December Technique: CRACKED GLASS

Hello and happy winter to all of you! We are beginning our second Monthly Technique Challenge over at SweetStamps.com and this is a fun one...

CRACKED GLASS

There are two different ways to achieve this look. Here is a quick run-down on the steps:

1) Stamp an image. 

2) Color if you wish. If you've colored with dye based inks or markers that are NOT waterproof, you will want to use the DRY technique. If your image is not colored or your coloring media IS waterproof, then you can use the WET technique.

3) DRY Technique:
Cover the image with 2-1/2" wide Super Sticky Tape. You can now die cut over your taped image (you will be able to see the image through the white liner of the Super Sticky Tape).

-OR-

3) WET Technique:
Cover your image with a clear embossing ink (like VersaMark™ or Distress Clear Embossing Ink).

4) Cover the tape or embossing ink with an Ultra Thick Clear Embossing Enamel and heat until melted. The surface will look pitted. While the EP is hot and sticky, add some more enamel powder to the surface and heat again. Heat and repeat for a total of 3-6 coats, until the surface is shiny and glass like.

5) Allow the image to cool. Place in your freezer for 10-20 minutes

6) Crack it! Bend the image in all different directions...if a piece of enamel chips off, you can reattach it with a clear drying glue like Ultimate Glue or Glossy Accents.

That's it. Here's the card I created for the challenge:

This monthly challenge is open now through January 14th, I hope you'll play along for your chance to win some fabulous SweetStamps images! Don't forget to jump over to the SweetStamps challenge blog to see the other great creations from the Design Team!

Happy stamping,
:) Stacey

November Technique Challenge: SUSPENSION CARD

Hello friends. I don't know how your week has been, but mine involved traveling 2,000+ miles from the nice weather in Arizona to the cold of Wisconsin and coming down with the flu...I've had better weeks, but I'm happy that I was feeling well enough tonight to participate in some "craft therapy" and create a card for SweetStamps first ever Monthly Technique Challenge!

Here is my (hastily made) Suspension Card:

It is sweet & simple (and considering it took me longer to photograph and post a tutorial on this than it did to make, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out!) 

 **check out my tutorial here**

One of my favorite things on this card is the stamped background I created on the colored CS. I used a stamp from the Decorative Elements Set and stamped randomly in Rustic Shades Dye Ink.

Here are the supplies I used:

Paper: A2 cream card, Paprika Core'dinations CS panel, Patterned DP (Blank Canvas), Fossil CS

Shades™ Dye Inks: Butterscotch, Orange & Rustic

SweetStamps: S601 Decorative Elements Set and 3022 Firewheel Flower DUO 

Cheery Lynn Dies: Little Stackers Classic Circles, Little Stackers Scallop Circles, Dancing Doily Lace Border

Embellishments: 1/8" Brown Satin Ribbon, Metallic Thread, Rhinestones

Miscellaneous: Dove Blender Pen, Super Sticky Tape, Krylon Spray Adhesive, Removable Tape, Sponge

I don't know about you, but I cannot make a bow without the help of a tool...but since I was pressed for time and had NO IDEA where my bow making tools were, I used my index and middle fingers as the "poles" for creating the loops of my bow...not too bad if I do say so myself! {Limited time & supplies = a chance to be creative}

Stop by the SweetStamps blog to see the awesome creations of the DT Sweeties, they really did a great job with this challenge! We'd love to see your entry, you could win $20 of rubber stamps from SweetStamps.com.
 

Playing with Inks...and NEW RELEASE Stamps

Hello and Happy Tuesday! Have you seen our NEW RELEASE stamps yet? I've been having fun playing with these! In fact, I have two cards to share for this week's SweetStamps.com Blog Challenge #87 Stippled or Sponged!

SweetStamps products used:

**Check out this TUTORIAL for Step-by-Step Instructions**

For my second card, I used 4008 Art Nouveau Vertical Border stamped in French Roast Shades™ dye ink and colored with Distress Markers. I applied Vanilla Cream Shades™ dye ink with a sponge but rubbed it across the cardstock instead of tapping it. I used 98116 Bitty Scallop Die (Memory Box) on both sides of the stamped and sponged image.

I cut a piece of green CS with 98118 Classic Scallop Border Die (Memory Box) on one side and adhered this layer to a piece of Stardream CS that I embossed using FRM132 French Lattice Small Frame Die (Cheery Lynn Designs). Then to finish it off I added some ribbon from my stash and Cream Pearls in two different sizes.

I hope to see your stippled or sponged creation in this week's challenge, you could get some of these beautiful new release stamps if you are the lucky winner!

Happy stamping,

Witchy Wednesday

The weather is getting cooler and the leaves are changing, it's definitely fall! Just wanted to share this Witchy card I created using vellum, Pitt artist pens and FRM123 Enchanted Flight Frame die from Cheery Lynn.

 

This would make a great luminary for Halloween!

Happy crafting,

Lovin' my new eBosser!

Finally got my eBosser machine...they've been on pre-order for a while! But it was worth the wait, I LOVE IT!!

 

Some of the awesome features on this machine are that the plates are 8.5" x 11" so you can use a full sheet of paper! The best part is that the machine is FULLY AUTOMATIC, so after you power it up, build your "sandwich" and feed it into the opening it will go through all by itself (no button to keep pushed)! I love to have that extra time while the machine is working to clear off my workspace or get the next project taped down and ready to go into the eBosser.

 

Because of the large format of the plates, you can emboss FOUR A2 or TWO 5"x7" size folders AT THE SAME TIME!!! Sweet! 

I even did a quick video on embossing with the eBosser, check it out here.

Happy crafting,

9/11 Remembrance Day Craft

Today we rolled up a history lesson, math project and craft all into one! For history, the kids learned about the events of September 11th, for math they had to count and use patterns, and for the craft, well check it out...

They both did a fantastic job on these pins. They were so proud of them, they've talked about wearing them to our Washington D.C. field trip next week.

Long Time, No Post...

Hi everyone! Sorry I haven't been posting lately, most of my time has been eaten up with redesigning display boards for our trade show booth and preparing for upcoming classes in Massachusetts and Florida.


I had fun at the Fitchburg, MA show this past weekend - especially on Monday when Mechele and I took all our crafty stuff into the host hotel and sorted our stuff, colored, created cards and laughed a lot!


Here are a few of the images I colored, eventually they will be made into cards. I enjoyed using my Copics again...I had not taken them on the road before and missed them when not coloring on vellum!

Well, that's it for now, hope to have more fun stamp stuff to share with you soon!