‘Woodland Walk’ Card Making Tutorial

August 4, 2011 at 10:23 pm (Insect and Critter Cards, Nature)
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This card looks like it belongs outdoors! You will learn how distressing techniques of crumpled paper give the backdrop a weathered appearance, making the perfect frame for the woodland scene which this greeting card features.

MATERIALS NEEDED TO MAKE THIS CARD:

TO MAKE THIS CARD

  1. Cut your cardstock  pieces and prepare according to the CRACKLED Card Making Template.   For this card you will need to cut two D pieces. One in rust cardstock and one on cream. Be sure to trim the edges after you have folded your card so all edges are even. (NOTE: This card is larger than 6×6. Begin with Step 4 and adjust your template pieces to fit your card.)
  2. Take the lightweight, light colored paper (B) and distress as instructed in  Distressing Techniques by crumpling and inking the paper.
  3. Carefully smooth out the paper, and glue onto the front of the card.
  4. On the D rust colored cardstock, using the Birch Buddies Clear Rubber Stamps, stamp two birch trees on right third of your paper in rust colored ink. On the D cream cardstock, stamp birch trees on the outside edges of your paper. Add leaves, grass, and animals as desired. Cut out the center area using a crat knife. Cut your photo or stamped image (D) to size.  Matte your photo or stamped image with the cardstock (C).   Distress the edges with ink if desired.  Using 3-d sticky squares mat and  mount this image as indicated in the above template.
  5. Using  the Fall Season clear acrylic stamps, stamp three leaves, one each in green, rust, and a deep yellow opto cream colored cardstock.  Cut out the leaves and arrange on card using 3-d sticky squares to secure.
  6. Stamp your message on the tag using the Garden Box Set  of clear stamps, distress the edges with ink as explained in Distressing Techniques.  Fasten the tag to your card.  You can put the brad in either before you secure the tag to the card, or after. 
  7. Add a saying or sentiment inside the card and stamp a leaf or two onto your envelope to finish your card making project

Happy Stamping!!!

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Woodland Friends Card Making Tutorial

March 28, 2011 at 2:13 pm (Card making Tutorials, Nature, New & Promotional)
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These adorable animals almost tell a story and easily convey the feelings of friendship contained in this card.

MATERIALS YOU WILL NEED TO MAKE THIS CARD:

TO MAKE THIS CARD:

  1. Cut beige cardstock to 7″ x 10″. Fold in half for a 5×7 card.
  2. Cut another piece of beige cardstock to 4.5″ x 6.75″.  Stamp your woodland design using the Birch Buddies clear stamps and the black pigment ink.
  3. Next color your design using Technique #5 in the Coloring Designs Like a Pro Information pages. Using this technique, use light blue and brown pigment inks to create shadows on the trees. If you want to make an area darker simply paint over it once more after it is dry.
  4. Trim your paper if needed to that your scenic picture is centered.
  5. Cut Navy blue cardstock to 7″ x 5″. Trim off .75″ of an inch off the long side and put it through your border punch.
  6. Secure the navy blue cardstock to the beige 5×7 card with the edge lining up evenly with the fold. Secure the woodland friends in the center of the navy.
  7. Next, carefully add the decorative border to the side of the card leaving a small space between the two pieces of navy.
  8. Add a thoughful friendly sentiment to the inside of your card and mail it to a special friend.

Happy Stamping!!!

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‘Someplace To Celebrate’ Card Making Tutorial

March 24, 2011 at 8:24 pm (Card making Tutorials, Nature)
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A lovely effect is created with both a background and foreground design coming together to create a dimensional forest in this sweet little celebration card. The deer almost appears to be pondering and appreciating his forest home.

MATERIALS NEEDED TO MAKE THIS CARD:

TO MAKE THIS CARD:

  1. Cut and fold your brown cardstock to form your card.
  2. Using the Birch Buddies clear rubber stamps, stamp the two birch trees on the left and one on the right leaving about 1″ clear from the edge (if you have to mask off part of the design so you have the right spacing)
  3. Cut your blue cardstock to fit inside the card.
  4. Cut out the space between your outside trees. Use a ruler to define the top and bottom of your design.
  5. On the blue cardstock stamp multiple birch trees. Color them in using pigment in as explained in the Coloring Designs like a Pro information article (technique #5).
  6. Stamp green grass at the base of the trees.
  7. Stamp leaves onto the trees using the Mini Bee clear stamps.
  8. Using the dimensional glue (this will leave a glossy finish when it is dry) cover the three trees on the brown cardstock with the glue. This will give them a little more shape and it also gives them a different texture from the rest of the paper.
  9. Once the dimensional glue is dry secure the blue paper to the back of the design showing the forest through the trees. Add leaf shaped brads to the foreground of the design.
  10. Stamp the deer on a separate piece of cardstock. Color as desired and add gems to the spots on his back. Secure to the front of the card.
  11. Stamp or write the word ‘Celebrate’ onto blue cardstock and mat with brown. Secure to the bottom left corner of the card.
  12. Add a saying or sentiment inside your card and it is ready to be used!

Happy Stamping!!!

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‘Tropical Sunset’ Card Making Tutorial

September 7, 2010 at 4:40 pm (Card making Tutorials, Nature)
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If you love to stamp scenery this card is ideal for showing off rubber stamped works of art. This card features a sunset over the ocean with palm trees in the foreground. It is ideal for lots of occasions such as retirement, vacation, congratulations, thank you, thinking of you and more.

Materials you will Need to Make this Card:

  • ivory cardstock
  • blue cardstock
  • SCENIC Card Making template
  • colored chalks
  • black pigment ink
  • Tropical clear stamps
  • black marker
  • glue
  • glitter

To Make This Card:

  1. Cut the cardstock to the recommended dimensions or create your own variation of the SCENIC Card Making Template
  2. Using the tropical clear stamps, stamp the palm trees in the bottom right hand corner of the ivory cardstock. Stamp some plants around the base.
  3. Stamp the mountains from the Tropcial Clear Stamp Set to the left of the horizon. Stamp the ripples of water across the horizon and randomly over the water.
  4. Begin chalking the colors of the sunset in to the sky with a reflection showing in the water.
  5. With the black marker fill in the mountains on the horizon to form a solid silhouette of land. Fill in a land mass below the palm trees to complete the scene.
  6. Add glitter to the ripples in the water to add the sparkle of reflected sunlight.
  7. Mount your tropcial scene on the blue cardstock card and stamp a saying or sentiment inside the card to finish the project

Happy Stamping!

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‘Reflective Moments’ Card Making Tutorial

September 6, 2010 at 7:46 pm (Card making Tutorials, Nature)
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This card is made with a CD as the main focal point. Though the CD is covered with ink, the reflective characteristics of the CD itself shine through and make a stunning effect that is hard to achieve any other way.

MATERIALS NEEDED TO MAKE THIS CARD:

  • 1 reclaimed CD
  • permanent ink markers in various colors
  • Tropical Clear Stamps
  • Stamp cleaner for permanent ink
  • Water for rinsing stamps after cleaning
  • Rubbing Alcohol in a fine mist spritz bottle
  • Toothpick or kebab stick
  • Colored Glitter and liquid glue
  • Circle shaped vellum tag
  • Ribbon
  • Glue dots
  • Pigment ink
  • Black and ivory cardstock
  • Complimentary pattern paper
  • Circle template or cutter
  • Water based markers

To Make This Card:

  1. Follow the instructions for coloring and designing the CD Scape found at the CD Scapes link.
  2. With the CD fully decorated you are ready to make it into a card. Begin by cutting ivory cardstock slightly larger than the CD. Also cut the black cardstock first folding it in half so you have a 6″ x 6″ square. Cut the circle offset so it includes about 2″ of the fold. This will allow your card to open up once it is complete. Cut a circle from the pattern paper slightly larger than the ivory cardstock but smaller than the black cardstock. Position pattern paper and ivory cardstock onto the face of the card.
  3. Use the Stitch Lines clear stamp to stamp around the circle elements by using a large acrylic handle 4″ x 4″ or larger. Place the edge of a CD onto the block and apply the zig zag stitch border to the acrylic block along the edge of the CD. This will give you the curve you need to follow the circles on your card. Stamp the zig zag stitch over the edges of the ivory and pattern paper pieces.
  4. Place your decorated CD on the card without mounting it. Use your black permanent ink marker to fill in any part of you scenic design that may be interupted by the center of the CD. Mount the CD to the Card face using glue dots.
  5. Decorate the tag using the Live Well Clear Stamps. Because the tag is smaller than the Live Laugh Love stamp we will show you how to use only portions of your stamp to get what you need.
  6. Using waterbased markers select 1 to 3 colors you wish to use. Mount the sentiment onto the acrylic handle and ink the word you want in the middle of you tag. Stamp the saying and clean the stamp. Do the same for the other two words to complete your tag.
  7. Add ribbon to the top of your completed tag and mount to the center of the CD. We have used a vellum tag which allows the silhouettes to show through the tag.
  8. Ink the edges of the black cardstock with silver or white pigment ink and the card making project is complete.

Happy Stamping!!!

 

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‘Watery Wonder’ Card Making Tutorial

August 4, 2010 at 9:42 pm (Card making Tutorials, Nature)
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This is a fun and glamorous card to make and it is ideal for using up little bits of paper that are left over from other stamping and card making projects. This card uses an iris folding technique to create layers and interest in the scenic design of the card.

To Make this Card you will need:

  • an assortment of paper strips in a rainbow of colors
  • glitter
  • glue and double sided tape
  • ribbon
  • Flower Clear stamps
  • vellum paper
  • clear tape
  • iris folding instructions and the template for the ship (below)
  • Basic Card Making Template altered for a 5×7 card

To Make This Card:

  1. Cut a frame from black cardstock. Make it about an inch wider than the iris folding pattern (about 3″x6″). Make sure the center of the frame matches the size of the iris folding pattern (2″ x 5″). Place the iris folding pattern behind the frame and secure with a small piece of tape to the top.
  2. Cut papers into 1″ strips that are no less than 2 1/4″ long. Fold down the long side making them about 3/4″ wide.
  3. Begin placing folded strips over the numbered spaces in the pattern. Secure each piece of paper with clear tape on the back of project. Cover numbers 1-3 with tan colors, numbers 4- 11 with blues and greens, 12-13 with the darkest blues/greys, 14-27 with strips of yellows, peach, rust, pink, violet and toward the top blue and green. Numbers 14-27 will look best with glitter added to each of them.
  4. To add glitter to a paper strip simply run a narrow length of double sided tape even with the folded edge. Sprinkle with irridescent glitter – it is semi transparent so the color of the paper will show through. Secure in place with tape. We have added glitter to about every third strip of paper in the water.
  5. You can check your progress by lifting the frame from the pattern and viewing  the front of the frame.
  6. Add glitter to each strip in the sky.
  7. Create your ship using black and grey paper with red glitter. The steam can be cut free form or with the template (below) from vellum paper. Attach the ship and the steam by slipping them in between layers of paper on the front side of the project and securing with a dab of glue on the back of the ship.
  8. Stamp the tropical flowers onto white cardstock and color with chalk. Dab glue to the flower centers and apply gold glitter. Cut the flowers out at the edges and secure to the edge of the border with dimensional foam to add depth. Adhere a ribbon down the side and add a sentiment if desired to complete the card.

That completes this card making tutorial.

Happy Stamping!

Templates Below…

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‘Hikers Paradise’ Card Making Tutorial

July 28, 2010 at 5:14 pm (Card making Tutorials, Nature)
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Celebrate the Great Outdoors with these wonderful clear rubber stamps called Camping Bear.  This card is centered around a three dimensional hiker using rubber stamping and paper tole techniques.  Easily embellished with real twigs on a green background, this card celebrates outdoor activities and encompasses treasured camping trips, outdoor activities and fun!

Materials Needed to Make this Card:

Materials Needed:

  • Green Cardstock (A and E)
  • Gold corrugated paper (F)
  • Yellow Cardstock (D)
  • Pale Green Cardstock (C)
  • Striped Green Pattern Paper (B)
  • Black ink
  • White Cardstock
  • Camping Clear Stamp Set
  • Dark Brown Brad (1 or 2)
  • Dark Brown twigs no more than 3/8” diameter
  • Chalks
  • Glue
  • 3-d Sticky foam
  • Scissors or a craft knife
  • Tacky Glue

To Make This Card: 

  1. Score cardstock A in the center and fold giving you a 6″ x 6″ card.  Cut papers B through G to size.  Glue papers B and C in place.  Trim the edges for evenness.
  2. Stamp three hikers onto the white cardstock using your favorite Camping Clear Stamps.  Color all three stamped images the same with chalks.  Cut out the first bear following the edge closely.
  3. To do Paper Tole with this image, cut the second hiker out following the edge closely but as you do cut off the left foot and leg as well as the left hand.  Cut out the right arm and hand from the third hiker. Assemble the three pieces into a three dimensional hiker using 3-d sticky foam squares.  If you need to, be sure to trim the sticky foam small enough that it will not show beyond the edges.  Place hiker 2 on top of 1, then secure the arm from the 3rd image onto the second image.  You should now have a 3 dimensional hiker.
  4.  Assemble cardstock pieces D, E and F together as shown in the layout.  Secure the hiker onto F with sticky foam pieces.  Add a tag (G) with a simple sentiment and secure with a brad.
  5.  Embellish your project with twigs as desired.  Be sure to give your hiker an authentic hiking stick.  You may wish to add a sentiment inside the card or leave it blank for a completed card making craft.

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Deer Vista – Rubber Stamping Tutorial

May 4, 2009 at 5:38 pm (Card making Tutorials, Nature)
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It would seem that nature cards can be used for any occasion. With the seasons constantly changing around us, our paper crafts and creations often reflect what we see. Today, we will learn how to create this card making craft with nature rubber stamps, ink, paper and a sponge – and of course the clear stamps that make it all come together - ‘Winter Trees’

deervistaTo make this beautiful nature card begin by cutting your scrap paper to the same size as you want your nature scene to be.  Next tear off the bottom left hand corner to create the hill that the deer will stand on as illustrated in the next photo.

deervista1With the torn scrap paper held in place over your scene sponge your ink along the torn edge to create the hill in your landscape.

Next, using the straight edge of your scrap paper, create the lake edge with the sponging technique. As you sponge draw the ink upwards a little so that it fades out as you move upwards.

deervista2Once your horizon is created it is time to work on the sky. I chose to add a distant mountain. To do this tear your scrap paper again to create the jagged peakes of a mountain. Very lightly spong along the edges of your mountain as shown below.

deervista3Next add a little ink in the sky above the mountain to balance the color in your picture.

Now you are ready to add the trees that are visible across the lake. To do this ink only the top portion of the tree rubber stamp found in the Winter Trees set of clear hobby rubber stamps. Before stamping it into your nature scene dab the ink on the lower part of the trees with your sponge. This will blend the color from thick to thin giving the effect of the bottom portion of the trees disappearing into the mist over the lake. Stamp the image so the tops of your trees are visible above the mist as illustrated in the next photo.

deervista4Stamp the image a second time before reinking to create more distant trees in the background.

Choose an accent tree to stand alone on the hill over the lake. There are several featured in the Winter Trees set of clear stamps. Stamp your tree in place as desired.

deervista5

Stamp the deer on a separate piece of paper (the same color as you used for your nature scene) and cut them out closely. Adhere to the hill so they stand and look over the lake as illustrated below.

deervista6With the nature scene complete choose a card making template that will work with it and design your own stunning hand made greeting card. You may wish to embellish with ribbon, brads, wire or glitter for the finished look you desire.

Happy Stamping!

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Rubber Stamping on Smeared Ink

March 31, 2009 at 8:51 pm (Card making Tutorials, Nature)
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WOW! I can’t believe I am finally ready to write this tutorial. I have had 6 appointments between 9:00 last night and 1:00 this afternoon with at least 3 more before the day is out! I am so excited about this technique, though that I can’t wait to share it with you. It is soooo easy! If you can smear ink you can do this!

countryfeeling

Here are the step by step techniques that you can use to make a smeared ink card of your own!  I used a lot of colors. Starting with the dark green for the hill, use your small ink pads to rub in the shape of a hill.

step11Next add the light green below the dark green. The lighter you rub the ink pad on the paper the lighter the color you will get.

step21Fill in the bottom left hand corner with a rust or dark orange ink. This is the brush or plants that you see in the picture. (You may substitute any other color that you wish to use at any time in the process.)

step31Next I added a little depth to the brush (rust orange color) by smearing a little pink on top.

step4Next it is time to fill in the sky. I actually used two colors of blue but it is not necessary for the final outcome.

step5For the colors of the sunset add some pink in the center of the picture above the horizon.

step6I actually added a little purple around the pink and down in the brush which you can see in the next photo.

Now it is time to define the horizon a little more.  You can do this quite easily with the edge of your regular stamp pads as they are rigid – not foam. Begin making short random horizontal lines at the base of the hill. Turn the paper the other way if you desire and make short vertical lines to imitate fence posts in the distance.

step7Your background is now complete! It is time to stamp the foreground images into your picture.

Using the Nature Clear Rubber Stamps begin stamping leaves across the sky so that it appears you are standing under a tree and the branches are stretching toward the sunset within your view.

Use a combination of stamps if you like as you build your tree.

step8Add twigs and branches between the leaves for a more complete tree. Once you are happy with your tree, use a black pen or marker and outline the bottom half of each leaf or branch. This adds depth and interest to the project.

step9On my picture I decided I wanted the look of a path coming down toward the trunk of the tree. To do this I used the edge of the dark ink pad.

Next I began creating the brush in the bottom corner. Using your nature  clear stamps and the same ink that the tree was stamped in, I created the brush. Remember that these stamps are so versatile that you can bend them into the shape that you need to create your card.

step10With this done you may choose to ink the edges in the dark ink or use it as it is. Create it into a card design and enjoy the finished results! It is as simple as that!

sunsetsplendorHopefully you will have fun just smearing ink for your rubber stamping projects. For the above card I designed a card insert that was perfect to finish the card.

smearedbackgroundHappy Stamping!!!

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Moonlit Palm – Rubber Stamped Card Making Tutorial

March 14, 2009 at 6:30 pm (Card making Tutorials, Cards, Nature)
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moonlit-palmThis is a fun tropical themed card making craft that is designed primarily with one clear rubber stamp – Tropical.ssc016-tropical-set The steps to this design are simple and easy and with a little practice, anyone can do them. I love the limitlessness to stamping creativity that this techniques provides in my card making hobby. Here is how I did it.

STEP ONE – The Moon and Sky

tropical1Simply cut a small circle and lightly adhere it to the top portion of a piece of white cardstock. I inked the edges of the circle only so that it would show up in the picture. Now with a medium to dark blue begin sponging ink onto the top of the page above and around the circle.

tropical2

STEP TWO – The Horizon and water

tropical31Next turn your page over so the sky is on the bottom. Cover it with a straight edged scrap paper and begin inking in the water. This will create your horizon. Remember as you do this to ink around where the reflection of the moon in the water will be in an arc spreading color to the sides of the paper.

tropical5Remove the circle from the sky leaving a white moon over the water.

STEP THREE – The Island and the Palm Tree

tropical6Place a paper with a straight edge under the area where you want your island. Sticky notes work great for this as they will not move while you sponge color onto the paper.

tropical8Using a dark color begin sponging in your island. With a medium green ink sponge in a lighter patch to create the look of light hitting the foliage.

tropical10Using the trunk from the Tropical Clear Hobby Rubber Stamp Set, place it on your acrylic block with a slight bend in it. Be sure to turn it over and check that you don’t have too much or too little of a curve. Ink the trunk and stamp it onto the island.

tropical11Ink the top part of the palm tree with the same color you used for the trunk. Before stamping ink the edges of foliage with the lighter green to create the illusion of light hitting the palm fronds. Stamp in some dark foliage at the bottom of the tree if you desire.

STEP FOUR – The Reflection & Finishing

tropical13Stamp a second generation image of the trunk in the water below the island. Be sure to bend it in the other direction to give you a true reflection. Using your sponge drag some really dry ink below the island to create a shadow in the water as well.

This picture is finished with a leafy border using the same color of ink as the trunk of the tree. The Tropical Clear Stamps will create a border that surrounds your picture if you like. For my project I just put it down one side. Next I inked the edges in the same dark color and made it into the Moonlit Palm Card idea that is pictured at the top.

For the actual card I used the hibiscus flower design to pattern the card stock. Then after matting my inked art design I placed it on the card and embellished with ribbon and an embossed sentiment on a metal tag.

If you love nature you will find yourself delighted with the results of sponged ink backgrounds and rubber stamping natures details. Use your imagination to create your own unique stamped art ideas. You may even adapt them to some of your scrapbook pages…

PS: The Tropical Clear Rubber Stamp set is no longer available, but we wanted to leave this post here for a reference on how to make absolutely fabulous scenic cards. Happy Stamping!!!!

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