Lovely As A Tree

This post also uses the new Brusho Crystal Color Powder.  I wanted to try making a landscape, but knew, because of how Brusho works (you can't always control where it goes) that I might not get the look I was going for.  I gave it shot however, and REALLY like how it turned out!  What a BEAUTIFUL sunset this turned out to be!!

First the card:

Supply List:

Stamps:  Lovely As a Tree, High Tide

Paper:  Watercolor Paper, Basic Black and Poppy Parade (retired) card stock

Accessories:  Basic Black ink; Moss Green, Brilliant Red, and Yellow Brusho; Tombow All Purpose Glue

Tools:  Stampin' Spritzer and water

Directions:

1.  Sprinkle Brusho colors on to watercolor paper which has been taped down to a study base of some sort.  I used the cardboard backing to the glimmer paper packs, and painter's tape.  A light touch with the Brusho is generally all that's necessary.  Spritz with water.  Set aside to dry.  Once dry, if necessary add more Brusho and spritz with more water, until you get the effect you want.

2.  Assemble card base.  Poppy Parade for base, Basic Black for mat.

3.  Stamp Lovely as a Tree stamps and the birds from the High Tide set, on to watercolor background, using Basic Black ink.  Trim panel to fit.

4.  Attach to card base with Tombow.  I initially tried with SNAIL adhesive and it didn't hold because the paper was a bit warp-y.  I used Tombow and put something heavy on top of it to hold it down until it dried.  That did the trick!

I have to say that I haven't done many cards with this method of coloring yet, but this is my favorite so far.  I have several other backgrounds made, just have to figure out what theme I want to use with them.  Stay tuned.

Check out my Stampin' Up! website if you'd like to order any of the above items, at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stampinkathy/  Just click on the 'shop now' button and it will take you to my online store.  Happy Stamping!

INTRODUCING BRUSHO!!

The new 2018 Occasions catalog has a crafting medium that has not been seen much outside of Europe.  It's called Brusho Crystal Color and to quote from the catalog itself:  'Watercolor ink crystals - mix with water to make watercolor washes and designs.  Sprinkle directly on to water-washed paper and watch the colors burst.'

Brusho does take some practice because depending on what sort of paper you're using and how you're applying the water, your results may vary.  Needless to say, the first two samples I made, I originally threw out because I thought they weren't right.  They didn't look anything like what others had done.  Then I did a bit more reading up on how to 'tweek' the color and how to improve on it, and decided to work with the ones I'd thrown away.  So out of the trash they came, and I worked them into something I think is rather special.

Here's the result of the first experiment:

First, the card.

SUPPLIES:

Stamp Set:  Amazing You (Free Sale-a-bration item with a $50 purchase found on page 16 of the SAB brochure)

Paper:  Thick Whisper White, Night of Navy, Garden Green, and Card Stock

Ink:  Night of Navy

Accessories:  Brusho Crystal Color in Prussian Blue and Yellow (available in the 2018 Occasions Mini Catalog on page 26)

Tools:  Celebrate You Thinlits Dies (Free Sale-a-bration item with $100 purchase found on page 27 of the SAB brochure), Stampin' Spritzer, Big Shot Die Cutting Machine and accessories, SNAIL adhesive.

DIRECTIONS:

*  Cut Garden Green CS to 5.5" x 8.5".  Score at 4.25" and fold.

*  Cut Night of Navy CS to 5.25 x 4".

*  Attach Navy mat to Green card base and set aside.

*  Spritz back and front of Whisper White CS with water.   This helps to keep it from warping as it dries.

*  Sprinkle on the Brusho Color Crystals.  Allow the water to activate the crystals and work it's 'magic.'  If necessary, spritz with more water to activate crystals.  Can also use an aqua painter to even out the color.  Set aside to dry.  Some people tape the paper down when spritzing.  Experiment to see what method works best for you.

*  Once the white panel is dry, trim to 5 x 3.75"

*  Attach to card base with SNAIL adhesive.

The thing with these crystals, is that every card will be different.  Some people like a more spread out color, others like a more concentrated 'powdery' looking color, some like splashes of intense color.  The amount of water you use will also influence the final look of your design piece.  It's all about experimenting and going with the flow.

The Sale-a-bration catalog link is on my right sidebar.  This will show you what's available for FREE with a qualifying order.  Check out the Occasions mini catalog also on the right sidebar, for the Brusho.

Check out my Stampin' Up! website if you'd like to order any of the above items, at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stampinkathy/  Just click on the 'shop now' button and it will take you to my online store.  Happy Stamping!

Occasions and SAB are HERE!

The 2018 Occasions mini catalog and the Sale-a-bration promotion, went live on January 3rd.  I've updated my blog to show the links to the two catalogs.  I just received my order of materials from these two promotions, so will be making up some samples in the next few days.

Stay tuned.

Today is all about YOU!

This is another card made with the Beautiful Peacock stamp set, FREE with a $50 qualifying order during Sale-a-bration beginning on January 3, 2018 which is TODAY!!

I used the current 2017-19 In Colors for a set of 4 cards.  The main one featured will use Berry Burst and Powder Pink inks and paper, but I will show the pictures and give the colors for the other 3.

First the card:

Supplies:

Stamp Set:  Beautiful Peacock photopolymer (2018 Sale-a-bration)

Ink:  Berry Burst, Powder Pink (2017-19 In Colors)

Paper:  Thick Whisper White Card Stock, regular Whisper White Card Stock, 2017-19 In Color Designer Series Paper in Berry Burst

Accessories:  Clear Basic Rhinestones, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals

Tools:  Stitched Shape Framelits (Oval), Big Shot Die Cutting Machine and Accessories, Corner Rounder Punch (retired), Clear stamp blocks

Directions:

1.  Cut thick white card stock to 8.5x5.5".  Score at 4.25".  Cut patterned paper to 5.25"x4" and round opposite corners with corner rounder punch.  Attach to card front with SNAIL.  Set aside.

2.  Using largest oval framelit, cut one out of regular Whisper White Card Stock.  It is best to do this before stamping, to allow for proper placement of images.

3.  Stamp peacock body in Berry Burst.  Stamp long 'swirl' in Powder Pink.  Stamp smaller curved 'swirl' and sentiment, in Berry Burst.

4.  Using detailed flower stamp, stamp in Berry Burst.  Apply rhinestones to centers.

5.  Attach to card front with Dimensionals.

Other cards using additional 2017-19 In Colors:

Tranquil Tide and So Saffron

F

Fresh Fig and Blushing Bride

Lemon/Lime Twist and Smoky Slate

As mentioned above, the stamp set is a free set with $50 qualifying purchase during Sale-a-bration, which begins for customers on January 3, 2018 which is TODAY!!.  So start up your wish list and go to my online store to place your order!

Check out my Stampin' Up! website if you'd like to order any of the above items, at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stampinkathy/  Just click on the 'shop now' button and it will take you to my online store.  Happy Stamping!

I have an older friend who's been going through a tough time right how, health-wise.  She's sort of like a mom to me, since I don't have a mom any more.  I wanted her to know that I enjoy spending time with her, even if it's simply sitting at her dining room table talking.  I wanted the card to show quiet-ness and impart a serene feeling.  I think I pulled it off.

I used the stamp set Waterfront, an offering in the upcoming 2018 Occasions Mini Catalog, which goes lives to customers on January 3, 2018.  I just love this set!

First the card:

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Waterfront (2018 Occasions Mini Catalog)
Ink:  Soft Sky, Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, Night of Navy, Pear Pizzazz, Chocolate Chip, Early  Espresso.
Paper:  Thick and Regular Whisper White card stock, Wood Grain Designer Series Paper Stack.
Accessories:  SNAIL adhesive.

Directions:
1.  Cut thick Whisper White card stock 8.5x5.5".  Score at 4.25"
2.  Cut wood grain paper to 5.5x4.25".  Adhere to card base with SNAIL adhesive, and set aside.
3.  Stamp scene on to 3x4" piece of regular whisper white card stock.  This can be trimmed down later if necessary.  Stamp the following:  Sky in Soft Sky, sand in Crumb Cake, water first in Marina Mist, then Night of Navy.  Palm trees in Pear Pizzazz and Chocolate Chip.  Sun in Crushed Curry.  Hut in Early Espresso.  Sentiment in Night of Navy.
4.  Trim stamped panel down if necessary, and attach with SNAIL.

Again, this set is but one offering from the 2018 Occasions Mini Catalog, which goes live to customers on January 3, 2018.  This is a very versatile set and can be used for many different occasions.

Check out my Stampin' Up! website if you'd like to order any of the above items, at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stampinkathy/  Just click on the 'shop now' button and it will take you to my online store.  Happy Stamping!

Beautiful Friend

I have a friend who's going through a lot right now.  It's near the holidays and her mom broke her hip in a fall and spent time in the hospital following surgery and is now in rehab.  I wanted her to know that I think she's a beautiful person for caring about her mom so much, and that I'm here if she needs me.  She's not one who likes frills or fancy stuff, so I thought this card was a good fit for her. 

First the card:

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set:  Beautiful Peacock (2018 Sale-A-Bration, starts January 3)

Ink:  Lemon/Lime Twist, Powder Pink, Tranquil Tide

Paper:  Thick Whisper White Card Stock, Eastern Elegance Designer Series Paper

Accessories:  Night of Navy Crinkled Seam Binding, SNAIL Adhesive

Tools:  Stitched Shapes Ovals, Big Shot Die Cutting Machine and Accessories

Directions:

1.  Cut white to 8.5x5.5" and score at 4.25".  Cut Designer Series Paper to 5.25x4".  Wrap Seam Binding around left side of patterned paper, and tie in a bow.  Attach to card front with SNAIL.  Set aside.

2.  Cut out oval with largest Stitched Shapes Oval Framelit Die.  This allows for better placement of the stamped elements.  Stamp peacock flourish with Lemon/Lime Twist.  Stamp tiny flower image in Powder Pink, and detailed flower image with Tranquil Tide.  Stamp sentiment in center with Tranquil Tide.  Adhere with dimensionals.

3.  Clear rhinestones could be used for the center of the blue flowers, but I chose to leave them plain.

The 2018 Sale-a-bration promotion begins for customers on January 3rd.  You can get this set free with a qualifying $50 order.

Check out my Stampin' Up! website if you'd like to order any of the above items, at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stampinkathy/  Just click on the 'shop now' button and it will take you to my online store.  Happy Stamping!

Waterfront

OK, I have only purchased one stamp set during the preorder period for demonstrators, Waterfront.  I wanted something that looked quiet and serene, and I think this one covers it all pretty well.  This is a birthday card for my brother-in-law who loves the outdoors.  I sure hope he likes it!

First, the card:

Supplies used:

Stamps:  Waterfront, Hello, Gorgeous (sentiment)

Ink:  Crushed Curry, Always Artichoke, Sahara Sand, Pool Party, Island Indigo, Chocolate Chip

Paper:  Whisper White (regular and heavy weight), Always Artichoke, Sahara Sand

Accessories:  Pinewood Planks 3D Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive

Tools:  Big Shot Die Cutting Machine and Accessories, Paper Snips, Stampin' Sponge

Directions:

Heavy weight Whisper White CS 8.5" x 5.5" scored the long way at 4.25" for base, Sahara Sand cut to 5.25" x 4", run through the Big Shot with the Pinewood Planks EF.  Sponge with Sahara Sand ink for dimension.  Attach to card base with SNAIL adhesive.  Cut piece of regular Whisper White CS to 3.25" x 2.5".  Starting in the upper left hand corner and working down, stamp sun with Crushed Curry.  Then stamp mountains with Always Artichoke, followed by the sand in Sahara Sand ink.  Stamp the water in Pool Party followed by Island Indigo.  Lastly, ink up the trees in Always Artichoke.  Attach to panel of Always Artichoke CS 4.5" x 3.25" notched on the right side.  Attach panel to card front with dimensionals.  Stamp frame and Happy Birthday sentiment from Hello, Gorgeous stamp set and cut out with paper snips.  Attach to card front with small dimensional pieces.

The stamp set will be available for customer purchase starting January 3rd, so be sure to check out the ordering site then.  You're definitely going to want this set!!