two step stencil technique

two step stencil technique

I have used Masks in several posts previously but this technique uses a two step method.

BASE: Berry Burst CS 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″ and a scrap for the
sentiment piece
Lemon Lime Twist scrap 1″ x 4 3/16″
Basic Black CS: 4″ square

Die cut the large flower die from the Artistic Dies in black CS.
Place the black CS negative piece on the Basic White CS piece.
Using a Blending Brush and Lemon Lime Twist, ink the edges where the negative space is for the leaves.
Ink the negative space in the center where the flowers would be with Highland Heather and Berry Burst ink and Blending Brushes.
Remove the Black CS negative die and place the mask from the Four Square Decorative Masks set and add another layer of ink with the same colors. Go over the Lemon Lime Twist over the mask where the areas underneath are Lemon Lime Twist.
Ink a blending brush with Highland Heather and Berry Burst over the areas where the same colors are.
Remove the mask.
Cut the Basic White CS and adhere to the card base.
Adhere the black die cut over the two step technique area.
Emboss the Lemon Lime strip and adhere to the right side of the card.
Stamp the sentiment from Wonderful Thoughts in Berry Burst. Die cut the sentiment with the large banner from the Stylish Shapes.
Cut the banner in half and pop up the sentiment on Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Add 2023-2025 In Color Dots to the card front.
Love the way this two step stencil technique turned out! Hope you try this technique soon – and create your own art one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

the art of shading  – using blending brushes part one

the art of shading – using blending brushes part one

Color and shading can create beautiful variations in color. Shading can be created in many ways and over the next few posts I will detail different ways to create variations of color.

One way to create shading and variations of color is by using blending brushes.
I inked the smaller flower image from the Artistically Inked stamp set with the Pale Papaya ink.

Rubbing the stamp surface with the Positive Pink ink from a Blending Brush in the center of the stamp on top of the Pale Papaya ink.
The top left image shows the difference between shading the stamp’s center with the Blending Brush directly onto the rubber and dabbing the color directly onto the paper after stamping the flower in only the original Pale Papaya color. The color shading on the other five is distinctly more vibrant than the one on the upper left.
Fold a 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ piece of Polished Pink CS scored in half at 4 1/4″. On the Basic White 4″ x 5 1/4″ CS layer, burnish the Polished Pink ink in a circular motion onto the Basic White CS layer. Adhere the layer onto the folded Polished Pink base layer.
Die cut the large flower image in Basic white CS. Stamp the larger flower in Pale Papaya and using a Blending Brush in Polished Pink in the center. Die cut three smaller flowers and the larger flower.
Adhere the larger flower to the large white die cut.
Adhere the die and flower to the center of the white layer, in the center of the Polished Pink burnished area.
Adhere the smaller flowers in three of the corners.
Using a 1/4″ strip, stamp the Happy Birthday sentiment in Polished Pink. Use a Blending Brush to color the strip.
Add Stampin’ Dimensionals to the back of the sentiment piece.
Add the sentiment piece to the card over the flower.
Add the Iridescent Pearls to the card.
Adding color in different ways can add depth and dimension to a stamped image. Try this form of shading and create your own art – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

specialty papers – so many choices!

specialty papers – so many choices!

We LOVE Stampin’ Up! for so many reasons – but one of the best has to be the Gorgeous papers they keep producing! This year is no different – besides the fantastic Designer Series papers there are so many new Specialty papers that it is so difficult to choose what to show you – so I thought I would show you a bunch of different cards using different types of specialty papers!
Cork Specialty paper (#156393) featured on page 55 of the July to December 2021 mini catalog is amazingly thin cork with paper backing allowing you to cut this paper without tearing. You can stamp directly onto the paper and it adds the most incredible texture to your cards. To this card I stamped a few leaves from the Gorgeous Leaves stamp set (#153365), added Brushed Metallic Adhesive backed Dots (#156506) and the Gold Fine Art ribbon (#154561)
I used the Cork Specialty paper on this second sample and added black cardstock with silhouette die cuts from the Nature’s Harvest bundle. (#156813). The Black and White Gingham ribbon (#156485) and Brushed Metallic Adhesive Backed Dots (#156506) complete the look!
Starting with the coordinating color of cardstock- Poppy Parade, I mounted a 2″ x 5 1/2″ strip of the newer Ombre Specialty paper (#155784) to the front of the card. I added a white Nature’s Harvest die and the some ribbon to finish the card.
Silver Foil Specialty pack (#156457) creates the perfect sparkly material for snowflakes! I splattered some Wink of Stella on the base of the card! Adhered the die cut snowflake from the Frosted Gingerbread Bundle!
Last but not least this card is made with the 2021-2023 In Color Shimmer Vellum. I cut the vellum to 4″ x 5 1/4″ and adhere it to the Basic White cardstock with the multi-purpose glue all over the back of the vellum! Added a black die cut from the Artistic Dies set!
Can you see that Shimmer – crazy sparkle!! I LOVE it! Hopefully I have inspired you to go out and create some art – one stamp at a time!
using background stamps to create a multi-layered colored look

using background stamps to create a multi-layered colored look

I think abstract stamps are often like clouds – each person can look at the same cloud and invent something completely different in their mind’s eye! For me – I absolutely adore the Artistically Inked Bundle and have done a lot of amazing things with the stamps and dies but to be honest even though I LOVE the alcohol ink technique – the look of the large abstract stamp always looked like a newborn baby gerbil to me! LOL! (Not happy memories of my childhood!) BUT once I started playing with this odd shaped stamp I absolutely fell in love with the possibilities!

One half sheet of cardstock, four ink colors, a few rhinestones, ribbon and a black diecut and the result is stunning especially for a single layer card!

Cut an 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheet of Basic White cardstock on the 11″ side in half at 5 1/2″ mark. Score at 4 1/4″ and get out an abstract stamp – there are many in the catalog – go find one that you have in your collection and play!

OK tell me now that I mention it doesn’t it look like a sleeping baby gerbil – sorry I figure if that image is burned into my brain I might as well pass on the love!!! LOL!! Sorry!

Start with the lighter color and stamp multiple times across the width of the card I stamped two rows in Crushed Curry ink (#131199)

Leaving the outer edges yellow I moved slightly in towards the center and stamped with the next lightest color – Poppy Parade ink (#119793)
stamp one line across the center of the page in the darkest color in this case – Real Red ink (#102482)
Then stamp back over all the colors with Daffodil Delight to soften and blend the colors together (#119683).
Die cut the flower image out of Basic Black cardstock (#121045) from the Artistic Dies (#155371), and adhere using Multi-Purpose liquid glue (#110755) on the back side of the die cut (use a silicon craft sheet to protect your work surface from getting sticky (#127853)
In Tuxedo Black Memento Ink (#132708) stamp a sentiment on the card front.
Add Rhinestone Basic Jewels (#144220)
Add some ribbon and your card is complete!