Double Dutch Fold

This is such a fun card to make and, for all the WOW factor, it's really easy, too! It's called a Double Dutch Fold, probably because it somewhat resembles Double Dutch Doors. (Ya think?)

What really made this super simple was doing the scoring with the Simply Scored Scoring Tool.  Just place the markers where you need them, and you could crank out a bunch of these beauties in no time!

I have been somewhat giddy the past few days, because I made my reservation to go to the Stampin' Up! Convention this year FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME! Woohoo! Yes, I am a Convention virgin, lol.  I'm going to get to meet lots of online stamping friends face-to-face, shop the Memento Mall, create some gorgeous make n' takes, shop the Memento Mall, get free stamp sets, tour the home office, shop the Memento Mall, learn strategies to help make me a better demonstrator, get my picture taken with Shelli Gardner, shop the Memento Mall, and possibly be a lucky Prize Patrol winner (I hope)! It's four days of stampin' fun, and I cannot WAIT for July to get here!


Stamps: Just Believe, Elementary Elegance (retired SAB)
Cardstock: Baja Breeze Textured, Island Indigo, Whisper White, Summer Smooches DSP
Ink: Lucky Limeade and Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pads, plus Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, and Always Artichoke Stampin' Write Markers
Accessories: Big Shot, Scallop Square Nestabilities die, Oval Punch, 2011-2013 In Colors Brads, Whisper White 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Pearls Basic Jewels

Teaching an Old Salt to Stamp

My father is retired Navy. My father wants to make cards(!). My father also happens to be in New Jersey, spending the winter with his sister. I am in southern California, which presents somewhat of a challenge....long distance learning and all. So, my solution to this challenge is to create a series of short videos uploaded to YouTube (available to him only), showing him the basics of stamping. I've already sent him my old Paper Cutter, a spare bone folder and an adhesive tape runner (with refill).

The first video was on how to use these tools, and the different types of stamps (clear polymer, rubber, clear mount rubber), the advantages and disadvantages of each, and how to use SU wood mount and clear mount stamps.

The second video delved into ink types, the uses of each, how to open the Stampin' Up! ink pads, the different types of cardstock, and how to navigate the catalog.

Next, we got into the heart of the craft with inking up stamps, basic stamping techniques, trouble shooting, marker-to-stamp, coloring with ink pads and blender pens, and cleaning the stamps.

The last one covers adding effects with basic tools; different ways to make background paper (background stamps, block stamping, dragging ink pad over cardstock, VersaMark stamping) and effects like sponging edges, distressing, and using dimensionals.

These are the simple cards I made from demonstrating the techniques. When he's ready to take on more challenging techniques (Brads! Tying bows!), I'll make some more videos. I hope he's inspired by them. Next on the agenda - Dad choosing cardstock, ink and stamps!

Sympathy

I had to make a couple of these, one for a friend whose dog died suddenly (I'll show it tomorrow), and one for someone whose nephew just died in a motorcycle accident. I can't imagine anything more tragic than losing a child, no matter how old they are.

Anyhoo, both cards use the absolutely yummy Mocha Morning Specialty DSP.  I love that stuff!  Besides the flocked pages (2 different designs), the others are printed in a subtle metallic ink that is simply luscious.

Stamps: Just Believe, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Shimmery White, Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, Basic Black, Mocha Morning DSP, Groom Specialty DSP (retired)
Ink: VersaMark, Basic Black, Soft Suede, So Saffron, Calypso Coral, Marina Mist
Accessories: Black Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Stampin' Sponges, Word Window Punch, Basic Black 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Linen Thread, black brad

Next weekend is Stampin' Addicts New Catalog Blog Hop, featuring goodies from the new Idea Book & Catalog.  I'll be showing the Pennant Parade stamp set and coordinating punch.  Mark your calendar - you won't want to miss it!

Mom's Birthday

My sweet mother's birthday is Monday. I'm afraid she won't be having a very pleasant day, since she has to have her second round of chemotherapy today.  By Monday she'll be feeling awful.  It breaks my heart to know that she has to suffer so.

One of the things the doctor and staff has told her to do is to try to keep her daily activities as normal as possible. So I'm going to send this card, and keep it upbeat, just like things are normal when they really aren't.

Since I used the Window Sheet with such success on the Pterodactyl yesterday, I decided to try it with a spiral pop-up card for the second card in class yesterday. I really like the way the acetate is nearly invisible, so the butterflies simply float up, dancing, as the card opens. (If you click on the image to enlarge, and then click it again, you can just barely make out the glue dot on the back panel.) I think the butterflies will bring Mom a smile.

Helpful hint: If you use a punch to cut the circle for the spiral, place a sheet of paper behind it. There's less chance the punch will get stuck on the acetate.

Stamps: Just Believe, On Your Birthday
Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Calypso Coral, Shimmery White, Paisley Petals DSP
Ink: Early Espresso and Calypso Coral Classic, Calypso Coral and Old Olive Stampin' Write Markers
Accessories: Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Calypso Coral 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon, Sponge Dauber, Stampin' Dimensionals, Window Sheet

Just What Is So Special About February 22?

George Washington, the father of our country, was born on this day. So was my little sister, who always got her birthday off from school (the little twerp). Oh yeah, and so was a fabulous new stamping forum called Stampin' Addicts! And to celebrate their 2nd birthday, we are having a Birthday Blog Hop featuring different stamping techniques, all with a birthday theme. If you are following the hop in order, you just landed here from Holly's blog, where punch art was the technique. That pizza made me hungry! This is stop number three and the technique is Watercoloring. (Here's a link to all the stops on the hop, in case you get lost.)

The first card uses the marker-to-stamp technique. Using a Stampin' Write Marker, color directly on your stamp. Mist Shimmery White cardstock lightly with water before stamping to get that soft watercolor look.

Click Images to See Larger

Up next is the Watercolor Bleed technique using re-inkers. Heat emboss image in white on Shimmer White cardstock or Watercolor Paper. Moisten image with water in a mist sprayer, then pick up ink with an Aqua Painter and spread it around, letting it "bleed" on the image.

And the last card features a quick, easy technique. Simply stamp the image on Watercolor Paper using a Classic Stampin' Pad in your color choice, then use a Blender pen to spread the color around as desired. Easy-peasy! Note: After the pony was inked up, the Blender Pen was used to remove the ink on the eye and nostril. Then a Soft Suede Stampin' Write Marker was used to color (marker-to-stamp) the eye and nose.

There are sooo many different ways to watercolor...you've only seen a few here! I hope you are inspired to try some of these techniques. Check back on Monday for the materials used in each card.

Up next is Carmen's blog, where she's going to show the inlaid embossing technique (one of my new favorites!). Love the bats, especially.......

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Be sure to check out Stampin' Addicts. It is a warm, friendly Stampin' Up-only community, and is open to everyone, not just demonstrators! It's free, it's fun, and it's full of fabulous ideas. (Be sure to check out the gallery.)  Tell 'em Cindy sent you!

So Shelli Challenge

Shelli Gardner, co-founder and head honcho... uh, honcha... um, fearless leader of Stampin' Up! has a blog, called So Shelli, and a monthly challenge.  This month she has challenged us to use a color combination from the fabulous new Color Coach.  She said, and I quote: "Branch out of your usual color comfort zone and try a new combination."  Holy carp, did I push out of my comfort zone with this card!  And, wonder of wonders, I really like it!!!  (Hmmm, methinks I need to use the Color Coach more often, lol.) 

I knew I wanted to use the deep gold of More Mustard for the sponged sky around the masked sun, so I was curious to see what other colors the "Coach" recommended.  I never would have thought of Cajun Craze and Night of Navy, but once I pulled out the cardstock and held them together, they just clicked! 

Stamps: Just Believe (W-116948, C-120453)
Cardstock: More Mustard (100946), Cajun Craze (119684), Night of Navy (100867), Shimmery White (101910)
Ink: VersaMark (102283), More Mustard Classic (103162), Cajun Craze (119671), Night of Navy (102977)
Accessories: Black Stampin' Emboss Powder (109133), Heat Tool (100005), Curly Label Punch (119851), Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch (119275)