New Artistic Outpost Stamp Sets!

Today, Artistic Outpost is releasing 3 new stamp sets! They're awesome images!

Here's an excerpt from AO about the new releases:

The newest three collections from Artistic Outpost have a very natural vintage style, an ode to simpler times. We were inspired by some of our favorite quotes of Henry David Thoreau. His simple advice to "simplify, simplify" are words we should use in our daily life - the hustle and bustle of work, home, and community - as well as in our art. How often do we just need to stamp! Just the act of simply putting ink to rubber is calming and rewarding. We hope you find simple inspiration to create something that makes you happy.

And, we know you will love and want all three. So for a limited time, we are offering 20% when you purchase all three stamp collections. Simply use coupon code: September2009 at check out.

The Outpost: This collection is inspired by our Serenity signature set and continues this theme with a much larger image of our "outpost". You will love the versatility of this collection including the ATC sized farm house, and the nostalgic pocket watch.

Old Grist Mill: We live in the South where covered bridges are not quite as common as they are in other parts of the US and Europe. However, we absolutely long to be driving through the countryside in the fall, stopping at each covered bridge, and just listening to the "clippety, clap" of the tires going over each floor board. Again, we are reminded to enjoy simple beauty.

Generation Redux: These vintage images are grunged up a bit in a unique collage style. They are designed to go with not only The Outpost and Old Grist Mill, but think of using them with Home as well. We love this generation and find that this style of photo stamp is a perfect versatile style to add that "human" element to your creations.

* * * * *

I had the opportunity to work with Old Grist Mill and The Outpost for this release. What wonderful images! I loved working with both of them. Both of these sets work well together. My favorite, though, is Old Grist Mill. I only touched on a few ways to use this set.

Here's my first project......



The grist mill......

......stamped with Adirondack Espresso ink on natural card stock. I colored it with Copic markers: C1, E31, E42, E44, G94, W1, W3, W5,YG03, YG11, YG65, YG91, YG93, 0
(photo below)


The green mat and cream card were cut with Spellbinders Curved Rectangles dies. Yes, the card started as natural color. I colored the edges with Copic YG91, W3, W5. I also stamped the grist mill advertising stamp around the edges of the card front using Espresso stamped off once. I think I added a bit of Antique Linen distressing, too......It was awhile ago when I created this card and I didn't make notes so I'm not positive.

The green mat has Distress Walnut Stain around the edges.

The brown mat started as a rectangle. Then I used a paper distressor on the edges for a worn look. I've added a bit of Black Soot to create a "burnt edge".

I stamped "simplify" with Espresso and cut it out with a Spellbinders tag. While the paper was still in the die, I colored it with Copic YG91 . I added 3 tiny brads in front of the word. It's mounted with foam tape.

To assemble, I glued the green curved mat to the card front. Then I slipped twine through the opening on the fold edge and around the card several times. It's knotted near the opening edge. The grist mill is glued to the dark brown paper and then fastened to the card front with thin foam dots. "Simplify" is attached with thicker foam tape.

If you'd like to see more wonderful projects using these new sets, visit the Artistic Outpost website and click on the Designers names to see their creations. Today, my ATC is pictured on the home page. Really exciting to see it featured there! I'll post it and the rest of my projects over the next few days.

Be sure to check out the AO Blog Hop on September 1st! I'm saving my best project for that day.

Thank you for stopping!

Smiles to you,

-judy

Watch the Leaves Turn

Today, I spent most of my day stamping. It was wonderful! The mojo was working.

I took the last 2 days off from work to do some deep housecleaning and more important.......stamp.

I spent most of yesterday cleaning......an endless task.

That left stamping for today. I have 8 projects due for Artistic Outpost tomorrow......6 done, 1 to tweak and 1 yet to be determined. I work well at the last minute........

Be sure to check out the Artistic Outpost blog this weekend. They're releasing 3 new stamp sets. I've had the pleasure to work with 2 of them......beautiful images. A blog hop is planned, too. I'll have more details in the next few days.


For now, here's a card I put together as a primer for my day of stamping. I had stamped the verse from Autumn Harvest by The Paper Company Studio and even cut the leaves paper for the card front last week. I didn't have quite the right color of ribbon.....hard to imagine if you saw my stash! So to finish it, I cut a Long Deckled Rectangles out of Kraft paper to put behind the ribbon slide. I distressed the edges with Antique Linen, Vintage Photo & Black Soot. I slipped the ribbon through the slide, tied a bow and fastened it all to the card front. The leaf paper is from K & Co. I rubbed just a little bit of Antique Linen around the edges.

Enjoy!

Be sure to stop back this weekend for the start of the Artistic Outpost release!

Simple Blessings

..........another card created with my JustRite Autumn Blessings set.

I stamped & heat embossed the verse with gold embossing powder. I simply trimmed it with a scissors. I used gold again for the border stamped on rust paper. It's cut with a Spellbinders Classic Scalloped Oval. I added a dark red (I know it looks purple in the photo but it's not) mat to peak out around the scallops.

The paper on the card front, Fall Orange Scroll, is from K & Co.

In order to shape the card edge, I laid the matted verse near the paper edge where I wanted to cut the curve. I traced it with a pencil & also penciled in the straight edge above & below the curve. I cut it with a scissors. If I were mass producing this card, I'd make a template out of card stock to trace on each card.

For the dark red edge, I traced the pattern that I just created.

I tied a bow & fastened the ends behind the DP on the left edge & under the matted verse on the right. Then I glued it all to a cream card which is 4 1/8" x 5 1/2". The oval curve extends 1/8" beyond the cream card.

The finishing touch is 3 Hero Arts gems.

Let us all be thankful for simple blessings!

Until next time.......keep stamping!

-judy

Autumn Blessings

I'm on a roll with my JustRite Autumn Blessings set......

The apple basket is another center image in the set. I chose the "Autumn Blessings" border. There are 6 centers & 6 different borders to mix & match. The watercan from yesterday's post & the apple basket are perfect for coloring with Copic markers. Lots of detail but not too big. Easy & quick to color!

I stamped the apples & border with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white paper. I colored the apples & basket with the Copic markers shown below. I also colored the border.....tan around the "Autumn Blessings". I used a Spellbinders Classic Oval to cut it out. You can see that the cut edge came very close to the words yet fits nicely. I cut another tan oval for a mat. I added black Hero Arts Gemstones over the acorns on the border.

0, W1, E31, E33, E37, E42, G21, G24
R22, R27, R29, R32, R35, W1

For the card front, I chose a sand colored Bazzill paper (I don't know the name). I centered & cut a large oval opening using a Petite Oval Spellbinders die. I cut a 1/8" smaller oval out of red paper to create the border. That's when I decided it was too plain so I debossed the tan paper with a Spellbinders Impressabilities......debossed means my Impressabilities was on top of my paper so the pattern was pushed down into the paper. That's why the pattern shows paper color after I rubbed Antique Linen Distress ink over the raised areas. It really adds a nice look to the card. Much better than plain! Then I glued the red oval in place behind the tan.

I searched my paper stash for something to put behind the apple oval.....couldn't find just the right thing! So I inked the Impressabilities with Antique Linen & pressed it onto a piece of cream card stock. The ink didn't stick very well to the metal.....beaded up a lot....but I still like the subtle pattern it created....just enough. You may need to click on one of the photos to be able to see it.

The final step was assembling all the parts. I knotted the red ribbon, positioned it & glued the ribbon ends to the back. I always cut my ribbon rather than wrap it all around the card.....it's easier to tie & saves a little ribbon.

Then I glued the whole thing to a cream 4 1/4 x 5 1/2" card front. I used foam tape to fasten the apples oval and placed it a little offset......for intesest & so the ribbon ends wouldn't cover too much. I added 5 little Hero Arts black Pearls on the background oval.

This is not at all how I envisioned using the apple basket once I had colored it......I certainly love how it turned out! Sometimes my beginning idea has to be tweaked.........or maybe it's more like going with the creative flow! I was on a roll........

* * *

I'm having trouble with Blogger & my paragraphs.......they look great in my draft but don't publish the same.........sorry if it all runs together.

* * *

Supplies:

JustRite Autumn Blessings Set

Spellbinders Classic Ovals & Petite Ovals

Spellbinders Impressabilities Flowers

Copic Markers: 0,E31,E33,E37,E42,G21,G24,R22,R27,R29,R32,R35,W1

Distress Anitque Linen ink

Memento Tuxedo Black ink

Red Ribbon

Hero Arts Gemstones & Pearls - black

If you checked this blog yesterday.......you know this post changed. I can't believe I didn't see that the greeting border was upside down!!! :( Duh!!

So I fixed it tonight by stamping a new border, cutting out an oval center so my apples could show through, & glueing the new border in place. A much easier fix than coloring the apples again. Of course that meant new photos...... I think it looks much better now!

* * * * *

Smiles to all my blogger friends! I'm so thrilled to have visitors from many foreign countries: Japan, Norway, Sweden, UK, Canada, Mexico to name a few .

Welcome! I hope you enjoy your visit!

Smiles to all!
-judy

Sunflowers

Whew! I can't believe it's been a whole week since I posted..........

My stamping last week was for projects that I can't show. Sorry... One project is for the Fond Memories workshop coming up at the end of September. The other is for a new release for Artistic Outpost at the beginning of September. A few deadlines to meet this month!

I found time to play on Saturday.......let's say I took time. Housework will have to wait.

I had fun putting this card together!



The image is from JustRite's new Autumn Blessings Set. I stamped it with Memento Black Tuxedo ink. I chose these Copic colors to make it look like a vintage watering can filled with sunflowers.

0, c1, c3, c5, g85, g94, y17, y38

After coloring, I simply used my scissors to trim around the border. There is a Spellbinders die that's a good size match but it's hard to get it lined up exactly with this lined border. It was just as quick to cut it out! Then I cut the orange mat with a Spellbinders Classic Oval die. The scalloped mats were cut with a Scalloped Classic Oval die. Both the white & green mats are the same size. I offset the white one a little to peek from behind the green.

The papers are from Basic Grey's 6x6 Lime Rickey pad. Such a great color match! I stitched on the orange twill tape, something new for me. I've always been too lazy to go downstairs & get my sewing machine out. So I finally set a up a sewing machine close to my stamping area. I think I'll use it more now.


I added little white brads across the twill tape spacing them with Tim Holtz' clear ruler. It has holes every 1/8". I used my piercing tool to make a hole for each brad. The little tag was cut with the medium tag from Spellbinders Tags Trio. I stamped the little greeting (Hero Arts) first. I cut the tag with the verse close to the top. Then I moved the tag in the die to cut the bottom making it a short tag. I used a silk bow to finish the card.

Supplies:
JustRite Autumn Blessing Set
Hero Arts "thinking of you"
Copic markers: 0, c1, c3, c5, g85, g94, y17, y38
Memento Black Tuxedo ink
Spellbinders Classic Oval, Scalloped Classic Oval, Tags Trio
Basic Grey 6x6 Lime Rickey
Twill tape, White Brads, Silk Ribbon
* * *
Thanks for stopping! I have a few more cards ready to post so it won't be a week to wait!!!

Smiles,
-judy

Everything That Counts

I put this card together this afternoon for the Artistic Outpost blog.......

....my goal was a "quick" card.

It didn't take me very long but I wouldn't categorize it as a "quick card". The only time I seem to be able to make a quick card is when I need one in 15 minutes. I'm often amazed at what I can do then.

I used the stamp shown from Mini Masterpiece for the card front & background behind the verse. Ranger Espresso ink was used on the card front & for the verse. I used clear embossing powder over the verse which is from the Geek is Chic set. The tag shape was cut with a Spellbinders die.

The framed image isn't very obvious because I added some gold embossing powder & shook about half of it off. After it was embossed, I stamped the image again in Espresso.

I added a few flowers with button centers & a narrow silk ribbon. The darker small flower was also stamped with the background stamp.

Until next time, thanks for stopping!

Happy stamping!

-judy

Time to Stamp Background

Here's a collage background paper that I stamped, misted & stamped again for a Cornish Heritage Farms challenge.

I started with 1/2 of a file folder. File folders have a slightly different finish than card stock. I often use them for stamping. I used CHF Time to Stamp for all my stamping first using Ranger Pigment inks: Lemonade, Cloudy Blue, Juniper. These inks act as a subtle resist. I added more stamping with Ranger Adirondack Espresso after I finished misting.

I used various colors of Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists: Juniper, Patina, Tattered Leather, Winter Pine, Suede and Wheatfields (one of my favorites for a soft tan comparable to Antique Linen Distress ink only with glimmer). I can't begin to tell you what order I sprayed the colors. I started with Wheatfields and added colors until I liked the results. It certainly didn't turn out like the idea in my head........sometimes that's good...... yet I like the results. Such a rich dark tone suitable for masculine cards with wonderful sheen!

Out of this paper, I was able to create 3 cards & a cover for a little notebook leaving only a few small scraps.......

I wasn't really able to capture the wonderful sheen with the photos. If you click on the photo for a closer look, you might see it better.

Here's each one individually..........

.......verse is from Time to Stamp

......another verse from Time to Stamp

.......this verse is from Encouragement Expressions.......

....."just a note" from Script Essential Expressions....

I had fun with this challenge. I didn't spend much time on any of the cards and certainly not the notebook. That was so easy........just cut a piece of the paper to fit the cover & glue it on.

Just think of the possibilities with this technique. Any style of stamps can be used for an infinite number of creative possibilities. Next time you need a number of cards, try this!

Thanks for looking! A BIG THANKS to all my followers who keep coming back even when I don't have anything new to post. Smiles to you! :)

I'm Cute

Isn't this kitty cute?

This is one of 5 cute kitties in Penny Black's Purrfect Day clear stamp set. Penny Black makes such cute critters!

I don't usually work with "cute" stamps. If we hadn't found an orphan kitten in May, I probably wouldn't have been inclined to buy this set at all. I can just see "Bennie" (my cat) in this position high in a tree. I've had to climb a few trees to rescue him.......he is difficult at times and so cute!

I actually had fun coloring this kitty. I used these Copic colors: C1, C3, B00, G21, YG11, E00, E02, R20, YR000, 0. I even added some rhinestones to his collar.

I used a Spellbinders Long Classic Rectangle and Long Classic Scalloped Rectangle to cut the image & pale peach mat. I simply cut the pink mat with a paper cutter.

I used 3 flowers from PB Sentiments clear set to create the blue patterned paper. I stamped them with Versarmark & added light blue chalk. The ribbon is from American Crafts.

I also added a white mat with a scallop edge cut with a Fiskars edge punch and then a green mat. I left a little bit of the white card front peak out at the bottom edge.....a bit hard to see in the photo.

Hope you enjoyed your visit to my blog! Please stop again!

-judy

Supplies:

Copic markers: C1, C3, B00, G21, YG11, 0, E00, E02, R20, YR000

Stamps: Penny Black Purrfect Day, Sentiments

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Spellbinders Long Classic Rectangles, Long Classic Scallop Rectangles

American Crafts ribbon