Technique Tuesday Hop - Designer Series Paper

Welcome to our blog hop! 

Designer Series Paper (DSP) is probably one of the best buys a crafter can make.  Not only is it pretty and  and made from sturdy heavy weight paper, its double sided.  The 'B' side is often a plainer pattern which is where my inspiration began for todays hop.

I've used one of our recent FREEBIE papers from the SaleABration.  If you are like me, you have a huge stack of DSP that doesn't get touched.  I decided to embellish my DSP for this card using a few techniques.  Below is a series of photos of how I created my distressed and layered background for my card, altering the DSP.  It really pimps it up!

Cut your DSP to the size of your card base, leaving only a small gap for a border.  

Choose a stamp set that has both a larger detailed stamp as well as plenty of sentiments. I chose Words of Cheers for a Christmas card. 

Using heat and stick powder, emboss the large image, using versamark ink.  

Rub in some of the gold flakes with your finger, really working it in to get the details to shine and show up.

Use the versamark pad along the edges of the DSP to add extra blocks of the gold foiling.  

Take the collection of sentiments as well as some of the smaller images and mount them on one side of the block, inking these with versamark also.

Stamp then emboss with white over the 'gaps' on both sides of the DSP.  You don't want the entire sentiment on these edges, so stamp over the sides of the DSP.  

Ink using matching darker inks.  I've used Cherry Cobbler and Early expresso.  The ink will stain the white slightly.  Don't forget to buff over the gold foiling with a tissue to remove excess ink residue.

Add a few embellishments and large labels and your card is done.  So much texture, interest and layers all from one plain 'B SIDE' of DSP.  I love all the little details the layering of stamping has given.  I used the "A side" to cut out the cute deer and add it to the card - it matches perfectly of course.  

Thanks for joining me on the hop.  Don't forget to join everyone else and leave some feedback. 

Happy Stamping,

Rachael xx

Technique Tuesday - punches

 

Welcome to our blog hop where this months theme is PUNCHES.  

I love the convenience of a punch, so quick and easy.  I'm also a teacher and the kids love to use builder punches because its something they can safely do and it creates such a cute little image. 

 

I don't have an 'alternative' use for this penguin punch, I do think its super cute and perfect for lots of cards.  Its currently available in the mini catalogue and whilst at first thought a penguin is more Christmasy, I did want to showcase it for a birthday card.  I've combined the Christmas and birthday to allow for a December born birthday!  

I used basic black and basic white cardstock for the punches.  I punched out he feet then stamped them as I found aligning it into the punch a little tricky. 

This card is also a fun fold.  Birthdays make the best time for fun folds :) 

Please check out the other blogs and hop through to be inspired.  And don't forget, a comment is always appreciated :) 

Happy stamping, Rachael xx

Technique Tuesday Blog Hop - ink!

 

This Technique Tuesday focuses on ink.  As a stamper, ink and paper are the staples of our craft.  Ink is a versatile product. I have chosen to use water splatter blotting as a technique.  

I cut out my circles using the Layering Circles dies, each a different size, using Basic White cardstock.  you could also use the watercolour paper if you would like for this technique.

I then used my blending brushes to ink them with Night of Navy and Pumpkin Pie.  I left the dies on the cut circles to give a white halo effect.  

After inking the entire circle, I used my waterpainter to flick water over the inked areas and after 2-3 seconds of sitting on the paper, I blotted it off with a tissue.  This removes some of the ink and leaves a shadowed splatter effect to the area.  You can repeat several times to get more detail like I have.

Thanks for popping by on the Hop.  

Please leave a comment below and don't forget to jump over to the other participants blogs to be inspired. 

Happy Stamping,

Rachael xx

Technique Tuesday Blog Hop - Pressure Embossing

Welcome to our blog hop with a focus on pressure embossing this month. 

 I use my embossing folders LOTS, so this was an easy one for me to join in with this hop.  I've chosen to use the Forever Greenery embossing folder which is small enough to go into the mini cut and emboss machine.  

The best thing about embossing is that it adds so much depth and texture to a card with very little effort.  Today, I've used plain Polished Pink cardstock and run it through to create a mat for the ice cream and label.  The tip I have to you is to add an extra piece of cardstock in your plate sandwich so you get a super crisp image after its run through the machine.

The sweet ice cream bundle makes for a bright and fun card, perfect for my polished pink embossed matting.  

Next time you use a background embossing folder, try adding the extra 'shim' to the stack and see how much clearer your impressions are.  Be sure to check out the other wonderfully talented demonstrators listed below who are a part of our hop.

Happy Stamping....

Rachael