Sending flowers in purple; Stampin' Up promotions

Even though I am in midst of getting ready for a clog dancing performance in a local talent show, I just had to participate in two cardmaking challenges this week with one card – one is with the card “guts” challenge my Stampin' Up upline does, and the other was with a card sketch challenge with Mojosketches #531.  When I saw the “guts” we were to work with, I immediately ordered the lovely diecut that was used!  It was the Sending Flowers Die – here is my card, and I was glad to work with purple, as it is my favorite color!! I embossed the Highland Heather paper with Scripty embossing folder.

I used sponge daubers to dab Highland Heather ink around the edges of the card (can you see the tiny pearls on the flowers and on the left of the circle?)

Here is how I cut the 1-1/2"circle so that it fit the challenge sketch requirements, after I glued the diecut to Highland Heather gingham designer paper: 

 These are the other Stampin' Up products I used to make the card: Scripty embossing folder, Highland Heather cardstock & ink, mini pearls, Timeless Tulips (greeting "hello), Perennial Essence designer paper, and Woven Thread designer paper.  You can purchase all of these in my online store:  https://marynoble.stampinup.net/

And here is the card sketch:

 (https://poeticartistry.blogspot.com/2020/02/mojo-monday-531.html)

  This is the prettiest die that I have seen in the Coordination Product Release, which are products that coordinate with both the Sale-A-Bration (to March 31) and the Jan.-June mini-catalog. They especially expand on the versatility of all of them, however, they are only available for a limited time or while supplies last.  You can see more about them in my online store:  https://marynoble.stampinup.net/

 Here is some info about this beautiful diecut:  Sending Flowers Dies #153589 Price: $27. Create your own flower die cuts using the Sending Flowers Dies. Pair the dies with the Sending You Thoughts Stamp Set for fun coordination—you can use the banner dies to cut out some of the sentiments from the stamp set. Details: * 5 dies * Largest die: 3-5/16" (10 cm) * Use with a die-cutting & embossing machine. Dies help you create unique die-cut shapes and paper cut outs with just a quick run through your die-cutting and embossing machine. Detailed dies include ejection holes so you can remove the paper easily.

There are many great items in the current and upcoming Stampin’ Up promotions – besides free and coordinating products, the March 2020 paper pumpkin kit Fresh Spring Crafting, includes a FREE stamp set:  During March, Stampin’ Up is celebrating its seventh birthday—and to say thanks to everyone who has helped along the way, it is including an additional FREE stamp set with every kit. Plus, it will arrive in an exclusive, one-of-a-kind box. Think daffodils, raindrops, and a fresh spring vibe. So don’t miss out on this collectible kit! Sign up by March 10. 

Easily check out all the wonderful Stampin’ Up deals in my online store:  https://marynoble.stampinup.net/

  

Thanks for reading my blog, and I’m back to memorizing and practicing our clog dancing routine to a medley of Glen Miller songs and we will be wearing swing dresses!  My two furbabies aren’t crazy to hear the loud taps on the bottom of my clogging shoes lol.

https://marynoble.stampinup.net/

Sponge brayers and masking techniques for fun cards

Oh my goodness; it actually was 80 degrees here in Mesa, Arizona!  I wanted to share that this little tool can be one of the best and most useful ones to embellish your stamping projects with - it is a sponge brayer. It is one of those handy little gadgets that all stampers love to have in their tool box. To use it, simply roll it over your ink pad (gently roll the brayer across the ink pad, taking care not to press too hard (remember, if the handle touches the ink pad surface, it may scratch/dent it) then roll it over your background stamp or piece of cardstock. It lets you apply a thin, uniform layer of ink over broad areas—such as a background stamp or embossed cardstock. When rolling it over paper, you can even build up layers to create interesting, artistic effects, such as an ombre/rainbow effect, color a piece of designer paper/diecut figures, boxes, or glossy paper, etc.

Brayering with the sponge really makes embossed paper stand out beautifully as well – you just brayer the ink on one side of the embossing folder, insert the card stock or envelope flap into the folder, and then run it through the machine; be sure to wash the embossing folder off afterwards. You might think that your brayer doesn’t have enough ink on it, but usually there’s plenty. Try it out on a piece of scrap paper first to see if the brayer has the color saturation you want for your project - Sound like fun? It is! And it’s also a very simple technique that even beginning crafters can enjoy for stunning effects!

Tip: When you use the Brayer don’t just go back and forth on the ink pad, as that will only put ink on some of the brayer. Instead, roll lift, and keep roiling and lifting a few times, then roll onto your card stock.  Use a rubber mat underneath the ink pad to keep it in place. People have said the sponge brayers are more forgiving than the rubber brayers, and easier to use too. 

One other way you can use a sponge brayer is to run ink over card stock with a stencil/mask over it, giving you a cool pattern on the card stock. Sponge Brayers are also a great value—they include two handles and four sponges (1-3/4" wide)….try it and you will love it!  Sponge Brayers #141714 Price: $8.00 - Use for ink techniques. Easily wash the sponges with water to re-use. Check out Pinterest for more sponge brayer techniques and ideas, too.  

You can purchase sponge brayers in my online store:  https://marynoble.stampinup.net/

Masking:  To add dimension to your stamping, use the masking technique to layer the images. Or you can try Reverse Masking.

Here are a couple of youtube videos about masking and reverse masking so you can use the sponge brayer too:

https://youtu.be/HnPeB5y7bMU  - Create layered images using the masking technique and the Sitting Here Stamp Set. Combine the images to make the picture you want. Watch this video to learn how to using masking in your stamping.

https://youtu.be/hTHGQkolBIs - Brandi Barnard takes us through the "Reverse Masking" process while making the Butterfly Card. Enjoy this "techniques and training" video by Stampin' Up! Inc.

https://marynoble.stampinup.net/  Check out my online store for other Stampin' Up promotions!