Texture Paste with Stencils Class at Bella Art

Another great class at Bella Art yesterday sharing my love for stencils and texture paste. Class participants learned the basic of using Ranger Texture Paste and Embossing Paste with stencils to make stunning backgrounds for cards and scrapbook layouts.

They also learned different techniques to color texture paste and use embossing powders along with texture paste for added dimension!

Keep an eye on my workshops page for all upcoming classes or visit Bella Art online!

You're Tee-Riffic Paper Smooches Designer Drafts Challenge

This week's Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge is Designer Drafts-here is the layout:

I have been thinking about a design for this one all week and it came to me this morning! Taking my dogs for a walk (we live on a golf course) this morning and for the first time since early February we can actually see the green rolling hills of the course.  While I love snowshoeing on the course in winter I am more than ready to see the beautiful tailored greens and smooth fairways.  OH and by the way I don't golf-lol.  

I knew I had the Paper Smooches Stamp set My Guy which includes some golf themed stamps, so I put this inspiration together with the above design and here is the result:

I recreated the rolling hills and stamped the holes with flags onto the green card stock.  I re-stamped them again onto white card stock, colored and cut them out and essentially paper pieced these to the original stamped images.  To adhere the tiny pieces I ran them through the Xyron 150 sticker maker- love this adhesive for paper piecing, especially such small elements. 

The flags and golf balls were then covered with glossy accents.

The background was made by running white yardstick through a tiny dots embossing folder and lightly colored with distress ink.  the cute cart was stamped onto Neenah desert storm card stock and colored with Intense pencils, I love the look of these pencils on kraft.

Hope you join in on this week's challenge at Paper 

SmoocheSparks!

Honored to be joining the 2015 Xyron Design Team

So excited and honored to be joining such an amazing and talented group of artists!  I love Xyron products and use them daily in my artwork/crafting.  Like their Facebook page here to follow all the goings on with the DT and see their designs to spark your creativity.

We are thrilled to introduce our New Xyron Design Team! We've got some familiar faces and some fresh new talent - can't...

Posted by Xyron on Friday, March 27, 2015

Creative Vision Stamps Sentiment Showcase

Today I would like to share two cards I made using the Creative Vision Stamps Sentiment : Hip Hip Hooray : It's your day.  I just love this sentiment as it is super versatile.  I am showcasing it today in two different cards, one with more of a birthday theme and the other more of a "celebrating you" theme.

The background of the card on the left which looks like a wrapped up birthday present was made using The Crafter's Workshop Circle Grid stencil, Ranger distress inks-along with Ranger clear embossing powder to give the circles a shimmer.

I love the shape of this sentiment- it makes such a great focal image.

For the second card I used the Simon Says Stamp Full card Sunshine die and colored it with Dylusions sprays for that vibrant sunshine look! It was then matted on a piece of orange glimmer card stock for additional shine.  The sunny feel of this card really makes me smile!

I am entering these cards into the Addicted to Stamps Challenge #100 Celebration! Check them out and join in the fun.

Easter is just around the corner - I best get HOPPIN'

With Easter just around the corner-it was definitely time to start making some Easter Cards.  I decided to do 2 cards using the same background technique-yet with very different looks.

The first card is true to my style-inky and grungy.  I am going to be teaching this background technique in the coming months. It was done with a stencil, distress ink and embossing powder.  For the grungy card the white card stock was then inked with Frayed Burlap and Antique Linen Distress inks.  For the second more clean and simple card, the background was left white with just the pastel circles.  Same technique, same stencil, same inks but a totally different look!

The bunny was cut from Grungeboard using Tim Holtz's Easter die. The egg from the Tim Holtz's blueprint stamp series- stamped on watercolor card stock and water colored with distress inks.  I used a bit of a different technique to color the ideology flowers.  I first painted them with Picket Fence distress paint and then colored them with alcohol inks.  I like this look better than just painting them-so much more texture.

Of course I added a sentiment with chit chat stickers, adhered with my Xyron 150 sticker maker, and layered that on an inked piece of burlap.

The grass was cut from Tim Holtz green distress card stock using the Tattered Fringe die and inked and tattered.

So now for the clean and simple card- I love the juxtaposition of the two cards with the same background technique- one just a LITTLE more inky : ).

The focal image here is one of the Stampendous Calendar Chicks (now retired).  I added a ribbon, which I adhered by running through my Xyron- I find this the best way to adhere ribbon!

I will be entering these into the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Spring Pinterest Inspiration and the Creative Card Crew Challenge #83 Easter Critters.

Another Creative Vision Showcase

So excited to be back today with another of my projects for Creativ Vision Stamps - the more I work with these stamps, the more I love them!! Such great quality- I cannot say enough about them.  I use a ton of techniques in my projects and they just stand up so well to all types of inks!
The stamp set I am showcasing here is : Grapes in Wine.  Just love this set- great images and great quips and sentiments:

The background is altered text print patterned paper colored with various shades of red and purple distress.  The array of wine glasses and "got wine" was stamped over top in archival black ink.  I stamped the wine glasses a second time on another piece of the patterned paper and cut out. After coloring each they were adhered over the stamped images to give some added dimension.

Be sure to stop on over to the Creative Vision Stamp site and check out their selection! You will not be disappointed!

Need to Venti? Paper Smooches Sparks Anything Goes Challenge

To continue with the trend of my LOVE for coffee- today I decided to meld the whimsy of Paper Smooches stamps with the grunge of distress to come up with a fun card.  While I love the whimsical stamps, I tend toward the distressed look-so much of my style is a combination of both- what I call mainstream grunge. Entering this in this week's Paper Smooches SPARKS anything goes challenge:

The card I made uses the stamp set Cyber Cafe which you can find here. 

Hope you will join in the fun this week for the Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge!

papersmooches.net

Backgrounds Class at Bella Art

Taught my very first class yesterday at Bella Art in Johnston, RI.  I am doing a series of classes there focusing on backgrounds, distress ink, stencils and texture paste.  These products are new and somewhat unfamiliar to the customer base there but there is a lot of interest to learn some great new techniques.

Class was fun and fantastic! The participants made some great cards and really picked up the technique quickly.  Thanks to Maryann at Bella for having me and thanks to Katie Hodgson for all her help and taking some great pics to share!

My next class is at Bella on March 28th from 1-3pm - we will be making 2 cards and learning how to use texture paste with stencils and how to color and emboss paste! You can sign up online here or call Bella at 401-383-0199.  Here's a description of the class:

Backgrounds: Texture Paste and Stencils

Level: beginner to intermediate

Explore the versatility and simplicity of using texture paste and stencils for adding dimensional layers and making beautiful backgrounds for any card or scrapbook page. you will learn the basics of using paste. Then we will take it one step further in our second card and learn to colorize texture paste and use embossing powder along with paste for a a whole new “dimension” of possibilities!

Now here are some of the great scenes from yesterday's class:

 Hope to see you in class!!!!

B is for Beach and Beautiful Blue Waters : SSS Monday Challenge

While the snow piled up outside is beginning to melt and the temperatures have been teasing us with signs of spring, I am still dreaming of a tropical escape to the warmth surrounded by beach and blue waters.  Since I cannot fly away right now, I decided to escape to the studio and create my own version of paradise.

The Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge is B is for.... For me B is for Beach and my favorite color Blue.  Here's my entry in this week's challenge:

The background was created with Tim Holtz's Stripes layering stencil, using the layering stencil mono print technique.  I colored some texture past and added drops  to the edges to simulate the bubbles.  The starfish was stamped, cut out and colored with distress ink (watercolor technique).  And I chose one of my favorite sentiments from Tim's line.

I love the feel of this card-close my eyes and I can hear the ocean!  

You can join the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge here:

Technique Junkies: How Rubber Stamps are Made

Today I am sharing a video on "How Rubber Stamps are Made" by Technique Junkies with Pat Huntoon.  I am so happy to be part of their  fabulous Design Team!

Have you ever wondered how Rubber Stamps are made? Do you have original artwork you think may make a great stamp? Now's your chance!




Watch Pat Huntoon show you how the Technique Junkies stamps are made, from concept to packaging. An interesting process -- and all TJ stamps are proudly made in the USA! Visit www.techniquejunkies.com for more information.

Creative Vision Stamps Showcase: Seahorse, Sand Dollar & Sentiments

Today I was so excited to receive my Creative Vision Stamps I decided to dive right in and spend the afternoon in the studio creating.  The stamps I am showcasing today are: Sand Dollar, Sea Horse, and Something Will Grow

You can purchase these here.

Here's is my project:

And here's a closeup of the stamps:

These stamps are super high quality and the crisp impression you get is unbelievable! I used them with Versafine black ink and clear embossing powder and the detail was amazing! 

Be sure to check out Laura's  great selection at Creative Vision Stamps!

Creative Vision Stamps Elite Design Team

I am so excited to announce that I have been chosen as a member of the Creative Vision Stamps Elite Design team along with fellow designers Crystal, Nancy and Stef.  My term is March 1st through July. Today I received my first set of stamps to start creating. I highly recommend these stamps as they as super good quality-the image was so crisp with little effort. The Design Team's creations are going to be used at trade shows to showcase Creative Vision Stamps and I certainly will share on my blog as well. Here's the lot that came today!

Be sure to stop over to Creative Vision Stamps and check out the great selection. And stay tuned here on my blog and on the Creative Vision Design Blog for some great inspiration!

Hero Arts Nature Challenge

Spent a little time in the studio creating for the Hero Arts Nature Challenge.

From my Hero Arts stamps I chose to make the background and the technique my focal point and add a sentiment.  The stamp is Hero Arts Silhouette Grass and was stamped with Versamark on watercolor paper and embossed with white embossing powder.  This created a great resist over which I applied distress inks - Mowed Lawn, Evergreen Bough, Salty Ocean, Broken China and Tumbled glass for a blended/gradual color transition.

           
                 The sentiment is from the Race for a Cure Stamp set from Sparkle N Sprinkle. I will be entering this into their challenge as well for this month.

I hope you join in the Nature Challenge and celebrate all things Hero Arts!  And be sure to check out all the great stamps and supplies at Sparkle N Sprinkle!

Designer Spotlight- Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge

So honored to be featured in the Designer Spotlight for the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Anything goes!

This was my entry:

And this is what the team had to say:

#612 Pam Andrea says: Pam made the snazziest coffee cups I’ve seen in a long time! I love how decorative they are and how she added lots of texture and visual oomph with the clever addition of burlap.

Congrats to all the winners and be sure to check them all out here.

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge: Springtime Melodies

Back again with another Clean & Simple design- this time for the CAS-ual Fridays Challege:

I actually created two cards for this challenge but decided to enter one into the CAS-UAL challenge and one into the Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge.  Here are my projects:

The first uses a stamp from Hero Arts and a sentiment from Paper Smooches. The Hero Arts G clef stamp (KSS18) was stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  A water color wash was placed over the resist stamped image.  The background was dry embossed with an embossing folder and the debossed side was used to keep it simple!

My second card I am entering in the Paper Smooches Sparks Anything Goes Challenge and features the Beboppin stamp set. 

Make sure you visit the Paper Smooches Sparks Blog to join in the fun!

Clean and Simple....Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge Anything Goes

A quick post this morning to share my card for the Paper Smooches Sparks Anything Goes Challenge.

This card uses the Paper Smooches A Little Lovin Stamp and Die Set which can be found here.

 .

The Mama and Baby Elephant were colored using Copic Markers.  I am also featuring this as my entry for the MarkerPop Guest Designer Search.

Background was dry embossed with an embossing folder and lightly colored with chalks to give it a pastel baby tone. The background colors can be changes to shades of pink and red for a baby girl card. Here I used green, blue and yellow-can be used for either a boy or a girl or a surprise!