Category: Tips & Techniques

Technique Tuesday: Burnt Batik Featuring Tropical Party

Posted on by Josee

 Batik josee 
Doesn't this make you want to lie on a beach somewhere?  The Tropical Party stamp set from the Summer Mini is definitely one of my new favourites!  This card features the Burnt Batik technique, which is a fun and easy technique.  In case you don't remember batik – it was very in years ago, and it's a way of dyeing cloth using a wax resist.  Very funky!

Here's a quick tutorial on this technique, and how to make this card.

What You'll Need

  • Stamps: Tropical Party (118515/130081), Favorite Thoughts (116968/130048)
  • Ink: Versamark (102283), Pumpkin Pie Classic (105216), So Saffron Classic (105213), Old Olive Classic (102277)
  • Paper: Pumpkin Pie Cardstock (105117), So Saffron Cardstock (105118) Whisper White Cardstock(106529)
  • Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder(109130), Fire Circle Brads(109110), SNAIL (104332), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104330)
  • Tools: Heat Tool (100005), Big Shot (113439), Two Tags Die (115954), Paper Piercing Tool ( 116631), Fancy Flower Punch (118073), Five Petal Punch (109041)

Cardstock Dimensions for this Project

  • Pumpkin Pie: Card Base: 5×10 for Card Base, Scrap for Fancy Flower Punch
  • So Saffron:Tag: 3×6 scrap, Scrap for Five Petal Punch
  • Whisper White: Embossed Panel 4×4, Scrap for stamped flower

 

Technique Directions

This fun technique is best with a bolder, solid image stamp set.   Tropical Party is perfect to create a whimsical birthday card.

  1. Randomly stamp images on Whisper White Cardstock with Versamark.
  2. Cover with clear embossing powder and tap off excess.
  3. Set with Heat Tool and continue heating until the embossing powder bubbles a bit and is very glossy.
  4. Gently spray the cardstock with water.
  5. Take sponges and randomly sponge classic ink over the embossed image.

Finishing Touches

 

  1. Stamp leaf image randomly on card base in Pumpkin Pie classic.
  2. Create tag using Big Shot, and stamp greeting towards right hand side of tag.
  3. Punch out Pumpkin Pie flower using Fancy Flower Punch, punch out So Saffron Flower with Five Flower Punch.
  4. Stamp small flower image from Tropical Party on Whisper White. (On the sample I used Rock and Roll technique to use both So Saffron and Pumpkin Pie). Cut out flower using paper snips.
  5. Assemble flower by layer Pumpkin Pie flower, followed by So Saffron flower, stamped flower and then an Ice Circle brad to top it off. Attach flower to tag with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
  6. Adhere batik panel to card base with SNAIL. Attach tag panel to the cardfront with SNAIL.



 

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Template just for you!

Posted on by Josee

I’ve been asked numerous times for the instructions for this card…I tried to create a template today and posted it and then found out that Georgia had a much better one, so, I’ve posted that one below instead.

This card was one of the ones we made at my last Christmas card class and it was definitely a hit! (Thanks to Georgia Giguere for swapping this card with us at Founder’s Circle!)


 I’m truly excited about the next 2 months of stamping…I hope you’ll join me for some of these fun classes: (click on each for more details)

 Holiday Hoopla   is on Nov. 7th (I’m asking for registration by Oct. 19th as I need time to get the supplies in and get all the projects cut!) It’s going to be an awesome event…with tons of make and take’s, demonstrations, prizes and Christmas card samples…this is an event you want to bring your camera to! 

Big Shot Bonanza is on Oct. 21st. I still have spots available! Make sure you come join us for some BIG FUN!

Open Stamp & Scrap is on Oct. 27th…this is the perfect time to come use my stamps, ink, punches, Big Shot….to finish your holiday projects!

AND with Christmas around the corner…it’s time to fill out your HOLIDAY WISHLIST and get what you really want this Christmas! If you’d like a wishlist to fill out, email me  to receive yours! (Canada only)

My exclusive 12 weeks of Christmas for newsletter subscribers is in full swing…don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter to receive them!
 

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Stamping Jo TV: Circle Cutter Plus

Posted on by Josee

Love to make circles??? You’ll love the Circle Cutter Plus! It took a little bit of ‘doctor-ing" to make me truly LOVE it as it had a bit of wiggle. But, with 5 minute of work…I’m positive that you’ll love it too! Just follow the instructions in my video and you’ll find you’ll have the tricks to make it work perfectly!

(sorry for the glare on my video…I’m working on a better spot to tape them)

 

If you are reading this by email, please go to my blog HERE to view it.

Now for the magic of circle making…check out this card….don’t you LOVE IT??? This is a card we’re making at Laura and Sandy’s stamping parties next week. It’s hard to see from the picture, but, each cupcake top is full of glitter! I got the idea from a beautiful card I received in the mail from my thoughtful downline Catherine Cote from Montreal. I love her card so much…I had to make one too! 

Are you from Canada? Sign up for my newsletter  to receive 3 FREE coupons, exclusive samples and subscriber-only content!

 

Circle Scissor Plus
Item # 112530
Price: $37.95

Description: Making circles has never been easier! With the Circle Scissor Plus you can quickly make circles from 1" to 6".

 

 

 

Glass Mat 13" x13"
Item # 112531
Price: $24.95
 

Description: The glass mat allows the blade to glide smoothly as you cut with the Circle Scissor Plus.

 

 

 

Crazy for Cupcakes Stamp set
Item # 111618
Cost: $28.95

 

 

 

 

 

To purchase these supplies, go click here to go to my online store…then click SHOP NOW!… READ MORE “Stamping Jo TV: Circle Cutter Plus”

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Photography Tips

Posted on by Josee

Not happy with the photo’s you take? Here are some great tips that you can use!

People & Portrait Photography Quick Tips
from NationalGeographic.com

  • If you use objects other than your main subject in the foreground, be careful of placement. You don’t want to obscure or detract from your subject.
  • Every time you hold your camera to your eye, look for leading lines, foreground elements, frames—anything you can use to lend dynamism to your image. Photographs are two dimensional but it helps if they look and feel three dimensional.
  • Don’t just stand there—sit, squat, lie down. The angle from which you make a photograph can make a dramatic difference.
  • When using an electronic flash indoors, move your subject away from walls to prevent harsh shadows.
  • A piece of very light orange gel over the face of your electronic flash can warm up the light and give it a more pleasing cast.
  • When you first arrive at a new location, make note of any features that strike you. Try to find ways to incorporate them into your composition.
  • Be careful if you are using a wide-angle lens to photograph a group. The people at the edges may get distorted.
  • If kids want to look through the camera, let them. They will be more relaxed and cooperative. Just watch out for dirty fingers on the lens.
  • Anticipate kids’ behavior. If they are playing tag, set up near the base, compose your image, and wait for them to come running in.

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