1st Vertical Paper Bag Album

Good Morning Everyone!

Well, it's still morning here in New Hampshire USA.

I've had this video walk-through of my 1st completed vertical paper bag album sitting in my "To-Do" list for a while. So I finally edited it and uploaded it to YouTube. 

I used a tutorial from My Sister's Scraper to create the basic foundation for my album. I used papers from the 2013 Autumn with Foil Collection from Die Cuts with a View to decorate and embellish my pages. 

I loved how it turned out. I used the scraps from this project to create an Explosion Box to match.

Thanks for stopping by! Please leave a comment or a question if you have one. 

Toni

Stampin' up Three Little Words Card

Good Afternoon!

It's a shivering 8 degrees F here New Hampshire USA. What better way to warm up than with a little love. Today I have a tutorial using the Three Little Words stamp set from Stampin' Up. With Valentine's Day is only 20 days away, I thought I would get a job start on the holiday.

I hope everyone stays warm.


Video:



Materials Needed:

• Dark Pink Cardstock (4 1/4x5 1/2") folded in half at 5 1/2"
• Medium Pink Cardstock (4x5 1/4")
• Pattern Paper (3 3/4x5")
• Light Pink Cardstock (4x5 1/4")
• White Cardstock (3 3/4x5")
• Heart shaped die cuts--mine were cut using the Victorian Romance Cartridge from Provo and cut using the Cricut at 3 1/2"
• Tattered Rose Distress Ink and Inking tool
• 3 Heart shaped brads
• Piercing tool
• Adhesive
• Three Little Words stamp set
• Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black

Instructions:

1. Adhere pattern paper to coordinating sized medium pink cardstock
2. Ink and stamp sentiment "Three Little Words" with flower and stamp on white heart
3. Distress edges of white heart with Tattered Rose Ink and adhere to red decorative shadow heart
4. Color the T and Flower as desired
5. Adhere Layered heart to pattern paper
6. Using piercing tool poke three holes in pattern paper---1/2" in from right side of card front and 1/4" up from edge of pattern paper---space the three holes 3/8" apart
7. Insert brads through holes and secure
8. Adhere card front to card base
9. Ink sentiment for inside of card and stamp on white cardstock
10. Distress edges of white cardstock with Tattered Rose Distress Ink
11. Adhere white cardstock to coordinating sized light pink cardstock. Adhere this panel to the inside of the card.

"Joyous Elf" 2013 Holiday Card

Good Morning Everyone!

It's a chilly Autumn New England (USA) morning here in New Hampshire. It's the perfect weather for hot chocolate and card making. This weather always puts me in the mood to create holiday cards. I've noticed that this years seems to be going by faster than usual, so I better get in gear.

This card is created using an idea I found in the Summer 2013 edition of Card Maker magazine. The image was found doing a Google image search for "Digital Stamps." I do not own the rights to the image or the layout idea. This is just my interpretation of them.

"Joyous Elf"

Materials:

• Computer with printer
• Copic approved white cardstock
• White cardstock cut to 8 1/2 x 5 1/2, folded in half
• Core'dinations Vintage Card stock in Asparagus
• Polka-dot holiday pattern paper
• Holly print pattern paper
• Crochet lace in white (1/2" width)
• red/white baker's twine
• Red button
• Copic Markers in G05, G17, R22, E000, E00, E02, R27, E18, Y26
• Copic Colorless Blender
• Adhesive and dimensional adhesive
• Scotch tape
• Zots
• Zip Dry 
• Fun Flock in Cotton Ball White

Directions:

"Joyous Elf" Card Tutorial Video

1. Print image on Copic approved paper with a width of 2"
2. Color image as desired. I used the Copic colors listed approve
3. Trim image
4. Cut Asparagus cardstock- (1) piece 4 1/4 x 5 1/2", (1) piece 3 1/8 x 4 3/4, (1) strip 2 1/8 x 4"
5. Cut a piece of the polka-dot pattern paper to 4 x 5 1/4"
6. Cut a piece of the Holly pattern paper to 3 x 4 5/8"
7. Adhere Holly pattern paper to coordinating size Asparagus cardstock
8. Using the wrap around method adhere a piece of the crochet lace to the polka-dot pattern paper about 1/2' in from the left side along the long edge. 
9. Adhere polka-dot paper to the coordinating Asparagus cardstock and adhere to card base
10. Wrap a piece of baker's twine around the layered Holly pattern paper about 1/4" in from the long left side and secure using Scotch tape.
11. Adhere colored image to 2 1/8" Asparagus cardstock so that it sits center along three sides and trim excess. 
12. Adhere layered image to Holly pattern paper so that it sits along the edge of the baker's twine. 
13. Using dimensional adhesive adhere the image panel to the card front so that it covers half of the lace. (See picture above)
14. Using a piece of the baker's twine tie a bow through the button and adhere to card front using Zots.
15. Using the Zip dry adhere Fun Flock to image on ruffle of hat and shirt, and the pom-pom.

Day 2 of Winter Holiday Fun

Good Morning Everyone!

Here is the second creation in my Holiday Fun blog event.

This creations is using a stamp from Stamping Bella and paper from Core'dinations and DCWV. This is an A2 card measuring 4"x5.5".

Instructions-

• Cut a piece of Core'dinations White Wash Grandpa's truck cardstock to 4x5.5" and 2.75"x2.75"
• Cut piece of pattern paper to 3.75"x5.25". (My pattern paper is from DCWV 2011 Holiday Stack.)
• Cut a piece of smooth white cardstock to 2.5"x2.5"
• Using Tuxedo Black ink from Memento ink and stamp image on white cardstock
• Color image using Copic Markers
• Use Fiskers Heritage punch to cut the corners of the image cardstock and coordinating sized Core'dinations
• Ink edges of image with Tea Dyed Distress Ink by Tim Holtz
• Adhere image to cardstock and pattern paper to card stock
• Adhere image to pattern paper
• attach ribbon and bow
• Adhere card front to base measuring 8"x5.5" folded in half
• Write "Wishing you many 'Cups of Good Cheer' this season" on the inside of card. (Lyric from "We Wish You a Merry Christmas")

Today's challenge

Use a holiday song lyric in your project. When posting your project please state the song title. Please link through the comments section.

Let the Winter and Holiday Fun Begin!

Hello Everyone and Welcome!

 Last night my boyfriend and I snuggled up to watch "A Christmas Carol" with Jim Carey. Wow, there were some parts of the movie that were not very kid friendly for a Disney movie. I was looking all over the box for Tim Burton's name, but I guess he didn't work on this film. I love who Jim is able to project and change his voice. His voice just carries the emotion and energy of the Scrooge character so well. It was very good and followed the original work by Charles Dickens very well.

On another note...

Today kicks off my 12 Days of Christmas Blog challenge. Guess what? I'm even starting on time! Today's challenge is a Joy-Fold Card.

Here is a picture

The card measures 4"x5.5"

Materials:

• Core'dinations Vintage Cardstock in Kisses and Clover Patch
• SEI Holiday Traditions Dreams of Wonder Cardstock
• (3) square metallic green brads
• Smooth white paper from the Paper Loft
• Tuxedo Black Memento Ink pad
• Adhesieve
• Outlines small and medium snowflake
• boner folder
• paper trimmer

Instructions

• Cut a piece of the Clover Patch to 4x8.25" score and fold at 2.75"
• Cut a piece of the Clover Patch to 2.25x7.5" score and fold at 3.75"
• Cut 2 pieces of the Clover patch to 3x3" and adhere back to back
• Cut a piece of the Clover patch to 1.75x1.75
• Cut a piece of Kisses at 2.75x2.75" and one at 1.5x1.5
• Cut a piece of smooth white to 3.5x2"
• Cute a piece of pattern paper to 3.75x5.25", and (2) pieces 3.75x2.5"
• Stamp images on smooth white and trim around the edges

 

• Adhere images to coordinating sized cardstock
• Punch holes and secure brads in lower right hand corner of larger panel of pattern paper. Adhere panel to inside of larger green cardstock
• Adhere one of the smaller panels of pattern paper to the flap of card base. Reverse pattern for inside of flap. 
• Adhere folded strip of green cardstock so that the flap of the card base is sandwiched between. Center the strip on card base before pressing into place
• Adhere smooth white strip to the front of the strip flap then adhere medium snowflake layers to the strip flap
• Adhere small snowflake to inside of the card

HERE is the challenge-
Create a Joy Fold card using snowflakes. The snowflakes can be part of the paper, stamped, or both. Be creative and link your card through the comments (meaning put you blog/flicker/etc. address in the comment) Deadline is December 31st 2012.

Getting Ready for the Holiday Hard Core Crafter

Hello Everyone,

So Core'dinations, one of my favorite paper crafting lines, is preparing challenges for a second Hard Core Online Crop! This time it's holiday themed. I'm so excited! I have been organizing my Core'dinations paper and gathering all my holiday embellishments together. Starting this coming Saturday the designers are going to be posting the challenges.

Here is the link to the Holiday Hard Core Crop Facebook page (Click the image below);

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Plus, I hope to see you online during the Holiday Hard Core Crop.

Copic Tutorial-"Merry Christmas" Cat Card

Good Morning Blog Land!

I lot of things are in the works for the up coming 25 Days of Christmas. Hopefully life will work with me this time, unlike what happen with the 13 Days of Halloween. I am still going to post the projects from that time frame.

Anyway, here is a card that I have been working on using Copic markers. Copic markers are a great tool for coloring life-like images. The quality of the ink and blend-ability is unmatched. Please check out my other Copic coloring tutorials.

The overall card is very simple. The focus is on the Copic coloring of the image. I used W0, W1, W3, YR31, YR23, Y28, Y15, G05, G17, R46, R00, and the Colorless Bender to color the image.  I used new paper from Bazzill and S.E.I.

Here is a video of the coloring and card assembly.

There is a kit available in my eBay store. Just click the link above.

Thanks for stopping by! Please leave a comment. 

13 Days of Halloween-Day 1

Hello Everyone,

I do apologize for not having this post up on the blog yesterday. I was rear-ended two weeks ago and I'm still recovering.

Today's challenge (or, well, yesterday's challenge) is to use Core'dinations Black Magic paper and pumpkin images to create a card, altered art item or scrapbook page. To enter simple leave your name and blog address where the image is posted in the comment section below. I can't wait to see your creations!



Here is an example-

Materials: 

• (1) 12x12 sheet of Core'dinations Black Magic Warlock
• Stamping Up Halloween Smiles Stamp Set
• (1) 8.5"x11" sheet of ivory Copic approved cardstock
• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink pad
• Cuttlebug Candy Cane embossing folder
• Halloween Dew Drops
• Orange with black poka-dot ribbon
• adhesive (runner and Zots)
• sandpaper or sanding tool
•  Cuttlebug with (1) A plate and (2) B plates
• Copic Markers-N0, N3, N6, C7, YR15, Y38, E59, E33, YG95, G99

Instructions:

1. Cut a piece of the Warlock to 4.25"x5.5", one piece at 4x5.25"and one piece to 3x3.25"
2. Cut a piece of the ivory cardstock to 8.5x5.5" and fold in half-creating a 4.25x5.5 card base
3. Cut a piece of ivory cardstock to 2.75x3" and stamp image from Halloween Smiles using Memento ink.
4. Color image with Copic markers as desired.
5. Place 4x5.25" piece of Warlock in embossing folder so that the black side is facing up.
6. Run embossing folder through Cuttlebug
7. Remove cardstock from folder and sand the the black side exposing the orange color underneath.
8. Adhere larger piece of Warlock cardstock to card base so that the orange is face up. 
9. Using the "cheater" or "Saver" method adhere a piece of ribbon to the left side of the embossed cardstock about .5" in from the edge
10. Adhere Embossed cardstock to center of card base
11. Adhere stamped and colored image to orange side of smaller Warlock and adhere to the card front
12. Adhere three Dew Drops using Zots 
13. Enjoy.

Sassy Studio Designs Challege for September 13th 2012

Good Afternoon Everyone!

I'm very excited to submit my first entry in the Sassy Studio Designs Challenges. This week was a sketch challenge.

Here is a picture of the sketch:

Here is my take on the sketch:

I decided to use the SSD Steampunk Vivian image. I used paper from Graphic 45's Steampunk Debutante, Core'dinations Vintage Collection, Copic Markers and Dew Drops. The card measures 5.25 square and is distressed with Tim Holtz Tea Dyed ink.

I hope you like it. Please leave a comment.

Thanks for stopping by!

G45 Botanicabella Altered Notebook

I absolutely adore Graphic 45 paper! I recently found a few sheets from the Botanicabella Collection in my paper stash. I decided to create an altered notebook with the pages that I had.

Here is a picture of the completed notebook cover.

Supplies used in this project:

• (2)-12x12 sheets of Graphic 45's Botanicabella Collection Botanicabella #4500045
• (1)-12x12 sheet of Graphic 45's Botanicabella Collection Ode to a Butterfly #4500053
• Golden yellow cardstock 
• (1) 8.5x11" shimmery white cardstock
• Composition Notebook
• Adhesive for book making and paper ( I used Glue Arts High Tac and Perma Tac)
• 1/8" pop dots
• sharp scissors
• Wild Honey Tim Holtz Distress Ink
• Ink distressing tool
• Red gems in 2 sizes
• scotch tape
• metallic thread
• Heritage Corner punch from Fiskers
• Zots for Bling
• craft knife
• bone folder
• ruler
• other embellishments

 Directions-

-Using High Tac or other book making adhesive (Mod Podge for example), outline the edges of the cover of the Composition notebook. NOTE: Do not cover the black spine with adhesive.

-Center one (1) sheet of the Botanicabella 12x12 paper over the adhesive so that the edge abuts the black spine so that the red with gold design is facing up.


-Smooth paper down on the top of the notebook

-Trim the over hang along the width of the notebook leaving about 1" on paper past the edge of the cover.

-Take the bone folder and placing the notebook on it's cover run the bone folder around the edge of the cover. This creates a crease line-making the next step so much easier. 

-Fold the paper over the edge of the cover on one of the short sides and the long side. Place the ruler on an angle that connects the inner and outer corner of the folded paper. Using the craft knife cut along the edge of the ruler. Be careful not to cut through the cover. Remove extra paper and adhere the flaps to the cover. Repeat process on the other corner.

-Repeat this entire process for the back cover using the second piece of Botanicabella.

-Cut two pieces of golden yellow cardstock to fit within the cover of the notebook (if using a smaller or larger notebook than the standard composition notebook, cut the cardstock so that it rests 1/8" in from the long and short sides of the cover.) These inside pieces measure 9.5x6.75"

-Using the Wild Honey distress ink ink the golden yellow cardstock around the edges and adhere to the inside of the back cover.

-Create a pocket on the liner for the cover by placing the back side of Ode to a Butterfly on an angle across the liner. Using the corner covering process from above to adhere the pocket to the liner. Using scraps from the Botanicabella cardstock cut a strip of butterflies and adhere as a pocket edge and wrap around the back of the liner.

-Adhere liner to the inside of the front cover.

-Cut a piece of the the white shimmery cardstock to 3.5x5" Using the Heritage punch, cut all four corners of the cardstock

-Distress with Wild Honey ink and apply title (I used a "Dream" rub-on)

-Thread clock face embellishment (or embellishment of choice) on to the metallic thread. Using the cheater method attach the thread to the title block.

-From the paper scraps of the Botanicabella paper cut out seven butterflies. Create dementional butterflies by using pop dots to layer two of the butterflies together. Adhere two of the butterflies to the front cover around the title.

-Attach one to the center of the pocket liner on the inside cover. Attach the last butterfly (flat) to the top right corner of the cover liner.

Attach the red gems to the bottom of the front cover as pictured.

Technique #1- 3 Tier Stamping

3 tier stamping is a fun and easy way to create a layered card or background for a scrapbook page. This technique uses three layers of paper that gradually shrink in size. When stamped this layering creates a cascading effect with the stamped image. When practicing this technique, it is easier to use a stamp that has a flourish image.

You can find a printable version of these directions here.

Materials-
-(1) 8 1/2x11" piece of white cardstock
-(1) 8 1/2x11" piece of colored cardstock
-(1) stamp with a flourish
-(1) card base of 8x5 1/2" folded in half
-ink in your choice of color (chose an ink that won't run when using the distressing ink like Memento)

-distressing ink a coordinating color to the ink used to stamp the flourish-this should be lighter than the stamping ink
-distress ink applicator
-ashesieve
-1/8' pop dots
-fibers or ribbon for embellishment

Directions-
-Cut the colored cardstock into three pieces measuring (1) 3 3/4x5 1/4, (2) 2 3/4x4 1/4, and (3) 1 3/4x 3 1/4"
-Cut the white cardstock into three pieces measuring (1) 4x5 1/2", (2) 3x4 1/2", and (3) 2x3 1/2"
-Using a small piece of adhesive, layer the three white pieces of cardstock so that the smallest piece is on top (You may have to dull the hold of the adhesive by pressing and lifting your finger off of it)
-Ink up the stamp using selected color
-Stamp randomly across the three layers of white cardstock making sure the flourish overlaps the layers of paper.
-Continue inking and stamping (for this size card about 3-4 times)
- Peel the three layers apart and apply distress ink using applicator tool.
-Adhere the stamped pieces to their coordinating sized background paper.

IMPORTANT- Check your stamped images to make sure they are going the right way and mimic the stamp image across the layers.


-Adhere the top and middle layer together by centering the top layer over the middle.
-Wrap ribbon or fibers to embellish around the top and middle layer.
-Use pop dots to adhere top two layers to bottom layer.
-Adhere bottom layer to card base and enjoy. 

Entry for Core'dination Challenge #13 from Cari

Challenge #13 is from Cari. I had a little trouble deciding what to do. I really love using the Black Magic Collection from Core'dination. I decided to use five different sheets to do a card stock only layout using a picture of me playing dress up (Yes even adults like to play dress up).

Here is the final layout:

I scored a line one inch in all the way around the 12x12 piece of Petrificus.

Then using a piece of Freeze I score at one inch intervals than turned the paper on an angle to repeat the scored lines every inch.

I the cut a strip of Protect. I scored every quarter of an inch flipping the paper back and forth. After sanding I cut the strip into a banner shape

The yellow piece is Magic. I scored every half inch on a diaginal.

The butterflies are cut using the Cricut from Wizard. I then used my bone folder to score the outline of the butterfly from the back side of the die cut before sanding.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Entry for the Core'dination Online Crop Challenge #5--Strips

Good Evening Everyone!

Only one day left to the Core'dination Online Crop. I have a lot of work ahead of me. So far I have completed seven of the thirteen original challenges. I'm felling really good about them as this goes along. Now I am working on Debbie's card stock only challenge. My plan is to have that one posted tonight before I go to bed.

Here is my layout:

I used a sheet of paper from the Moulin Rouge Collection by Prima Marketing. I used three sheets of Core'dination Essentials in Celery, Burgundy and Pea Pod for the strips and the photo mount. I folded the strips and antiqued the photo mounts before sanding them.

 I stitched the stripes into place using my sewing machine.

 I used lacy green ribbon around the photo mount and embossed the word "Hope" using bronze embossing powder and my VersaMarker.

Thanks for stopping by my  blog.

Second Chance Crop with Saving Grace at Stamping Memories

You are cordially invited to

the

Second Chance Crop

to be held at

Stamping Memories

on

Saturday July 21st, 2012 from 11am-5pm

100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Second Chance with Saving Grace Foundation

What is Second Chance with Saving Grace?

"SCwSG is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by Paul and Dr. Diane Dike in 2007 with a desire to help others and make their dreams come true. After rescuing Gracie, an injured and homeless Italian Greyhound, Diane trained her to become her service dog. Gracie helps her overcome and more safely live with cryoglobulinemia vasculitis, a life-threatening blood disease. Diane shares their incredible story at events, on radio and TV, and in magazines, blogs, newspapers and other media to raise awareness for the many ways SCwSG helps hurting people and animals."  To read more go to http://www.dianedike.org/

Stamping Memories will be selling kits with materials donated by Prima Marketing for a $20.00 donation to the Second Chance with Saving Grace Foundation.  The kit is valued at $30. Please feel free to donate more.

Each kit includes:

·         12 sheets of Prima Paper from the Annalee or Backstage Collection ($13 value)

·         a package of flowers ($5 value)

·         1.5 yards of lace ($4 value)

·         1 package of crystal flowers ($4 value)

·         1 crystal swirl ($4 value)

Kits will be available starting July 1st 2012. You do not have to be present on the day of the crop to donate and receive a kit.

Stamping Memories hopes to raise over $800 to benefit the Second Chance with Saving Grace Foundation. A Link will be posted on our website and Face book page for Second Chance with Saving Grace along with a chart to track us as we raise awareness and funds for this foundation.

Spring Layout

Good Morning,

It's beautiful and sunny here in New Hampshire. I'm hanging out at Stamping Memories in Belmont New Hampshire till 6pm. I love exploring all their new items. There are some gorgeous fairy stamps from StampWorkz. I want them all. :) I'll post some pictures of the new items this week.

Here is a new video that I uploaded this week.

This is a really simple 2 page layout using papers from the 2012 DCWV Spring and Summer Stack, Bazzil card stock, ribbon, Inka gold in Rose, Stickles, 3D flower from K&Company and a jewelry accent.  I hope you enjoy the video and please leave a comment or suggestion for techniques you would like to see in future videos.

Thanks,
Toni

Steampunk Culture Card #1

Hey Everyone!

Lately I've been so into the Steampunk Culture. I love the Victorian dress mixed with Sci-fi mechanics. So I challenged myself to create a series of cards using a Steampunk theme. And what better way to do this than with Graphic 45's Steampunk Debutante Collection. 

The card below is my first in a series of Steampunk Cards. I Used a variety of techniques to create this card. This card measures 4x5.5 inches. I used Bazzill Cardstock to mount the Graphic 45 papers.

1st- I embossed the stamped image of the roses using VersaMark and Judi Kins' Metallic Bronze embossing powder

2nd- I used metal closures to accent the top left corner of the matted stamped image.

3rd- I used Copper thread to tie an antiqued metal bead to the base of the card. 

As always thanks for visiting my blog.

Card Series--Post #2

Good Afternoon Everyone! Welcome to the second video in my summer card series. I hope you enjoy the video and find it inspirational. Please feel free to leave a comment.

Materials:
blank card and envelope kit-card measures 4x5.5 inches
The Paper Company, P49740, Ivory Cardstock Value Pack, 8-1/2 by 11 (50 Sheets)
Dye Ink Value Pad: Black
Tsukineko StazOn All-Purpose Cleaner, 2-Ounce
3/8'' Double-Sided Satin Ribbon Violet By The Yard
Crayola 50ct Long Colored Pencils
Allary 5/16-Inch-by-1/4-Inch Permanent Scrapbook Tape Runner
BASIS COLORS - 8.5 x 11 CARDSTOCK PAPER - Light Purple - 80LB COVER - 100 PK
Plaid Pop Dots, Package of 104, White, 1/2-Inch
Fiskars 9698 Euro 12-Inch Portable Paper Trimmer 

Instructions:

1. Cut a piece of light purple cardstock to 3 15/16x5 7/16
2. Cut a piece of light purple cardstock to 2 1/4x2 3/4
3. Cut a piece of cream cardstock to 2x2 1/2
4. Cut a piece of patterned paper to 5 3/16x3 11/16
5. Using black ink, stamp image of umbrella flowers from Stampin' Up Send a Celebration on cream cardstock. Clean stamp.
6. Using colored pencils color stamped image.
7. Adhere stamped cream cardstock on smaller light purple cardstock using tape runner, centering image.
8. Using preferred method adhere ribbon to pattern paper. (I used the "Cheater Method" with the tape runner) Tie a bow.
9. Adhere pattern paper to larger light purple cardstock using tape runner.
10. Adhere larger light purple cardstock to card base using tape runner.
11. Place pop dots on back of mounted stamped image. Place image toward top of card at a slight angle.

Freedom 12x12 2-page Layout

This 12x12 2-page layout was created using the Stand and Salute and Independence Day Cricut Cartridges.

Materials:
-2 12x12 blue paper with stars (the paper I used came from the Summer Stack from
JoAnn's)
-Red and Blue cardstock paper for photo mats and sayings
-red, white and blue cardstock for the shield
-brown and silver cardstock for the liberty bells
-Americana Ribbon
-Americana Stickers
-Silver star brads

The liberty bells were cut at 4" and 2 1/2"
The Freedom saying was cut at 2 1/2"
The Let Freedom Ring saying was cut at 4"
The shield was cut at 4"

Twilight Lay out Part 2

Materials: use the same materials as Twilight Lay out Part 1

Instructions:
1. mount 6x6 piece of stripe paper and paisley paper to bottom of 12x12 black card stock.
2. mount 2.5x12 piece of stripe paper to black cardstock a quarter inch down from top of page
3. mount 2x12 piece of paisley paper on bottom edge of strip stripe.
4. mount .5x12 piece of deep red cardstock on bottom edge of paisley stripe.
5. mount 4.5x6.5 deep red photo mat a half inch down from top and half inch in from right side of page.
6. mount 4.5x6.5 deep red photo mat in lower left side of page, half inch in from left edge and bottom of page.
7. create a journaling box by mounting a 2.5x3 piece of cream paper on to a 3x3.5 piece of deep red paper and adhere to page in top left corner about an inch down from top and 1.5 inches in from left edge.
8. Add two 4x6 photos and enjoy

Embossing with Powder

So you've decided to do a little research about embossing...well good for you! Embossing can give that unique and perfect last touch to any project.

Below you will find my tips for embossing; however feel free to experiment and find what works best for you.

Tip #1- Find the Right Ink--

Finding the right ink can make all the difference in a project that works or a project that doesn't. You want an ink that will stay wet long enough for you to apply the powder or glitter that you want. I use the VersaMark ink pad and pen for all my embossing projects; because it's clear enough that when you emboss with a light colored powder like white you won't see it (the ink) through the powder.

Tip #2-The Right Image and the Right Powder--

The more detailed the design the finer your powder should be. Use a powder that compliments your project. Don't be afraid to experiement on a model of your project first.

Tip #3-Heating the Image--Finding the Right Tool

I found that heat guns are best (they cost around $20-$25) but a hair drier (as cheap as $10) will do the job too.

Tip #4-Stamping and Powdering the Image--

Choose your stamp, powder and paper. If you are planning to cut the paper smaller once you have stamped and embossed, save your self the fustration and cut first. (For example cut out the star first then stamp and emboss it)

Ink the stamp...place it on the desired spot on the paper...press image firmly...remove stamp...dust ink with desired powder (don't be afraid to pour a good amount of powder on the image)...shake the paper gently to move the powder all over the ink...tap extra powder of the paper on to a scrap piece of paper so that you can put the extra back in the jar...using your heating tool heat the image.

Tip #5-Heating the Image--How?

When you use your heating tool (heat gun or hair drier) to emboss an image start at one end and using a sweeping motion about two inches from the paper more across the image.

Tip #6-HELP! My Paper is Curling--

If the paper your image is stamped on is curling when you heat or it is scorching try any of the following;

-heat the image from under neath using a pair of tweezers to hold the paper (don't burn your fingers)

-place the image stamped paper in a small box lined with tin foil...using the heating gun heat the tin foil...this allows the whole image to be heated at one time...kind of like when you cook a roast.

Tip #7-My paper is has static. Or The extra powder won't come off the paper.

Take a dryer sheet and rub it across your paper before you stamp...hey dryer sheets are good for lots of things.

Tip #8-My image is missing spots of powder. What should I do?

-Make sure your stamp is clean before begining the project

-Stamp the image on the ink pad more than usual, two to four times

-You inked, inked, inked and still missing spots? Try using a finer powder