CREATIVE CREW, Sunflower Sunset Framed Art...

Today I have my DSP/Color Focus entry for August's Creative Crew Challenges on Splitcoaststampers.com.  I chose to use So Saffron, Poppy Parade, Early Espresso and Whisper White from the colors from the Pocket of Posies DSP.  I wanted to make a piece of framed art and usually I make complex pieces, but this time, I decided to make a very quick and simple one that anyone could easily replicate.  I used an inexpensive frame from the dollar store.

The Sunflower stamp is one of my favorites from the new catalog.  It is perfect for backgrounds, but this time, it gets to be the star of the show!  To create the picture, I brayed So Saffron ink onto Whisper White card stock.  Then I sponged Poppy Parade in some areas.  I used the Color Spritzer to add Early Espresso color accents and allowed it to dry for a bit.  Then I stamped the Sunflower with VersaMark and heat embossed it with White Embossing Powder.  Finally I added the sentiment from the Perfect Words Hostess stamp set.  I loved the "you inspire me" phrase.  It makes for the perfect gift for a friend!

If you'd like to play along with this challenge, here is the info:

CCREW0811DF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM – DSP/Color Focus: Pocketful of Posies designer papers (122354), or the following colors: baja breeze, daffodil delight, early espresso, night of navy, pear pizzazz, poppy parade, rich razzleberry, so saffron, soft suede, whisper white. If you have the DSP feel free to use it, if you don't choose any 3 of these colors and make a friendship project—remember, sisters can also be friends!

SUNFLOWER SUNSET FRAMED ART SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Sunflower (#123606,  $17.95), Perfect Words (Hostess or Stampin' Rewards)
• Card Stock – Whisper White
• Ink – VersaMark, So Saffron, Poppy Parade Classic, Early Espresso Stampin' Write Marker
• Accessories – White Stampin' Emboss Powder (#109132, $4.75)
• Tools – Brayer, Color Spritzer, Stampin' Sponges

TECHNIQUE TUESDAY, Joseph's Coat Inside Out...

Next up from my Technique Tuesday class is the Joseph's Coat Inside Out technique (created by JanTink).  This differs from Joseph's Coat in a few ways:  it uses regular Whisper White card stock vs. Glossy White card stock, a large pattern stamp is used first and a patchwork of multi-covered braying is used instead of full coverage of a dark color.  Technique directions follow the recipe.  Again I went for an Autumn feel with our project with a little more color this time.  Enjoy!

This is a slightly different version with a softer application of the base colors and a different sentiment:

JOSEPH'S COAT INSIDE OUT MEDALLION SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Medallion (#115223, $17.95), French Filigree (#113742, $17.95), Because I Care (Hostess Level I)
• Card Stock – Rich Razzleberry, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White,
• Ink – Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry Classic & Markers
• Ribbon – Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain (#109054, $6.95)
• Punches – Scallop Oval (#119856, $16.95, 1-3/4" x 7/8" (Large) Oval (#119855, $16.95)
• Accessories – Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95)
• Tools – Brayer, Sponge Daubers

JOSEPH'S COAT INSIDE OUT DIRECTIONS:

1. Stamp CS with a large pattern background stamp.
2. Using sponge daubers (or Stampin’ Sponges), sponge at least 3 colors of ink covering the entire piece of CS.
3. Allow to dry. Rub embossing buddy all over the surface of your CS. 
4. Stamp images (bold stamps are more striking) on CS with VersaMark being careful not to overlap.  Sprinkle on clear embossing powder and heat emboss.
5. Brayer 2-3 darker colors over the entire surface in patchwork squares & rectangles that overlap.
6. Buff off excess ink from embossed images with a damp paper towel.
7. Sponge a little more of the darkest color behind the images to make the details pop out. Buff excess ink off embossed areas again.

TECHNIQUE TUESDAY, Joseph's Coat...

Tonight was my Technique Tuesday class.  Our first technique was the Joseph's Coat technique.  Traditionally, this technique is done with a Spectrum pad and Basic Black Classic Ink.  Since we no longer have the Spectrum pads, I sponged colors randomly instead.  I actually like it better this way and you can still sponge stripes if you like the stripes of color better.  Also, since it's the Autumn/Thanksgiving season, I chose to use Early Espresso instead of Black for more of a fall feel.  Technique directions follow the recipe.  Enjoy!

This is an alternate standard size version:

JOSEPH'S COAT FALLING LEAVES SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – French Foliage (W #120845 $19.95, C #121166 $14.95), Day of Gratitude (W#120835 $26.95, C#121148 $18.95)
• Card Stock – Glossy White, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, More Mustard
• Ink – Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso Classic & Markers, VersaMark
• Ribbon – Early Espresso 5/8" Grosgrain (#119955, $6.95)
• Punches – 2" x 1-3/8" (Wide) Oval Punch (#119859, $16.95, Decorative Label (#120907, $16.95)
• Accessories – Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95)
• Tools – Sponge Daubers, Brayer, Big Shot, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (#119976, $7.95)

JOSEPH'S COAT TECHNIQUE:

1. Using a sponge dauber, sponge at least 3 colors of ink onto glossy card stock covering the entire piece.  You can also use spots to wiggle some ink on top.
2. Allow to dry. Rub embossing buddy all over the surface of your CS. 
3. Stamp images (bold stamps are more striking) on CS with VersaMark being careful not to overlap.  Sprinkle on clear embossing powder then heat emboss.
4. Ink up your brayer in dark ink and brayer over the entire piece of CS.
5. Buff off the excess ink with a paper towel.

MINIATURE COPPER SUNSET...

Still trying to reduce my "pieces" pile!  This one uses a miniature brayed piece I played around with when preparing for my Beginner Brayer class last spring.  I had decided against doing this small a piece for the class as it is a little trickier, so I set it aside and never looked at it again.  Since it fits the fall season well, I chose to use it for this card.

The copper metallic embossed piece was made using the copper technique from this post last year:  A Copper Frame of Mind.  This time out, I used Cajun Craze for the sponging with some Chocolate Chip on top.  I love this technique as I so miss our Copper paper!  Enjoy!

MINIATURE COPPER SUNSET SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Nature's Silhouettes (#111542, $22.95), Curly Cute (W#117014 $19.95, C#120510 $14.95), Day of Gratitude (W#120835 $26.95, C#121148 $18.95)
• Card Stock – Basic Black, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Brushed Gold, Whisper White
• Ink – Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, VersaMark
• Ribbon  – Basic Black 5/8" Satin (#117285, $8.95)
• Accessories – Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95)
• Tools – Brayer, Stampin' Sponges, Big Shot, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (#119976, $7.95)

SPOOKY STAMP CAMP, A Hauntin' We Will Go Milk Carton

Here is the third project from my Spooky Stamp Camp.  This little treat is made using our adorable Mini Milk Carton Die.  It gave everyone a chance to exercise their braying skills which they love having the chance to do.  Can you believe this started as just a plain white piece of card stock?  Braying is just so cool to do!  And the results are always stunning.

I also selected this project for my entry for Challenge #2 from the SU-Only Challenge Blog.  I love challenges and am so happy to participate in these SUO challenges!

To make this Milk Carton, first I brayed the card stock.  Then I cut it out with the Milk Carton Die.  Then I stamped the image.  Next I added the highlighting.  Finally I assembled the box.  Be sure to allow it to dry completely in between steps and before assembling box to avoid smudging.  I hope you enjoy this cute little box.

You can see in these four pictures how the wheel image wraps around the entire Milk Carton perfectly.  I am using this wheel unmounted.  See HERE for a tutorial on unmounting your wheels.





A HAUNTIN' WE WILL GO MILK CARTON SUPPLIES:

• Stamps – Haunting Wheel (#112480, $8.50), Grateful Greetings (#1116511, $36.95)
• Card stock – Whisper White
• Ink – Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Elegant Eggplant, Basic Black, White Signo Gel Pen
• Ribbon – Pumpkin Pie 1/4" Grosgrain (#109030, $4.95), Old Olive 1/4" Grosgrain (#111368, $4.95), Rich Razzleberry 1/4" Grosgrain (#120930, $4.95), Hemp Twine (#100982, $2.95) dyed Basic Black
• Punches – Extra-Large Tag (#119866, $16.95), Large Tag (#119876, $15.95)
• Accessories – Library Clips (retired) substitute our Mini Library Clips (#109857, $12.95)
• Tools – Big Shot, Mini Milk Carton Die (#117310, $22.95), Brayer, Stampin' Sponges

BRAYING #3, TROPICAL PARADISE...

This is the final card from my Beginner Braying Class last week.  As soon as I saw this stamp set, I knew it would be perfect for a Hawaiian themed brayed card and immediately pre-ordered it.  I had so much fun designing it and just love the way it came out.   

I did notice on Splitcoast that Michele Zindrof also came out with a card last week that is remarkably similar to mine.  I did not CASE hers at all as mine was designed a month ago and I had shown it to customers interested in the class, although I did learn how to do an island from her originally.  Just one of those coincidences.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

TROPICAL PARADISE SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets –  Tropical Party (W #118515 $17.95  C #120081 $13.95)
  
• Card stock – Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Dusty Durango, Night of Navy
  
• Ink –  Bashful Blue, Almost Amethyst, Night of Navy, Summer Sun, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel Classic, Really Rust and Chocolate Chip Marker
• Punches – 3/4" Circle (#107217, $10.95)
  
• Tools – Brayer, Stampin' Sponges, Paper piercer & mat, Post-it Notes, Color Spritzer

BRAYING #2, WINTER SOLACE...

This is card #2 from my Beginner Braying Class.  This card has a cool, wintry feel, almost eerie - very different from the first card.  I like the calm restfulness of it though.  This is also the card with the most embellishment of the three as I was trying to keep the cards very simple so that the brayed piece has all the focus.

Well, I'm off to the Skinny Dip for some of my favorite non-fat frozen yogurt - Mounds!   Mmmmm...  Enjoy what is left of the weekend!

WINTER SOLACE SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Nature's Silhouettes (#111542, $22.95), Lovely as a Tree (#115026, $27.95), Branch Out (retired - how I miss this set!)
  
• Card stock – Whisper White, Basic Black, Bashful Blue
  
• Ink –  Bashful Blue, Going Gray, Taken with Teal, Night of Navy, Basic Black
• Ribbon – Basic Black 1/4" Grosgrain (#, $4.95)
• Punches – 1" Circle (#109046, $10.95)
  
• Tools – Brayer, Stampin' Sponges, Paper piercer & mat, Post-it Notes

BEGINNER BRAYING CLASS, SUNSET SILHOUETTES...

Today was my Beginner Braying Class.  I have been planning the cards for a couple of months and was happy to finally be able to share them.  We started off easy, as most of the ladies had never brayed before.  I tried to set a different tone/season for each card.  This silhouette card has warm tones with an autumn feel - I bucked the black trend on it.  :o)  Hope you enjoy it!

SUNSET SILHOUETTES SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Inspire by Nature (#111656, $23.95)
• Card stock – Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Really Rust
• Ink –  Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke Classic
• Punches – Photo Corners  (#109042, $15.95), 1-3/4" Circle (#112004, $15.95)
• Accessories – Gold Brads
• Tools – Brayer, Stampin' Sponges, Paper piercer & mat, Post-it Notes, Big Shot, Beautiful Wings Stampin' Up! Embosslits Die (#118138, $11.95)

MORE BRAYING PICTURES...

My memory has been poked by a couple of you!  Apparently, I forgot to post the pictures of the cards I made in the Advanced Brayer class I took with Michelle Zindorf.  As before, no recipes or tutorials for these, as they are Michelle's designs and to be shared with class attendees only.  I hope you enjoy seeing them though.

BRAYING, PART 2...

As I promised yesterday, here are some of the cards that I made yesterday at Michelle's classes.  These three are from the Beginner Class.  I will share the Advanced Class cards tomorrow as I still have to redo one of them due to an accident in class.  Oops!  I love that two of them use Branch Out which is still one of my favorite stamp sets.

No recipes or tutorials for these, as they are Michelle's designs and to be shared with class attendees only.  I hope you enjoy seeing them though.