A Friend Loves At All Times- using Toilet Paper for a Paper Cast :-)

Hi Friends!

When I saw Sabrina's (Cook22)Try A New Technique TLC582 “Paper Cast” Challenge at Splitcoaststampers, I decided to give this fun technique a try and create a card :-)

After all, using toilet paper to create a focal image- who could resist? 

But, even after I created this Mixed Media card, I was not sure if should share it with all of you (after all, it is toilet paper), but here it goes....(no pun intended)  :-)

Yes, you read that correctly, you will need toilet paper for this technique- just plain regular toilet paper known as "TP" here in the U.S. (I used Charmin Extra Soft but you can use whatever brand you desire).  

Basically you stack several layers of the TP, press your stamp onto a clear block with the image facing up toward you (or use a wood mount stamp, lay the dry TP stack over your stamp and spritz the area of the image carefully with water (avoiding the edges of the TP), press the TP into the stamp and continue to press with a kitchen towel (I used a microfiber towel that I have in my stamping area), carefully lift the “paper cast” TP off of the stamp and set aside to dry.

Allow the paper cast to dry completely (I used a Heat Tool carefully to speed up the drying) and color if desired.  There are complete details here at the TLC582 challenge forum plus a video tutorial  :-)

This was the first time I had ever tried this technique, so I used six layers (as noted in the video) of the Charmin Extra Soft, die cut the TP with the Big Shot™ using the second to the largest My Favorite Things® (MFT) Stitched Rounded Rectangle Die before proceeding with the steps above to create my paper cast with the flower image from You’ve Got This.

After drying, a few of my paper cast layers separated, so I carefully removed them, colored the floral image with Spectrum Noir® Markers (DG2 for the leaves and BP6 for the petals) and I used the tip of a very fine paintbrush to add Titanium White Acrylic Paint to the flower center.

FYI- I did notice as I photographed the card that the ink on the flower petals bleed a bit when the alcohol markers dried, so I would recommend if using alcohol markers to avoid coloring up to the edges as I did.

Since I noticed several of the ladies in the challenge forum were mentioning that traditional adhesive was not recommended (it would tear the TP, etc.) so I decided to pull out my sewing machine and attach with a zig zag stitch.

I finished off the card with a heat embossed sentiment, added ModPodge® to the butterfly wings  (I mounted the sentiment and butterflies using craft foam and hot glue) along with pearls to the butterfly centers. 

***Please note *** I had the butterflies previously stamped and colored from a prior project, but the original black ink was very light so I used a Black Extra-Fine Point Sharpie® to darken the butterfly wing patterns before adding the ModPodge® and used a White Pitt Pen Marker to add the white highlights after the ModPodge® dried :-)

Close-up of the Paper Cast Floral image :-)

Not sure if I would try this technique again right away, but it was fun and the focal image is very soft looking and a bit fuzzy (difficult to capture in the photos)....

I am also linking to the Simon Says Monday Challenge "Butterfly Beauty" Challenge  as well as the Splitcoaststampers' MIX126 "What If?" ( to get over your fear and try something new....this paper cast technique was definitely new to me :-)).

I hope you will find the time to visit all of challenge sites (fabulous inspiration from all)! 

Stamp Sets: You’ve Got This, Blessed by God, Papillon Potpourri, retired En Francais background stamp

Ink/Mediums: Versamark™, Pear Pizzazz; Stampin’ Write Marker- So Saffron; Spectrum Noir® Alcohol Markers (DG2, BP6); Titanium White Acrylic Paint, Black Extra-Fine Sharpie®, Faber-Castell® White Pitt Pen Marker, ModPodge®

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Melon Mambo, Pear Pizzazz

Accessories: Big Shot™, MFT Stitched Rounded Rectangle Dies, Toilet Paper, Elegant Butterfly Punch, Note Punch, Pearls, Sewing Machine, White Sewing Thread, #2 Paint Brush

Thanks again for taking the time to visit- oh, and don’t forget, now you will need to stock up on your TP for the craft room- lol!!

Perfect Peacock- A CAS Mixed Media Card

Hi Friends!

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend so far!  It was extremely windy here on the East Coast this past week (especially last night) and even though March went out like a "lion", April is continuing to "roar" :-)

I decided to play around today with Mixed Media and created a Clean and Simple (CAS) Mixed Media card this evening for the #167 CAS Colours and Sketches "The Double" Challenge along with the Simon Says Wednesday “Anything Goes” Challenge and the Splitcoaststampers’ Mix-Ability MIX165 “Winging It” Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to visit the above challenge site galleries yet, again, I would encourage you to do so- wonderful inspiration from all!

FYI- If this card is not CAS to you, it is to me....limited layers and embellishments and originally this card was more "clean" with a white background around the peacock, but when I placed the lower layer onto the card front (and smoothed it with my bone folder to adhere the dimensional foam) the Dark Brown Embossing Powder (EP) streaked (since I did not wipe off the excess water before adhering to the card front- duh!)... 

Anyway, I salvaged the card with the brown wash and texture behind the peacock to hide the error, so it is not as CAS as I had hoped :-)  

To create this card:

De-static a piece of Whisper White cardstock with the Embossing Buddy®, ink the Perfect Peacock using Versamark™ Ink, stamp onto the prepared cardstock, apply Stampin’ Emboss® Dark Brown Embossing Powder (retired) and heat set with the Heat Tool.

Once the embossing powder has cooled, color the peacock using the AquaPainter™ with Stampin’ Write Markers (scribble the markers onto an acrylic block to use as a palette)- Daffodil Delight for the flowers, Pacific Point for the peacock and the Chocolate Chip (direct to the image) for the stems and leaves.

Use the Daffodil Delight marker directly to the centers of the peacock feathers and the Pacific Point marker over the Daffodil Delight for the very middle of the “eye” on the peacock feathers.

Use the Chocolate Chip marker with the AquaPainter™ for the wash around the image, loosely mask the peacock and repeatedly stamp the Timeless Texture image   over the background (I just used the Chocolate Chip marker to ink the stamp).

Trim the peacock image, cut off the lower portion and mount onto Pacific Point cardstock.

Emboss a piece of Chocolate Chip cardstock with the Boho Chic Textured Impressions ™ Embossing Folder, trim and mount onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock.

Trim the layered Whisper White panel and mount onto the Pacific Point card base.

Stamp the sentiment from the retired Blessed by God stamp set using the Chocolate Chip marker as ink and stamp onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock.

Mount the peacock image along with the sentiment using dimensional foam.

To finish off the card, add Clear Wink of Stella® to the peacock feathers and use a White Gel Pen to add highlights to the flower centers.

Stamp Sets:  Perfect Peacock, Timeless Textures, Blessed by God (retired)

Ink: Versamark™, Stampin’ Write Markers- Chocolate Chip, Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point; Clear Wink of Stella®, White Gel Pen

Paper/Cardstock: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Pacific Point

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Boho Chic Textured Impressions™ Embossing  Folder, Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® Dark Brown Embossing Powder (retired), Heat Tool, AquaPainter™

I think this card would work as an encouragement for someone who may be going through a tough time whether general life issues/job loss, an illness, recovering from surgery or as a sympathy card- what do you think?

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by- hugs and have a blessed week, my friends!

SUO143 Happy Easter

Hi Friends!   

It’s time for the SUO143 “Easter Fun” Challenge- I used several stamp sets for this card design and also incorporated the Create with Connie and Mary CCMC395 Sketch Challenge along with the Splitcoaststampers’  Alphabet Challenge (“C” for Cross).

I hope you will have a chance to check out my sister DesignTeam member samples at the SU-Only Challenge site as well as the fantastic Design Team samples and gallery at the other galleries- wonderful inspiration from all!

To create this card:

Ink the cross image from Blessed by God using Stāz-On® Jet Black Ink and stamp two images onto Whisper White cardstock.

Fussy cut both crosses and cut off the lower portion of one of the crosses to use as the bottom half to lengthen the cross.

Ink the lined image from Timeless Textures using Melon Mambo Classic Ink, stamp off on scrap paper, stamp onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock for the center horizontal panel of the sketch, repeat the steps to create a line the entire way across the panel.

Using the Simply Scored™ Tool, flip the panel over and score two lines above the Melon Mambo stamped area and score two lines below (for the other layers of the sketch).

Ink the scroll image from Timeless Textures with Smoky Slate Classic Ink and stamp onto the panel as well as a few splatters.

Trim the panel, mount onto Melon Mambo cardstock, trim and mount onto the Basic Black card base.

Ink the flowers from Everything Eleanor using Stāz-On® Jet Black Ink and stamp three of the flowers onto Whisper White cardstock.

Color the flowers with Stampin’ Write Markers- Blushing Bride and Melon Mambo, spritz with water to soften the ink and fussy cut the flowers.

Stamp the sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes onto Whisper White cardstock using Stāz-On® Jet Black Ink, “huff” onto the Timeless Textures stamp images and stamp over the sentiment, trim and create the banner points using the Hexagon Punch.

Layer the sentiment onto Basic Black cardstock, create the banner points using the Hexagon Punch.

Add the Silver Thread and layer the flowers, cross, sentiment with Stampin’ Dimensionals® to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Blessed by God, Everything Eleanor, Timeless Textures, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Stāz-On® Jet Black, Melon Mambo, Smoky Slate; Stampin’ Write Markers- Blushing Bride, Melon Mambo, Smoky Slate

Paper/Cardstock: Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Basic Black

Accessories: Simply Scored™ Tool, Hexagon Punch, Silver Thread

Thanks again for stopping by and we hope to see your Stampin’ Up! Only project in our “Easter Fun” Challenge gallery!

TCC49 A Friend Loves At All Times

Hi Friends!!

It’s time for new TheCard Concept #TCC49 Floral Radiance Challenge!  I just love this spring inspiration photo with all of the beautiful flowers and glass- I was inspired by the colors, flowers and glass for my Mixed Media card!

Just a reminder that the Card Concept is a bi-weekly challenge that has an inspiration photo along with a number of design styles that you can choose from to create your card- Clean and Simple, Clean and Graphic, Clean and Layered, Shabby Chic, Freestyle Collage, Classy and Elegant and Mixed Media.  

I also linked this card to the Just Us Girls #330 Trend Week (Add a Tag) Challenge :-)

I hope you have a chance to visit us at The Card Concept and check out the rest of our Design Team samples as well as the gallery at Just Us Girls- fabulous inspiration from all!

This background for this card was created by applying Gelatos®, Distress Inks and Brusho® to a piece of Watercolor Paper, drying between layers, add Gesso® with the MB Fishnet Stencil, trim and mount onto Basic Black cardstock, trim and mount onto the Whisper White card base.

On another piece of Watercolor Paper, apply orange, yellow and pink Gelatos®, dry with a Heat Tool, prep the paper with an Embossing Buddy®, stamp the flower with Versamark™ Ink, apply Black Stampin’ Emboss® Embossing Powder, heat set with the Heat Tool and fussy cut the flower.  Add Clear Wink of Stella® to the petals (difficult to see in the photo).

Create the leaves in the same manner using Green Gelatos™ and add to the card front using dimensional foam.

Heat emboss the sentiment using Stampin’ Emboss® White Embossing Powder onto Basic Black cardstock, punch out with the Note Punch and mount onto the card front using dimensional foam to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Choose Happiness, Blessed by God

Ink: Ranger® Tim Holtz® broken China, Faded Jeans  Distress Stains; Gelatos®- Metallic Blue, Blueberries, Orange, Lemon, Pink, Brusho® Turquoise; Faber-Castell® Pitt Penn White Marker; Clear Wink of Stella®

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Watercolor

Accessories: Gesso®, MB Fishnet Stencil, Embossing Buddy®, Heat Tool, Stampin’ Emboss® White and Black Embossing Powder, Water Spritzer

Thanks again for taking the time to visit- I hope you can gather your supplies and pick a style to create your own card for our gallery at The Card Concept!

Blessed By God- A Fun Watercolor Sketch

Hi Again Friends!

I wanted to share a card that I created last night using the SR303 ColorChallenge along with the Paper Craft Crew PCCCS170 Sketch Challenge and the Just Us Girls JUGS319 Watercolor Challenge.

If you have not already done so, I hope you will have the visit all of the above challenge sites to check out the inspiration from their fabulous Design Teams as well as their gallery entries!

To create this card:

Using Stāz-On® Jet Black, stamp the bird image and branch from An Open Heart onto Whisper White cardstock.

Color the images using Stampin’ Write Markers- Tip Top Taupe, Lost Lagoon and Hello Honey.

Fussy-cut the bird image and add additional details with the Stampin’ Write Basic Black marker, set aside.

Spritz the branch image with water and create a horizon line with the Basic Black Stampin’ Write marker.

Add a bit of splatter using Tip Top Taupe Classic Ink and the splatter stamps from Gorgeous Grunge.

Trim the branch image and use the Banner Triple Punch to punch out the banner and mount onto a piece of Lost Lagoon cardstock (also punching the banner with the punch).

Add a layered banner created with the Banner Triple Punch from Hello Honey and Lost Lagoon cardstock.

Add the Hello Honey banner behind the large stem banner.

Use Sponge Daubers to apply Hello Honey and Lost Lagoon Classic Ink onto the Watercolor Wash background stamp, spritz with water and lightly blot with a paper towel.

Place a piece of Whisper White cardstock over the background stamp, press into the ink and lift up.

Add the large splatters with Lost Lagoon and Tip Top Taupe Classic Ink.

Stamp the sentiment from Blessed by God using Tip Top Taupe Classic Ink.

Trim the panel, mount onto Lost Lagoon cardstock and mount onto the Hello Honey card base.

Add the Gold Cord Trim and mount the banner over the trim using Stampin’ Dimensionals®.

Add the fussy cut bird to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  An Open Heart, Watercolor Wash, Blessed by God, Gorgeous Grunge

Ink: Stāz-On® Jet Black, Hello Honey, Lost Lagoon, Tip Top Taupe; Stampin’ Write Markers- Hello Honey, Lost Lagoon, Tip Top Taupe, Basic Black

Paper:  Whisper White, Hello Honey, Lost Lagoon

Accessories: Sponge Daubers, Water Spritzer Bottle, Gold Cord Trim, Banner Triple Punch

Thanks again for visiting- I hope you have a wonderful day, my friends! 

SUO133 Timeless Elegance Double Diagonal Pocket Card

Hello Friends!   

It’s time for the new SUO133 “Pocket Card” Challenge and I decided to use a tutorial from Splitcoaststampers for the Diagonal Double Pocket Card as my “starting” point.

I hope you will have a chance to check out my sister Design Team member samples and create your own Stampin’ Up! Only project for our gallery. 

To create this card:

Using the basic instructions from the tutorial, trim the Timeless Elegance Designer Series Paper (DSP) to 8.5 x 11” and score at 4.25” and 5.5” to create four “panels”. 

Trim the 5.5” score line on the left (I incorrectly trimmed mine) and follow the instructions in the tutorial to finish off the pocket card.

Since I had “goofed” on my initial trimming, I was able to cut off one of the diagonal folds and use that as the front lighter panel on the card creating a third diagonal pocket.

I also added a small trim piece at the bottom with the 5/8” Gold Satin Ribbon bow attached for a 4^th pocket on the front and attached another panel of DSP in the back (to hide the ends of the ribbon) for a 5^th pocket.

I decided to create two tags from Very Vanilla cardstock, punched each with the Scallop Tag Topper Punch, added 5/8” Gold Satin Ribbon  with Natural Linen Thread bows and stamped with sentiments from Blessed by God using Stāz-On® Jet Black Ink.

Back view- pocket at the bottom

These additional pockets could be filled with gift cards, tags, photos, etc. and you could decorate this pocket card in so many ways- I just quickly wrapped a cocoa packet with a piece of the Wonderland Vellum in the upper pocket.

Stamp Sets:  Blessed by God

Ink: Stāz-On® Jet Black

Paper/Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Timeless Elegance DSP, Woodland Vellum Stack

Accessories: Simply Scored™ Scoring Tool, Scallop Tag Topper Punch, 5/8” Gold Satin Ribbon, Natural Linen Thread

Thanks again for stopping by and we hope to see your Stampin’ Up! Only project in our “Pocket Card” Challenge gallery!

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