Category: Techniques

cards, Techniques, Tutorials, Workshops

MOTHER-OF-PEARL SAIL AWAY!

Jenny Hayward

I thought with school going back this week that I would have lots of time to get back here, but I don’t know what happened.  Here it is the end of the week already.  I wanted to show you another card I have made using the fantastic stamp “Sail-Away”.  This one I created a couple of weeks ago for a workshop I did.  This is a great technique to use with this set and is so easy.  Here is the card.

If you are not familiar with the Mother of Pearl Technique, then I will describe how to do it below.  For this card, I used the sanded backkground on the Cherry Cobbler.  The greeting is from “Teeny Tiny Sentiments” and punched out with the Modern label Punch.  To stamp the boat I used Black Staz-on.  It is really important to use Staz-on as it is Gloss Card.

Here are the instructions for Mother Of Pearl Technique.  It probably would have helped to have some photos to help BUT I didn’t think of that this time.  So I hope you can understand it.

MOTHER OF PEARL TECHNIQUE

First off,  you need Gloss cardstock, white shimmer paint and a small piece of cling wrap.

I poured a small bit of shimmer paint onto some acetate.  You could use a plastic plate or even the plastic cases from your stamps. (you can easily wipe this off them when you are finished).  You don’t need a lot.  A little goes a long way!  Scrunch your piece of Cling Wrap into a ball and lightly pounce the ball onto the shimmer paint to pick some paint up.  Lightly pounce the ball onto the piece of Gloss cardstock.  You don’t want to completely cover the card, just in patches.   (Hope that makes sense!!).  You need to let the paint dry.  You can use the heat tool to speed up the process if you are impatient like me 🙂  Once dry you can sponge ink over the card.  (On this card I sponged with Baja Breeze). Then polish the card with a tissue.  This really brings out the shine.  Here is a close-up of the card.  (Not all that clear really, but I hope it helps a little).

Here is a stepped up version of the card.

On this one.  I scrunched up the Basic Black cardstock before adhering it to the card.  But before adding this I punched out the sentiment with the Curly Label Punch and adhered this under the Black piece and added some twine.

Using this technique I created another card which I shall show you next time.  Thanks for stopping by and please say ‘Hello’.  It’s nice to know I’m not talking to myself here.

Until next time,

Jenny x

cards, Techniques

THE CARD THAT NEARLY DIDN’T HAPPEN!!

Jenny Hayward

Do you have days when a card just doesn’t come together??? When anything you do, doesn’t go right and you have to redo it??? Do you look at the card and think “I just don’t know what is wrong”???  This was one of those cards.  It has just taken me 2 days to complete it.  I think I have redone every part at least once!  Maybe the heat was getting to me.  Well, I finished it!  I could have tossed it so many times but I was determined to see this through.

It started out as a card for this week’s sketch challenge at Inkspirations.  I had been wanting to try the faux tile technique and thought this would be good with this sketch.  After stamping and colouring (twice!), I cut the card up to 1″ squares and realised they were too small for the challenge.  I tried to make it work and it  just wasn’t happening.  So, I gave up on the idea of it for the challenge but wanted to complete the card – eventually getting there!!  Enough of the sorry saga you just want to see the card.

The flowers from ‘Elements of Style’ were stamped in Stazon on Very Vanilla  card measuring 3″x3″ (7.5cmx7.5cm).   They were then coloured using the Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery and Always Artichoke Markers.  I spritzed the card with the Crumb Cake marker, then cut it in 1″ (2.5cm) squares.  I then covered the squares in Crystal Effects to give it a glaze.  It is a bit hard to see in the photo.  You need to leave it overnight to dry properly.  It was after I covered it in Crystal Effects I realised I should have sponged the edges.  I just touched them up a bit with the Crumb Cake ink.  I then adhered the squares to a Certainly Celery mat and then Pretty in Pink. 

For the card base I stamped the swirl from the stamp set in Crumb Cake and sponged the edges.  I redid this 3 times.  The first time it didn’t come out right.  The second time I realised I cut the card wrong.  (That’s ok, I have used that on another card!)  This card opens upwards, so I wrapped around some Victoria Lace around the bottom edge.  The label is cut with the Big Shot in Pretty in Pink and the edges sponged.  I  had to do that a second time too!  The greeting is from “Fresh Cuts”.  (Thats a set I haven’t used for a while).   I stamped it in Pretty in Pink onto Very Vanilla and punched it out with the small oval punch.  The edges were sponged in Pretty in Pink too.  I adhered them with mounting tape and stuck some Adhesive pearls on it.  Phew!! I WAS DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I couldn’t even think about doing the inside of the card then. 

Sorry about the ramble.  I hope you kept up with all that!  That was a marathon card.  I have another card that I made later while I had all the stamps and ink out.  I will show you that tomorrow.  I’m done.  It’s exhausting just reliving it!!!!!

Take some time to stamp today – you deserve it!

Jenny xx

cards, Techniques

SUMMER LAUNCH!

Jenny Hayward

While I am in the Summer Mini Mode I thought I would show you the projects we did at my Mini Catalogue launch on Saturday.  It was a small group but we had a lot of fun – I think???  After a quick Scavenger Hunt through the Mini and checking out all the great new products, we did 2 projects. This was the first one.

This card was using the technique called Inlaid Embossing.  The stars were punched out from Whisper White Card and then adhered to the Real Red cardstock before running it through the Big Shot using the new Square Lattice Textured Impressions Folder.  It creates such a cool effect.  You can use any punched shape.  Just make sure that all the shapes are adhered down well.  I have use the ‘Extreme Guitar’ stamp and the crown is from the ‘Extreme Elements’ set.  The greeting is from ‘Short and Sweet’.  I punched this out with the small oval punch and then a black oval with the large oval punch.   I think this makes a cool guy card.   Do you think?????

The second card we did I kept a lot simpler.  It was using the fun ‘Aviary’ set. 

The bird stand was stamped on Very Vanilla in Chocolate Chip ink.   The cage was stamped on a scrap piece of Very Vanilla.  I stamped the bird in Baja Breeze ink.  The cage was then cut out and mounted with Dimensionals.  The greeting is from the set ‘Teeny Tiny Sentiments’, which can you believe is 50% off at the moment with the December Frenzy!  I scalloped the edge of the Chocolate Chip mat and adhered it all onto Crumb Cake card base.  I tied a little knot from the Victoria Lace and added that with a glue dot. 

I have so many Christmas projects that I have been working on so I will show you those in the next few posts.  Otherwise, it will be New Year before I finish!!

Until next time, Happy Stamping!

cards, Challenges, Techniques

TRY A NEW TECHNIQUE!!

Jenny Hayward

I was challenged this past week to try a technique I haven’t done before.  There is a lot of techniques on my “List to Do”!!  But I came across this technique recently and thought I had to give this a go.  It fascinated me.  It uses the Stampin’ Mist directly on your stamps. 

For this technique, firstly sponge your card all over with ink.  Then ink your stamp up with versamark and then mist the stamp lightly with Stampin’ mist.  Stamp onto your sponged card.  The image will appear.  I found the colour of the image will be different depending on the colour ink you have sponged with.  On this Baja Breeze card.  The image appears pink.  I found it was very faint so I stamped just next to it with Baja Breeze creating a shadow.  Where you have stamped with the versarmark image it is slightly raised and feels waxy.  It is amazing! 

I used the brand new stamp set “Just Believe”.  This is a beautiful set.  I cut the Top note out on the Big Shot before I had sponged and stamped.  I also cut out a Pretty in Pink Top note and layered it under this one.  I ran a piece of Baja Breeze card through the Big Shot using the ‘Perfect Polka Dots’ Impressions Folder.  I added some gorgeous Organza Ribbon and tied it using the “No Tie bow”  that Andrea has shown on her blog, originally done by the clever Selene.  These bows are so quick to do and look so elegant.

Next I tried Regal Rose.  That appeared more white. 

On the Regal Rose card I tied the ribbon and added a tag from the Tiny Tags set.   I layered the piece over a strip of Whisper White card that I had emossed on the Big Shot using the Vintage Wallpaper Die.  This is so beautiful!  I just added some bling at the bottom with the Adhesive Rhinestones.  This is a very simple card but I love the way it turned out.

So now, why don’t you go and try a technique you haven’t done before???  I have a lot on my list to complete!

Have a lovely weekend!  

cards, Stampin' Up!, Techniques

WHERE HAVE I BEEN???

Jenny Hayward

Wow!  It’s been over a week since I have been back here.  What a week it has been!!!  Between running around with banks as our credit card had been swiped last weekend, organising the rides for the school fete that was on yesterday and organising my own stall, I had a funeral to go to and my husband left his job. Also, Stampin’ Up! announced huge discounts to their clearance sale before the end of the catalogue finishes tomorrow and my phone has been running hot with orders.   Today I have been at the orthodontist for my daughter as she got her plate fitted on her mouth.  Apart from all that, I really have no excuse!

I thought I would come up for air for a minute and show you some more cards with retiring products.  It’s only 2 days until the new catalogue goes live.  How exciting!  These cards I did at a class a few months ago.  I am a bit behind, aren’t I???  These were for a Fun Folds class.  We did the Joy Fold card.  The tutorial to create this card can be found here.  I used the bright and funky “Pink Flamingo” DSP.  We used the direct to rubber technique with the markers to colour the tree from “Thoughts and Prayers”.  This was done twice and then a circle was punched with the 1 1/4″ circle punch from one  and then layered on a 1 3/8″ Pink Passion circle and then on a Gable Green scallop circle. This scallop was raised up with dimensionals to allow the flap to tuck.  Note:  Only add the dimensionals to one half so you can fit it under!!!!!  The edge of the white card was sponged with Pink Passion.

Here is the inside:

This time the tree image was inked up with the Pink Passion stamp pad and stamped onto whisper white.  The edges were sponged in Pink Passion again.  The greeting on the inside and outside was from the set “Teeny Tiny Sentiments”.

The 2nd card we did was the criss-cross card which can be found here.  This was another bright and funky card using the “Kaleidoscope” DSP.  For the inside card I cut a top note from Whisper White, added a tab using the circle tab punch.  I sponged the edges with Tempting Turquoise and the small flowers are from “Cottage Garden”.  On the front of the criss cross pocket I added a strip of Pink Passion, then crimped a strip of Tempting Turqoise.  The greeting is from the Hostess set “Best Yet”, then punched out using the circle punches and scallop circle.  These were layered and raised up with dimensionals.

Lots of retiring products on these cards.  I must run now.  I will be back in a few days with the new catalogue.  Whoo Hoo!  There are so many exciting new things in there.

Till next time, take care. xx

cards, Techniques, Tutorials

FAUX WOOD!!

Jenny Hayward

I’m back!  Our new computer is up and running.  I just need to get used to this new Windows 7 version. It’s a lot different, but it’s fast!

I have 2 more male cards to show you.  These are done with the faux woodgrain effect.   Have you tried this technique before?  It is a fun thing to do and everytime you do it, the results are different.  It’s a great manly technique.  I’ll talk about the technique shortly.  I will show you the cards first.  These cards I made last year.

This is using the retiring ‘Wanted’ set again.

I have created the woodgrain and then mounted it on a Chocolate Chip base.  I inked up the horses in Chocolate Chip and stamped them without reinking.  It looks like wild horses running!  I matted this on Chocolate Chip and adhered it to the card.  I looped some twine and then adhered that with a glue dot.  The greeting is from ‘Short and Sweet’.  I punched that out with the Word Window punch and then layered that with a Chocolate Chip Word Window Punch out.  I did stamp the inside with the paisley stamp onto Very Vanilla but I forgot to take a photo of that.

The other card is using ‘Owl Together Now’.  I’m a bit sad I haven’t used this set has much as I thought.  It is a very cute set.

I punched out a circle in the card with the 1 3/8″ circle punch.  I stamped up a little owl with Old Olive Ink onto Very Vanilla card.  I coloured just his wings with the So Saffron marker.  I adhered that piece under the woodgrain card with mounting tape and wrapped some twine around it.   Then mounted it all with mounting tape on a piece of Old Olive card.  This was adhered to the Chocolate Chip card base.  The greeting was from the set and punched out with the Large Oval punch.  The edges were sponged with Old Olive and then layered on another Large Oval punched out in Old Olive.  I offset them and adhered them with mounting tape again.  This is very cute.  It looks like the owl is peering out of his hole in the tree.

There are a lot of different versions of creating the woodgrain effect on the internet.  I found a tutorial on Splitcoast here.  I did mine on Very Vanilla card.  I used Creamy Caramel, More Mustard and Chocolate Chip inks.  A couple of tips I found:

– When you swipe your inkpad down the card, start off the edge of the card and try to run down in one movement.  It doesn’t matter too much, but you get lines across the card where you stop.  That just adds to the character of the wood effect though. Lay the inkpad flat to swipe down.

– Make your card piece a little larger than you want.  You tend to get a dark edge,  so you can trim it down.

– After I used the 3 colours (starting from the lightest first), I rubbed over parts of the card with white ink with a sponge (rubbing rather than dabbing).  Just apply lightly.  It might help sponging off on scrap paper first. 

– After using the white ink, you can always touch up the card by sponging (rubbing) on the 3 ink colours you have used until you are happy with the result. That is, you might want to add a little more golden colour then sponge on more ‘More Mustard’, or if you want it darker sponge on more ‘Chocolate Chip’.

I was going to do up a tutorial for this, but I think the one on Splitcoast is simple to follow.  I found it a bit hard to swipe ink with one hand while taking a photo!!!!  Here is a sample piece I created while doing this though.

The card was curled up a bit that’s why it looks crooked.  Sorry about that  🙂

So you can go and create some faux woodgrain cards just in time for Father’s Day.  Until next time, Happy Stamping.  🙂

cards, Challenges, Techniques

RAZZLEBERRY MEDALLION SKETCH CHALLENGE

Jenny Hayward

It has been some time since I have been able to play in a challenge.  I have wanted to take part in the Just-Add-Ink Challenges since they started, so I have finally had some time.  This week was a sketch challenge.  You can see the sketch here.

This is my completed card:

I used the Medallion background stamp for this.  The scallop border was created using the Scallop border punch.  The clever Marelle Taylor explained how to do this using the scallop circle.  You can check that out here.  It is the same principle just carefully snipping very close on every 2nd scallop.  I added dots on each scallop using the signo white gel pen.  The card is very simple.  Here is a close up of the ribbon though.

To create the bow I used 3 different lengths of the Polka Dot Rich Razzleberry ribbon.  The first length I wrapped around the front, the second piece I cut points on each end and then adhered this to the middle of the other ribbon.  Then I looped another piece and put Sticky Strip on the back of the ribbon to hold.  Then stuck this on using Sticky Strip.  I adhered some of the Cottage Wall DSP to the back of a clear button and then cut around the button.  The sentiment is from “Teeny Tiny Sentiments”.   I stuck this on using Sticky Strip too. 

So, my first Just Add Ink challenge completed.  I hope to have time to play again soon.  They are such fun and a great way to extend your creativity. 

Happy Stamping  🙂

cards, Techniques, Uncategorized, Workshops

I’M BACK!!!

Jenny Hayward

I’m back, did you miss me???? You probably didn’t even realise I had gone. LOL  Well, I have the computer back now.  I can’t say it is working fantastically still.  We will have to see how things go.  This last week I realised how much I get done when I’m not wasting, spending time on the internet.  It has been school holidays so we have had some fun family times together, we have had our roof replaced so we had no water and power for a day, but I have been very creative.  I will show you all  the projects eventually.  You will have to wait some time to see my convention swaps though.  4 weeks to Convention!  I’m so excited!

I wanted to show you the Make and Take from the workshop the other week.  My lovely hostess wanted ‘Pretty and Pink’.  I wanted to use the Big Shot and some of the other lovely products from the new Autumn Mini Catalogue. So, here is the card they all got to make.

Card: Regal Rose, Rose Red, Certainly Celery, Whisper White.

Ink: Regal Rose, Rose Red, Certainly Celery.

Stamps: Cottage Garden, Warm Words.

Other: Big Shot, Textured Impressions Folder Dots, Eyelet Border Punch, Dimensionals.

I ran a piece of Regal Rose cardstock through the Big Shot with the Dots Textured Impressions Folder and added this to the front of the Regal Rose base card to create another layer.  The flowers were stamped on scrap paper inking first in Regal Rose and then rock and rolled in Rose Red.  They were cut out and raised up with dimensionals. 

So, is it Pink and Pretty enough?????

Of course, I stepped it up.  Here is the stepped up version.

I added some Regal Rose Grosgrain ribbon and a clear button.  I threaded some Regal Rose ribbon through the button.  The text was stamped on scrap card and punched out with the Large oval Punch and then a scallop oval punched out with Regal Rose.  I added some dots with the white gel pen.  There you have it!  Hope you like!!!!!

Stop by again soon and I will show you some of my other new creations.

cards, swaps, Techniques, Uncategorized

IT’S TEAM SWAP TIME AGAIN!!

Jenny Hayward

Last week we had our first team meeting for the year with Ness’ Inkyfingers.  I love these meetings.  I come away with such inspiration and encouragement.  Each month we have a team swap and although not everyone gets involved,  it is always a great way of getting ideas. 

Here are our team swaps.  This month was Sale-A-Bration.

The ribbon loop on the left is a bookmark by Jennifer.  Leonie has a gorgeous card with the Vintage Labels.  It has the French Script background stamp (Sorry, you can’t see that too well!).   The little cello bag with jelly snakes and the Good Neighbours topper was by Sarah.  I love how Sarah hung the tag from a hole in the eyelet punch border. My card is on the right.  I have more details on that below.  Andrea’s gorgeous card is at the bottom.  You can check that one out further on her blog.  Don’t you love the sparkles!  One day I will get a new camera that will take clearer photos!!!

My swap card was inpired by a card I saw on Splitcoast by stampingwithamy.com.  It is so simple but really lovely.  She had white ribbon along the bottom, but since I didn’t have any I went for the card strip and crimped card strip overlay.  That worked OK I think!!!

The sponged square was using the reverse masking technique.  I cut the shape from scrap card stock.  I used Dotto, a removal adhesive, to hold this piece while I sponged onto the card.  The scrap card can be easily removed to show the “neat” area!!  I then stamped the image with a darker tone of colour and added the greeting.  It was then simply a matter of adhering this to the base card and adding the same colour as the base card for the bottom strip and a crimped piece in the lighter shade on top. 

I had made these cards for my Stamp-A-Stack this month and had several colour combinations.

On the left is Brocade Blue and Night of Navy, The middle Regal Rose and Rose Red, and the right, Tempting Turquoise and Taken with Teal.  Each one was using one of the images from the Sale-A-Bration set ‘Happy Moments’.  This is such a lovely set and is so versatile.  There are 4 images and 3 greetings you can use for any occasion. 

Have you got your free set yet.  You have until the end of March to place an order of $100 and you can choose 1 of 4 great sets for FREE.  So, stock up on your cardstock and ink and grab a stamp set or a punch.  These are great sets and won’t be available after March.  I can have