Heat Embossing On Color Cardstock

Thanks for joining me today for this weeks Papertrey Ink Design Team Tip! 

When creating a simple card, I really try hard to focus on the details.  After all, it's the details that really make a simple card shine. One detail that's easy to add to any type of project is... Heat Embossing.  Today I'll introduce to you clear heat embossing on colored cardstock, but with an added touch that's sure to give your projects that little extra special something. 

Let me get started...

I typically heat emboss using the basic colors...  clear, white and/or black.  But this effect looks amazing in pretty much any color.  I especially love the look of clear embossing powder on color cardstock, the glossy polished result really enhances the color of the paper.

Look closely at the large flower in the photo above.  Notice any thing different?  A bit of scripty text maybe?  Well, I've taken the embossing technique a step farther and combined it with another stamping technique that I love...  Kissing.  It's a little hard to see in the photo (you can click on it for a better look), but in person it really adds so much to this simple cards.  Let me show you what I'm talking about...



Here's How:  I began by inking my flower image using Versamark Ink (a must when embossing!).  Please pay no attention to my yellow stained stamp, it's just the natural effect some inks have on these clear stamps.  Here's A Tip:  The kissing technique is best suited for solid images. 

Next, I inked up my second stamp... my pattern of choice from Background Basics: Postmarks.  Here's A Tip:  A smaller scaled pattern does the trick perfectly. Others you may consider... an Envelope Pattern (my personal fave for this technique!), Bitty Background Blocks or BB: Text Style just to name a few.  Just  A Note: In the example photo above I've used Smokey Shadow ink (was going for a better visual aid here) but in the actual project I used Canyon Clay ink.

I then pressed the Versamark inked flower stamp onto the inked background stamp.  This is the actually Kissing step, it transfers the color ink from the background stamp onto the flower image.

Stamped the kissed flower onto a coordinating die cut (from Melon Berry cardstock), coated it with clear embossing powder and then heat embossed.  Once cooled, it was ready to be placed.

After figuring out the arrangement of my flowers and leaves I heat embossed each one, keeping with the clear embossed theme.

Here's A Tip: To add yet another neat effect to this card... I trimmed the bottom edge of the card front before attaching all the pieces permanently into place. Then carefully aligned the base of the flowers along the bottom edge to line up with the back flap of the card.  This allowed me to form a good solid and straight edge for the card to stand upon.

Here's the final result.  It's a bit unexpected and I love it!  What do ya think?!

So go ahead! Pull out your stamp stash, clear embossing powder and color cardstock and see what you come up with.  Have fun!

Thanks for stopping by.

 

Maile

Happy Birthday:

• Stamps:  Rosie Posie, Beautiful Butterflies (sentiment) and Background Basics: Postmarks
• Ink:  Versamark, Canyon Clay & Smokey Shadow
• Cardstock:  Rustic White, Melon Berry, Sweet Blush & Spring Moss
• Accessories:  Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun & Rosie Posie Die Collection

Papertrey Ink April Release Projects

The Papertrey Ink April Countdown is about to come to an end and I'm here to share my final projects with you today. But, before I do, let me remind you that everything you've seen peeks of will be available for purchase through Papertrey Ink beginning 10 pm EST tonight.

Now, let me get started!...First up, Tweet Talk. I stamped this sweet bird in a color of Orange Zest, Berry Sorbet and Melon Berry. The tail was inked with the Rock n Roll stamping technique using the same color combo.I created the color blocked pattern using the In The Meadow Die Collection.Next, Heart-2-Heart. I stamped a fun pattern using the patterned and tiny hearts from the set and the medium sized heart from Trendy Tree Tops. I just love this color combo... Lavender Moon, Harvest Gold, Berry Sorbet and Dried Marigold Ranger Distress Ink. Finished the card off with a sentiment and clear rhinestones. As soon as I laid eyes on this next stamp set, Baby Face, I knew I needed to recreate a fun pattern I had found previously. I've been saving it for inspiration via Pinterest here.Stamped a random pattern (onto a die cut Wine Bottle Tag) using the tiny images and then touched up with a few Copic markers. Finished the card off with a sentiment tag.Last but not least, Tag Sentiments. I began this card by stamping a border of butterflies (from the Beautiful Butterflies stamp set), along the card edge, in a color combo of Hawaiian Shores, Spring Rain and New Leaf.Then trimmed the card edge, following the stamped butterflies, to create a super cool effect. Then finished it off with the sentiment tag.

Well, that's all of them!

Be sure to check out the rest of the Design Teams fabulous projects as well...

• Nichole Heady
• Betsy Veldman
• Dawn McVey
• Debbie Olson
• Heather Nichols
• Lisa Johnson
• Melissa Phillips
• Michelle Wooderson
• Erin Lincoln
• Jessica Witty
• Danielle Flanders
• Ashley Newell

Thanks for stopping by!

Maile

Birthday Bash

Hello my friends! So glad you're joining me today for the Papertrey Ink March Countdown! Before I begin with this months first group post projects, I'd like to give you all a little personal update. But, if your not up for it please feel free to scroll down a little.

Personal Update: So, things have been a bit quiet around here. I really haven't been up to much the last 2 1/2 weeks except for recovering from surgery, an operation to replace my torn ACL. It may surprise most of you to know that, in addition to stamping and card making, I enjoy riding my dirt bike. Crazy, I know! It's been an activity that my husband and I have enjoyed together for over 10 years. I've taken my fair share of spills, but this last fall was the one that finally got me. Anyways, the operation went very well and recovery is moving along slowly but it sure is nice to finally be down to one crutch and back in the craft room. So forgive me if my creations are not up to snuff this month.

Now, back to business... This months first Design Team group post is all about the perfect birthday bash. We've been busy creating collections perfect for a celebration using the 2012 Birthday Tags stamp set, By Invitation stamp set and Card Base-ics Dies (all will be available beginning March 15th through Papertrey Ink). Here's what I came up with...

First up is a Happy Birthday To You collection. This collection uses a soft yet fun color combo of Aqua Mist, Melon Berry and Dried Marigold (a Ranger Distress Ink). This birthday card began by stamping the star circle tag image, in the above colors, onto a white cardstock panel.I trimmed additional stars and attached them with dimensional adhesive. Finished the panel off with a sentiment stamped in Smoky Shadow ink and then attached the stamped panel onto a white card base.I then created a coordinating tag. Simply die cut a Tag Sale #5 tag from white cardstock. Attached a punched star circle tag and a die cut flourish (from Fancy Flourishes).To complete this party ensemble I created an invitation by die cutting a base from white cardstock using one of the new Card Base-ics dies. Stamped the base with a second circular tag image in the same color combo. I then inserted a die cut Button Card after stamping it with the info lines from By Invitation. Topped it all off with an additional star circular tag images, which was stamped and trimmed to match.I have a couple more cards to share with you today, to help show case the 2012 Birthday Tags stamp set. First up a pairing of 2012 Birthday Tags and Background Basics: Wrought Iron with Beautiful Butterflies.I stamped the Birthday Best Wishes oval tag in Smoky Shadow ink and colored in the details with a few colorful Copic markers (BG13, R32, YG95 & YR15). Attached the tag to a die cut Spiral Notebook Page, stamped with butterflies and wrought iron. Wrapped it with silk ribbon and attached to a kraft card base.Lastly, a simple card inspired by this oval tag featuring a small banner sentiment.I attached a number of colorful hand cut banner edged strips to a Rustic White card base and topped them off with the oval tag, after I colored the sentiment with coordinating Copic markers (BG13, RV17, Y35 & YR15).

Well, that's it from me today. Be sure to see what the rest of the Papertrey Ink design team has in store for you today...

• Nichole Heady
• Betsy Veldman
• Dawn McVey
• Heather Nichols
• Lisa Johnson
• Melissa Phillips
• Erin Lincoln
• Jessica Witty
• Danielle Flanders
• Ashley Newell

Thanks for stopping by!

Maile

Happy Birthday to You Collection:

• Stamps: 2012 Birthday Tags, By Invitation & Fancy Flourishes
• Ink: Aqua Mist, Melon Berry, Smoky Shadow & Dried Marigold Ranger Distress Ink
• Cardstock: White
• Accessories: Fresh Snow Satin Ribbon, Tag Sale #5 Die, Fancy Flourishes Die Collection, Button Card Die Collection, Card Base-ics Die Collection & 1 3/4" Circle Punch

Birthday Best Wishes:

• Stamps: 2012 Birthday Tags, Background Basics: Wrought Iron & Beautiful Butterflies
• Ink: Smoky Shadow, Aqua Mist, Berry Sorbet & Summer Sunrise
• Cardstock: Kraft & Rustic White
• Accessories: 1/4" White Silk Ribbon, Spiral Notebook Page Die & Copic Markers (BG13, R32, YG95 & YR15)

Wish Big:

• Stamps: 2012 Birthday Tags
• Ink: Smoky Shadow
• Cardstock: Rustic White, Aqua Mist, Raspberry Fizz, Harvest Gold & Summer Sunrise
• Accessories: Copic Markers (BG13, RV17, Y35 & YR15)

Handmade Glossy Embellishements

Thanks for joining me today for this weeks Papertrey Ink Design Team Tip!

Who doesn't love a handmade embellishment?! I do! Especially when it involves using my stamps to create handcrafted glossy treasure. Those coordinating die and stamp collections that you have in your crafty stockpiles are perfect for doing just that. Begin by finding the perfect stamp image or die cut, toss in some of Ranger's Glossy Accents and you've got the tools to come up with the perfect addition to any project!

So, let me show you what I'm talking about...

First up, I've paired Beautiful Butterflies with the new Anniversary Set Pretty Peonies and Simply You for this colorful card. Stamped the peonies in a color combo of Summer Sunrise, Spring Moss and Aqua Mist onto a white card base. Then stamped the sentiment on True Black.Here's How: The butterfly was inked up using the Rock-n-Roll stamping technique. Inked it first in Spring Moss, then the left side in Aqua Mist and the right side in Summer Sunrise. Once the ink dried completely I squeezed on a nice layer of Glossy Accents. Here's a Note: Some inks are not suited well for this glossing technique, so put your inks through a test run before applying full glossy coverage. For this butterfly, the colors did end up running together but I liked that it gave the transitioning colors a smoother look. So I went with it! This technique is great for adding a more realistic look. Here I've chosen to use Glossy Accents on the lamp base to give it a polished look. It's also great for mimicking the look of glass, like I did for the vases on these two cards.Here's How: Now, let me begin with how this card started. Using two large Post It Notes, I carefully masked of a top and bottom portion, on a White card base, for perfect placement of the rays. This sun ray image is from the Nativity Silhouettes stamp set.Once the masks were in place I stamped the rays twice, in Lemon Tart ink, and then removed.Die cut and stamped the lamp shade (from the Lighten Up stamp set) in Sweet Blush and the lamp base in Palette Noir (this ink holds up perfectly under the glossy layer). I then gave the base a coating of Glossy Accents, let it dry and then attached all pieces to the card base. Finished the card off with a sentiment and a rhinestone.Lastly, here's a Beautiful Butterflies creation. After finding an inspiration piece on Pinterest here, I went with a luscious color combo of Plum Pudding, Lavender Moon, Berry Sorbet and Ranger Distress Ink in Dried Marigold, all onto a white card base.Finished the card off with a sentiment and frame from Framed Out #1. Gave the frame a heavy coating of Glossy Accents, once dry I wrapped it with a ribbon bow and attached it to the card base with dimensional adhesive. Love, love, love how this turned out!Here's A Few Tip:

• As I mention previously, you'll want to test your inks out first to see which ones work best, the slow drying process allows some inks to bleed.
• Make sure your inks are completely dry before applying the Glossy Accents.
• When applying Glossy Accents... go slowly, keep a constant flow from the bottle and move from one end to the other until your image is completely filled.
• Use a needle to pop any remaining bubbles.
• Just about any small to medium stamp image should work just fine, whether you die cut it or hand cut it out.
• Take a look at your dies... A coat of Glossy Accent looks amazing over a shape simply die cut from color cardstock. (For example, the letters in the photo above. I can't wait to embellish a card with these!)

So go ahead! Pull out your stamp stash and your die collections and see what sort of handmade glossy embellishments are waiting to be put to use on your next creations!

Thanks for stopping by and have fun!

Maile

You Are Pretty Amazing:

• Stamps: Beautiful Butterflies, Simply You & Pretty Peonies
• Ink: Aqua Mist, Spring Moss, Summer Sunrise & True Black
• Cardstock: White
• Accessories: 1/4" White Silk Ribbon, True Black Buttons, Glossy Accents & Beautiful Butterflies Die collection

A Little Note:

• Stamps: Lighten Up & Nativity Silhouettes
• Ink: Palette Noir, True Black, Sweet Blush & Lemon Tart
• Cardstock: White
• Accessories: Black Rhinestone, Glossy Accents & Lighten Up Die

A Very Happy Birthday:

• Stamps: Beautiful Butterflies & Framed Out #1
• Ink: Palette Noir, Plum Pudding, Lavender Moon, Berry Sorbet & Ranger Distress Ink Dried Marigold
• Cardstock: White
• Accessories: 1/4" White Silk Ribbon, Glossy Accents & Framed Out #1 Die

Beautiful Butterflies Day Five

Hello you guys! I'm a little late posting this for you, but I'm finally getting it done. This is the final peek at my new set... Beautiful Butterflies before it's available for purchase tomorrow through Papertrey Ink. So let me get started...First up, a simple card inspired by the sentiment.I stamped a white card base with a rainbow of butterflies along the edge using Plum Pudding, Aqua Mist, Simply Chartreuse, Summer Sunrise and Raspberry Fizz inks. Finished the card of with a fitting sentiment from the Beautiful Butterflies stamp set, stamped in True Black.While exploring with my Beautiful Butterflies dies I came up with this last card of the day.One by one I embossed the edge of this Rustic White card base with all four of the Beautiful Butterflies dies. Here's A Tip: Stamp the sentiment first, before embossing, for a clean impression.

That's it for me today. Be sure to check out the rest of the Papertrey Ink Countdown festivities... Nichole Heady, Heather Nichols, Lisa Johnson, Melissa Bickford and Tiffany Pastor have peeks to share with you of their new sets for the month.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Maile

Beautiful Butterflies Day Four and Lovely Leaves

Welcome back to day four of my countdown to the soon to be released... Beautiful Butterflies. Today, I'll also be sharing with you samples of yet another soon to be released set... Lovely Leaves. Both of these set will be available for purchase through Papertrey Ink beginning February 15th. I've got quite a few cards to share with you today, so let me get started...

First up, a sleek and simple number for you. I began by stamping the branch (from the soon to be released Lovely Leaves stamp set) in Kraft ink onto a Rustic White card base.
Then, onto scrap pieces of Rustic White paper, I stamped three branches with leaves (in Kraft, Simply Chartreuse and Canyon Clay inks). Punch circles from each image and attached to the card base, with dimensional adhesive, at different heights. Finished the card off with a Lovely Leaves sentiment, in Dark Chocolate.
Using the same images and colors from the card above, I stamped another Rustic White card base with a branch at the top. Then stamped a Lovely Leaves sentiment in Smokey Shadow and a Beautiful Butterflies mini butterfly in Aqua Mist.
Embellished the bottom of the card with a die cut and embossed border and wrapped with ribbon.
Next up, a pairing of Beautiful Butterflies and and Lovely Leaves. I began by stamping the branch and two butterflies at the base of the card front. Then attached a large die cut and a medium hand cut butterfly over the stamped images.
Wrapped the card with ribbon and stamped with an additional butterfly and a Lovely Leaves sentiment.

How about a mail friendly single layer card?! I began by stamping a Rustic Cream card base with a large butterfly in Fine Linen ink. Masked off the outside of the butterfly and stamped the Lovely Leaves branch and leaves in Kraft, Canyon Clay and Summer Sunrise inks
Next, I masked off the butterfly itself and and stamped the two medium sized butterflies on either side, with Summer Sunrise and Canyon Clay inks. Finished the card off with a Lovely Leaves sentiment stamped in Dark Chocolate.
To finish things off for today, here's a gift set I made and gave to my sister on her birthday the other day.
I stamped butterflies and a sentiment (both from the soon to be release Beautiful Butterflies stamp set) in color combo of Enchanted Evening, Berry Sorbet and Summer Sunrise onto a Rustic White card base.

Die cut a Wine Bottle Tag from Rustic Cream cardstock and stamped it to match the card.

That concludes today's look at both Beautiful Butterflies and Lovely Leaves. Both of these sets will be available for purchase through Papertrey Ink beginning February 15th. Now be sure to check out the rest of the countdown goodness... Nichole Heady has more of these two sets to share with you as well. Also, Heather Nichols, Lisa Johnson, Melissa Bickford, Tiffany Pastor & Lizzie Jones have peeks to share with you of their newest sets for the month.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Maile