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 

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 #

Graduation Gratitude

Well, I join you with post graduation salutations!!  Summer work is underway, the balloons and ribbons have been taken down, preliminary packing has begun.  So many shared loads of blessings, so it is time to thank them all.  I had some great photos to share showing mass production of these cards and how amazingly quick and easy they were, but.....  I edited, labeled and then erased them 🤯.

I re-did what I could, but of course, I couldn't get the light right and in my head the originals were SO BEAUTIFUL and these are Waa waaa... 🤣  They did turn out really well for mass production so I wanted to share with you anyway!!

1. I first cut and scored all of the cards at once, folded them 'open' and stamped the insides... done!
2. Using the MISTI and rubber stamps from Unity Stamp Co I first placed the graduate and stamped all of the card fronts....done
3. Next came the map image.  I stamped all of them with Ranger Distress ink in Old Paper, then I stamped them all a second time with random smudges of Twisted Citron and as a final step grazed the edges of the stamp with Antique Linen and stamped the map a 3rd time!  Really, it went quickly!! A lot fasted then stamping each one with all 3 colors and moving to the next.
4. Then the easiest step, place and stamp the compass.  I used VersaFine Clair in Twilight
5. After that it was a small matter of masking off only the graduate and adding the 3 blues.  No need to mask anything else, but I did leave some white space randomly around the map & compass.                                          
6. I was going to make this a 1 layer but I just thought the sentiment got lost so I added a die cut and mounted it with foam tape banner style.  
7. A little washi for a pop of color (I thought the lower left looked a little blank) and they were all done!!

I am often lucky to make 1 card every week or 2, so I am REALLY EXCITED to have 20 of these done at once ~ & I think they look special enough to make the recipients feel extra appreciated too!!
                   

 Hope you're feeling inspired and if you need a lot of quick cards you're not feeling intimidated! Here is the great Unity sentiment inside.
 
I experimented with Nuvo drops, a pearl and a gem... 
 
I hope you find many things in your daily life to be thankful for!  I am thankful for you!  I love that you stop by and I love that you are reading these words.  Have a SUPER, BEAUTIFUL,CREATIVE DAY!!!

Joy in the midst of Anxiety

2020 will definitely go down as a special year in the history books!  For graduating high school seniors in the USA it will be remembered partly for having no last day of school (Instead they were at school for a regular day and the next they were never to return), no prom night, no prank day etc.

Still, I think it will go down as one of the best high school graduations our small community has ever had!  The whole community played a part in making the seniors feel honored and my heart is so very filled with gratitude.  My son is now an adult, but it was so wonderful to see the joy of the day beaming out of him!!

I made special cards for his friends and posted the guy's cards yesterday "It's Graduation Guys!"  I thought I would give the girls a page of their own too!  Yesterday I neglected to mention the beautiful silver numbers were cut from a Tonic Studios die.

**Trouble shooting ~ sharing my mistakes so you won't have to make them!!

1. Our school colors are black and red, but I had antique in my head for the shadow stamping ~ ugg, I had already used the sepia ink on half of the cards when I realized that a gray would be soooo much better!  So think about your colors BEFORE you stamp!!!

2. As I made the clouding background around the graduate I learned that the black watercolor separates into shades of purple, while the grays seemed to keep their color integrity!  I used Zig real brush watercolors for this, but you'll want to check your dilution on a test paper BEFORE you begin!! (Ha! ha!  Are you detecting a little impatience in my creative style!! 🤣)

3.  A problem with sentiments?  I don't know how many they have, but nearly every time I need a unique sentiment I find it with the Unity Stamp Co!!  I keep a log of them stamped like a dictionary so that I can find the right one when I want ~ aren't these wonderful for graduation?  💜

 

  

 

FYI: No one needs to panic, social distancing was practiced during the day!  Our City sponsored a police escort parade for the grads in their cars ~ some decorated to the max!  A slide show of the seniors and their quotes was live fed to FaceBook, signs for each and every graduate lined the streets for days before the Big Day and the ceremony was held outdoors with the parents parked along the school's track while each grad took the podium  one at a time, along with great senior speeches and singing too!  Everyone was so excited for them and so supportive it made me cry a little! 

 I hope some normalcy is returning to your world and I hoped to share a little of my joy with you today!  I am filled with gratitude that our creator allowed these kids to have the beauty of this day even in the midst of so much sadness and chaos.  They are the leaders, homemakers, parents and service people of tomorrow and I send out prayers for all graduates, be it kindergarten or college level.  May their futures be blessed and their milestones be celebrated!

#graduation #rubberstamping #scrapbooking #cardmaking #ssswchallenge #Unitystampco #classof2020 #zigkuretake #kom #kitofthemonth #washitape #Tonicstudios