Tips & Techniques

Technique Time: Glass Glitter

This week's technique gives you some tips and tricks on working with the new Glass Glitter in the Holiday Mini Catalogue.

Glass Glitter comes in two colours Champagne and Silver. Glass Glitter is made from actual glass, so you need to be careful when using it. There are several different ways to work with glass glitter including with glue dots, 2-Way Glue Pen or Tombo Multi, but today we are doing to add it in a uniform way using Sticky Strip.

Stampin' Up Supply List

Stamps: Four the Holidays (116291), Welcome Christmas (W118736/ C120957)
Ink: Early Espresso Classic (119670)
Paper: Crumb Cake (120953), Always Artichoke (105119), Cherry Cobbler (119685), Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper (120810)
Accessories: SNAIL (104332), Sticky Strip (104294), Champagne Glass Glitter (120997)
Tools: Paper Snips (103579)

Cardstock Dimensions for this Project

Crumb Cake
- 8.5 x 5.5
- 3 x 4 for stamped image
Always Artichoke
- 5.25 x 4
Deck the Halls
- 5 x 3.75
Cherry Cobbler
- 4.25 x 3.25 mat for stamped image

Technique Directions

Add sticky strip to project as desired.
Peel off red backing and then shake glitter overtop. Tap off excess.
Avoid trying to smooth it out with your hands. If you have lumps, take your bone folder and run it along to even it out.
This will give you a uniform, smooth look with your glitter.

Finishing Touches

Take card base and fold in half.
Attach Always Artichoke and Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper with SNAIL.
Stamp greeting and sled image in Early Espresso on Crumb Cake.
Attach stamped image to Cherry Cobbler cardstock with SNAIL, and then attach to the card to finish with SNAIL.

This is a great way to add drama to your holiday cards without a lot of bulk! Plus, Glass Glitter will tarnish over time when exposed to air so it will take on a vintage look.

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Technique Time: Embossed Vellum

This week's technique features embossing Vellum Cardstock with the Big Shot.

Stampin' Up Supply List

Stamps: Butterfly Prints (W121049/C120738)
Ink: Blushing Bride (119786), Concord Crush (119785), Peach Parfait (119783) Classic Ink
Paper: Whisper White (100730), Concord Crush (119792) Cardstock, Cardstock Vellum (101856)
Accessories: Concord Crush Polystitched Ribbon (119265), Basic Rhinestones (119246), SNAIL (104332), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Mini Glue Dots (103683)
Tools: Big Shot (113439), Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder (120175), Butterfly Punch (119848)

Cardstock Dimensions for this Project

Concord Crush
- 8.5 x 5.5
Cardstock Velllum
- 5.25 x 4
Whisper White
- Scrap for stamped butterfly

Technique Directions

Run cardstock Vellum through Big Shot using desired embossing folder.
Attach to project using Mini Glue Dots. You want to place the glue dots where they will be covered up by accessories or stamped images.

Notes:

With this technique, you want to make sure you use Cardstock Vellum. It is heavier and runs through the Big Shot without tearing. Lighter weight Vellum will tear as it is embossed.
This is a great way to add texture in a unique way.

Finishing Touches

Take card base and fold in half.
Emboss vellum and attach using glue dots as outlined above.
Attach ribbon to card by tucking edges of ribbon underneath edge and ensuring they are covered up on the flip side.
Stamp a butterfly on Whisper White – one each of Blushing Bride, Concord Crush and Peach Parfait – and punch out with Butterfly Punch and put aside. Attach to card base using Stampin' Dimensionals.
Top off each butterfly with a Basic Rhinestone.

Cards that wow don't have to be complicated or time consuming. Simple and elegant techniques like this one can take things to the next level without a lot of extra steps!

Technique Time: Watercoloring with Markers

This week's technique features watercoloring with a Blender Pen and Stampin' Write Markers.

Stampin' Up Supply List

Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes (111618), A Word for You (W117032/C120528)
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On (101406), Real Red Classic Ink (103133), Real Red (100052), Regal Rose (105108)and Soft Suede (120973) Stampin' Write Markers
Paper: Very Vanilla Cardstock (101650), Pink Pirouette (105118), Soft Suede (115318), Real Red (102482), Watercolor Paper (105019)
Accessories: Pretty in Pink 1 ¼ Striped Grosgrain (119775), SNAIL (104332), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (102023), 2-Way Glue Pen (100425), Blender Pens (102845)
Tools: Big Shot (113439), Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder (117335), Decorative Label Punch (120907), Paper Snips (103579)

Cardstock Dimensions for this Project

Real Red
- 8.5 x 5.5
Very Vanilla
- 4.25 x 5.5 piece for embossed piece
- Scrap for stamped and punched greeting
Pink Pirouette
- 2.5 x 3.5 Mat for image
- Scrap for frame for greeting
Soft Suede
- 2.25 x 3.25 Mat for image
Watercolor Paper
- 2 x 3

Technique Directions

Stamp image with Staz-On and then add "spots" of color as desired on image with markers.
Move ink around on paper using blender pen to shade as desired.

Notes:

Using a marker with a blender pen gives you a more vibrant look than with other watercoloring techniques. It also offers more control with smaller images than using the Aquapainter with the markers to color.
To successfully use markers with blender pens, you must use Staz-On to ensure it is waterproof, and watercolor paper to ensure the paper doesn't pill.

Finishing Touches

Take card base and fold in half.
Run Very Vanilla mat through Big Shot with Polkadot Embossing folder and then attach to card base with SNAIL.
Attach stamped image to Soft Suede and Pink Pirouette pieces with SNAIL.
Fold small piece of ribbon and attach to back of stamped panel using SNAIL. Attach to entire card base with SNAIL.
Stamp greeting in Real Red on Very Vanilla and then punch out with Decorative Label Punch.
Punch a Decorative Label out of Pink Pirouette. Cut in half and trim off points on smaller side and then attach to back of stamped greeting with SNAIL. Attach to card base with Stampin Dimensionals.
Add glitter to cupcakes using 2-way Glue Pen.

Get out your open line art images and give watercoloring with your blender pen and markers a try. There's lots of ways to watercolor and I'd be happy to share them with you and you can learn which ones you like best! Contact me to arrange a private class with your friends this fall.

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Technique Time: Quilted Top Note

This week's technique is perfect for using up your scraps and creating a stunning focal point for cards and scrapbook pages. Get out your scrap designer series paper and let's get started.

Stampin' Up Supply List

Stamps: Perfect Punches (W117022/C120516)
Ink: Cherry Cobbler (119669)
Paper: Very Vanilla Cardstock (101650), Old Olive Cardstock(100702), Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper (117159)
Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding (120992), SNAIL (104332), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430),
Tools: Big Shot (113439), Top Note Bigz Die (113463), 1 ¾ Scallop Circle Punch (119854), 1 3/8 Square Punch (119877)

Cardstock Dimensions for this Project

Old Olive
- 8.5 x 5.5
Designer Series Series Paper
- Scraps of four patterns – enough to punch out three squares of each
Very Vanilla
- 4.25 x 5.5 piece for quilted portion
- Scrap for stamped and punched greeting

Technique Directions

Punch three squares out of each pattern for a total of 12 squares.
Arrange patterns as desired; attach to base with SNAIL
Run through Big Shot using Top Note Die

Variations:

Use up your scraps by punching squares from 12 different patterns to create a unique focal point.
Play with the arrangement of your pattern to create different looks.
Use three or four strips of Designer Series paper and then run through Big Shot for a more cohesive look.

Finishing Touches

Take card base and fold in half.
Wrap Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding around finished Quilted Top Note and secure with SNAIL.
Attach Top Note panel to card base with Stampin' Dimensionals.
Stamp greeting in Cherry Cobbler classic ink on Very Vanilla cardstock and punch out with scallop circle punch. Attach to card with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Get out those scraps and see what you can create. Remember you can easily apply this same idea to other shapes cut with the Big Shot to have one of a kind elements for all of your projects!

Technique Time: Heat Embossing on Cork

This week's technique, combines heat embossing on a different material – cork! I love the idea of using materials in a different way…don't you?!

Stampin' Up Supply List

Stamps: Christmas Collage (121279)
Ink: Cherry Cobbler (119669), Versamark (102283)
Paper: Very Vanilla Cardstock (101650), Always Artichoke (105119), Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper (120810)
Accessories: Deck the Halls Designer Fabric (121716), Cork Sheets (119819), Champagne Glass Glitter (120997), Gold Embossing Powder (109129), SNAIL (104332), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430),2-Way Glue Pen (100425), Mini Glue Dots (103683)
Tools: Big Shot (113439), Scallop Square Bigz Die (120903), 1 ¾ Circle Punch (119850), Heat Tool (100005)

Cardstock Dimensions for this Project

Always Artichoke
- 8.5 x 5.5
Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper
- 4 x 5.25
Very Vanilla
- 3 x 3 piece
Cork
- 4 x 4 piece

Technique Directions

Stamp image as desired with Versamark on cork.
Cover with gold embossing powder and tap off excess.
Set using heat tool, be careful not to overheat.

Finishing Touches

Take card base and fold in half.
Attach Designer Series Paper to card base with SNAIL.
Attach cork to card base with SNAIL.
Stamp "25" portion of the stamp and punch out with 1 ¾ circle. Attach to middle of cork panel with Stampin' Dimensionals.
Using glue pen add Glass Glitter around the edge of the 25.
Cut a small piece of fabric and tie into a knot. Attach with a glue dot.

Playing with heat embossing on different materials is just one great way to get another look from your stamp sets. Adding unique texture enables you to create one of a kind cards and projects that everyone will remember.

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Technique Time: Versamark Resist

SP2

This week's technique, Versamark Resist, lets you create a lot of different looks with a few basic supplies.

Stampin' Up Supply List

Stamps: Autumn Splendor (116503), Thank You Kindly (111700)
Ink: Cherry Cobbler (119669), More Mustard (103162), Early Espresso (119670), Cajun Craze (119671), Versamark (102283)
Paper: Very Vanilla Cardstock (101650), Crumb Cake (120953), More Mustard (100946), Early Espresso (119686), Cherry Cobbler (119685), Glossy Cardstock (102599)
Accessories: SNAIL (104332), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)
Tools: Sponges (101610)

Cardstock Dimensions for this Project

Early Espresso
- 5×10
Crumb Cake
- 5×3
Glossy Cardstock
- Image for stamping 3×3
Cherry Cobbler
- 3.25×3.25
More Mustard
- 3.5×3.5

Technique Directions

Stamp image as desired with Versamark on Glossy Cardstock.
Sponge classic ink over top as desired. The stamped images will resist the ink. Layer multiple colors for a rich effect.

Finishing Touches

Take card base and fold in half.
Gently tear Crumb Cake piece and attach to card base with SNAIL. Stamp greeting in Early Espresso as shown.
Affix stamped panel to Cherry Cobbler and More Mustard pieces with SNAIL. Attach to card with Stampin' Dimensionals.

With dynamic techniques such as this one, keeping the card simple lets the technique stand out! This technique can easily be adapted to create many, many different looks.