Expanding Your Inventory of Background Paper

I love background papers, but they can really add up $$ in a hurry and so many times I find the colors to be off just enough that I don't want to combine them.  Here's a little trick I use, I emboss plain papers that have the same color scheme as the original background paper!   

On this card, I used 4 shades of color (green, yellow, purple and taupe) that matched the Stamping up DSP I wanted to use for the base.  To keep it all cohesive I used gold on each of the papers using one of my favorite leaf stamps from #UnityStampCompany.  Then just cut and layer as you like!  This works great with different stamped backgrounds too, as long as the paper colors and embossing powder work with the patterned paper you are using ~ a WIN every time 💗

Of course it doesn't hurt to have a lovely image to stamp, like this one from Unity Stamp Co by Angie Blom!!

#HeatEmbossing #Unity #Autumn #Fall #Cardmaking

 

Hello Awesome!

 I love Autumn!!  In fact I think it's Awesome!! (hee! hee!)  All the amazing colors and textures...  Here's and idea for combining them on a greeting card.  

The background of this project was inspired by the way beautiful Fall leaves float down  onto our wood deck.  

To get the same sort of plank decking look, I embossed my paper with a wood grain folder, colored it up and then cut the pieces into 'planks' of different lengths and reassembled them onto the card front.  I really like the way this turned out.  

I made this a pocket card because there were a lot of layers on the front panel of the card making it thick/heavy.  Adding a simple back would make it so disproportionate.   I like the idea of using this on an Autumn scrapbook page with the 'hidden' journaling or photo card pull out.For me, the leaves are the star of the show!  I love to heat emboss on them.  If you would like to know more about how, here's a link to that blog post.  WARNING: Stamping on leaves is highly addictive!

Blessings to you my friends ~ I hope you are well and looking forward to this holiday season as much as I am, and I hope we all find the time, friends and family to enjoy it with ❤💛💚 

The Happiest

 Another fun card incorporating a giant aspen leaf!  What a pretty gift from Mother Nature, I saw this beauty when I was mowing the lawn!!  It takes me a long time to mow in the Autumn because I often stop to pick up the 'prettiest' leaves ~ I just can't run them over!!!  🤣

This time I stamped these pretty mandalas in 2 different metal tones, gold and copper.   The Unity Stamp Co kitty is one of my favorites because you can pretty much color a cat ANY way you want!!  Plus it's just so cute and steals my heart! 

I used some upholstery ribbon across a background I mono-printed earlier with oil pastels. 

If you would like more information about how I go about embossing on leaves here's that link. 

If you are interested in my method of mono-printing with oil pastels here's a link to that post. Enjoy!!

I love this combination!  I hope you enjoy it too and I hope you are having the most wonderful season!!  I love Autumn and I love what follows ~ Christmas!!!  Here's hoping you have MANY joy filled days as the year 2020 begins to close..... 

The inside counts!

 It just occurred to me that I should share the inside of the card from yesterday's post!!  One of my favorite cards, I just love stamping on pressed leaves.  

Because I thought it would be a display worthy card I decided it would be fun to do something unique on the inside!! I kept getting new ideas as I went so it ended up with a separate note card inserted into a corner bracket (so it could easily be re-gifted) and highlight my "Hi!" Notes label at the same time!  

I had a pretty oval die cut I wanted to use and luckily found a couple of great sentiments (from Unity Stamp Co.) that fit inside - with a little modification.  (I snipped out a couple of the leaves and relocated them.)  

Also, a second plain oval was attached to the very back of the card so it looks 'finished' from the back and also leaves (Ha! Ha! leaves!!!) another spot to wright a note :)

Many Blessings to you in this season of Blessing!  Happy Crafting

#Autumn #Leaves #UnityStampCo #EmbossingonLeaves

HELLO Autumn ~ I love you

  #Autumn. #Crafting ~ 2 of my most favorite words!  Combining them in real life is so rewarding!   

I am hooked on stamping on leaves and I think I'll start making framed wall art with them too  🍁            

Here's a link to the "Stamping Leaves" post if you want to learn more!

My goal for this card was to express the chilly-ness of Autumn while showcasing my stamped leaf!! The Sizzix embossing folder I used is one of the 3D folders that gives different levels of dimension.  I rubbed a little gold and then some white ink over the embossed paper it to amplify the dimension too!  

A heavier upholstery ribbon along with a lace edger conveys the cozier aspect of an Autumn sweater, don't you think? 

Blessings on your day!  I hope you stay cozy and find time to enjoy the little things (like leaves!) 💛

 

Best Witches

  This is one of my favorite #witch cards!  I used it in another blog post as an example of using #homemade plaid (link) paper (see the background strip?!) But I really wanted to give it its own post because I love the puff of purple smoke, super cool moon and the crazy streak of bats!!  

Have a wonderful #Autumn and Happy #Halloween

Bendi-Fold Creepers!

Silhouettes and gloomy skies make anything seem creepy.  Funny that the name of a bare deciduous tree is skeleton!! Anyway, having some fun with this Tim Holtz classic die "Halloween Shadows".  

The simple formula for a bendi-fold card is to make a double fold card that will mail flat and then cut a slit any distance toward the middle of the card on the second page for the tab you will cut into the edge of the first page!!  The further in the slit, the greater the bend. 

 Do the same thing for the back of the card, cutting a slit for the tab you'll make on the second (back) page edge.  There are lots of formulas on Pinterest (Link), don't be intimidated ~ they're so fun and pretty simple to construct!  For extra dimension only adhere parts where necessary so that they 'pop' when the card bends and they do not!!

HaPpY HaUnTiNg!!!

#papercraft #scrapbooking  #rubberstamping #stamping  #distressink #Halloween #Fall #Bendifold

Embossing Folder Autumn Monoprints

 Hello, and thank you for visiting my blog!  Autumn is my favorite "color" season so I tend to make a lot of projects in the Autumn, especially since the garden and yard have all been put to bed for the Winter and the kids are out of the house (college and work!) giving me a little extra time to be creative🎨

Here are the cards that came out of some of the Autumn prints! 

I like to get the most out of my craft supplies that I can so I don't cringe too much when I find another "gotta have"!!!  This time I used my little spring birds embossing folder and colored it up with a heavy coat of oil pastels.  Then I made several prints from each color combination I applied, trying to specifically address the iconic colors of each of the 4 seasons!                   

A big "THANK YOU!" to Creative Scrapbooker Magazine for publishing this one in their current Autumn 2020 copy.

I like to get a lot of prints off of each color application.  This is one of the last prints, you can see the color is fading a lot.  I love them, each one is so unique!

If you would like to see more, here's a link to that post "Mono-printing from Embossing Folders"

Meanwhile, If you would like to show off your own results please feel free to post them on my "Hi!" Notes page on Facebook!!  I would love to see them and hear your ideas!

Thanks again for stopping by, Happy Autumn 🍁

Colors of Autumn, Landscape and Color Inspiration

 So I have to smile a little, because I know that I am sorta obsessed with the view from my window!!  I am a color junkie and constantly, I am amazed with the shades and hues Mother Nature paints with.  In the Autumn it seems that the angle of the light makes everything more vibrant.  Even the lawn seems more green than in Summer!!

So I thought for any of you interested in color combinations or those of us who just love to soak it up, I would post some recent pictures

I love Autumns where the colors last for a month.  This year there's been enough wind that  in just 3 or 4 days we went from full on color to barely there... on the trees at least !!

Oh, and did I mention a 30 degree temp drop and snow!!!

Blessings to you.  I hope you are all dealing with or coming out of isolation well.  I am leapfrogging my emotions toward Christmas!!  I think I am just so anxious for songs of comfort and coziness and all the fellowship and joy that has traditionally come with celebrating the birth of the savior, Jesus Christ.

But for now, I will enjoy the incredible gift of Autumn color!

Stamping Leaves

Ok ~ The title may be a little misleading.  I'm not talking about finding a favorite leaf stamp, inking it up and pressing the image onto a surface...  I'm talking about natures beauty herself!  Pressed, dried and adorned with a beautiful accent in ink!  and/or embossing powder too!!

Sending and receiving Autumn greetings is wonderful, but how much more special to receive an actual leaf!  Unexpected and beautiful with just a little extra "WOW" factor!! 

The problem for me has been in trying to keep the leaf from snapping into pieces!  I looked for help on YouTube but found none.  So I've experimented a little & have come up with this, and as a leaf fanatic I collect and press dozens every year.  They dry and flatten quickly in the pages of an old book, because the pages are more porous. You can have leaves ready within days of beginning ;)




Step 1 - You must use leaves that are pressed and dried!  There may be other techniques that I'm not aware of, but this one requires leaves that are fairly flat & dry :)

   

2 - to prevent the leaf from becoming a crumbling mess, apply Mod Podge.  I used both the matte and the gloss and decided that I like the matte better because it simply 

looks more natural.  I found the best way to apply it is with a flat paint brush coating it first on one side, wait until it has dried clear and then turning the leaf to do the other side.  I do lots at a time so that I have many options when I'm ready to make my projects! 

NOTE:  I am thinking that any medium that dries clear and remains flexable will work, as long as you can stamp on it & heat it up for embossing without negative side effects! That is what your looking for.  

3 - prep the leaf with an anti-static tool. (usually a little bag of powder!) This helps embossing powder easily slide away from the parts that are not stamped.
 

4-  Ink you stamp with a vibrant color.  I have found that the color tends to fade, so vibrant is best

5 - Leave your ink to dry or if you are embossing now is the time to apply the powder.  Heat it gently and quickly as possible!  The leaf is really sensitive to the heat so be careful not to scorch it!

If you choose to skip the Mod Podge step you will find that the stamping and embossing tend to spread out, I think due to the porosity of the leaf.  It will also be VERY fragile and that leads to frustration!! 

6 - As a precaution I like to put another layer of MP on both sides of the leaf to keep it sealed & flexable.

Have Fun! ~ try dotting your leaf with Nuvo Crystal Drops or TH Liquid Pearls or even pearl powders!  You'll love experimenting so be sure to prep LOTS of leaves so that you don't run out!!  

These turn out so beautiful!  I'm excited to be sharing some of my projects in the next few days!

Seashell Symphony

One of my favorite summer activities is beach combing.  I don't live on the coast so it is rare & special when we (my family & I) are able to get up in the dim chill of the early summer, ocean mornings and walk along the empty beach. It's actually not a quiet place at all ~ the ocean is always roaring, even if softly, the seagull seem to never sleep and the waves accent it all with their rhythmic crashing.  But somehow it's relaxing, still & peaceful . . .


This beautiful background stamp from Unity Stamp Co. inspires me to ponder our coastal memories!  I have never been lucky enough to come upon a cache of seashell treasure like this one though!

There are many different textures on this card; although my photo doesn't show them off well! You can CLICK on photos to see them in more detail.  Here's how I did it :)

First, I colored this card VIVIDLY with Zig water colors and Stampin' Up! markers! (it's stamped on watercolor paper with Versafine Clair) I knew I was planning to use Ranger's Perfect Pearl powder in Pearl and it can significantly reduce color intensity.  After the coloring was complete I covered the whole image with the powder and set it with a light misting of water. 

Upper area - no powder

Lower area = Ranger Perfect Pearls

 I discovered that it affected the colors (including outlines) more than I had anticipated so I put more water color/ink over some areas - It works!  There is a beautiful and interesting shimmer to the coloring as the water color and inks seep under and through the pearls.

As you can see, the shimmer blurred the lines, removing a lot of crisp detail.  I sprayed the whole thing with workable fixative to seal & simply realigned  the stamp with the colored image (in my MISTI)  and stamped over the colored image with black Versafine Clair which leaves a delicate and deeply colored outline. 

The finishing texture was made with tiny dots of Nuvo Crystal Drops on the sand (antique rose & copper penny), and the starfish (ripened pumpkin). 3 colors of pearl accents were also added after the stamped vellum panel was in place. (taupe, gold and lavender from Wal*Mart with no brand name!)

Sentiment stamp: Impression Obsession

I put the matted image on one of my favorite map papers but I couldn't bring myself to cover over the beautiful map pattern, so I created a cardstock hinge and made it the interior of the card.  A plain panel was added to the navy inside for a handwritten note and an accent of nautical motifs in the lower right corner finish it off! (also from Unity Stamp Co.)

Prayers for your walk on the beach, even if it happens only in your crafting space! Stay well.

#papercraft #scrapbooking #fussycutting #watercolor #rubberstamping #stamping #embossing #heatembossing #distressink #unitystampco #seashells #map #Ranger #perfectpearls #timholtz #zig # impressionobsession

Summer on my Mind

Ahhh, long days of Summer.  When I look at this stamped image I can almost feel the heat of the sand seeping into my bones, both from the sun above and the sand below.  As I made this card I had my 19 year old daughter on my mind.  Out on her own for the first time, living her dream, I miss her!  So my big plan was to make a gift card holder on the inside, check that out!

The beach bag image is fussy cut 

with an extra 1/4 inch of length

 folded under on each side 

to make a pocket space for

gift cards, money, etc !!!

All of the stamps I used are from the Unity Stamp Co Kit of the Month & are stamped on watercolor paper, colored with Zig watercolors. I love the beachy feeling of the shabby layers, distressed edges & cloud shaped, stitched edge.   I also accented the sand with Nuvo Crystal drops in antique rose and copper penny -&- the tassels on the beach blanket deep teal Liquid Pearls

The large matt is actually the inside of the card, hinged with an additional piece of designer paper on the inside!  There are glossy accents on the camera, sparkles on the seashells, gold washi down one side and pearl accents in taupe near the bottom.

Hope your Summer is going well, blessings ~ Wendy

#papercraft #scrapbooking #fussycutting #watercolor #rubberstamping #stamping #embossing #heatembossing #pressureembossing #distressink #oilpastel 
 #unitystampco