Monday, July 31, 2017

Youth Monday #31-2017

Monday is our day to make a baby or youth card.  Baby cards do not mean you have to use blue or pink.


I decided to use a cute Darice embossing folder I had. I wanted to do a method where you swipe an ink pad over one side of the embossing folder and then put the paper in before running it through the embossing folder.  I had tried Distress inks before, but didn't like the way they turned out.  Having just  purchased the first twelve colors of the Distress Oxide ink, I decided to try one of those.  I used Cracked Pistachio and swiped it across the side that had depressions on it (vs the raised side) until it looked like it had good coverage.  I put in a blank card base and sent it through.  I did the same with a Ranger Archival ink pad in Yellow Chrome.  Both of them worked well and gave a nice white relief on the raised part of the embossed image. I stamped the two sentiments (one from the Fiskars set called Sentiments and one from a set called Baby Love, maker unknown) in black ink.  I thought it was still a little plain, so I added three white buttons from my stash to each. I do like my now Oxide inks because they are a combination of pigment and dye ink and seem to work better for some techniques over the Distress inks.- Denise 

Sunday, July 30, 2017

Shine and Sparkle Sunday #31-2017

We have an extra week for July.  This whole month we have been using embossing on all our cards.  Today I add shine to the embossing.


I made this card for a 60th anniversary because I thought the sentiment was a good one for their lives together.  I had some shimmer type paper and put it through a Cuttlebug embossing folder (I don't know the name) and trimmed the sides.  I used gold embossing powder on the sentiment that I stamped on velum with Versamark.  I put adhesive on the back where the wording was and the also used gold brads to keep the corners down.  After putting gold washi tape down the sides of a card base, I put the panel on the front. The stamp is from Club Scrap called Navigation. - Denise

Saturday, July 29, 2017

Shapely Saturday 30-2017

Shapely Saturday is make cards of different shapes.

Sue has an "eggs"-citing shape for us.


I started by stamping various borders with Versamark and alternating with different colours of WOW embossing powders (Metalline Red, Primary Luscious Lime and Opaque Primary Azure), which we heat set. I was at a bit of a loss to decide what shape to make this card. I pulled out my “old” Creative Memories cutting system and looked through the various patterns. I decided on an “egg” – a bit late for Easter! I cut the heat embossed panel with the easter egg shape and also cut the card with the same shape. I adhered the embossed panel to the front.- Sue

Friday, July 28, 2017

C.A.S.E A Card Friday #30-2017

C.A.S.E. this card which features fussy cutting around the embossing.


Sue's card is a real beauty.


For my CASE card, I was inspired by fussy cut embossed panel on the lower right, the pink dotted embossed background on the upper left and the popped up matted oval sentiment on pink. I started by using the Sizzix/Stampin’ Up’s Elegant lines textured Impressions folder on a piece of white cardstock. I fussy cut the panel. I also used a pink of light pink cardstock with Cuttlebug’s Swiss dots embossing folder. I used Stampin’ Up’s Made for You stamp set for the sentiment and used Stampin’ Up’s oval punch, as well as Stampin’ Up’s scalloped oval punch for the mat, which is popped up with dimensionals. - Sue


Thursday, July 27, 2017

Technique Thursday #30-2017

The technique for today is called iron-off embossing.  You can see videos to do this here and here.

It really shines in Sue's card.


I started with Hero Arts Looped Circle pattern decorative, Versamark ink and clear embossing powder and heat set the panel. I added colours with distress inks (mustard seed, spiced marmalade and picked raspberry) with ink blending tools. To add the shine, I spritzed with water mixed with a bit of Perfect Pearls in my mini mister.  I left the card overnight to dry. Then with my iron and some printer paper, folded in half, I placed the card into the folded printer paper and carefully ironed the paper. I checked periodically to ensure that the embossing powder was being removed and moved the card around to a “clean” section to iron the card again.The sentiment is from Simon Says STAMP Flower Friend stamp set, cut out with Stampin’ Up’s Decorative Label punch. - Sue

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Card Sketch Wednesday #30-2017

This is our card sketch for today.


Sue has a cheerful combination of colors for her creation from the sketch.


I started with Impression Obsession Cover-a-card  Flourishes stamp, Versamark ink and clear embossing powder. I added colour with distress inks (twisted citron and peacock feathers) with ink blending tools. I created the band with a scrap of bright green cardstock, cut 1 3/4'” wide. The sentiment from Simon Says STAMP Lots of Thanks stamp set, cut out with Stampin’ Up’s Decorative Label punch.- Sue

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Sympathy Tuesday #30-2017

Embossing can make a simple but stunning sympathy cards such as the one Sue has for us today.


To emboss the panel, I used Couture Creations Exotic embossing folder and trimmed the panel to 3 1/4” x 4 1/8”. Before adhering the embossed panel to the card, I added a small bow and black grosgrain ribbon. The sentiment is from Paper Smooches Salutations stamp set. - Sue

Monday, July 24, 2017

Youth Monday #30-2017

Youth Monday is a chance to make fun cards for a young (or yount at heart) person in your life.



I used CTMH Pinwheel SI305, Versamark ink and WOW embossing powders (Metalline Red, Primary Luscious Lime and Opaque Primary Azure). I fussy cut the pinwheels. I stamped the sticks with Versafine Onyx Black ink. I used coloured brads for the pinwheel centres. The sentiment is from the same stamp set. I popped up the pinwheels with dimensionals. - Sue


Sunday, July 23, 2017

Shine and Sparkle Sunday #30-2017

Sue is our designer for this week. She adds a touch of glitter to a card that uses a wonderful embossing folder that adds great texture.


Closeup

I masked off the central area of my card. I added distress inks (peacock feathers and twisted citron) and perfect pearls (interference green) with a brush. I then used the We R M
emory Keepers’ Geometric embossing folder. I diecut the sentiment using MFT DieNamics Happy Hellos, and covered it with Wink of Stella for a bit of sparkle.  - Sue

Saturday, July 22, 2017

Shapely Saturday 29-2017

Saturday's are all about cards that are a different shape than the normal rectangle.

Gracie made a card that has such a huge impact on the recipient - the explosion box card.  Even it's name is impressive. 


And a view of the card open.


Ok...  Today's card took a long time but you recipient always likes them!  I used quite a bit of 12 x 12 inch paper from a paper pad (KC&Co - Jubilee).  It helps a lot if you have a score board.  I made three layers and decorated each panel with flowers and die cut butterflies.  I folder and creases the center and placed butterflies on acetate so they would appear as flying.  I even put butterflies and flowers on the lid. ~ Gracie 


Friday, July 21, 2017

C.A.S.E A Card Friday #29-2017

The card we are C.A.S.E.ing today has a homey feel.


Gracie most certainly kept the same feel with her wonderful card.


Today's card came together quickly.  I started with a white card base.   I cut a panel using light green cardstock and embossed it with a polka dot embossing folder.  The mason jar is a tag from Michael's and the flowers are from Michael's as well.  I adhered a strip of brown cardstock to the panel before adhering the jar and flowers.  I added a "tag" which is chipboard.  I used the jute from the tag. ~ Gracie 

Thursday, July 20, 2017

Technique Thursday #29-2017

The technique today is called emerging corners embossing.  How to can be found here.

Gracie's card uses some beautiful colors in her corners and creates a pretty card.


Oh, me.  My card probably doesn't look anything like the YouTube video!  Sure am glad I have a MISTI!  I started with a white panel and a Technique Tuesday stamp.  I stamped both corners twice with different inks.  I only had to do it 3 times to try to make it a decent attempt!  I used SU Costal Cabana and Pistachio Pudding inks.  I also used the same cardstock colors to mat my panel.  I stamped my sentiment with black Memento ink and added a diecut heart and a bit of twine. ~ Gracie 




Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Card Sketch Wednesday #29-2017

Today's card sketch is fairly simple.


Gracie made a wonderful card with her interpretation of the sketch.


I enjoyed making today's card but I always love a sketch I don't have to think so much lol!  I started with a white card base and a panel of chevron cardstock from my scrap box.  I embossed a white panel and placed it over the chevron.  I die cut two flowers using my Silhouette with more paper from my scrap box.  The shiny embellishment is a die cut I received in a swap - it is really pretty!  The sentiment is from Technique Tuesday. I placed a stripe of the chevron cardstock over the embossed panel then adhered everything.  I love how the card turned out! ~ Gracie 


Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Sympathy Tuesday #29-2017

I had need of four sympathy cards last week, so keeping some made is always helpful.  

Gracie has a wonderful card that would be perfect to send to a man who has suffered a loss.


Today's card started with burnt orange cardstock for a base and green cardstock for the panel.  I stamped the image (Deep Red's Classic Pickup) using Memento Luxe Tuxedo Black ink and embossed with Whispers clear embossing powder (I have had good luck without having to use my powder before I stamp with Whispers).  I colored the image with Spectrum Noir markers using reds, oranges, and browns trying to make the truck look rusty.  I fussy cut it and put it on brown craft paper and stamped the sentiment (from Technique Tuesday).  I die cut an oval in cream cardstock and placed it over the craft paper and adhered it to the panel.  I don't know about y'all but I am finding I need more masculine sympathy cards lately  :(  ~ Gracie 

Monday, July 17, 2017

Youth Monday #29-2017

Youth Monday means an adorable card from Gracie.


Today's card started with a yellow card base, a black and white striped panel and a Pink and Main stamp set Bugs N Kisses.  I stamped the image on Neenah Bright White cardstock and colored the image with Spectrum Noir markers.  I added some Wink of Stella to the butterflies and the image. ~ Gracie 

Sunday, July 16, 2017

Shine and Sparkle Sunday #29-2017

We are in week three of our embossing month of July.  

Sparkle and Shine Sunday brings this elegant card from Gracie.


I received a card in a swap that was so pretty I had to partially CASE it.  I only copied the background.  I stamped butterflies with clear Versamark ink and embossed with iridescent ice.  It is really shiny.  I added a strip of organza ribbon and some paper roses from Michael's.  The card base is gray and the panel is off-white.  The roses are gray and beige.  ~ Gracie 

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Shapely Saturday 28-2017

If you are looking for the Bleach Technique Blog Hop click here.l

When making a card that is not a normal rectangle or square, you don't need special dies.  Tantalaya has a beautiful Z fold card that can be done with a basic paper cutter.



For this Card challenge I created the z-fold card I used the Chesterfield paper collection by Blue Fern. For the stamped images I used the Versafine black ink and I heat embossed it with clear embossing powder. I then used some color pencils to color in the flowers and butterfly. I finished off the card using flowers from the wild & free paper collection. - Tantalaya

Friday, July 14, 2017

Blog Hop-Bleaching Your Cards-Year of Techniques




Welcome to A Year of Card Techniques Blog Hop where each month we feature a different card technique.  We’ve assembled a team of card makers who range from new to advanced, so you’ll see a great variety of cards and ideas.
From laundry, to disinfectant, to fashion, bleach is a staple in many households; but did you know you can use bleach in your card making and paper crafting? Yup, from stamping, to painting, and several techniques in between, we’re going to share our experiments with you. And if you would like to check out our past technique hops, you can do that here:




Our  amazing sponsor this month is Debbie Bonczek of Close to My Heart.





Please take a moment to check out the great products Close to My Heart has to offer. To visit Debbie's blog, click here.


And the awesome prizes this month are:





We really appreciate feedback, so please leave a comment on each of the blogs in the hop today. While you are encouraged to comment at any time, only comments received by Friday, July 21, 2017 at 8:00pm (EST) will be eligible to win. The winner will be announced on Sunday, July 23, 2017 on A Piece of (my) Heart’s blog, so be sure to check her blog on Sunday the 23rd to see if you are the lucky winner.


You should  have arrived here from Wima. If you're visiting  here first, you might want to start at the beginning so you don't miss out on increasing your chance of winning by commenting on  each blog.


We start with design team member, Gracie.


Bleach is so much fun...  I ruin clothes, I spill it on my craft table.  But it makes a cool effect on cards!  I used 2 colors of cardstock - dark blue and brown with totally different results.  I stamped hot air balloons using a Hampton Arts stamp set with Memento Luxe Tuxedo Black ink and embossed with Whispers clear embossing powder.  I painted each of the balloons with bleach and let them dry.  They blue dried to be beige color and the brown to a yellow.  The baskets on the balloons show the original color.  I mounted them on some Grahpics 45 paper from the "Come Fly Away With Me" collection I touched up with blue and brown distress inks.  The sentiment is stamped with gold embossing powder and is from the same stamp set.  I added 3 bronze buttons and mounted the panel on a brown panel and placed it on a white cardstock card base.  I used foam dots to pop up the blue balloon for dimension.  Now go play with bleach! ~ Gracie 

Next we have Sue.

Closeup view

So, I was stuck because I didn’t have any bleach. I was trying to figure out if I could substitute bleach with something else. However, it’s pretty difficult to use a bleach technique, without bleach. So, I asked my neighbor and she gave me about a quarter of a cup of bleach. Yippee for neighbours!
I started by doing direct to paper with Distress Ink – Peacock Feathers and I added Distress Ink – Blueprint Sketch with an ink blending tool, along the edges of the panel. I heated the panel with my heat tool to help the drying process.  I then used an embossing buddy to ensure the panel was dry and that embossing powder wouldn’t adhere where it wasn’t supposed to. I used the small flower from Simon Says STAMP Look for the Miracles and stamped with the Blueprint Sketch distress ink and then covered with clear embossing powder. I tried to work quickly  (I didn’t want the distress ink to dry because the embossing powder wouldn’t adhere). Using a small paint brush, I dipped into the bleach and “painted” the petals of the flowers and let the bleach sit. I didn’t notice much of a change in colour right away. However, as the bleach dried, the colour was “bleached” out. I liked the look. I cut the panel on a bit of a diagonal. To finish the card, I added a thin silver strip and heat embossed with silver the sentiment from Simon Says STAMP Summer Garden on a strip of black cardstock.  - Sue


Now comes Tantalaya.


I used the hello lovely stamp set from Concord & 9th. After I heat embossed the image in black detail embossing powder then I took some of the house hold bleach and created this simple and yet beautiful card. Behind the sentiment is a piece of vellum that gives added interest. -Tantalaya 

Finally we have a set from Denise.

A closeup of the green card.

I took some of my card making supplies on vacation with me to make the panels for this technique.  Because I didn’t want to mess with liquid bleach, I used a bleach pen to add the bleach to the paper and then used a brush to pull it into all the area I wanted to bleach.  I had a limited supply of paper and cardstock with me, and found some cardstock worked better than others. In fact a couple really didn’t react at all or were really streaky, so I threw those away.  When I do this again, I will test the paper to see how it reacts before wasting the embossing. I used the same image of a very cool elephant head for all the cards from Unity Stamp Company called Huge Possibilities.  I used Versfine black ink and clear embossing powder. I used the bleach just within the image and it was interesting to see how it reacted on the different cardstock.  I had to go over the black three times to get it light enough to contrast. I made a set of cards using sentiments from CTMH, Just to Say and Altenew, Painted Greetings.  - Denise



Now you’re off to visit with Sandy. Hope you had fun and thanks for stopping by. See you next month with another technique!


The Card A Day Challenge Design Team.
Here’s the full line-up in case you get lost:  

C.A.S.E A Card Friday #28-2017

Cards to C.A.S.E. that include embossing are plentiful on Pinterest.  We used this card to C.A.S.E. from there.

C.A.S.E. card

Tantalaya found a great embossing folder to use for her C.A.S.E. card.



For this CASE card I love how the image was cut and then placed I a way that the image is complete even though it was cut on different paper. I used the Birch trees embossing folder from Stampin' Up! I changed the color to pink and green and used black velvet ribbon for the front. I then stamped the sentiment on a tag that was in my stash and attached it to the card front with foam tape. Also instead of putting space in between the images, I attached them up against each other to complete the image from the embossing folder that was used. - Tantalaya

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Technique Thursday #28-2017

Black Magic is the name of today's technique, as it involves embossing with white on a black or dark cardstock, then coloring over that.

Tantalaya's card certainly looks magical as it almost has a glow to it. 


I used a stamp set from Stampin' Up! and I heat embossed it in white and then used my Spectrum Noir markers to color in the flowers and stems. I then white embossed the sentiment as well and I attached it to the card base on top of pattern paper from DooddleBug Kitten Smitten 6x6 pad. - Tantalaya

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Card Sketch Wednesday #28-2017

The card sketch today has some wonderful open space to make special paper stand out and the embossing adds an extra touch.


Tantalaya shows a very pretty take on the sketch.


I used the Prima Wild & Free Paper Collection. I took the paper which is double sided and I cut it with the MFT stitched wave die and then attached both pieces to the card front. I was going to emboss the greeting on the pattern paper, but the gold embossing powder didn't stand out. So I embossed it on a white piece of paper and used foam tape to add dimension to the sentiment. - Tantalaya

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Sympathy Tuesday #28-2017

Embossing a sympathy card adds elegance. Tantalaya makes hers stand out by embossing velum.


I took a piece of vellum and embossed it using the Framed Canvas embossing folder by Spellbinders. I then took an A2 size card and cut a piece of Black and brown paper from a DCWV paper pad. I finish it off with the with sympathy sentiment in the center of the card. - Tantalaya

Monday, July 10, 2017

Youth Monday #28-2017

Youth cards are fun to make and Tantalaya has a great one with a quote from the always quotable Dr. Suess.


I used the Oh the places you'll go stamp set from Stamping Bella. I stamped the image and colored it in using the Prima Oil Pastels.and I then took some of the green oil pastels and splattered the card then I stamped some bubbles from the Layering Koi stamp set from Hero Arts. The bubbles I heat embossed with Versa Mark and Nuvo Gold embossing powder. - Tantalaya

Sunday, July 9, 2017

Shine and Sparkle Sunday #28-2017

We continue this month with the use of embossing (both heat and dry) to make some special cards.

Tantalaya is our designer this week and shows what fabulous texture can be achieved with embossing powder with our Shine and Sparkle Sunday card.


I used the Concord & 9th background stamp and embossed it on a piece of vellum with Versa Mark ink and Nuvo Gold embossing powder. I then took gold thread ad attached it to the front of the card with the sentiment giving the card texture, sparkle, and shine. - Tantalaya

Saturday, July 8, 2017

Shapely Saturday 27-2017

Shaped cards make it easy to wow someone. 

Kimberly really shows that wow factor with her card.


I used a doily die from my stash to create today’s card.  (I don’t remember the designer/manufacturer) The stamp sets are from Catherine Pooler’s Stamp of Approval – Young at Heart collection.  I stamped the sentiment with versafine black onyx ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  I stamped the background images with distress oxide inks.  I inked the edges with vintage photo distress oxide ink. - Kimberly

Friday, July 7, 2017

C.A.S.E A Card Friday #27-2017

It is always fun to see how the designer's C.A.S.E. cards.  

Kimberly did a great job C.A.S.E.ing this one.



I aspired to create a card that achieved the elegant feel of the inspiration photo.  I chose to use the vellum and repeated background elements in my card.  I didn’t have orange cardstock so I went with blue, the complimentary color.  I embossed the panel with a dotted background embossing folder and adhered it to a slightly larger panel of the same color.  I added glitter washi tape to draw the eye to the sentiment (Anna Griffin).  The gold butterfly (Anna Griffin) tied the composition together. - Kimberly

Thursday, July 6, 2017

Technique Thursday #27-2017

We are using embossing all month long and today's technique is called double embossing because it combines both heat and dry embossing.  How to do this can be found here.


Today’s technique is “double embossing”. The embossing folder is by Taylored Expressions.  I followed the directions provided in a Gina K. UTUBE video.  I applied Hero Arts Unicorn White Pigment Ink to the raised side of the embossing folder and dry embossed.  I then heat embossed the panel using clear embossing powder.  I applied Wilted Violet Distress Oxide Ink to the raised areas.  The embossed areas resisted the ink and created a very nice effect. I applied Vintage Photo Distress Oxide Ink to the edges of the card base, adhered the panel, added a sentiment (by LDRS) and a die cut butterfly by Penny Black (silver mirror card stock). – Kimberly

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Card Sketch Wednesday #27-2017

Our card sketch today is pretty straight forward.


Kimberly makes it striking by using a bold embossing folder.


The embossing folder I used today is from Sizzix (Eileen Hull).  The paper is gold text paper by the Paper Cut.  The paper is thin and embossed beautifully.  I adhered the panel to brown cardstock and added an Anna Griffin sentiment. - Kimberly