape, also cut out using the In the Woods Die.

The greeting is from Itty Bitty Greetings stamped in Early Espresso ink using the Stamparatus.

In the Woods Dies

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Itty Bitty Greetings

Ink: Early Espresso

Paper: Mango Melody, Soft Suede, Early Espresso

Accessories: Pigment Sprinkles, paper towel, Big Shot, In the Woods Die, Tombow Multi-purpose Glue, Mini Dimensionals, Stamparatus

Winter Woods is one of my favorite stamp sets. 

This grove of trees is perfect for my setting in the mountains of southern Colorado.

For these cards I used the Emboss Resist Technique.

Stamp the image in Early Espresso and heat emboss using clear embossing powder.

Then, add color to the background.  The ink will resist where the image has been embossed.

For the first card, I sponged on Pacific Point, Crushed Curry, and Calypso Coral inks on Shimmery White card stock.

For the second card, I added Mango Melody Pigment Sprinkles.

I added Copper Foil landscape cut using the Big Shot and In the Woods Die.

The greeting comes Itty Bitty Greetings and was heat embossed with copper embossing powder.

Winter Woods

Pigment Sprinkles

Paper Card 1: Very Vanilla, Pacific Point, Shimmery White, Copper Foil

Paper Card 2: So Saffron, Early Espresso, Shimmery White, Copper Foil

Accessories: Big Shot, In the Woods Die, sponge, Embossing Buddy, heat tool, copper embossing powder, Mini Dimensionals

I found this idea shared by Tina Wardell using a fluid masking product to mask the aspen trees found in Winter Woods, allowing you to add color behind the trunks without getting color on the trunks.

I thought it was such a cool idea that I immediately started searching for where I could purchase the product.

I found an Incredible White Masking kit at our local arts and crafts store in the watercolor painting supply aisle.

The kit comes with the instructions, fluid, brush and eraser.

I actually used a small paint brush I had in my stash, and I did not erase the masking fluid when everything was dry.

I found that the eraser also took some of the paper off with it.  By not erasing it, your project is left with a cool texture on the trunks.

I CASED Tina's design on the first card using Mango Melody with a touch of Daffodil Delight Pigment Sprinkles. 

For the second card, I used Bermuda Bay, Gorgeous Grape, and Granny Apple Green Pigment Sprinkles.

Here's how:

1. Stamp tree trunks from Winter Woods onto watercolor paper using Stazon ink. Use the Stamparatus so you get a good stamped image. Place a post-it-note to mask the bottom of the stamped image, and move the Stamparatus up one notch.  Stamp to get taller trees.
2. With a small paint brush, apply the Incredible White Mask over the stamped trunks. Set aside to dry for a few minutes.
3. Sprinkle Mango Melody and Daffodil Delight Pigment Sprinkles over the watercolor paper. Spritz with water to activate the sprinkles.  Let them pool and run, soaking into the paper for a few seconds.  Dab with paper towel, and set aside to dry completely. The Incredible White Mask will mask the Sprinkles from coloring the stamped trees.
4. Stamp the landscape from Winter Woods at the bottom of the trunks using Early Espresso ink. Stamp the tops of the tree image using Old Olive and Early Espresso inks.
5. Attach to Basic Black mat.
6. Stamp greeting from Itty Bitty Greetings onto Very Vanilla card base using Memento Black and the Stamparatus. Attach card front to base to complete.

Pigment Sprinkles

Winter Woods

Card 1 Supplies:

Stamp Sets: Winter Woods, Itty Bitty Greetings

Ink: Stazon, Memento Black, Early Espresso, Old Olive

Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, watercolor

Accessories: Incredible White Mask , post-it-note, Mango Melody and Daffodil Delight Pigment Sprinkles, spritzer bottle with water, paint brush, Stamparatus

Card 2 Supplies

Stamp Sets: Winter Woods, Itty Bitty Greetings

Ink: Stazon, Memento Black,  Early Espresso, Old Olive

Paper: Very Vanilla, Night of Navy, watercolor

Accessories: Incredible White Mask , post-it-note, Bermuda Bay, Gorgeous Grape, Granny Apple Green Pigment Sprinkles, spritzer bottle with water, paint brush, Stamparatus

Rolling Cards!

Animal Outing Rolling Card

Stained Glass Rolling Card

Super easy and the possibilities are endless!

Want to learn more?

My July Fresh Card Making Tutorial will feature the Rolling Card Technique.

The tutorial will feature two designs.

One made using the  Animal Outing stamp set.  We are expecting our second grand baby the end of August, so I created this card to welcome him into the world!

The  second card was made using the stamp set Painted Glass and Stampin' Blends.

This tutorial will hit e mail inboxes at 9:00 am (MST) on July 23, 2019.

Please add your name to my mailing list by 8:00 am (MST) on July 23 to receive this tutorial complete with step-by-step color photographs in a pdf format.

To sign up, please use the Sign Up Box located in the upper right hand corner of this page.

Once the sign up process has been completed, you'll receive my Adhesives 101 tutorial via email in pdf format as my gift to you.

I hope to hear from you!

Anne

Faux Denim Pocketful of Happiness

The new Pocketful of Happiness stamp set with coordinating Pocket Dies just makes me smile.

For this card, I combined them with Faux Denim, one of my favorite background techniques.

Here's how:

1. To create the Faux Black Denim Technique, swipe Smoky Slate ink onto a piece of Whisper White card stock.
2. Next, swipe on Memento Black ink. Set aside to dry.
3. Swipe on White Craft ink. Set aside to dry.
4. Rotate the card stock 90 degrees, and swipe on Memento Black ink.
5. Add Smoky Slate and White Craft ink as desired.
6. Stamp pocket image from Pocketful of Happiness on a scrap piece of Whisper White card stock using Memento Black ink and the Stamparatus.
7. Cut pocket using the Big Shot and coordinating Pocket Die.  Fold pocket tabs along the score lines.  Apply Tombow Multi-purpose glue to the tabs and attach to the Faux Denim card front.
8. Cut a Pearlized Doily in half with a pair of scissors.  Sponge or swipe Real Red ink on the back side of the doily.  The ink will not stick to the pearlized finish on the front of the doily.  Apply a small amount of glue to the doily and slip it inside the pocket.
9. Cut a 1/4" strip of Basic Black card stock and attach to the top of the pocket.  Add 2 red rhinestones.
10.  Attach card front to Real Red mat.  Attach to Whisper White card base to complete.

Pocketful of Happiness

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Pocketful of Happiness

Ink: Memento Black, Smoky Slate, Real Red, craft white

Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Basic Black

Accessories: Big Shot, Pocket Die, Pearlized Doily, red rhinestones out of my stash, Tombow Multi-purpose Glue, Stamparatus

Embossed Moonlit Waterfront Card

It's easy to create this striking card using the masking and heat embossing techniques, paired with Waterfront stamp set.

Click HERE for step by step instructions in a pdf format

This is a great masculine-themed card.  Perfect for any occasion!

Waterfront

Metallic Gears Floating Frame Card

I seem to be on a masculine-theme card kick.

Masculine cards always seem to be a little tricky in the designing.

This idea came to me after creating my Steam Punk Gears card HERE

The embossing technique is pretty much the same, although this card ended up being a Floating Frame card.

You know, the Floating Frame technique, which is all the rage?

Usually, you end up with two cards with the technique, but I actually didn't like how the first of the two turned out.  I learned from that card that you need a lot of pieces (whether it be gears, flowers, butterflies etc) to fill in the frame or it looks empty.  That was the case with the first card which I just tossed.

But, I did really like this second piece.

If you'd like instructions on how to create a Gears Floating Frame Card, please add your name to my mailing list.

I will send you a tutorial in a pdf format as a thank you.

The sign up box is located on the upper right-hand side of this page.

Here's how I created the metallic gears.

1. Place the Garage Gears Dies on a piece of Champagne Foil paper and cut out using the Big Shot.  Again, for the Floating Frame technique, cut out more gears than you think you'll need.  You'll probably use all of them to fill in spaces.
2. Sponge Cherry Cobbler ink over the die cuts.  Cover with clear embossing powder and heat emboss using a heat tool.
3. Dip the edges of the pieces in Versamark and heat emboss using black and copper embossing powders.  Switch powders in different areas so you have a mix of the two colors.

That's it!

You'll have some interesting pieces with a burnished metal look for your masculine-theme projects.

I added the gears frame to a piece of Silver Foil paper which I had stamped and embossed the greeting using black embossing powder.  I added enamel dots to the centers of the gears as well as next to the greeting.

Garage Gears Dies

(coordinates with Geared Up Garage stamp set)

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Detailed with Love

Ink: Versamark, Cherry Cobbler

Paper: Basic Black, Champagne and Silver Foil Paper

Accessories: Big Shot, Garage Gears Dies, Embossing Buddy, heat tool, clear, black, and copper embossing powders, Adhesive Strips for the Floating Frame, enamel dots

Faux Flocked Sheltering Tree

Spring has sprung and the trees are in full bloom!

Create your own tree in full blossom using the Faux Flocking Technique.

Faux Flocking was one of the techniques featured in my April newsletter.

You can still receive the FREE tutorial when you add your name to my mailing list through the end of April.

Use the sign-up box located in the upper right hand corner of this page.

Once the easy sign up process has been completed, you'll also receive my Adhesives 101 tutorial as my gift to you!

I hope to hear from you soon!

Anne

Sale-A-Bration ends just days away on March 31!

(For every $50 spent in catalog merchandise, you can choose a free SAB item!)

One of the great Level 1 product choices is the fun Home to Roost stamp set.

I paired the rooster in the stamp set with the Tin Tile Embossing Folder, both embossed in copper for a rustic metallic look.

I swiped Versamark inside the folder (on the side with the word Sizzix on the front so I would get a raised versus an indented image) then inserted a piece of Basic Black card stock and ran it through the Big Shot.

Then, I added copper embossing powder and heat embossed it with a heat tool.

I also dabbed the edges of the card front in Versamark and heat embossed them with black and copper embossing powders.

I swiped a scrap piece of Basic Black card stock with the Embossing Buddy, then stamped the rooster in Versamark.  I heat embossed him using copper embossing powder.

I then punched him using my 2 1/4" circle punch and matted it to a piece of copper foil paper punched using my 2 1/2" circle punch.

The edges of the copper foil circle were dabbed in Versamark and heat embossed using copper embossing powder.

Don't miss out on the last days of Sale-A-Bration!

It's a great time to stock out and earn some free goodies!

Tin Tile Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Home to Roost, Level 1 Sale-A-Bration

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Home to Roost

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Basic Black, Copper Foil

Accessories: heat tool, black and copper embossing powder, Buddy, Big Shot, Tin Tile Embossing Folder, 2 1/4" and 2 1/2" circle punches, Dimensionals

Raised Embossed Image

Indented Embossed Image

Sale-A-Bration ends just days away on March 31!

(For every $50 spent in catalog merchandise, you can choose a free SAB item!)

One of the great Level 1 product choices is the pretty Country Floral Embossing Folder, perfect for your spring creations.

I decided to add a metallic look to the embossing for the 2 creations above.

I swiped Versamark inside the folder, then inserted a piece of copper foil paper and ran it through the Big Shot.

Then, I added black embossing powder and heat embossed it with a heat tool.

I also dabbed the edges of the copper foil in Versamark and heat embossed them with black and copper embossing powders.

The greeting is from another Level1 SAB choice, Home to Roost.

It was heat embossed on a piece of Basic Black card stock using copper embossing powder.

I matted it to a piece of copper foil that the edges were heat embossed with black and copper embossing powders.

For the first card, I swiped the Versamark on the inside of the folder with the raised embossing (the side with the word Sizzix on the front). 

For the second card, I swiped the Versamark on the other side of the folder with the indented embossing.

Two different looks made with one technique and one embossing folder.

Country Floral Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Home to Roost

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Basic Black, Copper Foil

Accessories: heat tool, black and copper embossing powders, Embossing Buddy, Big Shot, Country Floral Embossing Folder, Dimensionals

Sunrise over the Mountain Faux Postage

Add a unique look to your creations using the Faux Postage Technique.

Use a template/mask to create individual blocks of faux postage stamps.

This project uses Waterfront stamp set, and also includes the Clear-block Watercolor Background Technique.

Want to learn more?

My February Fresh Card Making Tutorial will feature this technique.

This tutorial will hit e  mail inboxes at 9:00 am (MST) on February 19, 2019.

Please add your name to my mailing list by 8:00 am (MST) on February 19 to receive this tutorial complete with step-by-step color photographs in a pdf format.

This tutorial will also include the Faux Postage template which can be printed on regular copy paper for future use.

To sign up, please use the Sign Up Box located in the upper right hand corner of this page.

Once the sign up process has been completed, you'll receive my Adhesives 101 tutorial via email in pdf format as my gift to you.

I hope to hear from you!

Anne

Polished Stone Golden Afternoon

When I first started stamping 15 or so years ago, Tammy Fite, my Stampin' Up! Demo at the time (and later Upline), showed me the Polished Stone Technique.

With veins of metallic ink running through the colors, it does indeed look like a high-end marble.

To this day, it is still one of my top 5 favorite stamping techniques.

You need: glossy card stock,  ink refills, cotton ball, isopropyl alcohol and metallic ink (gold, silver, copper refill or shimmer paint).

Here's how:

1. Place drops of ink refill onto a piece of glossy white card stock.  Place drops of metallic ink refill or shimmer paint on card stock.  For this card, I used  Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry, Mango Melody, and Smoky Slate ink refills.  My metallic was Bright Copper Shimmer Paint that was sold in the Holiday Catalog.
2.  Wet a cotton ball with isopropyl alcohol (don't make it too wet), and dab the alcohol onto the glossy card stock, mixing and moving the drops of ink.  The metallic ink will start to vein.  The shimmer paint will add shimmer highlights.  Add more ink or alcohol if desired. Set the piece aside to dry completely. 
3. Place card front in the Stamparatus, securing it with a magnet.  Position small tree image from Golden Afternoon on card front, and close the Stamparatus hinged plate, picking up the stamp with the plate.  Ink with Memento Black ink and stamp.  Repeat as needed to get a good stamped image. 
4. Remove tree image and place bird image on card front.  Close the Stamparatus hinged plate, picking up the stamp with the plate.   Ink with Memento Black ink and stamp.  Repeat as needed to get a good stamped image.
5. Remove the bird image and place greeting on card front.  Close the Stamparatus hinged plate, picking up the stamp with the plate.  Ink with Memento Black ink and stamp.  Repeat as needed to get a good stamped image.
6. Attach card front to copper foil mat.  Attach to Basic Black card base to complete.

Golden Afternoon is one of the new cling stamps from Stampin' Up!

Cling stamps, featuring red rubber with a strong, re-positional backing.

Easy to set up, use, and clean to get those perfect stamped images.

You can learn more about the new cling stamps in this video HERE

Golden Afternoon cling stamp set, found in the 2019 Occasions Catalog!

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Golden Afternoon

Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry, Mango Melody, and Smoky Slate ink refills, Memento Black

Paper: Basic Black, copper foil, glossy white

Accessories: isopropyl alcohol, cotton ball, Bright Copper Shimmer Paint, Stamparatus

Bokeh Falling for Leaves

The changing leaves have been so pretty this year here in the mountains of southern Colorado!

This card was inspired by this photo of  one of the wild Choke Cherries growing on our property.

It always is a show-stopper!

Choke Cherry fall color, Wetmore, CO

To create the bold colors of my card, I did the Bokeh Technique.

According to Wikipedia," the bokeh is the blur or aesthetic quality of the blur in out of focus areas of an image."

It is one of my favorite stamping techniques.

I first created a card stock  template of circles using my 1" and 3/4" circle punches.

Then, with sponge daubers, I added Mango Melody, Crushed Curry, Poppy Parade, and Old Olive inks, overlapping the colors to create the Bokeh effect.  Once the ink was dry, I added circles of Whisper White craft ink.

The leaves were cut out of Old Olive and Gold Foil paper using the Big Shot and Detailed Leaves Thinlits Dies.

The greeting is from Falling for Leaves and was stamped using Poppy Parade.

Happy Fall!

Falling for Leaves Bundle

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Falling for Leaves

Ink: Mango Melody, Crushed Curry, Poppy Parade, Old Olive, Whisper White craft ink

Paper: Whisper White, Poppy Parade, Old Olive, Goil Foil

Accessories: 1" and 3/4" circle punches, sponge daubers, Big Shot, Detailed Leaves Thinlits Dies, Tombow Multi-purpose glue, Mini Dimensionals, enamel shape

Fall is my favorite time of the year!

I love the cooler temps and the changing colors.

To celebrate the arrival of fall, I've been busy creating some fall-themed cards.

This card features the Clear-Block Background Technique paired with one of my new favorite stamp sets, Dandelion Wishes.

Here's how:

1. To create the clear-block water color background, tap ink pads onto a clear-block, spritz with water so the ink runs and pools, then stamp onto a piece of card stock.  Let the block set for a few seconds, then lift.  Set the piece aside to dry completely.  For this card, I used Pool Party, Crushed Curry, and Mango Melody inks on a "F" clear-block.  I stamped the block on a piece of Shimmery White card stock.  You could also use watercolor paper.
2.  Stamp the images from Dandelion Wishes using Early Espresso ink.  Sprinkle clear embossing powder over the images and heat emboss using a heat tool.
3.  Mat to a piece of Early Espresso card stock and attach to Mango Melody card base using Mini Dimensionals to pop it up.
4.  Add enamel shapes to complete.

I stamped the greeting from Dandelion Wishes on the inside:

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Dandelion Wishes

Ink: Pool Party, Crushed Curry, Mango Melody, Early Espresso

Paper: Mango Melody, Early Espresso, Shimmery White

Accessories: Clear-Block "F", spritzer bottle with water, clear embossing powder, heat tool, Mini Dimensionals, enamel shapes

Field of Fall Flowers

After a very warm summer, I think fall has finally arrived here in the mountains of southern Colorado!

Cooler temps and changing colors.

Fall is my favorite time of the year!

To celebrate, I have been busy creating fall-themed cards which I will be sharing over the next few days.

This one was quick and easy using the Clear-Block Background Technique mixed with the dainty flower images found in the stamp set Daisy Delight.

Here's how:

1. To create the watercolor background, tap ink pads onto a clear-block, spritz with water so the ink runs and pools, and stamp on a piece of card stock.  Let the block sit on the paper for a few seconds, then remove.  Set it aside to dry completely.  For this card, colors used were Pool Party, Pacific Point, Crushed Curry, and Pear Pizzazz on a "E" clear-block.  I stamped the block onto Shimmery White card stock which holds up well to the water.  You could also use water color paper.  
2.   Stamp stem image from Daisy Delight using Color Me Clover ink.  Stamp full strength, then again without reinking.  Stamp flower image using Mango Melody.  Stamp full strength, then again without reinking.
3.  Attach to Crushed Curry mat using Mini Dimensionals to pop it up.
4.  Stamp greeting using Pacific Point ink.  I used the retired stamp set Teeny Tiny Wishes (still my go-to greeting stamp), but choose a greeting that is appropriate for your occasion.  Attach to Pacific Point card base.
5. Color rhinestones using a blue Sharpie pen and attach to complete.

Supplies Used:

Stamp Sets: Daisy Delight, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Pool Party, Pacific Point, Crushed Curry, Pear Pizzazz, Color Me Clover, Mango Melody

Paper: Pacific Point, Crushed Curry, Shimmery White

Accessories: Clear-block "E", spritzer bottle with water, rhinestones, Sharpie Pen, Mini Dimensionals