Flowers for a Friend

Stamps:  Penny Black 4076K gift of flowers

Penny Black 3163C Friend....

Tombow Markers: 158, 533. 761, 933, 977. 990, 993

Ranger Archival Jet Black ink

Paper:  Watercolor, Basic Grey Porcelain, Orange, White

I used a marker watercolor technique to color this cute little girl!  I roughly colored an area and then used a waterbrush to move the color into the complete area.  It's an easy way to get a watercolor look without mixing colors.  I used an orange Prism paper for a narrow mat as well as a white mat.  The DP is Basic Grey Porclain.  I stamped just "friend" from the "Friend...." verse.  I trimmed it into a tiny tage.  It's tied around the handle of the blasket. Isn't she sweet? 

-judy

A Man Among Boys

I created this card with the new Artistic Outpost Steampunk stamps.  All the images in Steampunk work so well together.....great for making a collage!

I started with center building image.  I was cleaning the stamp and stamped it on scrap paper to remove some of the ink.......I liked the blurry image with washed out spots!  I starting adding the other images around it using Ranger Archival Jet Black ink.  To give some dimension, I stamped the gentleman and "gentleman's choice" on scrap paper, cut them out and glued them over the original images. 

This was my first use of the new Distress color Pumice Stone.  What a great color!  The gentleman's coat and hat are colored with it.  I used Tattered Rose for his face.  His shirt is the original paper color with a touch of Antique Linen, also used for some of the other shading.

I created the paper for the mat, too.  The stamping is pretty subtle and not very visible on the card.

You can see it better in this photo.  I stamped the "genius..." verse with Vintage Photo randomly over the edges of the mat.  Then I rubbed on Pumice Stone and Antique Linen inks.  It's a great technique for getting a DP that matches the stamping. 
What luck to find the Graphic 45 paper that coordinates beautifully! A perfect match for my monchromatic color scheme!

 Thanks for stopping!  I hope you enjoyed your visit! 

-judy

A Simple Card

.......very simple!

This card could be stamped and put together in minutes.
I stamped the windmill and the verse with Ranger Archival Cobalt ink on white glossy card stock.  What a wonderful image!  It stamped so beautifully.  I used a Spellbinders tag from Labels Trio for the verse.  I hand cut the dark blue mat.  A dark blue mat for the windmill, mounted on a ribbed card, add the verse and it's done!

Simple!

The verse and windmill are from Artistic Outpost's new stamp set called "Lovely Day".  There are some great images in the collection.  

Have a great day!
-judy

A Steampunk Mini Notebook

...... that I covered using a stamped collage of Artistic Outpost Steampunk stamps. 

I started with this little notebook. 

I cut a piece of kraft card stock a little bit larger than I needed for the cover. I prefer to trim after my stamping is done.

This is what it looked like when I was finished stamping. I used Ranger Archival Jet Black ink. I didn't ink all the edges on some of the images. Softer edges fill in a collage better. Once I was finished stamping, I added Antique Linen, Vintage Photo and a touch of Black Soot Distress inks. I also added Distress Pumice Stone (a new color that I really like) to the standing man's suit. I highlighted some areas by not adding as much Distress ink. The Minneapolis/St Paul sign is one example.......it has just Antique Linen ink over it so it's not as dark as the surrounding area. Once I liked the color, I trimmed the paper to fit the notebook. I scored fold lines for the spine. I used my Xyron to apply adhesive to it and applied it over the original cover on the notebook. I added a narrow elastic cord (used for jewelry making) to keep it shut.

This is the back.

...........front and back.........

This would be a great little gift to tuck into a card....it's small enough and not very thick. 

Hope you enjoyed this little project! 

You can find more great projects created with Steampunk in the AO Gallery.  

Have a great day!

-judy

New Artistic Outpost Stamps!

Top o' the mornin' to ya! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Today, Artistic Outpost is releasing 2 new stamp sets: Steampunk and Lovely Day!

Lovely Day: Inspired by the lovely country side of Holland, this collection features a Dutch bicycle complete with basket, a windmill that looks almost like a photo, but lends itself to coloring nicely, and an adorable little girl who is cradling a bouquet of flowers in her hands. Entire collection includes 9 images including multi-use quotations and sentiments.

SteamPunk: Featuring 10 masculine, Victorian era images, Steampunk is a fun and diverse collection. These stamps will be perfect for an altered, grungy mixed-media piece or a simple "Father Day's" card.

To celebrate this release, Artistic Outpost is featuring 15% off about everything in their store.  Just use coupon code: spring2010_15 at check out.

Coupon Code is only valid through March 31, 2010.

* * * * *

I used stamps from Steampunk to create this card.  How appropriate for me to have the Minneapolis/St Paul sign!  It's home town.......well, almost.  At least, home state!  This was pretty simple stamping for me.  I used Versafine Onyx Black ink for all 3 images stamped on cream card stock.  I added just a touch of Antique Linen around the edges.  The red and plaid papers are from Graphic 45.  Isn't that train awesome? 

And this card uses stamps from Lovely Day.....

I stamped the tullip 3 times across a strip of white paper using Ranger Cranberry and Meadow inks.  I dabbed the inks on the separate color areas, misted the stamp lightly and stamped it.  I then cut a set of masks out of Eclipse tape for the tullips.  I inked the stamp with Meadow and stamped between the first tullips moving the masks as needed.   I wanted to fill in the space with foliage.  I used a water pen to pull the cranberry ink over the white areas of each tullip making them pink rather than white.  I added narrow red strips to each edge as well as the punched lace from a Martha Stewart punch.  At the top I kept some of the punched edge hidden for a narrower trim.  I also stamped the tullip over the pink card front using Ranger Seashell Pink ink.  The verse is from Artistic Outpost's Bluebird set.   I added a green ribbon and bow.  

My only thing green for St. Patrick's Day! 

I hope you get a chance to check out what the rest of the Artistic Outpost Design Team created with these new stamps.  I'm sure you'll be inspired!

Robyn * Gerrie * Lisa * Cathy * Lynn * Robin * Shelly * Toni * Stephanie - March Guest Designer

You can also check out the Artistic Outpost Gallery for more inspiration!

....too busy!

I'm way too busy working on things I can't show you just yet........ 

Artistic Outpost has 2 new stamp sets coming out on Wednesday.  Be sure to stop back then!  I'll have a sample or 2 to share. 
I'm also working on Fond Memories Workshop projects.  I have 1 done and 2 in progress....both very close to finished.  The Workshop is coming up April 10th. 

Since I can't show you anything I'm working on....... I went looking for something that I haven't posted. I found this cute bear in my Penny Black photos.

  I know he looks like he's ready for Valentine's Day!  I think he would make a great "I love you" card any time.  Did I convince you???  Look how cute he is!!
I used my Memento inks to create an ink palette to watercolor him. The heart was stamped on a scrap and cut out.  I shaped it for some dimension....not at all visible, is it?  It's tucked under his paws and mounted with foam tape to keep it shaped.   There's Spica gold on the ribbon.

See you on Wednesday for the Artistic Outpost release!

A Surprise Party!

My friends at Fond Memories surprised me with a party on Monday night!  As you can see, we were at the store.  I had no idea, not a clue!  It was so fun!  The cake was delicious!  Umm good, the frosting was unbelievable!  Thanks Baiba! 

Baiba, me, Doreen, Kathy, Mary Jo, Dianne

We had planned a mini class that night to teach Doreen and Mary how to solder.  They wanted to learn to make soldered charms.  I set up my stuff and then wandered through the store to see if I'd missed anything new.  We were waiting for Doreen who had been to market with Kathy.  SO the story went!!!  Baiba stopped in. I thought nothing of it.  She often stops.  Then Dianne came in.  I thought it a bit odd that she would stop so close to closing....  I assumed she wanted to talk to Kathy.  Then Mary Jo showed up.......she had a good excuse as I had told her she could come watch Doreen and Mary try soldering. Baiba left and came back with some excuse.....funny to think of it now!   Finally, Doreen and Kathy got there.  Doreen didn't seem too excited to get started with our mini class.......I did think that a bit odd.  Oh well, I thought she probably needs a little transition time.

That's when they brought out the cake!!!  Doreen had promised me that if I made the Spellbinders Design Team we were going to have a party!   She did good!!!  Thanks, Doreen!  What a special time!  The glow is still with me.  Thank you for being such special friends! 
Mary, of course, took the group photo. 

Luckily I had my camera.....  I managed to catch her with Doreen as everyone gave me a toast.

After all the fun, Doreen and Mary learned a few soldering tips.  They each made a little charm to hang on necklace. 

What a night!  Thanks girls!!! It was so much fun.  I was totally surprised!  Smiles to all of you!

-judy

The Butterfly

I used stamps from 2 Artistic Outpost sets for this card: Happiness and Serenity.

First, I created the paper behind the butterfly using a stamp from Serenity.  (see photo below of stamp images)  I stamped it with a new Distress ink called Bundled Sage over white card stock.  Then I overstamped it with the same stamp using Distress Spun Sugar.   I sprayed a light coat of Candlelight Glimmer Mist over it and added  Antique Linen around the edges.

The verse is stamped with Versafine Black Onyx and clear embossed.

I also stamped the butterfly with Black Onyx.  I used watercolor and Spica markers to color it. It's mounted with foam under the wings to give it dimension.  I drew the antennae with a fine tip marker.

Here are the stamped images I used. (sorry the photo and stamping aren't the best) I masked the little butterfly when I inked the verse for my card.
The big butterfly is part of  a larger stamp.  I simply cut out the butterfly.  The 2 center images show the stamp and ink colors that I used to create the patterened paper. 

This is what the paper looked like after stamping and a light mist of Candlelight Glimmer Mist.  For the card I added Antique Linen to subdue the color a little bit.  The somewhat blured image of the stamp worked really well for this technique.  I rotated the stamp to make the pattern random.

I used the same stamp with Versamark to add a faint pattern to the card front.

The looped edge.....isn't it pretty?.....was created with 2 Martha Stewart punches.  One cuts the corner and the other punches the edge.  Sorry, but I don't remember the name of it.  The mat was cut from a piece of an old manilla file folder.  I added a touch of Antique Linen to the edges.

Check out this post on the Artistic Outpost blog for their birthday celebration!  Submit a birthday themed project for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate!  Check the AO blog for more details.

"March is a party month at Artistic Outpost! One of the owners and THREE of our design team members are having birthdays this month. Happy Birthday, Shelley, Lisa, Gerrie and Shelly! Matter a fact, they all share the same birthday!

We are also helping our friends over at Gingersnap Creations celebrate their first birthday with some Artistic Outpost Blog Candy*. Gingersnap Creations is a collaborative blog for stampers and mixed media artists."
Wishing you time enough to stamp today!

Enjoy each moment!
-judy

Celebrate Life

.......with this great poppy from Penny Black.  I especially like the verse, also from PB appropriately called "celebrate life".  What a great verse for a birthday card!

I stamped PB "poppy poem" 3 times....once for the whole image and 2 more of the poppy to cut and piece the flower.  All the coloring was done with Distress inks:  Fired Brick and Spiced Marmalade for the poppy; Peeled Paint and Shabby Shutters for leaves and stems; Antique Linen, Vintage Photo and Black Soot for shading and distressing the edges. The image and verse were stamped with Versafine Black Onyx.  I stamped and embossed the verse with clear EP after the Distress inks were completely dry.  There is stamping on the rust mat....very hard to see....with  PB "diamond run" using Distress Tea Dye.  The background paper is Ancestral Tapestry from ANW Crestwood.  I added 3 little pieces of folded ribbon (colored a bit with Vintage Photo) tucked behind the mat edge.  The card is 3 3/4" x 5 3/8".

Celebrate life today and everyday!
enjoy........
judy

Snow Happiness

Yes, I know today is March 1st! 

There's still lots of snow where I live!  I keep hearing predictions that March will bring 30-40" more!  I sure hope that's wrong.  March snow is usually wet and perfect for snowmen! 

So that's my excuse for a snow card to share.  This fun group of friends is a stamp by Penny Black called "snow squad".  I stamped it with Memento Tuxedo Black on Solar White card stock.  I used the Copic markers shown below to color all these fun critters.  I added a little Crystal glitter (Art Institute) to the snow man and snowflakes.  "Happiness" is a portion of a Penny Black verse called "the journey".

The card front is stamped with "sunburst" by Penny Black using Versamark and embossed with Polysparkle EP.  I added a few dots of Crystal glitter between the "sunbursts".   The paper is from We R Memory Keepers new Hippity Hoppity Cardstock pad......fun spring colors.  See I am thinking spring....lol

I cut out the verse with the smallest die from Spellbinders S3-147 Labels Trio.  I left it in the die to emboss it and then applied a hint of color with Copic B0000.  I added a little glue & Crystal glitter to the tiny brads.  The red mat was freehand cut.

Enjoy!

-judy