Experimenting or Playing???

When I attended the Copic certification class, the instructor said that using Georgia Pacific paper (found at WalMart) was a big NO-NO and that Neenah paper was best.  After researching about papers and inks more on the internet, some said that the GP paper was ok.  So I decided to find out for myself.  As I have found in the past what works for one may or may not work for me. The Neenah paper is on the left and the GP paper is on the right in each photo.  I did the exact same thing to each image.  The Neenah paper is definitely darker (and soaks up more ink) than the GP and with this first pass, I liked it better. 

These next two pictures show where I added more colors to give more details. The photo on the right shows where I added a bit of blending solution to give it some texture and make it look more like fabric.

Here is the final version.  For this particular project, I liked the GP paper because it looked more faded.   So which version do you like better?

PTI Challenge Card 2

This is my 2nd card for the birthday challenge (see previous post for more details).  I used Copic markers to color the bear and the balloon and used the airbrush system and Copic markers to color in the Happy Birthday tag.  The tag was cut using Labels Four from Spellbinders.  I chose Spica glitter pens to highlight the letters of Happy Birthday and the heart on his chest (although you can't see that detail in this photo.)  I wanted a little more dimension, so I pop dotted the arm, the heart, and the balloon.  I paper quilled the flower on the tag as well.  Finally, I used a relatively new Sizzix die to cut out the entire card base.  It's called Card Fronts, A2 Eyelet & Ornate.

PTI Birthday challenge

PaperTreyInk is celebrating their 3rd birthday. (The info about this can be found here.)   Although I just recently discovered this company and don't own any of their stamps (yet), today's contest let you download images to make a card.  I used my airbrush system with Copic markers to color in the sky and grass.  I masked the parts I didn't want colored.  I also used Copic markers for the house and balloon.  Then I decided Flower Soft (Polar White) would be great for my clouds so they would be nice and puffy.   Autumn Flower Soft was used on the sun because the shades of orange and yellow were perfect for a hot sun shining down and Spring Medley was used for my flowers all over the grass and by the house.  Although this is a birthday card, it would also be great for Valentine's, anniversary, lots of possibilities. 

Asymetrical card

I found a new technique (for me) on the internet, so I had to try it - paper flowers.  As with just about everything, the more you do it, the better the results and the easier it becomes.  I decided to be a bit nontraditional and created an asymetrical card, with the patterned paper hanging off the base of the card.  I attached the paper flowers using glue dots and then spritzed the entire surface with Smooch Spritz (Vanilla Shimmer). 

Here is a closer look at one of the flowers.

I used one of Martha Stewart's all around the paper punches for the bottom left corner (I cut a square in half diagonally) and spritzed it with Emerald Spring Smooch Spritz (love the stuff!).  This was a fun technique to try and I plan on making more.  You could also use fabric or ribbon to create these flowers.  As always, if you want more details, just let me know.

Postage folio

I was tired of having my "Forever" postage stamps loose in my drawer, so I decided to make a quick folder for them. I used a 6"wide x 8" tall piece of cardstock that I scored at 2 7/8" and 3 1/8".  I have a die that made the pockets, but if you don't have one, these measurements are 2 1/2" wide x 2 1/4" tall and scored at the 1/4" mark along the sides and bottom.  You can make the top of the pocket as decorative as you want. 

Not one to waste, I used the large Forever stickers that come on each sheet on stamps, plus a few other stamps that I had on hand.   This would also be a good gift to give someone that's getting their first apartment, going to college, a pen pal (along with some handmade notecards), etc.  You can make this as simple or elaborate as you want. 

A quick note about the double sided tape I used: Scor-Tape by Scor-Pal. I like it much better that the red liner tape because you can tear it off with your fingers (no scissors required) and the paper that protects the adhesive doesn't cling to you. It sticks as well as, if not better than, the red liner tape.  Enjoy.

Quilts anyone?

Since my mom loves to quilt, I decided to make her some notecards with a quilting theme.  For the majority of the cards, I double stamped the image, once on a plainer paper and once on patterned paper.  I "fancy cut" the quilt out of the patterned paper and layered it on top of the trunk image that I stamped and cut out.  For this first one, I used marbles and reinkers to make my own background.  This is a fun technique and turns out differently every time.

On this one, I used a Cuttlebug folder for my base and then used my blending tool and Distress inks to bring out the design of the background.  I also pop dotted the trunk for a more 3-D look. (You can always click on any image if you want to see a larger version.)

 Here I used my paper crimper and Distress inks on a thin sheet of cream colored paper.  I also added eyelets and varied the colors of my trunk and quilt.






For this one, I pop dotted the trunk from the Cuttlebugged solid paper and used the same patterned paper for the background as I did for the quilt. I used a walnut ink spritzer to make the paper for the trunk.

There was a lot of cutting for this project, but it was fun to do.  I made quite a few other variations as well, but I think you get the idea.

Cricut Cake by Provo Craft

I feel even more vendicated about my hobbies now.  I always said that cake decorating and stamping were similar, you just use different mediums (even though I would get funny looks from some).  Well, Provo Craft must agree because they unveiled their new Cricut Cake at CHA this past weekend.  Based on the little info I have found, it will be a dedicated machine (in Kitchen Aide red) for cutting gum paste and their pre-made icing sheets.  It looks really cool, but I don't know if you can make your own gum paste or fondant or if you have to pruchase their sheets.  I can't wait to see this new machine in action.  Make sure you go check it out at http://www.provocraft.com/ or http://www.cricut.com/.  I don't have a picture, but this looks really cool.  A great combining of both hobbies.

Another all ocassion card

Here is another example, using the same two images from Unity as the previous post.  This time I used the Label Six die from Spellbinders and cut out the embossed flower multiple times, each time using a smaller die.  I lined up each layer and pop dotted them for a more dramatic look.  I added a few buttons and string to tie it all together.

I saw a similar idea on Sherry Cheever's blog.  She used the new soon-to-be-released Labels 11 from Spellbinders and digital paper that she cut multiple times and layered.  I wanted to try a variation to that since I don't have the new dies or use digital papers.