RELAX AND CREATE - DISTRESS OXIDE INK SPATTERS

I heard it on good authority that the Amaryllis is a tropical flower, so don’t let the fact that it’s not Christmas stop you from using it all.year.round. (chinkle)

Distress Oxide Inks and I haven’t gotten along ever since they were first introduced; they’re messy. And, let’s face it, I’m a clean and simple kind of card maker. I don’t like to get my hands covered in ink and I don’t like getting it all over my work surface; I’m an oxymoron in the stamping world. After several attempts, I just didn’t find them appealing and tossed them into a drawer where they sat, gathering dust. I regretted the purchase and was glad I didn’t go “all in”.

But, recently I was working on a design and wanted to spatter some color mists (remember those?) onto it, and I got to wondering if I could get the effect I wanted by using the Oxide Inks. Snagged an acrylic block and pressed an Oxide pad against it, then flicked the color with a wet paint brush onto some scrap paper . . .

I didn’t even have to protect my desk; just tossed the card onto a paper plate and that was enough to keep the mess contained. The acrylic block wiped clean easily and I didn’t feel the need to put on any gloves. (GASP!!!)

I guess I’ll dust off the rest of those ink pads. (shrug)

I still don’t plan to go all in, but a few more colors may work their way into my stash . . . Oy. (wink)

Hope you are continuing to stay safe and healthy!

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SUPPLIES:

• Mondo Amaryllis by Julie Ebersole, Essentials By Ellen Clear Stamps

• Big Scripty Hello by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies

• VersaFine Clair Ink Pad, Nocturne

• Solar White - 25 pk, Neenah Classic Crest Cardstock

• BG0000 - Snow Green, COPIC Sketch Marker

• BG34 - Horizon Green, COPIC Sketch Marker

• Abandoned Coral, Ranger Distress Oxide Ink Pad

• Fossilized Amber, Ranger Distress Oxide Ink Pad

• Cracked Pistachio, Ranger Distress Oxide Ink Pad

• Large Fine Point (23637), Pentel Arts Aquash Water Brush

• Chisel Tip, ZIG 2 Way Glue

• MISTI Laser Etched Stamping Tool (8-1/8 X 10-1/2), My Sweet Petunia

• Platinum 6 Die Cutting And Embossing Machine, Spellbinders Tools

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links; if you see something you like, want or need, and purchase via my links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, which I use to buy coffee, which fuels my creativity and provides energy to make more card ideas. And, pay the rent.

RELAX AND CREATE - KNOCK OUT AND ALPHABET SUBSTITUTION CARD

This is a technique I haven’t done in a long looooong time! When Channin Pelletier ‘s lesson on Letter Substitution came up on Day 10 in OCC’s Spring Card Camp 2, I was reminded of it and because my Dad is an avid gardener (among his many other talents) and Father’s Day is coming, it seemed providential to remake this card for him! You’ll see me pause and shift gears slightly, right before die cutting.

You’ll also see me deal with a mishap. A discerning card maker would notice the blip, but my sweet Dad never does and always displays the cards I make for him on the mantel. (big sappy grin)

In the past I’ve done this card with white card stock, but I decided to go with kraft on this one—love the look of colored pencils on it!

That little radish from Brandi’s Plant Lady was so perfect for this! The alphabet die set* I used is out of stock at the moment, but here is one that is similar in size, Chunky Alphabet Dies by The Stamp Market , and another that would make for a slightly different take on the concept, Something Extra Alpha Dies, by The Stamp Market.

Have a wonderful weekend!

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SUPPLIES:

• *Classic Block Alpha by Julie Ebersole, Essentials By Ellen Designer Dies (EH)

• Leading Ladies - Plant Lady by Brandi Kincaid, Essentials By Ellen Clear Stamps (EH)

• Detail Black, Pinkfresh Studio Hybrid Ink Pad (EH)

• Desert Storm - 25 pk, Neenah Environment Cardstock (EH)

• White Chalk Pastel Pencil, set of 2 (Dick Blick)

• Set of 24, Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils

• Black, Lawn Fawn Hemp Cord

• We R Memory Keepers Mini Score Board

• Teflon Bone Folder, Essentials by Ellen

• Craft Tweezers, EK Success

• Tombow Mono Sand Eraser (512A)

• Mini MISTI Laser Etched Stamping Tool (6-1/8 X 7), My Sweet Petunia

• Magnetic Cutting Mat & Ruler, Heidi Swapp Tools

• Platinum 6 Die Cutting And Embossing Machine, Spellbinders Tools

Disclosure: Just so you know, this post contains affiliate links; if you see something you like, want or need, and purchase via my links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, which I use to buy coffee, which fuels my creativity and provides energy to make more card ideas. And, pay the rent.

FLOWER POWER 2020 ONLINE COLORING CLASS

“Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”

-Mother Teresa

So, I got some VERY cool news to share! I’m guest instructing in yet another card making class hosted by Sandy Allnock!

Here are some sneak peeks of my lesson, followed by a video explaining what the class is, how it works—all the yada yada. (wink!)

Let’s make some lemonade, folks!

Check out the video below:

The backstory and more about this very special class is on Sandy’s blog HERE. Purchase one of the stamp sets listed on Sandy’s blog post to qualify for the free class, OR $75 worth of any supplies at Ellen Hutson (previous purchases do not apply), OR just buy the class for $10 to help us fundraise for World Central Kitchen!!!

LINK TO CLASS: FLOWER POWER 2020

It’s a WIN-WIN!!! YAAASSSSS!!!!

RELAX & CREATE - WATERCOLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES

TRUTH: I don’t enjoy coloring in large detailed images. •gasp•

Please don’t huck tomatoes at me; I have always felt that way even since primary school. If it’s gonna take me a long time to color in, I simply won’t do it. I remember in first grade, a classmate looking down her nose at me because I colored outside the lines. My logic: We’re going to be cutting this out, what is the point of staying inside the lines??? Her coloring, on the other hand, was perfect—seriously, every stroke of the crayon was PERFECT. As the teacher came by to observe our progress, she praised my classmate for her beautiful, impeccable coloring. I got a smile and a pat on the back.

WHAT. EVER.

•hair flip•

But, I still absolutely love a large image that fills practically a whole card front and I love color!

I know that the Amaryllis is typically a holiday flower, but I like using it for non-holiday cards, too. I mean, it kinda looks like a lily, possibly a hibiscus flower (dang, that makes me wanna make a tropical floral card with this image—EEP!!!) . . .

This card actually is quite colorful, but, inspired by my friend Carly, I went rogue . . . heh, heh, heh!

Some things you may or may not have noticed in the video:

• Anti-static pouches (Embossing Magic Bag, Inkadinkado) pounced over the paper surface neutralize moisture or oil from your finger tips and calm down a lot of static electricity so embossing powder doesn’t stick in unwanted areas.

• Prior to stamping, blow off the excess powder from your paper surface. Otherwise, the pigment or embossing ink on your stamp will “pick up” quite a bit of the loose powder with every impression and transfer to your ink pad when you re-ink the image. Eventually, this can build up on your ink pad, and make it less tacky.

• This image has finer detail lines; stamping over them a second time can make them bolder. The ink is also more saturated and even; helpful when stamping onto a textured surface like watercolor paper.

• Every time I use black embossing powder, I end up with a hot mess; instead, I prefer a really good black pigment ink and clear detail embossing powder over top. Works beautifully every time.

• Notice how I laid down “strokes” of color from the markers against the outside edge of the embossed lines. These aren’t like Sharpies; you don’t want to “brutalize” (a.k.a. smash) the brush nibs against the surface. Think of them like delicate paint brushes, pre-loaded with color.

• With mid-to-dark hues, it doesn’t take a lot so be careful how much color you initially lay down; start with a few strokes and avoid trying to “fill in”. Paint by “pulling” the colors away from the embossing lines with your waterbrush. You can always add more color later.

• If you get in a hurry and slop a little watercolor where you don’t want it, lift it out by using clean water on your brush and dabbing with clean paper towel, but keep in mind that with dark/intense colors, this can be harder to accomplish.

• Note to self: I probably should have positioned my stamp in the lower right corner (with the bottom of the floral closer to the hinges) instead of the lower left. I would have had more room to let the paper hang outside the edges of the platform on that left side.

Minimalist coloring. YAASSSSSS!!! •fist pump•

And, before I bid you good weekend, I am so happy to share that the Ellen Hutson Warehouse Team is back! YAY!!! And they want to thank you for your support during the “Shelter In Place” with 15% off your orders. Use code BACK15 at check out and please check the fine print.

Stay healthy, stay crafty.

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SUPPLIES:

• Mondo Amaryllis by Julie Ebersole, Essentials By Ellen Clear Stamps

• It's All Good by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps

• Hex Frames by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies

• VersaFine Clair Ink Pad, Nocturne

• WOW Embossing Powder, Super Fine - Clear Gloss

• WOW Embossing Powder, Super Fine 160ml - Clear Gloss

• Clear Fine, Avery Elle Embossing Powder

• Stampendous Embossing Powder, Detail White, 0.76 oz.

• 041 - Light Green, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• 050 - Yellow, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• 040 - Green, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• Set of 12, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• Set of 24, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• Set of 36, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• Set of 48, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• Set of 60, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• Ranger Watercolor Paper, 10 pk

• Solar White - 25 pk, Neenah Classic Crest Cardstock

• Watercolor Paper Pad 9x12, Canson XL

• Embossing Magic Bag, Inkadinkado

• MISTI Laser Etched Stamping Tool (8-1/8 X 10-1/2), My Sweet Petunia

• Mini Media Mat, Waffle Flower Tools

• Large Fine Point (23637), Pentel Arts Aquash Water Brush

• Dual Speed Heat Tool, WOW

• Scrapbook Adhesives Crafty Foam Tape, White

• Thermoweb Sticky Tape Mini Runner

• Scrapbook Adhesives E-Z Runner Petite Permanent Dots

• Magnetic Cutting Mat & Ruler, Heidi Swapp Tools

• Platinum 6 Die Cutting And Embossing Machine, Spellbinders Tools

Disclosure: Just so you know, this post contains affiliate links; if you see something you like, want or need, and purchase via my links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, which I use to buy coffee, which fuels my creativity and provides energy to make more card ideas. And, pay the rent.

RELAX & CREATE - DIY STENCIL

I have used the Classic Block Alphabet Die set for SOOOOOOOOO many cards—it’s one of my most used die sets!!! I spelled out what I wanted to say on a card front sized piece of stencil blank (Plaid brand, I think, found at Walmart years ago and squirreled away) and ran it through my die cutting machine.

The spray adhesive I used to help mount it temporarily in place is an old can (talkin’ 4-5 years old . . . sad); after one use, the stencil lost all tackiness. ARGH!!! So, I may need to get a fresh can or try Aleene’s Tack-It-Over-and-Over again, brushing a thin coat on the back side of the stencil. Any suggestions welcome!

I frequently make my own “disposable” stencils from card stock, sometimes even just typing paper, but it’s cool to have one more permanent, that I can use over and over again, clean up without damage. Especially if it’s a sentiment or word I use pretty often. HelloOOoo, staple word. (grin)

Hope you found this enjoyable and relaxing!

Stay well, keep bein’ crafty!

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SUPPLIES:

• Modern Succulents by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps

• Classic Block Alpha by Julie Ebersole, Essentials By Ellen Designer Dies

• VersaFine Clair Ink Pad, Nocturne

• Clear Fine, Avery Elle Embossing Powder

• Dual Speed Heat Tool, WOW

• Garden Party, Catherine Pooler Ink Pad

• Eucalyptus, Catherine Pooler Ink Pad

• Life Changing Blender Brush - 2 Pack, Picket Fence Studios (LCB-2)

• Solar White - 25 pk, Neenah Classic Crest Cardstock

• Bazzill Card Shoppe Cardstock, Pale Rose, 10 pk

• Crystal Clear Hearts, Essentials by Ellen Embellishments

• Scrapbook Adhesives Crafty Foam Tape, White

• Magnetic Cutting Mat & Ruler, Heidi Swapp Tools (work surface)

• Tonic Comfort 8.5 Inch Guillotine Paper Trimmer by Tim Holtz

• Stainless Tweezers, Elisa's Backporch Design

• Platinum 6 Die Cutting And Embossing Machine, Spellbinders Tools

Disclosure: I use affiliate links in my posts; if you see something you like, want or need, and purchase via my links, I receive a small commission, which I use to buy coffee, which fuels my creativity and provides energy to make more card ideas. And, pay the rent.