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..... 

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 🍁

Accidentally on Purpose!

I am excited to share this card because for me it is different than what I usually put together.  I know it probably looks like an average card to most, but I usually don't mix colors, and textures the way I have in this.  

In fact the entire compilation was conceived haphazardly!!  Just different elements I'd made winding up on top of each other in my 'creative stack'.  

One little secret is that the mono-printed background paper had a mar on it I didn't like and the foreground piece covers it nicely!  And you would never guess it but her chest flesh is paper pieced.  I REALLY messed up coloring so I stamped a new chest, colored and cut it. Waa Laa!!  I didn't want to throw her away when I spent so much time coloring clothing, hair and roses!!  
Also, the shiny frame is made with double-stick tape covered with Nuvo Gold Gilding flakes (I am now addicted to using these flakes to make all kinds of borders and stripes as well as covering snow flakes, die cuts and entire card bases with it!!)

I just LOVE it!!  The way all of the colors compliment each other ~ I enjoy looking at this one so I have it on my desk as a decoration.  I also think it would be a great element in a frame, scrapbook or as a pocket in a larger project!  Maybe even a book cover!

I have also come to love adding a little frame under my vellum die cuts.  It highlights them nicely and is a great way to stick them to my projects!

***additionally, I used Zing purple embossing powder with a metallic finish, Unity Stamp Co planner girl & sentiment, Zig watercolors, distress ink for antiquing background, prima oil pastels for mono-printing, vellum and a triple stacked white circle frame under the vellum label.

#papercraft #scrapbooking #fussycutting #monoprinting #watercolor #rubberstamping #stamping #embossing #heatembossing #pressureembossing #distressink #oilpastel #zig #Primamarketing #unitystampco #recycling #kaisercraft #Zing

Looking for a Mono-Printing tutorial? Click here!

Mono~Printing from Embossing Folders

Win a CGull embossing folder!  See rules at the end of this blog!

Mono-Printing: A form of printing in which each print is a one-of-a-kind

One of my favorite techniques!  I have been making dozens of mono-prints lately; maybe because they are so easy, maybe because they are simply beautiful, maybe because once they are done you can add a sentiment and have a beautifully complete card...  The reasons go on & on!!

Each time I pull a print I get a little giddy about 'the next one!!!  I am a color addict and there is just no end to the color combinations and intensities that can be achieved this way.  

Here is a quick tutorial on how to get some fun results. (and instant gratification!)

Supplies:
Oil Pastels
Embossing Folders
Water Mister
Paper
I use Prima oil pastels, but you could try paints or water reactive ink with equally beautiful but very different results.  Add to that any textured surface you can apply your color to.  Fabric, pottery, I have even seen mono-prints made from real fish!!!  I use embossing folders because they are easy to clean, readily available and come in SOOOO many beautiful patterns!  I use plain white 110lb card stock.  The results look like water color but you don't need watercolor paper.  I encourage you to be adventurous though, and try other types! 

Simply apply the oil pastel to the  raised areas of the embossing folder.  I don't always cover the entire surface, remember, the color spreads so just a little goes a long way!  once you have your colors on just give it a HEAVY mist of water. 

Here the lower image has been dry brushed with inks

Lay your paper over the embossing folder. You can smooth it or just place and lift, each will give you a different look.  Often the color will be 'drippy' so you'll have to be quick to pull the paper and get it flipped upright to dry.
  
I know the term mono indicates one, but now that you have a colored and wet folder you can pull additional prints that will each be a little different.  Spritz, place and pull you next print. I have found that I can get 5 or 6 really nice prints from one color job, sometimes I add a little color here & there before re-spritzing.  

Isn't it fun!!! You can take any folder through every season!!

You can also achieve a beautiful shimmering result by simply adding 

Perfect Pearls to the water spritzer.  

Here are a couple of my finished cards.  If you'd like to see more (and I have a LOT!) just click the label below "Mono-Print" and several from this blog will pull up :)

HAPPY MONO-PRINTING!  

Feel free to post your results on my "Hi!" Notes Facebook page, we'd all love to seem them! 

  In fact, I'll be giving away a CGull Leaf Floral embossing folder to one lucky person 

who follows this blog, comments below and posts their own mono-print 

(does not have to be a finished project) on the "Hi!" Notes FB page!!! 

Shipping to Continental US only but everyone is welcome to share their projects!

#papercraft #scrapbooking #fussycutting #monoprinting #watercolor #rubberstamping #stamping #embossing #distressink #oilpastel #sunnystudio #paperstudio #sizzix #cuttlebug #poppystamps #DCWV #UnityStampCo #

Gloomy Day Sunshine

Gloomy days are inevitable :/  But this Beautiful image from Unity Stamp Company makes them easier to bear!

I began by stamping and embossing the image on top a a gray/blue combination mono-printed from a Sunny Studio embossing folder.  

If you look closely you'll see that the oil pastel stripes pass through the open spots in the stamp but blended out almost entirely. 

One secret is... the rain coat was meant to be bright yellow, but when I used the Zig water color over the mono-print, it blended into this electric green!!

A second mono-print in traditional sunshine colors was stamped with the sentiment, fussycut and then placed over the background like a little window of sunshine! 

To finish, I used Nuvo crystal drops to make shiny puddles in the background and to form a horizon line.  For fun I added a little electric green to make a reflection off of her dress. 

Inspires all kinds of cloud stamping over sunburst ideas, doesn't it!!

Well, thanks for stopping by.  I hope for your rainy days to be full of crafting, and maybe even some long wonderful walks 💜💜

 #papercraft #scrapbooking #fussycutting #monoprinting #watercolor #rubberstamping #stamping #embossing #heatembossing #distressink #oilpastel #Primamarketing #unitystampco #Zig #Nuvo #Tonic #ssswchallenge

Mono-Print Tutorial Here

HELLO.....again

Hello again friends!!  Sharing another of my mono-print background creations!  They are each so unique and pretty it's hard to share just one!!  With so much color and movement I decided to keep this card large and mostly naked!
The vintage Stampin' Up! sentiment is open so it hides nothing and the Lindy's Stamp Gang embossing powder is dark and shimmery enough to keep it from getting lost in the background.  The sprigs are happy left overs from earlier card making and they really helped to add a dimensional interest without being plain. Jasper Leaves/Memory Box

The "hello outline" die cuts are thickened with several plain white layers + a pretty "pop!" of color on top :)

a shimmery line of glitter finishes the edges

If you are interested in my mono-printing technique, I will be sharing a quick tutorial soon.  Click the 'follow' link to the left and feel free to also follow by e-mail (below, left) so that you'll be in the know when it posts!

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a beautiful day ~

#papercraft #scrapbooking #monoprinting #watercolor #rubberstamping #stamping #embossing #heatembossing  #distressink #oilpastel #Primamarketing  #simonsaysstamp #poppystamps #kaisercraft #lindysstampgang #memorybox #franticstamper

If you would like some mono-printing information Click Here!

Glorious Sunshine!

Who doesn't like a sunny day!!

I used a Sunny Studios embossing folder for the sunburst pattern

I admitt, I love this background so much that I struggled with how to use it without covering it much!! I tried out several options leaving it on my work table for days until I committed to this layout!!

My goal: to leave as much of the mono-printed background exposed without leaving the card looking uninteresting or unfinished!

The swirly die was a great solution and the bright colors from a DCWV paper stack on the hello outline die helped it all to "POP" right off the page.

the Sunshine sentiment is a little gem from Unity Stamp Co that is actually only part of a sentiment.  Don't you LOVE how versatile rubber stamps can be :)

Here's a tip if you ever find yourself frustrated over the expense of glitter paper and then the waste (through cutting an open die like this one), or the fact that actually die cutting glitter paper with a detail die is nearly impossible!  Try die-cutting out of regular paper and then applying spray adhesive to evenly cover the die cut before burnishing in glitter. You'll have as many color options as you have glitter. I have found this to also be SO MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE!

another fun option!!

I am not being compensated for any of my designs, products or ideas, but if you're looking to increase your stock of glitter there is an amazing discount on a lot of Nuvo glitters at the Tonic-Studios website!  I like to think of glitter as a sparkly ink!  It can cover anything in fine lines or large blocks, so having a nice selection of color and textures (chunky, fine, super fine etc.) is essential for me :)

#papercraft #scrapbooking #fussycutting #monoprinting #watercolor #rubberstamping #stamping #embossing #heatembossing #pressureembossing #distressink #oilpastel #Primamarketing #unitystampco #poppystamps #recycling #kaisercraft #DCWV

click for Mono-Printing Tutorial

HELLO Sunshine!

The days may still be a little gloomy but the sunshine is on its way!!! 

Recently I have developed a love for mono-printing!  It's called MONO printing because each image pulled is a one of a kind.  What remains unexpressed in the name is that it is anything but mono!!!  I have pulled up to 5 prints from a single color job, although each print is very different ~ they are addictive and gorgeous and so fun to work with!!

                            

This beautiful and simple card begins with a mono-printed background using a Sunny Studio's embossing folder and Prima Oil Pastels!  Bright white die-cuts & a beautiful burst of color for the backdrop in the "Hello Outline" die by Poppystamps notches up the energy! 

The multi-colored paper is actually something from my used wrapping paper stash.  It has veins of gold foil so of course I kept it!!! Plus I love to recycle!!  

If you like instant gratification, then mono-printing from embossing folders may be for you!!  After trying several combinations of 'traditional' sunburst colors I started to explore shades of blue and gray.  Because I was able to quickly make a dozen backgrounds in each I made myself stop, but I do have plans to try out color combos like black and white, 70's earth tones... it's endless & so far I haven't had one that I didn't like!

Want to learn how it's done? Here's a quick tutorial 

#papercraft #scrapbooking #fussycutting #monoprinting #watercolor #rubberstamping #stamping #embossing #heatembossing #pressureembossing #distressink #oilpastel #Primamarketing #unitystampco #poppystamps #recycling #kaisercraft #lindysstampgang #Simonsaysstamp

Heartfelt Hello Mono-print & Die-cuts

Perhaps by now it is obvious that I really REALLY love this "Hello Outline" die from poppystamps!  I have enough letters and colors already cut from this to make dozens of cards for every season!!  I think it is so beautiful and of a beautiful size too!!

If you're following my posts then you also know I am hooked on making mono-printed backgrounds!  Here is another.  Admittedly it is difficult for me to put things over them, they are so full of random color and detail I hate to hide it, but in the long run I think that they can look even better layered with other elements :)

I kept the colors fairly soft like Springtime! With the exception of the word background which is cut out of wrapping paper from my recycle stash!  It has gold foil moving through it so.... yes please!!

Heartfelt is embossed with Lindy's Stamp Gang powder from a vintage Stampin' Up! stamp.  I am excited to be making loads of 'general' theme cards, because I am sharing them so often with the people in my church community whom I've not been able to see in months!!  Also for family and friends and nursing homes where people are feeling a little frightened and alone.

Blessings to you, friends ~  I hope your days are wonderful ;)

#papercraft #scrapbooking #fussycutting #monoprinting #watercolor #rubberstamping #stamping #embossing #heatembossing #pressureembossing #distressink #oilpastel #Primamarketing #unitystampco #poppystamps #recycling #kaisercraft #lindysstampgang #Simonsaysstamp 

Mono-Print Tutorial Here

ARG!!

                 Computers!!!!!!!

Can't live with 'em  ~
              Can't live without 'em

Have you ever spent a lot of time perfecting an online project only to have it VANISH?

I can't explain it!  It was there, it was saved and previewed and posted..... & then it was gone!

Well, I am sure I have joined a long line of other frustrated bloggers... and I have a feeling it may be more of a revolving door than a line!

Luckily, I have this fun little gem to share so maybe things  happen for a reason!

I love this sweet gal from Unity Stamp Co. She is so like me; my hair up, sitting criss-cross apple sauce (vocab of a mom!) and oh how I love fat stripes on silk pj's!

The technical side: All of the stamps are from Unity Stamp Co ~ The beautiful vellum doily is cut from Kat Scrappiness scalloped circles.  A small round frame behind helped not only to mount it on the card, but also sets it off without covering any of the lusciousness of the mono-printed background!!

***I am planning a quick tutorial on mono-printing because I have become enamored with the process.  It is WONDERFULLY random in a controlled way! and SO fast and SO easy!  I recently made 50 or so backgrounds and I can't wait to make some more.  I have been using them like mad because they just seem to go with everything I layer them with!

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

Spring Welcome!

I love this little bird stamp from Unity Stamp Co. & although I've had it for quite some time, this is the first time that I have used it!  I am so pleased with how it turned out!

I started out with a mono-printed background made with a Darice embossing folder (Damask) and Prima oil pastels.  When I spritzed the embossing folder in preparation for printing I added a little gold Perfect Pearls powder to the water so there is a subtle shimmer in the greens ~ I just love it!

I also used a "branch" stamp, inked once and stamped 4 times for different levels of intensity in the branches.  I had every intension of paper piecing the bird into the picture but decided that looking through the branches was wonderful!!

I used 3 colors of Nuvo Jewel Drops in orange, pink and lavender on the 'buds' of the branches.
It is finished with Simon Says Stamps Thanks die and a simple sage card base.

Hero Arts is sponsoring a fun challenge called "Never Seen Ink" and this little bird (and branch actually) fit right into that category for me. Check out all the entries or enter one your self at: https://heroarts.com/blogs/hero-arts-blog/stay-crafty-with-hero-challenge-2

I hope you can hear the cheerful praise coming from this little bird.  My prayers are with you and your families as we, the residents of Earth, combat this virus.  May you be among the people who are loving your neighbor as yourself.  Blessings friends,