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

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

Fussy cutting & Paper Piecing

Because the majority of us are social distancing whether we've yet been impacted by the virus or not we find ourselves with "extra time".  The term "extra time" just seems wrong.  What a blessing for those of us who have not yet been affected by the covid-19 virus and how difficult, at the very least, for those of us who have.  

Personally, although I have learned that I am not 'essential,' I have not had a minute of "extra" time in the past 4 weeks!  I am, however, deeply grateful that I've been allowed the time to pursue my love of  paper crafting!  So I thought that I would share what I'm up to!  

Short and simple, paper piecing!  In this example I have used the border stamp included in the Unity Stamp Co KOM March 2020.  I could've masked off the shirt on the original images but that seemed like more work to me.  

So I stamped the shirt sections onto scrap cardstock (yup, got rid of a ton of odds and ends!) and stamped them with patterned stamps in different colors.  Then I dry brushed color over that and fussy cut the resulting fashion statement and put onto the fully stamped and colored image!  I also skipped the paper piecing on a couple of them and freehanded stripes onto the shirt ;)

Several extras were stamped for the next time I want to do something similar. They are stored with the stamp & I can color coordinate them then :)  

I hope you are feeling inspired and I pray that you, your families and friends are safe.  I will leave you with this from 2 Corinthians 4:8  "We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed.  We are perplexed, but not driven to despair."

Don't despair ~ love & hugs, Wendy <3

Hello "Busiest Time of the Year"!!

Welcome to the beginning

of my Christmas Holidays

Offering you a quick share of inspiration

****

I think most of these are self explanatory.  If you have any questions please post in the comments.  I ~ like everyone ~ am a little busy but I will try to answer right away!!  Thanks for looking, I hope you find some inspiration here! 

~ SO ~

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

<~ 0 ~>

let the fun begin!!

       Cozy Sentiments --->

Made with scrap paper strips!                     

The air subtly sparkles on this one.

Make quick & easy matching envelopes with

inexpensive pads of 1 sided papers. They're

light weight & make pretty interiors.

     



























the bird is stamped, but all the rest are made
strictly from embossing & die cutting!!  I'm hoping to share some other great Christmas/Winter inspiration but if not...
God Bless You & Merry Christmas 💝

Day 5 Growing in Unity ~ Time's Up!

Good Morning All!!  Welcome to my fifth & final post of this Growing in Unity Week!  Thanks for dropping by to see what's on my craft table for today! Remember to leave a comment on each of the 5 GIU posts this week to be eligible to win $25 in random stamps from UNITY STAMP CO!!  Feel free to cut and paste the address link & share with all your crafty friends!

 ~ I will share names and links of the products used at the end of this blog ~



 REMEMBER:  CLICK ON PHOTOS FOR A CLOSER LOOK!



Since time is flying this week ;) I thought clocks would be a great subject.  I keep my eyes open for clocks at yard sales and discount stores for interesting frames.  The clock works can always be replaced if they don't work or simply left out if you love the look of round frames like I do. 

Carefully pry or unscrew the parts keeping the face of the clock protected & remove them.  I often use the original clock face in my project either by using it as the background or photo copying the numbers etc on it.  It is also the perfect guide to sizing the new clock face.

I like big images to put inside.  Today I chose Gypsy Warrior by Susi Blu https://www.unitystampco.com/shop/gypsy-warrior-exclusive-stamp-by-suzi-blu/

Oh my!  I love this versatile stamp!  I tried her several ways and decided on a brightly colored fussy cut version.  I have also in the past, layered in 3D fussy cut images. My advise is to always make sure that the raised images do not interfere with the movement of the clock's hands ~ if you're going to use them.

My first step is to photo copy the clock face onto inexpensive copier paper to experiment. Now I can stamp and manipulate without fear !!

I also use the MISTI so that I can preview what the stamp placement looks like before I stamp. 

Another reason I copy several clock faces is so that I can cut out the circle containing the second hand marks only and another with the #s too in case I want to copy them onto my actual card stock.

The water colored image is a great
example of photo copying the second
hand marks onto the water color paper.


 

You can tell that I like to do a lot of experimenting!! The size of the clock was too wide for my BIG SHOT machine (a great argument to get the super size one!!).  To use the embossing folder with the script to emboss the background I put my silicone embossing cushion over the folder and gently wacked it with a hammer.  The results were not consistent, but I liked the effect.  Another way I decided to add script to the background was to repeat stamping Unity's "You Are More Beautiful". I did this over the top of cardstock that I purchased already embossed, and it still worked beautifully!!  I Love the sentiment "Start Something New" from Unity also but I decided it was too big for the look I wanted.

experimenting with pearls
vs. numbers

Here are some more photos tracking my thought process just for fun and maybe some inspiration.  Once I get started it is hard to stop.  I now feel the need to run out and find some more clocks to revamp!!

Love this Gypsy stamp so much! Almost
went with her like this. So Zen I think!!

I finally decided to use this face with
beige pearls for numbers & seconds.
(I need to purchase more pearls!)

I heat embossed the images with brown

and then rubbed in pastel Gelato with

my finger tip on the flowers

LIST OF LINKS TO STAMPED IMAGES:

Gypsy Warrior https://www.unitystampco.com/shop/gypsy-warrior-exclusive-stamp-by-suzi-blu/

Start Something New  https://www.unitystampco.com/shop/start-something-new/

Flower Cluster  https://www.unitystampco.com/shop/midnight-kisses-kom-1116/

Beauty Sentiment & Butterflies  https://www.unitystampco.com/shop/best-year-yet-kom-1115/

Faceless Beauty  https://www.unitystampco.com/shop/faceless-beauty/

Miracle Sentiment  https://www.unitystampco.com/shop/perfect-in-every-way-kom-609/

Numbers  https://www.unitystampco.com/shop/bright-merry-moments-smak-1112/

Thank you for joining me all week! 

Don't forget to leave a comment on each day for your chance to win.  TWO WINNERS will be chosen and posted HERE and the FB Growing in Unity & Unity Show & Tell pages.  Sign up for e-mails to hear from this blog a couple of times each month ;)  Have a Great weekend

Spending my TIME wisely :)

Something fun :)  Endless possibilities!  I tend to lean toward the fantastic.  I think this would be perfect in a child's bedroom.

The lettering is metal colored with turquoise Sharpie and then covered with copper colored glitter.  I thought this made it look like a patina.  Very little coloring was done to the images stamped in blue, fussy cut and popped up before adhering. The original clock face was removed and photocopied to quality cardstock. 

The bottom stamping is the result of several stamps overlapped with a paper masking technique. This way I could control the curvature of the horizon line & limit the look of repetition ;)

The background stamp, Paisley Background, and Fairyland, images are all from Stampin' Up! 

I like the serene feeling of the subtle coloring and the depth that the pop dot adhesive also gives it. 

A little hard to see, but bright blue and deep blue jewels adorn the outside of the clock's frame, & shimmering glue

dots the floral landscape! The coloring was done with gel pens!

Hope you enjoyed.  Spend your time wisely !! (ha! ha! I'm so clever sometimes!!)
I entered this in the Simon Says "Anything But A Card Stamp Challenge!"  Link up to share your own or just enjoy the other inspirations they have there!
http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/

HAPPY NATIONAL CARD MAKING DAY!!!

Happy National card making day!!  I hope you find time to express your creativity through card making today.  What a beautiful and special way to keep in touch.  God Bless You & Keep You <3

I thought I would share some images, if you have any questions please post and I'll answer as soon as I can :)

Thanks for stopping by

A Cherry on Top

Just building some "Happy Cards" for Birthdays and other occasions.  I like using sentiments like "You're so Sweet!" or "Wish Big!"  It was a lot of fun Doing these :)

Start with pattern papers. I used ones that looked sunny and happy to me.  I've also done this with more sophisticated paper and they turned out great too!  Then using Unity Stamp Co. set "Sweet Life"https://www.unitystampco.com/shop/sweet-life-sw-kit/  I stamped with Versa Fine Black ink & heat embossed every ice cream scoop twice on each paper.  I found some solid and some patterned Chocolate and Carmel colored paper and later decided that Berry color was good too & stamped & embossed the dripping sauce stamp several times on each. Closely Fussy cut around each image.

To add a little extra dimension choose a color close to the main color of each image and rub the sides of every image, leaving no shading on the center of each image.  I enjoy the extra work it takes but they look great without the shading too.

For more texture dry emboss all of the ice cream elements!  I used small dots. I also use Glossy Accents on the fountain glasses for a little extra shine.

Dry embossed card backgrounds on white card stock with various embossing folders. Saturate each with inks that match the pattern papers using a sponge or other rubbing tool (I use pieces of hard foam packaging that were in the embossing folder packages).  This gets most of the paper full of ink and makes the raised parts stand out even more darkly.  The less you rub & saturate the softer the background will be. Experiment!!

I know you can take it from here!  Color & cut out the cones or glasses you want your ice cream creation to be in and start layering onto the embossed card fronts.  Make labels with stamps & die cuts to finish it off with a sentiment or leave it plain.  Add ribbon, sequins or "dots". 

This is so fun and merry!!  You can't go wrong!  I leave the sentiments off until I want to use the card and then I can easily choose the right one for the occasion and just stick it on (I like to have dimensional tape already on the back of every sentiment). 

Oh, I almost forgot the Cherry on top!!