Published again!

I wanted to wait until I was sure my cards were in the magazine before I said anything. Well, they are! I was published a second time in Rubberstampmadness magazine! The July/August 2008 issue!

They put 2 of my cards in an article called Tools of the Trade mainly because my cards had lots of embellishments. I used the Cuttlebug and embossing folders, mini-brads, vellum, watercoloring, etc.

Before mailing off the cards, I took pictures of them:

It's so much fun to see one's own artwork in print. And the people at Rubberstampmadness are so nice to deal with. Send in your cards and get published!

Beate Johns teaches how to tie a nice ribbon knot

From the splitcoaststampers newsletter:

Ask Beate
Beate Johns answers your technique questions

Q: Tasha asked: "This may be an odd question, but I noticed that the ribbon tied on many of your cards looks much nicer then mine, specifically the knot part. I have tried to make mine look "pretty" like yours, but haven't perfected it. Can you tell me how you are tying your ribbon so that I can achieve the same look on the knot?"

A: Here is how I tie my knots. But remember, I am a lefty, you might have to do it in reverse if you are right handed. Fold the left side of your ribbon over and under your right side. Now take the same piece of ribbon (it comes from the bottom now), fold it over the top piece of ribbon (hold the top piece down) and under again. Before tugging the knot tight, I twist the right hand side of my ribbon piece over. There is also a wonderful thread about tying ribbons in our forum.

Resources page Submit your question to Beate

Okay, so for us righties, here's the mirror of her directions:

Fold the right side of your ribbon over and under your left side. Now take the same piece of ribbon (it comes from the bottom now), fold it over the top piece of ribbon (hold the top piece down) and under again. Before tugging the knot tight, I twist the left hand side of my ribbon piece over.

Thanks Beate!! It worked!!

How to use a Stamp-a-ma-jig

I can't live without my Stamp-a-ma-jig. It truly is a must-have stamping tool. Dawn Griffith has just come out with a new YouTube tutorial to show you how to use it. I use mine a bit differently in that I put the wider end closer to me. But either way works, and hers is probably the proper way.

If you've never gotten a Stamp-a-ma-jig, I highly recommend it! No more crooked stamping!

Scout camp cards

This week is scout camp for my hubby and son, so I wanted to send them a little love in the form of a card. I was up waaaay too late last night making these, but I want them to get to camp before the end of the week!

The first one is for my hubby. I just got some new Cuttlebug embossing folders in (Crop Stop rocks, btw! I put in my order on Thursday and got my stuff on Monday!) and used one of them on both cards ("Distressed Stripes").

I wanted a "camp"ish theme, but I have few stamps that would fit. So since they're in the great outdoors and since my son will be horseback riding, I figured a tree and a horse would work.

For the tree from SU Lovely As a Tree I stamped in Basic Black dye ink on white CS and colored it with Prismacolor pencils. I stamped the sentiment underneath it using my Stamp-a-ma-jig and black ink. The saying is from Savvy Stamps. I mounted it all on black CS.

I used a piece of *swoon* Basic Grey designer paper for the distressed background. I cuttlebugged it and then sponged various earthy-colored inks on it. I punched 3-1/16" holes for the black mini-brads and mounted them as well as the zigzag ribbon after mounting the designer paper to the black CS.

For the back-most piece I stamped SU Canvas in Baroque Burgundy ink on Baroque Burgundy CS (or was it Bravo Burgundy? I can't remember and the cards are in the mail) and mounted the designer paper piece to it.

I adhered the tree image to the designer paper with Dimensionals to pop it out.

Stamps: SU Canvas, SU Lovely As a Tree, "Thinking of You" by Savvy Stamps

CS: Baroque/Bravo Burgundy, Black, Basic Grey designer paper, White

Inks: Baroque Burgundy, Basic Black, Various earthy colors

Other: Cuttlebug "Distressed Stripes" embossing folder, Prismacolor pencils, Zigzag ribbon, black mini-brads, Dimensionals, Sponges, Stamp-a-ma-jig

This card is for my son. Hopefully, the horse theme will remind him of the fun he had riding at camp.

I used Really Rust CS as the base. I stamped the star from SU Artifacts on the Basic Grey designer paper and ran it through the Cuttlebug using the "Distressed Stripes" folder. I then sponged it to "antique" it and stamped another star on Really Rust in black ink, cut it out, put an antique brass mini-brad in the center of the star and mounted it over the other star with Dimensionals. I adhered all of this to black CS and then to the rust CS.

I stamped the horse in black ink on white CS and sponged black, Summer Sun, and Really Rust inks over it, blocking parts as I worked with a piece of paper to give a vague background feel. I colored the horse with a few Prismacolor pencils in the browns and yellows to pick up the colors from the distressed piece. I punched 3-1/16" holes for the antique brass mini-brads. They're so perfect for an "old west" look. I then adhered the horse on black CS and then on the distressed paper with Dimensionals.

I stamped the "Miss You" sentiment from SU Year Round Cheer on Really Rust CS using the Stamp-a-ma-jig. I moved the words side by side rather than one on top of the other as it is on the stamp and then punched it out using a square punch because I can't cut a straight line to save my life! I sponged it with a little black ink.

The ribbon was the coolest part, I think. I took orangey-orange, like REALLY orange, grosgrain ribbon with blue stitches running along the edges and sponged black ink over it. It came out a cool rusty, oldish looking color. I sponged both sides for the bow thingy.
I'm so tired. I hope I didn't forget anything!

Stamps: SU Artifacts, Horse by PSX, Word saying from SU Year Round Cheer

CS: Really Rust, Black, Basic Grey designer paper, White

Inks: Basic Black, Really Rust, Summer Sun, Only Orange

Other: Cuttlebug "distressed Stripes" embossing folder, Sponges, Dimensionals, Antique brass mini-brads, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Orange grosgrain ribbon

Scor-Pal :: new to me

Every time I get back into the stamping groove I find out that there are the neatest new gadgets that are must-haves. On Splitcoaststampers I've heard the name Score-Pal batted around and decided to check out just what it was. I found this demo on YouTube and I can see what all the hubbub is about. It's a bit pricey ($39.95), but I can see that it would pay for itself just in making it easier to do different projects with ease. This video shows some of the projects you can do with it. Pretty neat! I wonder if I can find a cheaper deal?

Mojo Monday Father's Day cards

I was over at Julee Tilman's awesome blog recently and was inspired to do my Father's Day cards using her Mojo Monday Week #39 design. It's so much easier to use a predetermined design.



This card was done for my hubby. I realized afterwards that the ribbon wasn't exactly like the design I was trying to replicate. Oh well. I used the dad and son stamp from SU Seaside Sketches and the "amazing" came from (interestingly) the SU Amazing to Zany set. The "dad" part was from "Girls are Weird", an alpha set by Purple Onion Designs. I used 2 different Cuttlebug embossing folders for the red CS and the designer paper (Basic Grey), Before cuttlebugging the red CS, I stamped it with the SU Print Pattern background stamp using VersaMark ink (might be a little hard to see).



For the dad and son part I stamped in black dye ink on the white CS background. Then I stamped the image again on another piece of white. I colored the image with various SU markers, using the smaller end of the Old Olive marker to do the grass. Then I cut it out and adhered it with Dimensionals to the white background. I used lots of Dimensionals!

Recipe:

Stamps: SU Seaside Sketches, SU Amazing to Zany, Purple Designs "Girls are Weird" alphas, SU Print Pattern
CS: Always Artichoke, Black, Real Red, Basic Grey designer paper, More Mustard
Inks/Markers: Basic Black, Real Red, Ruby Red, Close to Cocoa, Summer Sun (with Close to Cocoa in the hair), Chocolate Chip, Bordering Blue, Blush Blossom, Old Olive
Other: Cuttlebug embossing folders: "Mesh" and "Tiny Bubbles", Zigzag ribbon, 1" circle punch, 1&1/4" circle punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Dimensionals



The second card is for my dad. He loveslovesloves to fish out in his boat, so I've gotten a lot of use out of the SU Fishin' set for him, but I think I'm due for a change. This set has served me well, though.

I did the cuttlebugging on the circles designer paper (Basic Grey), which I LOVE (I'm trying to keep myself from buying too much designer paper. It can become addictive! So I'm using what I have for as long as I can stand it). The fishing scene was actually done using 3 stamps from the set using my beloved Stamp-a-ma-jig. I stamped the basket first, then made a mask and covered the basket. Then I stamped the cat tails once and then with the grassy stamp several times to cover up the "water" under the cat tails. I removed the mask and colored the images with markers and a water brush and ink pads.

The "awesome dad" alpha set is one I got...somewhere. Can't remember who made it. I've had it for quite awhile and have rarely used it. Lots of Dimensionals on this one, too. Where would I be without Dimensionals??

Recipe:

Stamps: SU Fishin', unknown alpha set
CS: Always Artichoke, Black, Basic Grey designer paper, Glossy white
Inks/Markers: Basic Black, Old Olive, Really Rust, More Mustard, Creamy Caramel, Bordering Blue, Close to Cocoa
Other: Cuttlebug embossing folder "Tiny Bubbles", Zigzag ribbon, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Dimensionals, Sizzlets oval die (for larger oval), oval punch (for smaller oval)

Fairy dream card using CTMH Toadstools set

I love the Toadstools set by CTMH, but I rarely use it. Today I decided to play with it and some, you guessed it, designer paper.



First I ran the designer paper through the Cuttlebug using the "Stylized Flowers" embossing folder. Then I sponged it with some dark brown ink to pop it out.

I punched out a black oval and punched 3-1/16" holes in it for the mini-brads. I also punched out 3 squares (1/4") and punched holes in those, too. I assembled the whole lot and adhered it with Dimensionals.



For the word stamp, toadstools and fairy I stamped in a golden brown ink and then marked up the stamps with a black marker. Then I huffed warm air onto them and stamped. That gave a nice multi-colored effect. I used Mini Pop Dots to pop out the fairy. I made an extra pair of wings so the fairy would look more dimensional. I sponged black and moss green inks over the toadstools and fairy. I used Dimensionals to pop out the Dream/fairy scene.

Recipe:

Stamps: CTMH Toadstools, "Dream" stamp by TAC
CS: Dark brown, Basic Grey designer paper, Black, White
Inks: Black, Dark brown, Mossy green, Vintage Photo (golden brown) distress ink
Other: Cuttlebug "Stylized Flowers" embossing folder, oval punch, 1/4"square punch, 1/16" punch, antique copper mini-brads, plaid ribbon, Black marker, sponges, Dimensionals, Mini Pop Dots

Mother's Day cards

I was able to get all the Mother's Day cards made this afternoon. I kept them similar in color and style with some variations. It simplifies things. I'll put up recipes later. Too tired to think that hard right now.

The 2 "Mom" cards are for my mom (obviously) and hubby's mom. The other 2 are for my grandmother and my aunt. I like to acknowledge all the elder women in my family who are moms. The basic designs are designer papers, Cuttlebug embossing folders, ribbons, sponging of inks, and mini-brads. More later!

Recipe (combined for all cards):

Stamps: Print Pattern, Love Without End, Non-SU

CS: Black, designer papers (Basic Grey, I think)

Inks: StazOn Jet Black, various colors I sponged on over the designer papers

Other: Cuttlebug embossing folders "Stylized Flowers", "Tiny Bubbles" and "Script", black ribbon, plaid ribbon, gold thread, leather ribbon, 1/16" hole punch, 1/4" square hole punch, 1/2" circle hole punch, silver mini-brads, antique bronze mini-brads, black mini-brads, Dimensionals, sponges, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Card using Stampin' Up! Sweet Herbs set for a friend's challenge and a Mojo Monday design challenge

This card uses a design challenge I saw on Amy Westerman's blog.



I wanted to stamp some more so I asked Teresa to challenge me with her choice of stamp set. She chose Sweet Herbs (retired Stampin' Up!) as her first choice. I'll admit that as much as I like this set, I find it a challenge to use creatively. But I like a challenge and decided to give it a more current look. Designer papers are all the rage in the stamping world, and I have plenty to play with even though my collection is minuscule compared with some stampers. So you might recognize these papers (from the Blitzen Collection by Basic Grey). I've used them many times before. They're very versatile. I stamp right on the papers and they take the ink very well.

I used the Cuttlebug and the Script embossing folder for the strip across the bottom of the card. Cuttlebugging always adds a nice touch, don't you think?

I made a little mini purse by punching out 2 squares of designer paper and punching holes in a symmetrical pattern around 3 of the edges. Then I used 3 strands of dark brown embroidering floss and a cross stitching needle and sewed around the edges. Nothing fancy, but I like the contrast. I made a handle for the purse with another 3-strand piece of embroidery floss, tied it to the top holes and left a little fringe. I tucked a smaller punched square of vellum that I stamped (before punching), and then adhered it with a couple of Dimensionals so it would stay put and "float".



In fact, I used a lot of Dimensionals on this card. It's popping out all over the place, just the way I like it. :) Hope you like it, too.

Recipe:

Stamps: SU Sweet Herbs (retired), SU Amazing to Zany
CS: Black, Designer papers from Basic Grey's Blitzen Collection, Vellum
Ink: StazOn Jet Black
Other: Cuttlebug and Cuttlebug "Script" embossing folder, Black mini-brads, Stamp-a-Ma-Jig, Square punch, 1/16"hole punch, Brown embroidery floss, Cross stitching needle, Dimensionals

I stamped today! Fresh Fruits set

It's been a long time.



This is a simple design to start back with. I had to use a flash to get the colors right. I oomphed it up a bit by using the Cuttlebug and the Mesh embossing folder on the pumpkin cardstock. To bring out the relief image of the embossing, I sponged some pumpkin ink over it. Of course, I used black as an accent color, as anyone who knows my card-making style would expect. ;)

To make the pineapple bottom, I used 2 colors of ink: mustard and ruby red - both together created a pumpkin-y color. I stamped first in the mustard, and then in the red, and then on the white cardstock. For the top I used mustard and olive green, stamping in the mustard first, then the olive. Then I rubbed a black marker around the edges of the stamps and stamped over the inked images. I use a Stamp-a-Ma-Jig to position the second images properly. I huffed on the stamps before stamping every time, btw.

Here's a close-up of the pineapple so you can see how nice the inks mesh together and how cool it looks to outline the images:



I really like how the image turned out! I'll be doing this again.

Recipe:

Stamps: SU Fresh Fruits, Amazing to Zany
CS: Black, Pumpkin, White
Inks: More Mustard, Ruby Red, Old Olive, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie
Other: Basic Black marker, Cuttlebug, "Mesh" embossing folder, zigzag ribbon, oval punch, Stamp-a-Ma-Jig, silver mini-brad, Dimensionals