Coloring Embossing Folders

At Convention, we saw a demonstration that included brayering ink into an embossing folder.  You put your cardstock into the folder and press - it creates a "stamp" of that pattern on the cardstock.

I was playing with the Alphabet Press embossing folder because I had my baby on my brain and wanted to design a card for upcoming baby showers that I will be attending for friends.  I applied the ink to the folder and decided to put it through my Big Shot and see what the embossing did to the ink.  It was GORGEOUS!  It gave it a graffiti look that I loved.  I shared this card with my customers at my camp this morning and they really enjoyed the technique as well.

Most of them converted the card into the Star Version I've included below instead of the baby card and used Teeny Tiny Wishes to populate the saying so it was a birthday or thank you card instead of a congrats or baby card.

Supplies:

• Cardstock:  Very Vanilla, Pear Pizzazz
• Ink: So Saffron
• Stamps: Zoo Babies and Seeing Stars
• Accessories: Vintage Buttons, Big Shot & Cutting Mats & Magnetic Platform, Alphabet Press Embossing Folder, Square Collection Framelits, 7/8 Scallop Punch or Small Star Punch (retired), Scissors, Dimensionals, and Adhesive

Craftastic Notes:

• Make sure you put the ink on the raised side of the embossing folder.  That way when you run it though the Big Shot, the ink is in in the impressions of the folder instead of on the top.
• When doing the banner, use the hexagon punch to form an easy banner end!
• When using buttons, put a scrap of cardstock through the holes instead of thread.  It helps draw the button into the card's color combination and it is easier to do than with twine or thread.
• Create polaroid embellishments using the square framelits to add a trendy twist to your projects!
• The 7/8 Scallop Punch works great to punch out the lions head in the Zoo Babies set.  Dimensionals are your friend and add a nice touch to every project!

Have a craftastic day,
Stacy

Blushing Bridal Decorations

I have never given a bridal shower before and was very happy to be able to throw one for my dear friend Jessica who is marrying one of the best men I have in my life.  I adore his whole family and was happy to meet Jessica's family and friends, which only confirmed how fun and loving she is and how wonderful they are as well!

I could gush on them all for hours but I want to gush on myself for a minute!  :)  For the past week I've been working on getting the decorations completed.  Between My Digital Studio, my current and retired supplies, and swaps and knowledge gained at Convention 2013, I was able to put together a pretty fun spread of party materials!

Let me know which one is your favorite!

LOVE BANNER

Supplies:

• Paper: Blushing Bride, Basic Gray, Whisper White
• Ink: Basic Gray (pad & refill), Blushing Bride (pad & refill)
• Stamp Set: Love & Laughter
• Accessories: Big Shot and cutting mats, Magnetic Platform, Heart Framelits, Simply Scored, Perfect Print Embossing folder, Adorning Accents Embossing Folders, Silicon Mat, Glue Gun (non-SU), Blushing Bride Ribbon Stitched Poly (retired), Dimensionals, Sponge, Scissors, Glue Dots, and Adhesive

Craftastic Notes:

• When doing the banners, remember that the alcohol will bleed a little - my "L" is purposely covered a little bit.  Spray from about 6 inches and wear gloves if you are using a permanent ink.
• If you make rosettes using cardstock, they have a tendency to tear.  You can fix this by cutting up 1/2 inch on each seam - then it doesn't look like it's ripping and adds an interesting dimension to it.
• Use white Baker's Twine, a sponge, and an ink pad to transform the twine to any color needed for your project. 
• Thank you to Sara for showing us how easy these were at Convention 2013. 

ADVICE CARDS

Supplies:

•     _Designer Kits\2012 Fresh Flowers - embellishments\Calendar - f6
•     _Designer Kits\Storytime\Storytime - lines 2, Color = 0,0,0

Craftastic Notes:

• I created an 8 1/2 x 11 scrapbook page and then inserted a 3.5 x 5 photo box on the page.  I filled it with the Blushing Bride color and then layered the journaling lines on it.  Then when I put the flower on the corner, it was the same color so it just covered up the lines in the corner.

 BRIDAL NAPKINS

 

 

Supplies:

• Paper: Shimmer White, Basic Gray, and Blushing Bride
• Accessories: Big Shot and Mats, Oval Framelits (3rd smallest), Large Oval Punch, 1 1/4 Circle Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Blushing Bride Pleated Satin Ribbon (retired), Paper Piercing Tool & Mat, Mini Silver Brads, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, and Scissors

 

Craftastic Notes:

• Thank you to the mystery swapper at Convention that gave me a sample in black of this project.  Your name wasn't on it but I'd love to give you credit.  We'll just have to settle for the lovely demonstrator that made my day on that Friday!
• When doing the napkins, fold the napkins to a point and then insert in the back of the dress form and fold over the "belt" and hold with a glue dot.
• These would look great with our clay flowers on them - I just wasn't patient enough to wait for enough of them to dry!

 

DOOR SIGN

 

Supplies:

• Designer Series Paper\_Designer Kits\2010 In Color Patterns - designer series paper\Blushing Bride Polka Dots
• _Designer Kits\2012 Fresh Flowers - embellishments\Calendar - f6
• Alphabet & Numbers\Simple Letters\Simple Letters - j, e, s, s, i, c, a, Fill Color = BLUSHING BRIDE 243,182,177

 

Craftastic Notes:

• I put this on the door with dimensionals so it would peel off without harming the paint on my door.
• The background is a designer paper that I changed the opacity to 20% - this gave me a slight design without me having to compete with the Blushing Bride elements.

 

NAME TAGS and PLACECARDS

Supplies:

• Placecards: _Designer Kits\2012 Fresh Flowers - embellishments\Calendar - f6 & photo box filled with Blushing Bride cardstock.
• Nametags: Whisper White & Blushing Bride cardstock, Oval Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Dimentionals, and Adhesive.

Craftastic Notes:

• Once I created one of these in the right size using a cardstock layer on an 8 1/2 x 11 page, I was able to copy and paste them to put 8 on a page and have the same text.  They measured 2 x 3 which was perfect to go on the food and by the beverages. 
• The Name tags were just the Large Oval and the Decorative Label punches.  Then I put a dimensional on the back of them so they could put them on their cups and also on their shirts so everyone could know everyone!

THE OVERALL LOOK! 

 

I've had a craftastic day, I hope you have one too!

Stacy

Chalk Talk Convention Swap

Taking a moment out of my last minute swap prep for Convention to post another of the general swaps that is complete for this week.

This card allows me to teach my customers how to do the chalkboard techique while using a few of my favorite products in the catalog like the magnetic platform and the Chalk Talk Bundle.  The bundle includes the stamp set and the framelits for 15% off! 

This card showcases how you can use the Big Shot in your paper crafting.  Embossing Folders & Framelits bring dimension and texture to cards with very little effort.  While not a glitter gal, I have to say that this card is made by having a small glitter brad right on the top!

Supplies:

• Cardstock: Real Red, Old Olive, Basic Black, Whisper White
• Ink: VersaMark, White Craft Ink
• Stamps: Chalk Talk
• Accessories: Big Shot, Magnetic Platform and Mats, Chalk Talk Framelits, Beautifully Baroque Embossing Folder, Hearts Framelits, Chalk Marker, Sponge, White Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Powder Pal, Embossing Buddy, Glimmer Brads, Paper Piercing Tool & Mat, Dimensionals, and Adhesive

Craftastic Notes:

• If using framelits and embossing folders, make sure you do the framelit first.  Otherwise, the pressure of putting the cardstock through the Big Shot to cut it will flatten out your embossing.
• This card has a sneak peek of our Chalk Talk Marker available on August 1st!
• When doing the chalkboard technique, you use VersaMark and white embossing powder to do the saying but a sponge and White Craft ink around the Basic Black cardstock to make it look chalked.

Have a craftastic day,
Stacy