Coloring with Copics & Dry Embossing

Today is a bad day for allergies, and mine are killing me. I am a bit out of it, so if my words don't make much sense, that is why.
This is one of my favorite images from Inky Impressions Rubber Stamps, called Angelica's Bunny Hugs. I have a gift I want to send to my niece, so I thought Angelica would be perfect to base a card off of for her. The layout from a card sketch challenge from Splitcoast Stampers was my inspiration.
I love dry embossing with my Cuttlebug, it adds a nice texture and design to a card without making the design too busy. For the element on the right of my main image, I cut out a light blue piece of card-stock, matting it with pink then ran it through my Cuttlebug. Then I punched out tiny flowers in a medium blue, dotted the centers with Stickles.
This was a fun sketch to play around with, and I hope my niece enjoys her card!
Thanks for stopping by & happy stamping!
Lisa :)

To Wonderful You - MFTWSC77

I saw the sketch challenge from My Favorite Things and had to play along.

The embossed panel is created by sponging several shades of ink onto white card-stock then running it through the Sizzix with an embossing folder.

Create the flowered panel by stamping the flower image in green, masking it then stamping the leaf image in blue over the green flowers.  Then randomly sponge blue, green, and some pink around the image. Remove mask. Create the frame by cutting out strips of white card-stock, scallop punch the edge and edge in pink. Stamp green dashes then scallop edge punch a strip of masking paper, apply and sponge blue ink over it. Assemble frame and adhere to flower image. Finally, stamp flowers again this time in pink on a white card-stock scrap. Cut out the flower part only, apply yellow Stickles (I actually did this part at the start so the Stickles would be dry in time to assemble), then apply to the green stems with dimensional dots.

Thank you for visiting my blog!
Happy Stamping, Lisa :)

UTEE - Crackle Effect

Did I mention that I love UTEE? Here is another way I utilized it in a card.

For the central element I stamped the flower image then the sentiment "find joy", cut it out, then sponged VersaMark over the entire surface. Finally, I dipped it in UTEE and applied heat with a heat gun. Repeat this 3 more times: VersaMark, UTEE, heat gun. Allow to cool, then bend, or push up on the back, until it cracks and you achieve the effect you find appealing.

In the design of this card, I was inspired by a quilt pattern. After choosing two complimentary papers, I decided on one for the background and cut that to size. Then, I cut paper shapes out of the other piece, sponged ink on the edges and applied to the background paper.

I am currently a huge fan of the crochet lace ribbon. I love the texture and it has the vintage/antique feel that I find comforting and enjoy incorporating into my work. I felt it was the perfect accent for the central image on this card.

The yellow background matting is embossed with a Sizzix folder.

Thank you for visiting and here is to inky fingers!
Lisa :)

Utee Embossing - Valentine Card

One of my favorite things about making cards is getting in there and altering paper to create what I want. Utee, ultra thick embossing enamel, is just TOO much fun! With this product you can create unique embellishments that fit the project you are designing. I use it whenever I can find an excuse to.

For this card I covered a chipboard heart with red ink, stamped the sentiment in white, then embossed it with Utee 3 times. If you have never used it, all you do is cover the heart with VersaMark, dip into Utee, and heat with a heat gun. As I am embossing, I usually hold the piece with some sort of clip, because the gun produces high heat and you can burn yourself. I repeated the steps 2 more times and allowed it to cool with a ripple effect.

To create the "Valentine" sentiment, I sprayed card-stock with Tsukinek's Walnut Ink, stamped the sentiment, cut it out and distressed the edges. Walnut Ink is another of my favorite tools that I use to alter paper by distressing it. So much fun!

Thank you for visiting & happy stamping!
Lisa :)

Over-stamping with Clear Embossing Powder

I was asked by a church group to create over 40 cards for their ladies inspiration group, so I will be posting them here and there. The details for this card are as follows:

First I stamped the flower image in yellow ink, then over-stamped with VersaMark and embossed with clear powder. Next I sponged blue ink over that image, cut to desired size and then sponged blue ink on the edges. I cut the cardstock with the sentiment "you're on my mind" to the desired size, sponged yellow ink onto the bottom and sides. The rest of the card is pretty self-explanatory.

The inspiration for the layout is from Splitcoast Stampers Sketch Challenge SC373.

Thank you for visiting my blog!
Sincerely,
Lisa :)

Easy Easter Bags

 

I volunteer my time making cards at the center my grandmother attended, Daybreak West. The center provides activities for people suffering from memory loss and respite for their caregivers. Daybreak became an integral part of our lives and part of our family during the last 8 years that my gram was with us.

Here is a bag I came up with to make with the participants for Easter. I have to keep the projects simple, because the they are child-like in ability and attention span. The stamping wheels are great for them. I have them run it over the ink pad and then over the bag to create a fun patterned backdrop.To create the mulit-colored panel, simply sponge random colored ink onto white card-stock panel. They really enjoy this! Getting inky fingers is the fun part =D

After we created the bag, we filled it with Easter grass and goodies.

When I work with Daybreak (and anyone for that matter), I emphasize that your art is your own and does not have to duplicate mine. I encourage them to be creative and express themselves by doing their own thing when the spirit strikes them. One of my favorite things about art is that it is an expression of self, and there is no "that's wrong!" in art.
Thank you for stopping by and happy stamping!
Lisa :)

Creative Background

For this card I decided to create my own papers. Everything started out as white card-stock.

Background: Mask off stripes horizontally then sponge blue ink; repeat vertically. Using a texture patterned folder, run through embossing machine. Cut white card-stock 1/8" larger than sides of textured piece, then edge punch bottom. Adhere textured piece to the edged piece, then cut top leaving 1/8" boder.

Flowers: Sponge red ink on white card-stock, punch out with flower punch, and edge by sponging red ink on edges.  Assemble white paper flower over the top and attach with silver brad. Apply Stickles to brad to bring in background color.

Sentiment: Sponge blue ink on cardstock, stamp sentiment in black, then cut out and sponge edges. Sponge red ink on a piece of card-stock. Mat sentiment with white cardstock, then the red-inked sponged card-stock.

Main card: Sponge front of card with red ink and assemble!

Thank you for stopping by my blog & happy stamping!
Lisa :)