Happy Birthday, Mom

It has been a while since I made a card … I did not even get Christmas cards out this year. But, my mother-in-law’s birthday was last month and she always deserves a homemade card, so I got to work.

I started by coating a plain sheet of white cardstock (cut to size) with Distress Ink. I sprinkled a bit of water, dried it and reapplied some ink. I repeated the process a few times until I got this result.

I then added a bit of ink with a stencil from Sweet Stamps (a Michigan Company).

Using Archival Ink, I stamped the image from Local King Rubber Stamp.

Then, I used another stencil (this one from Dylusions) to add a bit of Transparent Gloss Texture Paste. It will drive crystal clear, but add thick, shiny hexagons. You can see them in the photo below.

Then, I adhered it to a white card base and it was done … I love it — bright and filled with fun, inky techniques.

 

Storing Stamps and Dies

The market is filled with rubber and acrylic stamps that have matching dies. I, for one, am a huge fan, since it means no more fussy cutting! BUT, storing them is not quite as convenient.

I store my stamps in several different containers. Some are kept in pocket pages, like these …

Others are kept in storage containers like these …

I love my stamps stored this way and I want the matching dies kept close by. However, if I put dies in any of these systems, I am afraid they will bend.

I have my dies in Art Bin boxes like this …

I love this system, but I am afraid if I put stamps in with the dies, they would get squished.

Fortunately, I have amazing friends. My friend Jill came up with a brilliant idea that has worked perfectly. It starts with an empty case from Stampin’ Up. (please ignore my messy desk. It is my creative mind at work …)

I tucked the stamp set inside the box. Then I cut a piece of adhesive-backed magnetic sheet and adhered it inside the box.

The magnetic side holds the dies in place. The stamps stay tucked in on the other side, where both are safe and secure.

 

I trimmed the sheet that came with the stamps and tucked it inside the front pocket.

 

And, I used my label maker to create a label for the side.

Now they all fit nicely on my shelf with my Stampin’ Up stamps. Thanks for the great idea, Jill!!

I do not sell Stampin’ Up products, but if you would like to purchase any of the other storage options mentioned in here, let me know. I can order them for you!

 

A Cute Thank-You Card

A few of my friends take part in a card swap. Each month, they make 12 identical cards based on a certain theme. Then they meet at a local restaurant to swap cards and chit chat. Each member of the group goes home with one of each of the cards — envelopes included.

They have asked me to join for several years, but I always put them off — mostly because I do not like to create more than one of anything!

But, I decided it would be good to fight my hermit tendencies and get out of the house for a girls’ night each month, so I finally joined.

This month’s challenge was to create a thank-you or sympathy card. Here is what I came up with …

I did not have enough cardstock to make all of one color, so half of the girls will get orange and the other half will get purple.

The sentiment, cardstock and ribbon is from Stampin’ Up.

The patterned papers are from We R Memory Keepers’ Indian Summer collection (I have it in stock in my store).

The ostrich stamp and die are from Local King Rubber Stamp. I love him — especially with googly eyes!

The cards are simple — they have to be when I’m making 12 of them — but hopefully the girls will like them …

 

Coloring Stamps

I’m sure this is not a new technique, but it was new to me … I discovered it at the Great Lakes Mega Meet and I fell in love.

This technique, as well as the stamps and the die, are all from Local King Rubber Stamp. They are a Canadian company who sell their products online and at consumer shows. They do not sell wholesale (they can barely keep up with the demand as it is), so I cannot bring them into my store, but I absolutely love their stamps.

Unlike most stamp companies, these stamps are not outlines that you color in. Instead, they are solid stamps that create amazing impressions easily.

The new technique they showed me requires water-based markers. You can use any water-based markers. I used Tombow, because that is what I have, but I am going to order the markers they make. They are cheaper and the ends can handle this technique easily. Tombow markers work just fine, but I am afraid of damaging the nibs and mixing up my colors.

You start by coloring the entire stamp with a light color.

Then, you scribble the other colors on the stamp — literally. I was told the messier the better!

Then you stamp onto glossy paper. (photo paper will not work)

I was told you have about 5 minutes to stamp.

The scribbles on the paper above are me cleaning my markers before capping them — vital if you want to keep your colors true.

This stamp has a matching die (most, but not all, do). In order to line up the stamp and the die, cut out the die on a scrap of paper, first.

Then, line up the frame over the stamped image and tape it (I use washi tape, since it comes off easily).

Place the die onto the image and cut. (I used a magnetic platform, which holds every thing in place. If you don’t use the platform, tape the die as well.)

And you get a perfectly cut out image!

Inspired by the sample I saw in the booth at Mega Meet, I added googly eyes to the ostrich.

I used the piece I cut out to make the frame on the final card. I added dimensional foam adhesive to help the ostrich pop.

The Good Day Mate is another stamp that comes in the set from Local King Rubber Stamp. I used a Tim Holtz/Sizzix die for the background. The patterned paper is from Memory Box.

I love this company and the technique … I have yet to play with all of my stamps I purchased from them, but I think they will beautiful in solid ink, as well. Check them out — they have some great images and quite a few videos online, as well.

DISCLAIMER: I have absolutely no affiliation with this company at all … I did not receive anything from them. All of the products I used were ones I purchased at the show.