Published!

For the last year or so I have been submitting some of my artwork to various magazines, thanks to the loving prodding of Kimm Bennington-Thompson, an awesome friend and fellow stamper. And I am finally in print!

My card is on page 21 of the Jan/Feb issue of RubberStampMadness magazine.

I had submitted that card last January, I think. I'm thrilled to have been picked! My style isn't quite like theirs, so I'm surprised they even used my card (they have lots of collage-y stuff and use a lot of cards made with images from smaller, more avant garde stamp companies, whereas I tend toward a more mainstream Stampin' Up! style). Not that I'm complaining or anything! ;)

Below is the published text from my conversation with Galilee Weldon from RSM magazine. She asked me if I had any frog stories I could share. So I did the best I could. hee

(click pic to enlarge)

I want to again thank Kimm BT for pushing me to send in my artwork. Now, maybe if I clean up my disaster of a study I can find the urge to stamp again under there somewhere!

Hubby's Father's Day card

Recipe:

Stamps: Classic Pickups, Smorgasborders (sentiment)

Paper: Black, Basic Grey Urban Culture designer paper, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black pigment ink, "Vintage Photo" Distress Ink by Tim Holtz, Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Ruby Red, Only Orange, Summer Sun, Real Red

Accessories: bleach, water brushes, sponges, Detail Black embossing powder, Prismacolor silver and gold pencils, Dimensionals, Diamond Glaze, antique brads, leather strips, 1/16" hole punch, 1/2" circle punch, 1/4" circle punch, sm. oval punch, Cuttlebug

Techniques: Bleaching, heat embossing, cuttlebugging

This is the card I made for my hubby for Father's Day using Beate's sketch challenge #5.

I really loved this simple design. Sometimes the simplest designs are the most satisfying to play with, don't you think?

As you can see, I used the Cuttlebug embossing folder yet again! I can't help it, I love the look, especially on designer paper.

I made this card as a 5.25" square to fit in my 5.5" square envelope. The directions are on Beate's blog (through the above link).

I used black as my background cs. For the inside, I made a square of Chocolate Chip cs to go inside so the sentiment phrase would be visible. I sponged the inside square's edges with Chocolate Chip ink after stamping the sentiments. Then I adhered it inside the card. Sorry for the poor sentence structure. :)

For the outside front, I used pieces of Basic Grey designer paper (Urban Couture, I think) and rubbed them with a vintage distress ink by Tim Holtz. Then I cuttlebugged them using the Mesh embossing folder. It was really tricky trying to line up the holes for the brads as they had to go through a little 1/2 circle piece of cs, the leather strip and the cuttlebugged cs. Very difficult. I won't even try to explain what I did. There's probably an easier way than mine. ;) The look was worth the trouble to me, thankfully.

For the oval sentiment, I used the smaller oval punch and sponged it with Chocolate Chip ink and punched 1/16" holes on either side. Then I punched 1/16" holes in black cs and, turning a 1/4" circle punch upside down, punched to get the smaller holes in the center - like a tiny doughnut. I used antique-finish brads and adhered them as you see. I used a bit of Diamond Glaze (Crystal Effects) on some Dimensionals to adhere the sentiment to the card front. That helps it adhere better to the Cuttlebugged surface.

For the pickup truck feature, I first powdered a piece of Chocolate Chip cardstock with my embossing buddy pillow thingy. Then I stamped the truck using Brilliance Graphite Black pigment ink and heat embossed it with Detail Black ep. Then I bleached the inside design of the truck completely and colored it with a combination of waterbrush/inks and Prismacolor pencils (silver/gold for the chrome portions). I just kept applying color until I got it the way I wanted it. When finished, I sponged the area around the truck with Chocolate Chip ink, then mounted it to black cs. I adhered that piece to one side of the card with Dimensionals.

Thanks to Miz Beate, for the inspiration!

Father's Day card

Recipe:

Stamps: Horse stamp (can't remember maker), alphabet stamps by CTMH "Storytime alpha lower"
Paper: Black, Chocolate Chip, Basic Grey Urban Couture designer paper
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black pigment ink, "Vintage Photo" Distress Ink by Tim Holtz, Chocolate Chip, More Mustard
Accessories: bleach, water brushes, sponges, Detail Black embossing powder, Dimensionals, Diamond Glaze, antique brads, leather strips, 1/16" hole punch, 1/4" circle punch, sm. oval punch, Cuttlebug "Mesh" embossing folder
Techniques: Bleaching, heat embossing, cuttlebugging

This card is for my dad using the same technique as this card.

I just used different colors and images. I bleached out the horses and used Chocolate Chip, Vintage ink by Tim Holtz, and More Mustard to get the dimensional look of the horses. The white parts are where I left the bleached part alone.

Wonderful Wings card

Recipe:

Stamps: Wonderful Wings, Birthday Greetings, Ferns, French Script

Paper: Baroque Burgundy, black, Basic Grey designer paper, white, thick vellum

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black, Basic Black, Baroque Burgundy, Almost Artichoke

Accessories: Markers: Basic Black, Old Olive, Inkworx air art gun, Detail Black EP, misc. Twinkling H2Os, water brush, sponge, black zigzag ribbon, Dimensionals, Diamond Glaze, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Cuttlebug "Mesh" embossing folder

Techniques: Cuttlebugging, Twinkling H2Os, heat embossing

I used the retired Ferns set on the big green background, which is a piece of designer cardstock from Basic Grey. I stamped in Basic Black dye ink and then ran that piece through the Cuttlebug using the Mesh embossing folder. I find that using designer papers in the Cuttlebug folders causes the papers to slightly tear a bit. But I can make that less noticeable if I sponge a similar color of ink over the white parts lightly.

I pressed some strips of thicker vellum onto the French Script background stamp which was inked up with Baroque Burgundy ink and sponged a bit with black ink. I attached the strips with a mono adhesive only where it would be hidden behind the butterfly feature. I tied one end of the black zigzag ribbon and glued it down and around with mono. I did a fancy cut on the end that was tied.

For the butterfly feature, I stamped the butterfly from the retired Wonderful Wings set in Brilliance Graphite Black craft ink. Then I sprinkled Detail Black embossing powder over it, tamped off, and heat-embossed it. Then I painted it with many different Twinkling H2Os which gave it a shimmery appearance. They dry quickly, which I love. I stamped the word stamp from Birthday Greetings and finished the piece off with a few squirts from the Inkworx air art gun and Basic Black and Old Olive markers. I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig to line everything up where I wanted it. I adhered the butterfly feature with Dimensionals and added a little Diamond Glaze (Crystal Effects) to the Dimensionals to help them adhere better to the Cuttlebugged surface.

Shark card, but not a card shark ;)

Recipe:

Stamps: Silly Sealife, "Happy Birthday" from Savvy Stamps

Paper: Taken with Teal, Black, Real Red, More Mustard, white

Ink: Basic Black; Markers: Tempting Turquoise, Taken with Teal, Real Red, Ruby Red, Baroque Burgundy

Accessories: Cuttlebug Spots and Dots and Traffic Jam embossing folders, oval punch, 1/16" punch, 1/4" punch, circle cutter, silver brads, waterbrush

Techniques: watercoloring

The only hard thing on this card is the shark. It about drove me bonkers! I recolored it so many times, I lost count. And what I ended up with was nothing special, but it worked. I used markers and a waterbrush to do the shark. It was hard getting the red on him to match the red cs, but it's fairly close, I think. The frustrating thing is I forgot what colors I used. I made this weeks ago and thought my 45 yo brain would remember. Ha! What was I thinking?? I'll try to remember as best as I can.

For his back, I think I used several reds. Definitely used Real Red, but it was took pinkish to match the cs alone. So I'm pretty sure I added Ruby Red and probably a touch of Baroque Burgundy, but don't quote me! There was lots of blending!

For the belly, I think Tempting Turquoise was used some, and maybe some Taken with Teal. But I honestly can't be sure.

I should've done a shadow under him now that I look more carefully at the card. Next time, I will.

I mounted him on Taken with Teal that was sponged with black ink.

The half circle was actually cut with the circle cutter partially off the piece of cs. That kept me from having to cut the straight side later. I used Cuttlebug Spots and Dots and Traffic Jam embossing folders for the textured patterns. I used an oval punch for the word stamp. The word stamp came from savvystamps.com.

I used silver brads and punched black circles to create the rivet look. I first punched 1/16" holes in black cs, and then punched 1/4" circles over them.

The rest is hopefully self-explanatory.

Mother's Day card 2

Recipe:

Stamps: Happy Harmony, Hero Arts "Happy Mother's Day"

Paper: Rose Red, Black, White

Ink: Black; Markers: Rose Red, Baroque Burgundy, Old Olive

Accessories: Cuttlebug D'vine Swirl embossing folder, black polka dot grosgrain ribbon, dark pink, grosgrain ribbon, Dimensionals, Stamp-a-ma-jig, circle cutter, "stamp" deco scissors

This card was very simple to make. I created the circle with a circle cutter and then cut a slightly larger circle and then finished the edge with some "stamp" deco scissors. I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to line up the flowers and word stamp. Everything else should be self-explanatory.

Vellum wedding card

Recipe:

Stamps: Happy Harmony

Paper: Lavender Lace, Swirl vellum, silver metallic, white

Ink: Encore purple metallic, Encore silver metallic

Accessories: Dimensionals, metallic ribbon

I rarely have a wedding card to do. So I don't have much in the way of wedding images to work with. But Happy Harmony seemed to fit the bill. I learned a few things while working on this card. I learned that vellum tape does not age well. It yellows and looks horrid after 2 years of storage in a dry, air-conditioned location. Hmm. I also learned that Crystal Effects (Diamond Glaze) is not good for holding down vellum, and it yellows over time, as well. It causes buckling. So I next learned that a teensy bit of mono adhesive is good enough to hold down vellum. In fact, if you hide it under something like a square flower feature, like I have, you can put even more on.

The vellum on this card covers the outside of the Lavender Lace cs completely. I dabbed a bit of the mono on the back to hold it and dabbed a larger amount on the front under the flower feature. The ribbon holds it in place, as well.

For the flower feature, I stamped the flowers in purple Encore metallic ink. I stamped the word stamp in silver Encore metallic. I mounted the flowers on silver metallic cs. The ribbon is a good match for the lavender/silver color combo, as it picks up both colors and effects.

Mother's Day card 1

Recipe:

Stamps: Happy Harmony, Hero Arts "Happy Mother's Day"

Paper: Perfect Plum, Black, Pale Plum, white

Ink: Markers: Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Basic Black, Old Olive

Accessories: Dimensionals, "stamp" deco scissors, moss grosgrain ribbon, black grosgrain ribbon, Cuttlebug Textile Texture embossing folder, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Air art gun

Techniques: watercolor misting

This card is simple to make, but looks harder. I cuttlebugged the Pale Plum cs with the Textile Texture embossing folder. I used the circle cutter to make two circles, one larger than the other. Then I used some "stamp" deco scissors to trim the bigger circle. I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig to position the flowers and the word stamp.

I used the watercolor misting technique on the flowers.

Yukon birthday card

Recipe:

Stamps: Paisley Print, Yukon, CTMH Spunky Greetings

Paper: Black, Bravo Burgundy, glossy white

Ink: Versamark, Basic Black

Accessories: Markers: Baroque Burgundy, Really Rust, Creamy Caramel, Summer Sun, Close to Cocoa, Old Olive; Other: Cuttlebug "Tiny Bubbles" embossing folder, black grosgrain ribbon, silver buckle charm, Dimensionals, Diamond Glaze, silver mini brads, 1/16" hole punch, 1/4" circle punch

I really do have other Cuttlebug embossing folders! I just keep reaching for the Tiny Bubbles one, though, don't I? ;) I like its versatility. The ones Provocraft makes with only words on them are cute and all, but they're so limiting on what you can do with them. The non-word patterned ones are able to be used on any card. Maybe even every card as I demonstrating. hehe

This card is for my young nephew who likes nature. It's a simple design with a few extras that make for some WOW. Of course, I used the Tiny Bubbles folder! Am I getting obnoxious about using that thing yet? :D

I stamped Bravo Burgundy cs with the retired Paisley Print background stamp using Versamark ink. Then I ran part of the front through the Tiny Bubbles folder and Cuttlebugged it. When using the embossing folders with heavy patterns, you need to consider that the cardstock will shrink a bit due to the pulling up of the cardstock into the textured pattern. I generally allow for some extra length and then trim off what I don't need after running it through the Cuttlebug. Some cutters are terrible at hacking at the Cuttlebugged cardstock. Be careful if yours is like that or you'll have a not-so-nice mess on your hands. My Cricut cutter was like that, but my new (& improved, it says) Fiskars 12" cutter smoothly cuts it.

I stamped the CTMH "Happy Birthday" word stamp on the lower front (don't you just love the clear acrylic stamps? So easy to position!). Then I added the black grosgrain ribbon and adhered the silver buckle charm thingy onto the ribbon. I'm hoping it stays put! I used a Dimensional and some Diamond Glaze, so there's hope.

For the deer feature I stamped in Basic Black on glossy white cs and let it dry. Then I did the watercoloring with markers and a water brush. I recommend that if you try this, you have a scratch piece of the same cs you're using and test the markers to see how fast they set by rubbing them on the scratch piece and then wiping over them with the water brush. Then you can figure out how soon you need to hit the ink with the water brush. Some set REALLY fast. Some give you time to blend. For those that set fast, I usually just take the water brush and rub the bristles on the marker tip and then apply it, rather than putting the marker tip directly onto the cs. I used Baroque Burgundy (don't have the marker for Bravo Burgundy yet), Really Rust, Creamy Caramel, Summer Sun, Close to Cocoa, and even some Old Olive to achieve the colors you see. I did lots of blending. Using just Baroque Burgundy would've given it a pinkish appearance. So I just kept adding colors until I got the look I wanted. After it was done drying, I used Really Rust and Close to Cocoa markers and the Inkworx air art gun to give the background a splattered appearance. I let that dry.

Then once that dried I punched 1/16" holes in the corners. I punched the same-sized holes in black cs and then flipped my 1/4" circle punch over and positioned it with the 1/16" inch holes in the center and punched out. That gave me circles with holes in the middles. I used those under the silver mini brads in the corners of the deer scene. They look like rivets. Pretty cool. And they accent the buckle very nicely, I think. I adhered that to black cs and mounted it onto the card with Dimensionals. And then it was done.

It was nice to do a simple design for a change, although I like being stretched by Amy's and SCS's challenges. It's just what I needed to help my floundering creativity along.

Kitty birthday card 1

Recipe:

Stamps: Cool Cat, Year Round Cheer, Canvas

Paper: Only Orange, Pink Passion, various Making Memories Cheeky Abby Collection designer papers, white

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Basic Black, Pink Passion

Accessories: Cuttlebug "Tiny Bubbles" embossing folder, Circle cutter, Sizzlit oval tag die, "Stamp" deco scissors, lg. & sm. square punches, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Black Micron pen, Dimensionals, narrow pink organdy ribbon, sponge