ATC's Galore!

All of these ATC's were featured in the April issue of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine. And if you haven't tried one yet, what are you waiting for? They are a fun way to be creative but also have the instant gratification of a quick project.

The first ATC was very simple to create. The background was inked with several colors of distress inks, ran through a Cuttlebug, then inked again with a darker color of distress ink. The second inking brings out the emobssed areas. Then the foreground area was stamped and inked, the edges were torn, and then a few beads were added to the corners.


The second ATC was stamped, then the background inked with several colors of distress inks, then the entire surface was coated with crackle paint.


This last ATC was created in a very similar manner. The background was again inked with several distress ink colors and then the images were stamped.


All three of these were created using very similar techniques, but the end product on each one is stunning and unique.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope I've inspired a but of creativity for you today.

The second May challenge is up at Better Living Through Scrapbooking. Head on over, create a layout (or two or three), and get entered for the May challenge prize, a gift certificate to Gauche Alchemy.


This was my DT contribution. I had the freedom to choose my own theme this time, so I let my photos be my inspiration. I just went looking through all of my pictures until I found one that screamed out to the scrapped.

Crayon Resist Stamping Tutorial

Crayon Resist Stamping is a fun technique that allows you to quickly and easily create highlights in stamped images. And with multiple variations on the technique, it's one you won't easily become bored with.


Start by gathering all necessary supplies.


Step One: I wanted to create a background so I chose two similar flower stamps, one just slightly smaller than the other and randomly stamped both flowers onto the cardstock. Allow the ink to fully dry on the cardstock before moving on to the next step.


Step Two: Using a wax crayon, trace areas around the flowers where you want to highlight, keeping in mind that any areas that have been highlighted with the wax crayon will resist any future applications of ink. As the crayon I was using was clear, it's really hard to see in the picture but it does show fairly well in the bottom flower with the light reflecting off the wax.


Step Three: Add desired ink colors to complete the background. Tip: The darker the ink colors used, the more the resist areas will stand out in contrast.


Step Four: To complete the card, I added a bit of glitter glue in a few places for a bit of sparkle and then added the sentiment and butterfly.

Variation One - Crayon resist on colored cardstock


This variation is done using the first three steps above, with the only change being using a colored cardstock instead of white cardstock. This option gives a nice tone on tone color.

Variation Two - Multiple layers of color


For this variation, use steps one through three above; however, with step three use a light colored ink. Once the ink has dried, repeat step two and add highlight areas with the wax crayon in different spots than the first time. Then repeat step three, this time using a darker color ink. Once you have completed the second inking, you will have areas of white showing from the first resist, then areas of the lighter ink showing from the second resist.

Thank You Card

Here's a card that was in a previous issue of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine. I love to make shaped cards. Something a bit different from the standard card shape. And of course, what card would be complete without a bit of bling?



I hope you've enjoyed your visit today and will be inspired to make your own fun creations!

Eclipse Stamp Masking Tutorial

Here's a fun stamping tutorial that I hope you will enjoy.


Stamp masking is a wonderful way to combine multiple stamps together to create new and unique images. And it really is an easy technique to master.


Start by gathering all necessary supplies - cardstock, stamps, ink, scissors, and repositionable adhesive (not shown).


Step One: This technique takes just a bit of pre-planning prior to actually stamping. You'll first want to determine which image will be in the foreground and which image will be in the background. In this case, the fairy image is the foreground image so it will be stamped first.


Step Two: On a scrap piece of cardstock, stamp the fairy image again and cut it out.


Step Three: Take the image that was cut out and, using a repositionable adhesive, adhere it directly above the first stamped image. Since both images were stamped onto white cardstock, I have inked the cut out image so it is easier to see.


Step Four: Stamp background image and then remove the cut out image. Now you have a layered stamped image that only needs to be colored and added to any project.

I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial and will give stamp masking a try.

Layouts Inspired by Tybee Island

Both of these layouts were in previous issues of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine and I can finally share them. They were inspired from a recent trip to Savannah and Tybee Island, GA. Such a beautiful area to visit and full of history.

The pictures on this first layout were taken in the Savannah City Market, right in the middle of the historic district. The horses are used for carriage tours through the cobblestone streets of the city. We just happened along when they were all resting.

The pictures for the second layout were taken at the Tybee Island Lighthouse in the Lighkeepers cabin. My niece found a mirror and was playing with the camera. She did manage to get a good picture of herself.


There are my inspirations, what's yours?

Subtractive Masking Technique

Here's a fun tutorial I had in the March issue of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine. Grab your alcohol inks and clear acrylic and get ready to play!


Apply 2-3 different colors of alcohol ink to the applicator and apply ink to surface. Tip: Leftover plastic clamshell containers are an economical alternative to store bought acrylic pieces.


Ink stamp well with StazOn and stamp image onto surface.


Tip: This technique offers better results if the ink pad is freshly inked. A wetter ink pad equals more ink on the stamp thus allowing a longer drying time.


Using a damp cloth, quickly wipe away the stamped image. The StazOn will "lift" the alcohol ink from the surface revealing a blank background. Tip: If any alcohol ink remains in the stamped area, re-ink your stamp and carefully re-stamp the image in the same spot and quickly wipe away the image. The larger the stamped area the more difficult it will be to remove the alcohol ink.


Flip piece over so the inked side is now facing the table. Using a gold pen, outline all edges.


Using Stickles, outline the revealed area where the image was stamped and set piece aside to dry.


Take a small amount of Flowersoft and place in a small bowl. Add a few drops of alcohol ink and mix the ink into the Flowersoft. Tip: if you don't have Flowersoft, you can make it yourself. Take a piece of Styrofoam and grate it using a cheese grater. It's super messy to make but gives the same effect.


Once the Stickles has dried, stamp vine image under the bird. Tip: this step is only to help me visualize where to place the glossy accents in the next step. If you are able to visualize the placement, this step can be omitted.
Cover the stamped vine with Glossy Accents.


Cover the Glossy Accents with the colored Flowersoft and set piece aside to dry. Once dry, add sentiment and final embellishments. Tip: Take the leftover Flowersoft and place in a small plastic bag for use on other projects.


Finish the piece by embellishing with the flowers and a butterfly.

I have tried this technique on glass and metal and it produces the same great results as it does on acrylic.

I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial and I'd love to see your creations with this technique!

ATC's

Time for me to share a couple of ATC's that were in the February issue of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine. If you haven't tried your hand at making these, you really should. It'a a great way to release your creative energy. It's also the perfect medium to try out new techniques due to their small size, 2 1/2 in by 3 1/2 in.

I absolutely love how this one turned out. The background was masked with a Heidi Swapp mask, then painted with watercolor paints. Once the paint was dry, I just continued adding different stamps.


For the second ATC, I have a vision of a corset being laced up, which easily translated to ink and paper. Add in a bit of watercolor paint for the background and heat embossing for the chipboard elements, and I think my vision turned out very well.


I hope you've enjoyed your visit here today!

Cupcake Shaped Treat Holder

Is this not the cutest thing you have seen! I just love how this turned out! It was in the February issue of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine.

A treat holder like this would be perfect for birthday parties! And it was super easy to make. The base of the card was made using a Tim Holtz die. I simply cut the rosette four times and then adhered each one on top of the other, staggering the layers.

The top portion of the cupcake is made using a Styrofoam ball in half. Each of the cardstock circles is attached to the Styrofoam using a straight pin.


And the candle was made using cardstock and rolling into a tight roll, adding a piece of twine for the wick, and then adding a few drops of glossy accents to mimic melting wax.

I hope you've enjoyed your visit today!

Dos Tarjetas

In other words, two cards! Both of these cards were in the February issue of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine. Both of these were made with Fancy Pants paper and rub-ons. This line of paper was perfect for a few grungy, both themed cards.



I hope you've enjoyed these cards and maybe they've inspired a bit of creativity for you.

Twins on Parade!

Both of these layouts were in the February issue of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine and now I can finally share them with the world.

I had so much fun creating this layout. The picture was taken at my nephew's last birthday and I couldn't resist snapping these pictures. Sheyla was trying her hardest to get that cake! The background was just randomly painted with colors to match the confetti on the cake. The border and all the chipboard elements were also painted to match.


This second layout is of Emily, approximately six months after she was born. It's just such a precious picture of her. Everything on this layout is from My Creative Scrapbook Kit Club.


You've now seen two of my biggest inspirations with scrapbooking. Have you found your inspiration?

A Few Items To Share

Both of these were featured in Scrapbook News and Review Magazine and now I can share them with you.

First off is a 6x12 layout. This layout was inspired by my morning commute on January 2. Instead of my normal 40 minute drive home from work, it took almost 9 hours, all of that sitting in a traffic jam. Luckily, no one was injured. And I had my trusty iPod to keep me company while I sitting on the interstate. An I am hoping to never be stuck in traffic like that again.



Lastly, a quick card. I love using transparencies in cards! I simply stamped the flower image on a transparency, then flipped the transparency over and on the back side filled in the entire image with Stickles. Once the Stickles are dry, you have a glittery image that can be attached to any project.



I hope you've enjoyed your visit and will be inspired to make your own wonderful creations!

St. Patrick's Day Treat Box Tutorial

Here's a fun little tutorial I did for the February issue of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine. And since St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner, it's the perfect time to share it with everyone.


Print template onto desired cardstock and cut out along solid lines.


Make folds along the dotted lines. Tip: Use an embossing stylus to help make the folds along the curved lines.


Apply ink to folded edges. Lay piece flat on table with the inside side of the cardstock facing the table. Apply double sided tape to the two flaps along the arched side of the box.


Bring the right side flaps together and then the left side flaps together to form a fry container. Set box to the side.


Using Cuttlebug and Spellbinders dies, cut a circle and scalloped circle. I used the second smallest of each of the dies. Apply desired ink and attach the circle on top of the scalloped diecut.


Stamp heart shape three time to mimic a clover. Using the same color ink pad and a Fantastix tool, draw the clover stem. Tip: Using Fantastix allows an exact color match to any stamped image since you can use the same ink color.


Stamp desired sentiment.


Attach ribbon around box and add stamped medallion. The box can them be filled and any type of goodies.

I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial and I'd love to see your take on the treat box.

More Cards to Share

Time to share a couple more cards that were in the January issue of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine.


All of the flowers were stamped onto watercolor paper, colored with watercolors, and then heat embossed. I just realized that I'm heat embossing anything that doesn't move these days! :)


Alcohol inks on an acrylic card base - what a fun way to start a card! My stamped image was colored using Primsacolor pencils and the butterfly was heat embossed.

I hope you've enjoyed your visit today!

Card Time

Time to share a couple of cards that were in the January issue of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine.


The first one was cut using my Cuttlebug and Spellbinders dies. The letters and star were all heat embossed, which gives a wonderful texture.


My last card was a quick one using some of my fave Timmy embellies - journaling tickets and grungeboard.

Hope you've enjoyed your stop here today and will be inspired to make your own projects!