Inspiration for creating cards

Hello fellow card makers!

Like most of you, I find inspiration by looking at other handmade cards - I'm sure some of you have given me loads of inspiration. But recently, I have tried to think outside the box and look for inspiration in the unexpected.

While dining out with my family at a Chinese restaurant, I noticed a piece of wall art. I don't think the piece is anything special but I did get inspired for a new card design. Below, the first image is the wall art (sorry its so blurry) and the second image is the card I made from that inspiration.  What do you think?

I made the frame with black mirror cardstock. It adds a nice shine to the card. I used two rectangle nesting dies from Spellbinders to make the frame. Then I cut four - 1/8" wide strips and adhered them to the frame with each piece slightly larger than the frame.

I wanted the card to be almost 3D. I think dimension really adds interest. I used dimensionals under the black frame, the white panel and the vase. To make sure I had the vase in the right spot, I stamped the vase directly on the paper. It was really easy then to position the bamboo stamp in the right spot. I also stamped another vase on a scratch piece of white cardstock, cut it out and adhered it with dimensionals directly on top of the first image.

For this card, I used stamps from three different stamps sets. I just mixed and matched until I found the right look. To add sparkle, I used some black rhinestones that I had in my stash. I think they really work with my design.

I also find inspiration from quilts, stained glass windows, t-shirts, postcards, and so many other things. When something catches my eye, I almost immediately start thinking about a new card design.

Now go - get inspired!

Happy stamping!
Kathie K.

Stretching Your Dies For Stunning Results

Hello fellow stampers and card makers!

I will admit, I am addicted to die cutting. There are so many die sets and bundles on the market its sometimes hard to see beyond what the dies were originally designed to do. Well that's easier to do than you think.

For this first communion card, I mixed and matched several brands and designs to make a stunning focal point.

I used white and gold shimmer paper although its hard to tell from the photo. It's not necessary to use shimmer paper but it does make the card that much more special and elegant. On top of the base card, I layered a slightly smaller lavender piece that I had dry embossed. Using a slightly smaller white piece, I die cut the ornate oval (Spellbinders). For the chalice, I used a circle die from Stampin' Up. I cut the top 1/3" off to made the bottom. The host above the chalice is done using two sizes of circle punches.

The finishing touches include embossing the sentiment in gold which was cut using a banner punch. I add sheer lavender ribbon for the extra special touch.

Start thinking outside the die box, and mix and match for stunning results.  I hope you give this a try.

Happy stamping!

Kathie K.

Tarnished Metal Masculine Birthday Card Tutorial

Hello fellow stampers and card makers!

I am in love with this technique! Doesn't the background look like tarnished metal?

I think this technique is perfect for masculine cards - this one is a birthday card but you could make it work for any sentiment. It's so much easier than it looks and is sure to impress your friends and family.

Here's what you will need:

• embossing folder
• mirror cardstock - gold, silver, or copper
• 2 - embossing powder colors
• Stazon black inkpad
• Versamark pen

For this card, I used silver mirror cardstock with gold and copper embossing powder. Any combination works, just use what you have. The background is made with a clock embossing folder. Tip: when dry embossing with mirror cardstock use a thinner sandwich in your die cutting machine.  Thicker sandwiches will press the folder too much causing the paper to tear. Once the paper is embossed, take the Stazon inkpad and lightly drag the ink across the raised images.  This gives it an aged look.

Make sure to dry the ink before moving to the next step. I use my heat tool to quickly dry the ink. Now comes the fun part. Using the Versamark pen, color in patches on the embossed piece leaving some of the mirror cardstock exposed. Cover with gold embossing powder shaking off the excess.  The powder only sticks to the Versamark ink and then emboss with a heat tool. Repeat the same process with the copper embossing powder. Continue to add both colors until you get the coverage you like.

To finish the tarnished metal look, add more Stazon ink by apply the inkpad direct to the paper. Again, use your heat tool to dry but be careful not the melt the embossing you already applied.

Next, I added an embossed happy birthday sentiment and made a simple embellishment. I think this card is stunning and so much fun to do!

I hope you give this technique a try.

Happy Stamping!

Kathie K.

Mountain Scene Card Tutorial

Hello fellow stampers,

I can admit, I cannot draw or paint freehand. But I have found that I can get a realistic scenic image using sponges and torn post-it paper.

Here's another sponged background card that I made for a friends recent loss. I think the color combinations and images made the scenic view seem almost peaceful.

For this card, I wanted a setting sun. I first tore mountain shapes out of post-it paper. The trick here is to use the positive and the negative pieces. Use the negative pieces to sponge the mountains and positive pieces to sponge the sky.

On this card, I chose a setting sun but a night time scene with a full moon would look just as awesome. To create the sun, I used a circle punch with post-it paper. I masked off the mountain using the positive piece of post-it paper so the sun looks like its setting behind the mountain. To create the sky, start with the lighter colors closest to the sun and gradually add darker shades as you sponge towards the opposite edge.

Once the mountains and sky were sponged and dried, I repeatedly stamped the same evergreen tree use the stamping off technique. I stamped one image with my stamp fully inked and then without reinking, I stamped it a couple more times.  I think it gives the card dimension and depth.

To finish the card, I stamped a sentiment on a layered banner and added grosgrain ribbon.

This card could be used for any occasion or just to let someone know you are thinking about them. I hope you gives scenes like this a try.

Happy stamping!

Kathie K.

Die cut peacock with oval frames tutortial

Hello fellow stampers and card markers,

I have fallen in love with the Color Layering Peacock stamp and die set from Hero Arts! This is one of the easiest stamps to layer.  And with three layers of the color, the color combinations are almost endless.

The card I'm going to show you how to make has multiple layers but super easy and fun to do.

Here's what you will need to make the same card:

• Bermuda Bay cardstock - 4 1/4 x 11
• Whisper white cardstock - 4 1/8 x 5 3/8 (cut 2), 4 x 5 1/4 an scrap piece for the peacock
• mirror gold - 4 1/2 x 5 1/2
• Vellum - 1 1/8 x 4
• gold embossing powder
• Spellbinder's dies, classic ovals, Oval Ironwork, and Floral Ovals
• Inks pads: Versamark, Bermuda Bay, Island Indigo, Marina Mist, and Dapper Denim
• Ink blending tools (Smoothies, sponges, etc)
• Die cutting machine
• Embossing buddy
• Heat tool
• Crushed Curry marker
• Dimensionals

The first thing you want to do is color your background.  You want to do this first so it will have enough time to dry before embossing. Starting with the lightest colors first, on the piece of white cardstock, use a blending tool with Marina mist and then add Bermuda Bay and Dapper Denim until it is completely covered. No two backgrounds will be exactly the same. Set aside to dry.

Next, stamp the peacock starting again with the lightest colors. Use Marina Mist and Dapper Denim on the peacock head and body. Use the Crushed Curry marker to color in the beak. Line up the tail feathers and first stamp Bermuda Bay. The outline stamp will be next - use Island Indigo. Next, stamp the tail spots in Versamark. Sprinkle with gold embossing powder. Emboss.

When working with dies, I like to die cut all of the pieces at the same time. I used the matching peacock die on the peacock. I use the large die from the Oval Ironwork set on the gold mirror paper. Once that was cut, I layered on the large oval die to cut out the frame. Next, I used the large Floral Oval frame and large oval together to make the frame. You will end up with three die cut pieces for the card and two extra ovals for another project.

To finish the background, use the feather stamp with Versamark all over the background piece. Pour gold embossing powder on each image and heat emboss.

You will also need to stamp a sentiment on the piece of vellum with Versamark. Make sure you leave a border on the left side to tuck under the peacock when you assemble. Before attaching to the card, cut the right side like a banner or anything decorative.

Now you are ready to put it all together. To make the frame focal point, glue the white oval frame on top of the mirror gold frame. Using dimensionals, adhere the frame to the background. For the peacock, use dimensionals on the places of the die cut image that will actually touch the frame. Tuck under the left edge of the vellum piece leaving the rest of it loose. Then glue down the background to the card base.

Use the last piece of white cardstock for the inside of the card. Stamp feathers using the same inks as the background.  Do the same thing on the envelope. And your card is done! Wow - just beautiful!

I used a birthday sentiment but any one will work. I think my next one will be for Mother's Day.

Happy stamping!

Kathie K.

It looks like glass

Hello crafty friends,

If you follow me on Pinterest or have checked out my Etsy shop, you will see that I love making coffee, wine and beer cards. And on of the things I like the best is to make the wine glasses, beer bottles and coffee mugs come to life by adding either clear embossing powder or a clear, glossy liquid (dries 3-D).

The clear embossing powder has a slight raise and really makes any ink color or patterned paper shine.  I used the clear embossing powder over patterned paper to give the illusion of china.  It's subtle but I think it adds something extra. The great about the embossing powder is there's not wait time.

Below is an example of how I added Nuvo Drops to make the the beer bottle and mug look like glass. The drops are very easy to apply to the stamped image and does not make the ink bleed.  It does take a good 24 hours to dry but the results are worth the wait. If you look closely, I also used the drops to make tiny fizz bubbles above the mug - I thought that made it look more "real".

There are few brands that carry this product.  I have tried the Crystal Effects (don't think this is made anymore) and the Nuvo Drops.  I have also heard really good things about Glossy Accents.

How have you used products like these?

Happy crafting!
Kathie K.

P.S. Blog readers are entitled to free shipping on orders over $20 on my Etsy shop - just enter BLOGSHIP when you check out!

Glitter paper - a must have

Hello crafty friends,

I have been experimenting with glitter paper lately and have just fallen in love with it. In the past, I reserved my glitter paper for Christmas cards. And then I started out by adding accents to my cards like in the Valentine's Day card below. I used a heart-shaped die to make the embellishment - it cut beautifully (I have to admit, I was a little worried). Using glitter paper really made the heart pop and added a very special touch to the card.

Here's another example using pink glitter paper - who knew all of these non-holiday colors were available!

When I was designing a 25th wedding anniversary card, I decided to add more than just a hint or small accent of glitter. Cards below used background dies from Spellbinders and the cards turned out great if I do say so myself. Beware - its addicting.

I have learned a couple of things about glitter paper.  Not all paper is the same.  Some have a looser bond and tend to "shed" leaving glitter behind.  I did have to clean my Big Shot cutting plates after using the red glitter paper. My favorite brand is Misscrafts Soft Touch Glitter Cardstock (Amazon carries it; 10-sheets for $9.99).  In my opinion, this is the best quality - little to no shedding and the sparkle is outstanding.

Do some experimenting yourselves.  And save ever scrap - even the smallest touches (center of flowers, stars, snow, lights, etc) add that special touch to any project. What have you tried -please share.

Happy crafting!

Kathie K.