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!

Mixed Media Time

Time to share a couple more creations that were in the January issue of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine. A set of inchies and an ATC. If you haven't tried your hand making these, you really should.


First up is an ATC. The background was misted with several colors, then the butterfly was stamped, and then I heat embossed the entire card. To create a bit of texture, I cracked the melted embossing powder.


These inchies were super quick to make. Simply ink the background, stamp desired image and heat emboss, and lastly add the crystals.

I hope you will try your hand at making an ATC or inchie!

Family

This layout was done for a challenge at
Better Living Through Scrapbooking. The challenge was to create a layout without a title or journaling and to let the picture speak for itself. The additional challenges were to use something other than adhesive to attach the picture (I stitched on the top left hand corner of the photo), use a shimmer mist (I used a concoction of perfect pearls, distress reinker, and water), and use some sort of distressing (I used my sanding block on the background patterned paper).


The picture was taken over the past weekend. All of the family was together for the twins' second birthday. We had just gotten home from lunch and the it was nap time for the twins, and apparently for Cristy also. It's such a precious picture, it just begged to be scrapped.

Family Layouts

I can finally share a couple of layouts that were in the January issue ofScrapbook News and Review Magazine. And of course both layouts are of the youngest two munchkins.

This first layout is of Sheyla on her first birthday. Who could resist such a cute pic? It was just begging to be scrapped!


The second layout is of my sister and Emily. We asked Emily to find her nose. She did, and put a sticker there. We asked her to find Cristy's nose. She did, and Cristy got a sticker too. This one is also a 6x12 layout and I really like this size.


I hope you've enjoyed these two layouts and maybe they will inspire a bit of creativity for all you too.

Valentine's Day Tag Tutorial

Scrapbook News and Review Magazine is on day four of a week long Valentine's event. Stick around here for a few and enjoy the tutorial below then hop on over to SNR and take a look at all the previous creations.


Love Tag Supplies Watercolor paper: Strathmore;
Grungeboard: Ranger; Stamps: Stampabilities, Inkadinkado; Ink, embossing Powder, perfect pearls: Ranger; Watercolor paint: Dick Blick; Heat tool: Stampabilities; Other: crystals, bead charm, tulle, ribbon, jump ring


Start by collecting all supplies.


Stamp background text using clear embossing ink and heat emboss with clear embossing powder.


Cover entire tag with red watercolor paint. Once the tag is dry, use a slightly damp cloth and lightly rub any paint away from the areas that have been embossed. Note: This is one time you do not want to use a heat tool to speed up the drying process. It will re-melt the embossed areas and cause the paper to soak up the paint in areas that you do not want.


Ink entire piece of grungeboard with distress ink and while the ink is wet apply a light coat of pewter Perfect Pearls.


Spritz the grungeboard piece a couple of times with water, apply a layer of UTEE crystals, and heat with a heat tool. The water will cause the UTEE to pit while it's being heated.


Attach the grungeboard piece to the tag. Also tie a strip of tulle to the tag and, using a jump ring, attach the bead charm.


Stamp sentiment onto cardstock and cut out.


Attach sentiment and heart embellishment. When adding the sentiment, I realized the charm was covering it so I added a piece of ribbon to the top of the tag and moved the charm.