Take a Nature Walk

Walking may be the only form of exercise I would consider.  I know, pretty pathetic but completely the truth.  The thought of a workout almost exhausts me and lately that says a lot since I seem to be in that exhaustive state EVERY day.  Pure exhaustion, really!  I'm not exactly sure what is going on.  I normally do not feel like this.  The nurse in me says "see what happens in a few days" and if I don't "feel" better I will get it checked out. Considering the stress, I think it's normal. So… back to the exercise and walking.  I'm thinking about putting a walking routine into my daily schedule.  I think most of my girlfriends reading this probably just fell on the floor.  Go ahead and pick yourselves up.  You did read that correctly. I'm going to start WALKING! <woot> A good nature walk would be great for my mind. 

Speaking of Nature Walk, the stamp set Nature Walk is really one of my favorite stamp sets in the Spring Mini.  Okay, so all of the sets are my favorite!  You know how much I love birds and the bird in this stamp set is just beautiful.  This set has lots of great possibilities.  Here is my card:

The cool technique with this card is I used one of my CLEAR blocks as a STAMP! Yes, isn't that cool? Who knew? One of my demonstrators on my team used this technique on a card and I just loved it. 

I learned a few tips along the way of making this card.  Let me share. 

TIPS: First, I used my Clear Block D and stamped it onto the Very Vanilla cardstock using Crumb Cake ink.  The tip is to make sure when stamping with the Clear Block you are stamping on a hard surface.  For instance, if you are using a plastic craft table, this technique does not really work.  The table gives when you push down to stamp and then your image is not clear.  It's very spotty.  Actually, it's FLAT UGLY! To avoid this happening, stamp the Clear Block on a hard surface.  Works like a champ.

This happens to be the card I was going to video and show you the technique in action…we'll blame it on the kids for the reason it's not done.  <smile>

This was a super fast card to make with very few layers but the images produce that WOW factor. I really like it.  Below you will find the materials I used for the card and you can find all the supplies to make this in my Online Store. 

Materials Used:

Stamp Sets: Nature Walk, Hello You

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Not Quite Navy

Ink: Marina Mist, Not Quite Navy, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Old Olive

Accessories: Spritzer Tool, Stamp-a-ma-jig

I hope your Monday is shaping up to be super fantastic.  I have a few stories to share with you later tonight.  Stories that could potentially make you laugh right along with ME!

XOXOXO

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Spring is Here!

From the looks of the weather around the U.S. not everyone is experiencing Spring like weather. Here in Northern Virginia the weather has been pretty Spring like and the Cherry Blossom Tree's are starting to bloom.  To look back one year ago I came here to house hunt with the kids over Spring Break.  It doesn't feel possible that it's already been a year.  Time is ticking fast.

Today I wanted to share a nice Spring card that showcases the great Watercolor Crayons again.  I love to watercolor because it's so relaxing. There are times though that I don't have a lot of time to sit and watercolor.  Today's technique is perfect for this.  Let me show you.

This technique is when you take the Watercolor Crayon directly to the rubber stamp and then spritz some water (or your Stampin' Mist in my case) over the image and then you stamp it.  This creates a watercolor effect and really looks beautiful.  The technique is easy and works SUPER great with solid images like the one above from the stamp set Just Believe. I've created a video for you so you can re-create this technique.  Whoo Hoo!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Just Believe

Cardstock: Regal Rose, Rose Red, Garden Green, Confetti White

Ink: Basic Black, Old Olive, Garden Green

Accessories: Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch, Decorative Label Punch,Cutter Kit, Brights Collection DSP, Brights Watercolor Crayons, Regals Watercolor Crayons, Snips, Paper Piercer & Mat Pack

Enjoy the video and have a SUPER week!

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Come Dance with Me!

Maybe we're not really dancin', but we are Two Steppin'.  Two Step Stampin' that is!!  Here is another embarrassing fact-o about me- It's been forever since I've used a Two Step stamp.  Then once I pulled it out and played with it again I fell in love all over.  My workshop hostess wanted me to show a Two Step stamp and I loved this because it made me Two Step.  Ha!  It's SO nice having clear stamps to make this technique much easier.  If you do not own Clear stamps then you can use a Stamp-a-ma-Jig  with your wood stamps to make the process seamless.  

I used the Awash with Flowers stamp set:

When this stamp set came out it was not on my favorite list.  After I made this simple card, it's totally on it! I plan to mass produce this one!!

I started this card using Naturals Ivory cardstock as my card base.  I cut another piece of Naturals Ivory 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 and ran it through my Big Shot using the Framed Tulips Embossing Folder.  Using this embossing folder gave me plenty of room to stamp in the center of the frame.  I stamped the stems in Old Olive ink.  I stamped the first solid floral image on the right using Daffodil Delight ink.  The second floral image I used a Rock n Roll technique.  Stamp your Daffodil Delight first and then roll the edges of the inked image in Pumpkin Pie.  Ohhhh Wee… already it's looking pretty.  Now comes the Two Steppin'.  Take the floral outline images and stamp them over the solid floral images using Tangerine Tango. 

Using a background stamp like En Francais, ink it up using the Daffodil Delight and lightly press the stamp over the stamped floral images.  Because you are stamping this over the Textured Embossed area the impression is hit and miss and gives this card a really nice vintage feel. 

Stamp your banner using the sentiment from the Blessed Mother stamp set. Punch a Decorative Label using the Decorative Label punch from the Newsprint Designer Series Paper.  Snail this onto your card from in the bottom right corner.  Adhere your banner over this.  Add a Daffodil Delight button to your banner using a Mini Glue Dot and your card is complete. 

Again, it's as simple card but one I'm super pleased with.  You can find all the supplies to make this card by checking out my Online Store.  Make sure you check the Clearance Rack from time to time, too! 

I hope your weekend is fantabulous.  Check back tomorrow when I share my Workshop Bloopers and what happens when you forget a VERY important product.  <smile> I'll share the card above again and how we fixed it without the product we needed and the other projects we made.   I think you will like it!

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Time to Perk Up!

The other day I asked if you had a stamp set that you haven't used in awhile. One that you were SO in love with but it's sat on your stamp room shelf being neglected. This really made me think about a few sitting on my own shelf.  Morning Cup was one of the first stamp sets I had to have when the new catalog came out.  I was so excited about having a coffee set.  Funny how this set has just collected dust.  I pulled this stamp set out last night and had a BLAST.  What's even better is I created a video making this card because I  had a Watercoloring Trick discovery.  Whooo Hoooo!!!  I was so excited at 11pm last night and no one was here to celebrate with.  WHAT a bummer!!  I shared my excitement with you on my Video!! I hope you don't mind. 

I challenge each of you to pull out that FAVORITE stamp set you HAD to purchase and stamp with it today.  Wipe the dust bunnies away and make it smile.

Here are the products I used for this card.  You can find all of them in my Online Store.  It's filled with FUN products just waiting for you to use. I loved pulling out my Watercolor Crayons, too!  Boy have I missed these guys!

Stamps: Morning Cup, Elizabeth

Ink: Stazon Ink Black, Crumb Cake

Cardstock: Confetti Cream, Watercolor Paper, Soft Suede,

Accessories: Finial Textured Embossing Folder, Decorative Label Punch, Neutral Buttons, Neutral Watercolor Crayons,      2 3/8 Scallop Circle punch, Aqua Painter, 1 3/4 Circle Punch, Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon, Linen Thread

Here is the video! Enjoy and have a GREAT day!

Are you looking for the Easter Blossoms Tutorial? Click HERE to download it today.  It will only be available for 30 days. 

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Easter Blossoms FREE Tutorial!

Boy am I excited. Super excited to share my Easter Blossoms Class Tutorial with you.  Today I held my class here at my home and we stamped all four cards I am sharing with you here in the tutorial and they stamped the bonus cards.  I love being able to show them the many mistakes I make along the way.  Seriously, I can screw up a card pretty darn quick. 

Below you will find pictures of two of the cards.  You can find the other two cards in the tutorial.  The tutorial will give you brief instructions, dimensions and supplies used for the class.  If you made a purchase of $50 or more you will receive the 8 Page Bonus Cards with dimensions and Photos as well as a video showcasing the cards by 2pm EST Wednesday, March 16th via email.  You can still make a $50 purchase until Sunday, March 20th @ midnight to receive these bonus products.  After Sunday these Bonus items will go in the Vault! You won't be disappointed.  You can visit my online store HERE!

You can find he Easter Blossoms stamp set HERE! It's a beautiful set and perfect for Spring and Easter cards. 

You can download the Supply List for all the cards HERE.

Last but NOT least, HERE is the Free Tutorial! I hope you enjoy it!

Have a GREAT week!

XOXOXO

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