Using Gridded Blocks

A while ago I bought gridded blocks from Inkadinkadoo.  I bought them because they were chunky and sturdy, and came in the sizes I needed.  The grids were nice-to-have, but I didn't really use them. Recently I had the chance to put the grids to good use.

I was approached by The Stampers' Sampler to submit some cards using the "Have a Seat" stamp set from Stampin' Up.  I have always loved this stamp set.  I used the grids to set up the three small chairs to create my own background paper.

Using VersaMark and CrumbCake on Very Vanilla cs, I stamped the chairs in a dropped pattern (where the Windsor chair was in one column, it was dropped down one chair in the next column).  Then, I swirled Perfect Pearls over the chairs.  I stamped the bench on a scrap of Very Vanilla, fussy cut it, and popped it up.  I dipped the Tim Holtz grungeboard letters in Pool Party, Kiwi Kiss and River Rock, then glued them on.

Mojo Monday 190

I have heard the term "Mojo Monday" ever since I started looking at cards on the Internet, but am finally playing along.  The card layout was irrestible.  I "saw" the card in my head almost immediately.  It went together so quickly!  Here's my submission:

I never get tired of this Tim Holtz die.  The bird is a little roughed-up, a little edgy, not cutsey-pie.  I used my favourite colour combination of Baja Breeze and brown.  The bird is stamped with the flourish from Friends 24-7, and the flowers come from Vintage Vogue.  Three scraps of K and Co paper were scallop-punched and inked with Soft Suede.  The text in the background is from an old novel.  The sentiment, stamped in white and embossed in white is from Pocket Silhouettes.

Play Time with Christine!

Whenever I go to Christine's, it's just plain fun.  Well, how could it not be?  We have stacks of paper, pads of ink in every colour (but pink -- right, Christine?) stamp sets galore....and we go to it!

This time I wanted to try a brayer technique.  I guess my ink pads need re-juicing because I got a very sketchy result that perfectly framed the tree.  If I had wanted to get this effect, I couldn't have planned for it!  Our spring has been very slow in coming, and I think the grey sky perfectly mirrors the weather outside.

I put painter's tape in a rectangle on the white cardstock, and rolled Going Grey and Bordering Blue over the card.  After I removed the tape, I stamped the tree.  I should have used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to place the bird, but didn't.  The sentiment is a rub-on.  I matted the white with Baja Breeze, and mounted it on a Not Quite navy card base.  All supplies are SU.

I also created this:

I love this stamp!  After stamping with Pear Pizzazz ink on Very Vanilla, I stamped again on DSP.  I paper-pierced the pattern pieces, matted with a scrap of Pear Pizzazz and mounted it on a Very Vanilla card base.  The sentiment is a rub-on.  I don't normally do clean and simple cards, but I love the look of this card.

Ink Stains by Roni

Have you discovered this blog yet?  http://inkstainswithroni.blogspot.com/  Roni Johnston is the creative writer, and she shares her fantastic talent every day.  I never miss it!  She covers all techniques, and shows some that are unique.  I find her inspirational, and I know you will too!

Ready for Mothers' Day!

Spring has been so long coming this year, but now I have definitive proof that it is happening.  I heard the peepers in the pond singing!!  And there is not a sliver of ice in the water (but I'm sure it's cold!).

To celebrate spring, I used Jamilla's Petal Pizzazz set to make a bunch of flowers to send to my mother.  In hindsight (ie, too late now that it's glued down) I would add a strip of green ribbon where the green crystals are.

And I found out I need new ink!  Suddenly, I don't like any of the irky-murky colours I have, and want all new ones.  Are you listening, Jamilla?

Make Your own Ink pad

I used the Tim Holtz technique of making your own ink pad to make multiple stamping of the same image.  It was surprisingly easy!

You need a piece of Cut'n'Dry Foam the exact size of your stamp block.  (You can also use Cut'n'Dry Felt)

Stamp the image on the foam using Staz on ink.  Then, with reinkers, ink over the areas you want to colour.  For instance, on the Razzle Dazzle image I used below, I coloured the flowers and leaves different colours.  Don't worry if the ink spreads.  Your stamp won't pick it up.

Then, use your pad to stamp!  You might need to refresh the ink occasionally.  Because the pad is the exact size of the stamp, your stamp is automatically positioned to pick up the right ink.

If you want to keep the ink pad, slide it into a baggie, and label the stamp it goes with on the bag.  Because, the ink pad doesn't really resemble the stamp!

Springtime smiles

Another night of card making and talking at Christine's, though maybe I should say talking and card making.  'Cos we do a lot of talking!

Christine had a challenge to make an Easter card using SU's Regal palette.  Not what you'd call Easter colours, or even spring colours for that matter, but she did a beauty.  She masked off areas and stamped and sponged with More Mustard.  Then, she moved her post its, and sponged again using Always Artichoke.  It was really amazing!

I was influenced by her colour palette, and did this quick card, using the new SU paper.  It's really lovely.  Usually I like only one or two patterns in the dp pack, but this time it's the reverse -- I dislike only 2 or 3 patterns.  Gonna be way useable!

Oh, by the way.  The Stampers' Sampler comes out on April 1, and I have a three page spread highlighting my texture plates.  Check it out!