A Simple Statement with Added Texture

Stamp Set – CL377 Be Happy (Hero Arts)

Supplies

Ranger Distress Ink

Black Onyx Versafine Ink

Just My Type Border Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

Cuttlebug

Scor-Buddy

Cardstock

Green A4 Card

Black Mat – 4” X 5 ¼”

Watercolor paper – 3 ¾” X 5”

Today I’m making a quick post to share the card I made for the Hero Arts June contest. I used Ranger Distress Inks to watercolor the flower and added some texture with the dots embossing folder from the “Just My Type Borders” set. This folder is a little different than the traditional size folders. It measures 1” X 5 ¾” as compared to the Swiss Dots folder measuring 4 ½” X 5 ¾”.

Instructions

1. Emboss both edges of the watercolor paper with the Dots embossing folder as shown.

Left - Alignment of the embossing folder. Right - Embossed panel.

2. Score lines on each side of the embossed dots using the Scor-Buddy.

Left - Place embossed panel, right side down on the Scor-Buddy.

Right - Use the notches along the top edge for placement of the lines and score.

Below is the completed embossed/scored panel.

3. Stamp the flower and “Thanks” image in the center of the watercolor paper between the embossing. Watercolor as desired.

4. Assemble card layers and attach embellishments.

This is a quick card to make. I love its simple statement with the added texture created with the embossing. Using embossing folders with the Cuttlebug makes adding texture quick and easy. As you can see, embossing makes an ordinary card extraordinary. I hope you'll give it a try. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Stamp Layering and Fussy Cut Flowers

Welcome back to Polka Dot Gypsy. Today I want to share a little bit about how I created the layered stamp, “Thank You” card for the Hero Arts contest. I will be highlighting the details of stamp layering and “fussy cuts”.

For stamp layering, begin by examining the image to see how many layers you want to make and what sections you want to layer. The large flower in this image can have one to five layers. For my card I only used two layers. but for today’s tutorial I will be working with three (Layers 1-3).

Stamp the main image onto the card front. This will be the base for stacking the layers. Because I used three layers for this flower I stamped three additional images of the flower onto three different colors of cardstock. I only inked up the flower part of the stamp and stamped the images onto scraps of cardstock. For the tutorial I used Memento Ink, but for my original card I used VersaMark ink and embossed the image. Embossing gives the flower a little more texture.

After stamping the flower image onto three different scraps of cardstock, cut around each section forming the individual layers as pictured below. The bottom layer will be the complete image. For layer two, the base petals are cut away and for layer three, the base petals and the petal edges have been trimmed away.

For some added dimension use Pop Dots to attach the layered pieces.

Gypsy Tip – Use punches for the center pieces of the flower image.

To add some interest to the stamp layers, try stamping the flower image onto printed cardstock using the quilters "Fussy Cut" technique. Fussy Cut is a term used by quilters to describe a method of targeting a specific design area of the fabric to fit the cut piece. Below left is a scrap of the original fabric that I am using to make a hexagon quilt. The circled area is where I targeted each piece for my quilt blocks. The circle to the right is the actual piece that I cut.

Here is a photo of one of my completed hexagon quilt blocks. All the outer pieces are cut from the same targeted area as shown above. The center of the block is cut from a different area of the fabric. Each piece was fussy cut so that when assembled they formed this secondary design.

The same principal of fussy cutting can be used to make interesting designs for stamped images using printed paper or cardstock. Below are some samples of the same Hero Arts flower with possible fussy cuts from printed cardstock.

Gypsy Tip – I stamped the image onto the acetate that was packaged with my stamp when I purchased it. I use the stamped acetate as a viewer, trying out possible fussy cuts before stamping. I can tuck the acetate viewer into my purse and take it to the store to preview papers before I purchase them.

As you can see, the quilters idea of fussy cutting is a fun way to add interest to your own stamping creations. I hope you will give it a try. Fussy cuts are so much fun!

One last tip from the pros. I used to work for a company that made invitations using the hot foil stamping process. Not every card that ran through the press was perfect. Just like embossing powder, the foil would sometimes attach itself to places on the card where it shouldn't be. To clean up these areas we used the point of an X-acto knife to lightly scrape the foil off the card. I have used this same technique to remove tiny spots of embossing powder from my stamped cards. It won't remove large areas of embossing, but it will remove some of those tiny specks of embossing powder.

 I hope you have enjoyed today’s tips and will stop by again soon. Have a great day! – Jane, the Polka Dot Gypsy.

Stamp Layering Technique - Thank You Card

Welcome back to a gypsy’s journey. Today I am sharing the card I made for the April Hero Arts contest. I am using the stamp layering technique featured on the Hero Arts blog. Complete how-to instructions for this technique can be found on this video by Shari Carroll.

Stamp Set

CG115 Floral Thank You (Hero Arts)

Cardstock

(A) Black – 6” X 12” Card (folded to 6” square)

(B) Light Teal – 5 ¾” Square

(C) Print* - 5 ½” Square

(D) Red – 4” X 5 ½”

(E) Cream  – 1 ¼” X 5 ½”

(F) Black – 3 ¾” X 4 ½”

(G) Stripe* - 3 ½” X 4 ¼”

Scraps of C, E and Green Print** cardstock

*October Afternoon Thrift Shop Collection – Needs Paint

**October Afternoon Campfire Collection - Animal Tracks

Basic Supplies

VersaMark Ink (Tsukineko)

Vanilla Embossing Powder (Stampin’ Up!)

Broken China Distress Ink (Ranger)

Scallop Edge Punch (Stampin’ Up!)

Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provo Craft)

Scor-Buddy (Scor-Pal)

Stamp-A-Ma-Jig (EK Success)

Sewing Machine

Ribbon

Pearls

Embossing

Emboss scraps of cardstock for the layered pieces.

Stamp and emboss the main image onto black cardstock with VersaMark Ink. Cover with vanilla embossing powder, tap off excess and heat to emboss. Cut out the embossed image. Set aside.

Stamp and emboss one small cream flower, one small print flower, one large cream flower, one large print flower and the six leaves. Cut around the embossed images and set aside.

Embossed Images - Used for Layering Technique

Card Construction

1. Distress edges of C and G with Broken China Distress Ink. Stitch around edges. Set aside.

2. Attach pieces B and C to card front A. Set aside.

3. Score vertical lines at ¼” intervals on panel D as shown. Set aside.

Panel D - Scored Vertical Lines

4. Use the Scallop edge punch to create the scallop edge on cream strip E.

5. Place strip E inside embossing folder with scallop edge extending about ¼” above edge of folder as shown. Feed through Cuttlebug to emboss.

6. Place the straight edge of strip E against the edge of the Scor-Buddy (right side of embossed strip down). Score a line from edge to edge at the ¾” measurement.

7. Attach embossed strip E 1/8” below top edge of panel D.

8. Wrap ribbon along the top edge of piece D and secure ribbon to back.

9. Attach completed D panel to C as shown.

10. Attach pieces F,G and the main embossed image to center of the layered card. Attach with Pop Dots

11. Layer the flowers onto the main image with Pop Dots.

12. Attach the leaves to the main image.

12. Add pearls to embellish.

These are the basic instructions for making the layered card. In my next post I will talk about “Fussy Cuts”, the basics of how I layered these flowers and then share an embossing tip from the pros. Thanks for sharing my journey! – Jane, the Polka Dot Gypsy.

Simply Handmade

This "Simply Handmade" card was created for the "Mojo Motivator", Technique Challenge #307 at Splitcoast Stampers. Guidelines for the challenge are to pick a technique from any of the Technique Challenges from last year. Then pick a color combo from any of the Color Combination Challenges from the last six months. And finally, pick a sketch from any of the last 100 sketches of the Sketch Challenge. I chose TLC 306 (Sewing) for the technique and SC240 for my sketch. For my color combination I chose CC298 (Ruby Red Chocolate Chip and Craft). I substituted green for red as a main color and used the red as well as mustard for accent colors. 

I love this idea to boost creativity and will start keeping a book of my favorite card sketches, techniques and color combos to help motivate me when I’m unmotivated. For motivation I usually browse magazines and websites until I find one idea, sketch, color, theme or technique that inspires me. And then – I’m off!

Here are the details of how I made this "Simply Handmade" card.

Stamp Set
CL429 Simply Handmade (Hero Arts)

Ink
Walnut Stain Distress Ink

Tools
Cottage Cutz Rick Rack Die
Cuttlebug
Cuttlebug Polka Dots Embossing Folder
EK Success Dotted Scallop Edge Punch
Nestabilities Circle & Scallop Circle Dies
Scor-Buddy
Sewing Machine
Stampin’ Up! Double Rectangle Punch
Stampin’ Up! Scallop Circle Punch

Embellishments
Buttons
Ribbon

Paper Dimensions
Paper & Cardstock are from My Mind’s Eye, K & Company and Stampin’ Up!

Kraft Card – 10” X 7” folded to a 5” X 7” card.
(A) Brown Cardstock Large Mat– 4 ¾” X 6 ¾”
(B) Brown Cardstock Small Mat – 3 1/8” X 4 1/8”
(C) Brown Cardstock Strip – 1 1/4” X 2 1/8”
(D) 2 Brown Rick Rack Cardstock Strips
(E) Green Cardstock Design Panel – 4 ½” X 6 ½”
(F) Cream Cardstock – 3 1/8” X 4 1/8” (Trim after stamping)
(G) Cream Cardstock Strip – 3/8” X 1 7/8”
(H) Red Gingham Strip – 1 3/8” X 6 ½”
(I) Kraft Paper Scallop Circle – 3 1/8”
(J) Brown Polka Dot Cardstock Circle – 2 3/8”

Card Construction

Step 1 – Attach the brown mat (A) to the kraft card front. Set aside.

Step 2 – Use the Polka Dots embossing folder to emboss the front of the green design panel (E). Attach crocheted trim to lower portion of the green design panel. Wrap the trim around to the back and secure.

Step 1 & Step 2

Step 3 –Attach the embossed, green design panel (E) to brown mat (A). Set aside.

Step 4 – Use Walnut Stain Distress Ink to age the red gingham paper strip (H). Sew the brown strips of rick rack (D) to the top and bottom edges of the gingham strip (H). Attach the sewn strip to the green design panel (E), covering the top edge of the crocheted trim. If you don’t sew, just glue the rick rack strips onto the gingham strip and use a white pen to make faux stitching lines.

Step 3 & Step 4

 

Detail of the scored paper strip


Gypsy Tip
How I created texture. After inking the gingham strip I decided that it still needed something more. And that little something was – texture! So, before attaching the rick rack strips I scored the gingham strip using the Scor-Buddy. I scored the lines following the print of the paper on the printed side because the print was not visible on the backside of the paper. By scoring on the front of the paper my scored lines were indented, but I wanted the scored lines to be raised. So, I flipped the paper over and scored again on the back of the paper, scoring over the same lines. (I used the previously scored lines as a visual guide for scoring on the back of the paper.) Now, my lines were raised and in line with the print of the gingham on the front of my strip.

Gypsy Tip - Scoring the printed side first

Gypsy Tip - Flip and score again

Step 5 –Cut a scallop circle (I) from Kraft paper using the Nestabilities die and emboss after cutting. Distress the edges of the scallop circle with Walnut Stain Distress Ink. Cut a circle (J) from polka dot cardstock and distress along the edges. Place the polka dot circle onto the scallop circle and stitch around the edges of the circle to secure.

Step 6 – Attach the completed scallop circle section to the top of the card as shown.

Step 5 & Step 6

Step 7 - Stamp the “Handmade” image onto the cream strip (G) with Walnut Stain Distress Ink and set aside.

Step 8 - Use the Dotted Scallop Edge Punch along the top and bottom edges of the brown strip (C) to create the decorative edges.

Step 9 - Attach the “Handmade” strip (G) to the brown strip (C). Punch one slot at each end of the G/C strip and set aside.

Step 10 - Stamp the “back of pattern” image onto cream cardstock (F) with Walnut Stain Distress Ink. Trim the cardstock, leaving a 1/8” border around the image.

Step 11 – Cut a piece of 1/8” ribbon and a piece of ¼” ribbon approximately 5” long. Layer the 1/8” piece of ribbon onto the ¼” piece of ribbon and feed through the slots of the “Handmade” (G/C) strip as pictured. Attach the (G/C) strip on top of the stamped, “back of pattern” piece and wrap the ends of the ribbon around to the back of the panel. Secure the ribbon to the back of the stamped cardstock and attach to the small brown mat (B).

Step 12 - Attach the completed section to the card front as shown.




Step 7 through Step 12



Step 13 – Attach buttons, small bow and a paper flower to embellish.

I hope you enjoy this project and please check back again soon because I am going to show you how I made the flower embellishment on this “Simply Handmade” card. – Jane, the Polka Dot gypsy