TECHNIQUE THURSDAY, Mixed Bunch Butterflies for Mom...

Today is my Technique Thursday class.  This week I am featuring the Faux Mother-of-Pearl technique.  It is such a simple technique to do, but it really adds a lot to your project.  I find it especially fitting for Mother's Day cards.

For the card we are doing, I opted to leave the Top Note piece white Mother of Pearl.  However, the butterflies were sponged with colors after using the technique on a square piece of Shimmery White card stock.  The "butterflies" were then stamped with one of the flower images from the Mixed Bunch Stamp Set from the Occasions Mini Catalog which ends on April 30.  I used the Blossom Punch to punch out the flower and then cut out two petals from the flower to form the butterfly.

In the photo below, you can see a version of the card where the petals cut off were different for each butterfly.  The Wisteria Wonder butterfly was formed by cutting out a "top" and a "bottom" petal (cutting each petal into the center of the blossom) leaving two petals on each side of the blossom.  The Blushing Bride butterfly was formed by cutting off two "top" petals that are next to each other leaving four petals around the bottom.  Ultimately I liked the Blushing Bride version, but I will show both versions and let the class attendees choose which ones they want to use.

And isn't the Pleated Satin Ribbon from the Occasions Mini Catalog fabulous behind a die cut?  I love the look of gathered ribbon without all the work!  Be sure to check out the FREE tutorial on the Faux Mother of Pearl technique at the end of the post.  Enjoy!

BUTTERFLIES FOR MOM SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Mixed Bunch (W#125535 $27.95, C#125537 $21.95),  Friendly Phrases (W#126149 $18.95, C#126151 $14.95)
• Card Stock – Wisteria Wonder, Shimmery White
• Ink – Concord Crush (retiring), Wisteria Wonder, Blushing Bride (retiring) Classic, Frost White Shimmer Paint (#116854, $5.95)
• Ribbon – Blushing Bride 3/8" Pleated Satin (#125570, $6.95)
• Punches – Blossom (#125603, $16.95)
• Accessories – Basic Pearl Jewels Accents (#119247, $4.95)
• Tools – Big Shot, Top Note Die (#113463, $21.95), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95), Sponge Daubers

FAUX MOTHER-OF-PEARL TECHNIQUE:

1. Pour a few drops of Frost White Shimmer Paint onto a CD or plastic tray of some sort.
2. Scrunch up a piece of plastic wrap, wax paper or cellophane and dip it into the Shimmer Paint. Dab off the paint a bit on another part of the plastic tray.
3. Dab paint coated plastic wrap onto Glossy White or Shimmery White card stock randomly covering the card stock evenly, but not completely—you want white spaces. Allow to dry.
4. Apply classic ink color of your choice over the entire surface with a Sponge Dauber, Stampin’ Sponge or Brayer.
5. Tip: Try using multiple colors for a watercolor look.  See the butterflies on the Technique card above.

LOYALTY REWARDS - When you purchase $50 or more, you qualify for my Loyalty Rewards program!  This Frequent Stamper program is my way of saying "thank you" to my returning customers in appreciation of their business and is in addition to other Stampin' Rewards.  Earn FREE stamps with MarieStamps.com!

BAROQUE LOVE BIRDS WEDDING CARD...

Jenni is attending a wedding tomorrow and made this card for the happy couple.  She was inspired by my Love Birds 60th Anniversary card, but reinvented it in a whole new way.  The couple's theme is Black, White & Silver, so these are the colors she wanted to use for the card.

Jenni sponged Frost Shimmer Paint on the raised portions of the embossed Top Note piece as well as on the Love Birds and the white butterflies.  It adds the perfect tone on tone sheen.

For the sentiment, she used the Petite Pairs stamp set.  That set has quickly become one of my favorites!  It is perfectly sized for punched pieces and the I love being able to pair the sentiments for the card front and the inside!  Check out the picture at the end of the post for all the adorable sayings!

BAROQUE LOVE BIRDS SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Petite Pairs (W#122495 $28.95, C#122497 $20.95),  Baroque Motifs (#113490, $27.95)
• Card Stock – Basic Black, Whisper White, Brushed Silver
• Ink – Basic Black Classic, Frost White Shimmer Paint (#116854, $5.95)
• Punches – Modern Label (#119849, $16.95), Full Heart (#119883, $16.95), Two-Step Bird (#117191, $16.95)
• Accessories – Basic Pearl Jewels Accents (#119247, $4.95)
• Tools – Big Shot, Top Note Die (#113463, $21.95), Punch Windows Movers & Shapers Dies (#115953, $29.95), Scalloped Heart Of Hearts Stampin' Up! Embosslits Die (#117332, $11.95), Beautiful Wings Embosslit (#118138, $11.95), Elegant Lines Embossing Folder (#119277, $7.95),  Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95), Sponge Daubers

LOGAN'S SCRAPBOOK, Page 3 & 4...

Today I have pages 3 and 4 of Logan's First Year Scrapbook to share.  Page 3 has five spots for square pics in the corners and middle.  When complete, it will form the classic 3 x 3 cube of pictures.  I also included some embellishments that his mom can add after choosing the pictures and journaling on the white square.

Page 4 also includes room for journaling on the white Top Note.  The Crumb Cake mat is where the photo will go.  After the photo is placed, there are sails for the sailboat that will go across the bottom left corner.  Also, there is a spot to the right of the boat bottom for the "months" sticker that corresponds to his age.  Hope you enjoy these super easy scrapbook layouts!

LOGAN'S FIRST YEAR SB PAGE 3 & 4 SUPPLIES:

• Card stock – Tangerine Tango, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Tall Tale DSP ($3.49 on my Clearance Rack)
• Punches –Scallop Edge Border (#119882, $15.95)
• Accessories – Rock-a-Bye Boy Simply Scrappin' Kit (retired)
• Tools – Big Shot, Top Note Die (#113463, $21.95)

HOLY COW INVITATION...

Today I have for you the invitations that I made for my husband's surprise 50th Birthday Party next weekend (luckily, he isn't interested in reading my blog!).  I really wanted cows, as the theme is "HOLY COW!  Mike is 50!".  I didn't want to do the traditional black/funeral type of 50 party and for some reason the cows just popped into my head. 

Since we don't have any cow stamps, I turned to punch art - of course!  Don't I always?  The cow's head is the Top Note Die cut down and shaped a bit and the snout is the largest of the ovals on the Ovals Die.  Everything else is punches with all noted in the recipe below.  You could easily adapt this into a horse by taking out the horns and moving the ears to the top corners of the head and changing up the colors.  Hmmm... maybe I'll have to do that in the future...  

It was fun because my youngest daughter, Colleen, even volunteered a few hours to help me on the last day.  And Jenni helped with a bit of the last minute assembly, so it was a family event for Dad!  Hope you enjoyed my fun little invitation!

HOLY COW INVITE SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – On Your Birthday (#111664, $33.95)
• Card Stock – Basic Black, Whisper White, So Saffron, Blushing Bride, Soft Sky Patterns DSP (retired)
• Ink – Basic Gray Classic, Pacific Point & Pear Pizzazz Markers
  
• Punches – 2" x 1-3/8" (Wide) Oval (#119859, $16.95), 1-3/4" x 7/8" (Large) Oval (#119855, $15.95), 1-3/8" x 5/8" (Small) Oval (#119863, $15.95), Scallop Circle (#119854, $16.95), 2-1/2" Circle (#120906, $16.95), 1" Circle (#119868, $10.95), 3/4" Circle (#119873, $10.95)
• Accessories – Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95)
• Tools – Big Shot, Ovals Die (#114525, $15.95), Top Note Die (#113463, $21.95)

HOLLY JOLLY STAMP CAMP, Santa's Belly Nugget Pouch...

Yesterday I held my last class of the year - my Holly Jolly Stamp Camp. This class was all 3D projects - well, the Gift Card Holder might not exactly be considered 3D, but I'll get to that later in the week...  We made lots of cute boxes, etc., to wrap up our Christmas!  This first project is a little nugget pouch with a very simple Santa's belly or Santa's suit design.  These are very quick to make if you need to make a lot of something.  Plus, the Gifted stamp set is part of our Holiday Bundles promotion (see below), so if you order this stamp set with the bundle, you are basically getting the Mini Lunch Sacks for FREE!

To make the pouch, all you have to do is score the two Top Notes on one side @ 1" from the "points" (in the portrait position).  I put the points on 2" and then score at 3".  Then fold on the score lines and adhere the scored portions together with Sticky Strip being careful that it is wide enough for the nuggets to fit.  Add your scallop edged white piece and belt on the front and your stamped image inside.  Then dress your nuggets in some Jolly Holiday DSP and adhere them inside and you're done!   Enjoy!

Here is an alternate version with a gold buckle. I can't decide which I like better!

SANTA'S BELLY NUGGET POUCH SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Gifted (W#116982 $27.95, C#120480 $19.95)
• Card Stock – Real Red, Whisper White, Basic Black, Brushed Gold OR Brushed Silver
• Ink – Real Red, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight Markers
• Punches – 1-1/4" Square (#119865, $15.95) OR Curly Label (#119857, $16.95), 3/4" Square (retired), Scallop Edge Border (#119882, $15.95)
• Ribbon – Whisper White 5/8" Satin Ribbon (#114616, $8.95)
• Accessories – Sticky Strip (#104294, $6.95)
• Tools – Big Shot, Top Note Die (#113463, $21.95), Crop-A-Dile (#108362, $28.95)

Gift Packaging Bundle

  • Gifted Stamp Set
  • Mini Lunch Sacks
Wood: #124083, $26.32
Clear:  #124084, $19.92

FALL FLAIR, Autumn Spice Quilted Bag...

This is project #2   from my Fall Flair class.  I did a similar Top Note bag a couple of years ago before I had a blog.  This one features the Faux Quilting technique.  I love using our Designer Series Paper for this technique.  It uses twelve 1-1/4" squares which means you can use each side of the six different design sheets that come in our DSP packs to feature every one of them.  This one showcases our gorgeous Autumn Spice DSP - my current fave!  It makes for an adorable Thanksgiving Day favor.  Enjoy!

AUTUMN SPICE TOP NOTE BAG SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Day of Gratitude (W#120835 $26.95, C#121148 $18.95)
• Card Stock – Very Vanilla, Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Autumn Spice Specialty DSP
• Ink – Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, More Mustard Markers
• Ribbon – Chocolate Chip 1" Double-stitched (retired)
• Punches – Scallop Oval (#119856, $16.95), 1-3/4" x 7/8" (Large) Oval (#119855, $16.95), 1-3/8" X 5/8" (Small) Oval (#119863, $15.95), 1-1/4" Square (#119865, $15.95)
• Accessories – Mini Lunch Sacks (#121031, $4.95), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95)
• Tools – Color Spritzer, Sponge Daubers, Big Shot, Top Note Die (#113463, $21.95), Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (#116824, $7.95)

FAUX QUILTING DIRECTIONS (click to enlarge photos):
1.  Punch twelve 1-1/4" squares from the DSP or card stock of your choice.

2.  Dry fit the twelve squares onto a 5" x 3-3/4" piece of card stock until you have a pleasing pattern.

3.  Slide the top row off.  Apply two strips along the entire top "row" of the cardstock as show.  Beginning in one corner, apply the squares along the top row being sure to tightly but the squares up against each other.

4.  Repeat step #3 with the second row of squares and then the third until all squares are secured.

5.  Using a marker, draw X's for faux stitching, being sure to connect the X's to each other as shown.

6.  Run the patchwork piece face down on the Top Note die through the Big Shot.

7.  If desire, run the patchwork piece through the Big Shot in the Petal-a-Plenty embossing folder for a "quilted" look.

FALL FLAIR, Fall Gratitude Medallion...

Today was my Fall Flair class.  I designed the projects a while ago, but the class had to be delayed until today, but we had plenty of fall fun.  Join us for my Christmas Club Card #4 class next Saturday!

This card was our first project.  It uses the Emboss Resist technique for the stamped image.  Then we just used sponge daubers to randomly add color to the image.  The piece under it was made with the Top Note Die (directions follow recipe).  Stampin' Dimensionals are used between the image and Top Note medallion as well as between the Top Note medallion  and the embossed background.  I also used Shimmer Mist on the embossed background, but it doesn't show up very well in the picture.

I also did an alternate version with Clear Embossing Powder on Naturals Ivory CS for a different look:

FALL GRATITUDE MEDALLION SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Day of Gratitude (W#120835 $26.95, C#121148 $18.95)
• Card Stock – Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, More Mustard
• Ink – Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso Classic, VersaMark
• Ribbon – Early Espresso 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain (#119961, $9.95)
• Accessories – Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95), Shimmer Mist made with Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint (#116806, $5.95) and  70% alcohol
• Tools – Sponge Daubers, Big Shot, Top Note Die (#113463, $21.95), Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (#119277, $7.95)

TOP NOTE MEDALLION DIRECTIONS (click to enlarge pictures to see the way the cardstock is turned before cutting):
1. Cut Top Note from cardstock.

2. Turn the die cut 90 degrees (use points of die cut to line up and center) and cut again.  This results in a 4-point shape I like to use a lot as well (see resulting shape on step #3).

3. Turn the resulting die cut 45 degrees and cut again.

4. Turn 90 degrees one more time and cut again to cut away the remaining large points.

5. The result is a 16-point medallion.  When applying the stamped Days of Gratitude medallion, line up the 8 points of the Gratitude medallion with the 8 longer Top Note medallion points.