The theme of this two-week challenge is so obvious, I feel "redundant" just typing it again. We want to see your "Fishy" creations. I almost purchased a mermaid stamp for this challenge and then I remembered I am supposed to be using stash.
I had really become frustrated while trying to complete this challenge. The fish stamps in my stash were either too small or too large for this pop-up card. In the end, I smooshed Oxide inks and Brusho onto card stock and used a set of fish dies for which I have no stamps. It worked like a charm!
I used one of my wave dies as a stencil to create the wave pattern on the back panel. This card was very easy to create and I love how it pops up when taken out of the envelope.
Thanks so much for visiting! I look forward to seeing your
613 Avenue Create's April challenge is a chance to shake off the "Winter Woes" and to "Revel in the Magic of Spring. Anything you might find "In The Garden" can be used as the theme of your project!
BLOOM
Where You Are!
This project was inspired by a Jo Rice Tutorial.
Lately, I find myself having the most fun in my attempts to recreate trendy projects using the stamps I have on hand. I must admit that the projects involve quite a bit of, "Oh, wait, I know I have a flower that looks almost just like that," followed by forty-five minutes to an hour looking for "that" flower stamp.😀 The redemption comes from the joy of finding "that" stamp and few others too.
Owning all of the AALL & Create Stamps is not in my crafting budget. I have purchased a few (Thanks, Uncle Sam,) and I have set a goal of purchasing bundles when offered at Hochanda and Craftstash. Interestingly, I have discovered many stamps in my stash that make great substitutes. In November of 2020, I used my birthday money to order a bunch of border stamps from AliExpress. They were cheap, and the store owner showed pictures of how these stamps could be cut apart and used individually! I use them all the time as a substitute when following a tutorial by Tracy or Jo.
This Unity Stamp has been stash since 2012. I used to get the monthly kits, most of which went unopened.
I planned to use this stamp with the script but it did not work. I opted instead for fussy cutting the petals and stacking them on the card. I stamped the image three times, removed the leaves from all but one, and added them to the bottom of the floral spray. I left them uncolored to continue the scheme of black and white spotlighting in the project.
This project attracted my attention for two reasons, the diagonal stenciling on the two layers, and the black and white spotlighting. In the tutorial, Jo did not use Bundled Sage. I just love Bundled Sage and Wilted Violet together. I used my Crackle Stencil to add Sage highlights.
This beautiful butterfly is a Martha Stewart Stamp Set. I purchased this on December 14, 2011. I used it for the first time two weeks ago. It now resides in my "special" stamps container. I don't want to lose it again.
One of the fun techniques I have learned in my recent classes is "partial stamping." This image is the barrel of a fountain pen. I only wanted the word "imagine." I think partial stamping takes the project to the next level. Now I look at my stamps through a new and exciting lens.
Another technique I am using more these days is stamping words from different sets and using them on my projects. I am also doing more splattering. I used Wilted Violet and Fossilized Amber to create the confetti splatter on this card.
My blooms were "faux" watercolored with distress ink and pastel chalk pencils. I also used oil pencils to darken the center of the blooms. The spot color on the butterfly is Liquid Pearls.
I know this was a bit of a picture bomb. Thanks for looking!
Hugz,
Chana Malkah
Stuff I Used:
Flowers: Unity Stamp Company- "everyday fairytale" (December 2012 Kit of the Month)
This is the second card in my"Off The Wall" series. I am really trying to make it easier for my clients to order cards. Creating and naming series is a major first step.
As soon as I finished the background, I knew there was only one sentiment that would work. I don't have a lot of bold sentiments so I think this "Best Day Ever" stamp will get a lot of use!
I went a little crazy with my stencils and inks but it was crazy good fun! I truly am having a love affair with Ranger's Speckled Egg Distress Oxide and Regular Distress inks. Those two colors mixed with Iced Spruce Oxide and Tumbled Glass regular Distress Ink results in a beautiful and dramatic tone on tone fade-out!
The Optional Twist at 613 Avenue Create this month is to use Washi Tape (foiled or matte.)
I own tons of Washi and I rarely use it. I subscribe to a planner kit and each month I get 6 to 8 rolls of foiled and matte Washi tapes. Although I use these in my planner, it is difficult to use an entire roll in one month of planning. This challenge made me think about more interesting ways to use my tapes so you may see a lot of Washi tape on my upcoming projects.
A Bad Day
Fade-Out Infinity Stenciling is so cool. I keep my color wheel handy because I don't want to end up with muddy colors. I am amazed at how each layer claims it's own space and also at the preception of depth this technique creates!
This lovely weekday (foiled) Washi was the perfect choice for my sentiment. I started the design, Creating my own backgrounds has definitely become an addiction for me. I have a huge collection of stencils and now feel justified in making so many impulse purchases! I could not afford them at today's prices! I actually ordered mylar this week so I create stencils of my favorite dies
I added a little gold splatter to the face panel and while it has an orangish tone in the photos, it sparkles IRL. I experimented with three different card bases but in the end, the black card seemed to be the best choice.
Happy Moments
Step Tutorial
Tools:
Paper Trimmer
Stamping platform or acrylic block
Die Pick
Blending Brushes
Craft Tweezers
Heat Tool (embossing)
Supplies:
Distress Inks: (I used: Squeezed Lemonade, Shaded Lilac, Worn Lipstick, Cracked Pistachio, Iced Spruce.) Use what you have. You may substitute any ink as long as it is dye-based. Pigment ink will not work.
Other Inks: Momento Tuxedo Black, VersMark Watermark
Paper:
Black Card Stock 110 lb or higher White Card Stock 110 lb or higher
Craft Foam Sheets
Other Supplies:
Stencils (at least two)
Washi Tape
Sentiment Stamp(s)
Sequins
Embossing Powder
Embossing Powder Tool
Teflon Bone Folder
Adhesives:
Wet Glue
Glue runner
Double-sided tape
removable tape or low tack tape
Process
Cut the black cardstock to 4-1/4" x 11" and score at 5-1/2" Cut your white cardstock to 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" (you will trim this later)
Using low tack tape, adhere the white cs to your work surface. Optional: You may apply a base color to your white cardstock before beginning to stencil.
Place your first stencil over your paper and adhere it to your work surface. Avoid placing tape over any area of the stencil that will be inked. Using your first ink color, begin blending from the outer edges and work toward the center. Blend in additional colors as desired. If you plan to highlight your sentiment or an image from your second stencil, you should leave white space in the center of your design. Remove the first stencil.
Position your second stencil. You can move the stencil to color images into a particular area depending on your desired design.
Color your "anchor" image.
Color remaining images and blend in your complimentary colors. When coloring is complete, use a clean blending brush to blend in all the colors making sure to blend out any sharp lines.
Trim your panel to the appropriate size. The panel of the tutorial project was trimmed to 4" x 5-1/4".
Add splatter (I used gold and white) or other mediums to give your background design additional interest. Water droplets are another possibility if you are using Ranger Distress Inks or Oxide Inks.
Wipe the front of the panel with a powder embossing tool.
Position your sentiment on your stamping tool or acrylic block.
Stamp your sentiment/images black ink.
Use a baby wipe to clean your stamps (do not remove them from your stamping tool.) Stamp the sentiments/image again using the VersaMark embossing ink.
Cover the entire sentiment/image with CLEAR embossing powder. Return excess EP to the container and lightly tap the back of the panel to remove the excess powder. Heat emboss the sentiment. (apply heat to the back of the card first and then move to the front.)
For added dimension, apply craft foam or double-sided foam tape to the back of your card. If you use craft foam, cut it 1/8" smaller than your panel.
Secure the foam to the back of your panel with both double-sided tape and wet glue.
Position the panel on your card base.
Add your decorative strip. (I used Washi tape. You can substitute ribbon or an intricate die-cut border strip.)
In my continuing effort to use my stash, I decided to use this fade-out stenciling practice panel. You can see the other project, FLAMINGO, (HERE). The great part was all I had to do was add ribbon, cord, sequins, and a brad. The oval sentiment was resting on the panel in my stash pile so I decided to use it. I originally mounted it on white card stock but the black is far more dramatic!
It is so good to feel well enough to craft again, even though it only an hour or so each day. I am still working with background creation and the use of bold sentiment stamps. On this project, I am using another Tammy Tutterow sentiment.
JOY!
I always forget that stamping on resist projects can be challenging. I probably could have stamped the sentiment several more times to get a bolder impression but I was hoping the clear embossing would intensify the color to my satisfaction. Alas, it is okay but not ideal. This was a fun technique to learn.
I started by making random scribbles on my panel with the Art Crayons. I used a sponge to blend the colors. Next, I used a stencil and gesso. I need to thin out my gesso. I did not get the full impression of my stencil but a nice section shows through in the lower right-hand corner. I applied gesso in a random fashion. After this has dried, I came in with darker crayon color and scribbled it randomly just as I did with the first layer. I used a baby wipe to spread the color so that I can see the stencil design (gesso resist.) I used a piece of tissue paper to wipe the area of the panel where I used the baby wipe. I added a little more of the dark color in one or two random spots and use the baby wipe again to blend it out. Once I was satisfied with my background, I used my Bira Stamping Platform to add the sentiment. I rummaged through my stash and found a small piece of green ribbon and some green and aqua flowers. I added these to the panel along with a few sequins. I stamped a simple image on the inside of the card and added a thin washi strip across the top.
I hope this week will be one in which I can do more crafting and less resting! I have yet to use any of the items in the "Dollar Tree" haul that "The Hubster" presented to me.
