Saturday, December 6, 2008

Inspiration


So when I am in a funk and can't decide on what to create next, I often check out websites for ideas. Some of my favourites are along the side (some fabulously creative spirits there!) and I also love to look at Impress Rubber Stamps. They have an ideas page with all kinds of great ideas. The thing I love best about them is that they keep their designs simple but GORGEOUS! One of their creations is here for you to view but please take a moment to check them out. Where do you go for inspiration?

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Misting with markers

So I was looking on splitcoaststampers under their techniques and found this misting method with water based markers that makes the stamping look so cool. So I tried it out with some smelly markers and a sprayer and like the watercolour look I got. Try it out for yourselves and let me know how you like it!!


Saturday, November 29, 2008

Blog candy I found!

If you are interested in getting some blog candy, then here are a few places to go:
The Crafting Pad and this one Bootiful Stampz .... if you'd like a glittering chandelier, try Talk of the Town ...
What fun!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Acetate and Stazon - a great combination!




This is super easy and looks so good - not something I could properly capture on film. You take acetate and stamp with permanent ink - like Stazon - and then layer paper on front and inside (covering the adhesive). Presto and you're done! I added stickles to the acetate images on the ornament images. When you do the layering of the cardstock, you have to do it on the back as well to cover the adhesive. It takes some time and lots of cutting but it's worth it. Give it a try! You can buy acetate from any office supply store. The Stazon ink is necessary otherwise the ink will just slide off. I didn't experiment with embossing the ink but I've heard it has been done. Anyone have any experience with that?

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

My First Colour Inspiration Challenge

Ok, so I am finally taking part in a challenge from Kristina Werner's fantabulous blog. I hemmed and hawed and tried several before settling on this card. I used a white textured card with white ribbon, a red designer paper, a cream coloured crinkly oval and then a silver Eiffel tower. I added in the Merci beaucoup mon ami with Distress Ink.

Embossing delight!

Ok, so I got an early Christmas gift (the box will be wrapped and under the tree but I get to use it now!) and it is .... drum roll ... an embossing heat tool! All this time, I have been using an iron or practically burning the paper on the heating element so this is a big deal to me. So now I have been embossing like crazy.



The Cavallini stamp sets have the best combination of stamps. Sentiments and images. Here I just used the Je t'aime but there are lots of others.



This branch stamp is one of my favourites and I never tire of stickles.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Bleach stamping


Ok, so it's a bit smelly but what could be easier than taking a bleach pen or some paper towel with bleach on it and using it as the ink? It looks perfect with darker cardstock and repeated images.

Friday, November 14, 2008

A few cards for all occasions

Drywall tape, vellum quotes and stamped white flowers on silver cardstock with ribbon detail.










An acetate window, some anaglypta paper, a punched window and dragonflies. Would be nice to add a message on the front, if needed.
















A punched out window, a bit of funky ribbon and a cute embossed stamp is perfect for an anniversary.














The special dimensional effect here is from the Spanish moss I bought from a craft store.

Some Christmas cards

Hard to tell, but I made my own shadow stamp with some drawer liner paper stuck onto a block, then did the tree stamp, put some sequins on and added the ribbon.

I almost broke my circle punch when punching out with this sparkly sticker paper. Another punch of the snowflake and the happy holidays stamp and we're done! (Sorry for the bad scan - I think the screen was slightly dirty.)





This is made with a tree punch, a shadow stamp and a message stamp. Simple and quick!














What could be simpler than a bit of ribbon and a circle punch?

Monday, November 10, 2008

Some recent creations ...

Cherry Blossoms

A few stickles in the flowers keeps it sparkly.












Lucky Bamboo





This is one of my favourite background stamps ... adds such a chic style to the card.













Embrace Imperfection