Harvest Branch Corner Frame with Harvest Double Arch...Falling Leaves Challenge? by Anne Thompson

Here's a card that might spark an idea for the Falling Leaves Challenge this month.

My cast iron squirrel is peeking out from this card which features the HARVEST BRANCH CORNER FRAME 94301 and the two branches from the HARVEST DOUBLE ARCH 94394.

I began by cutting each of the dies from heavy watercolor paper.  (I used Canson Cold Press 140 lb. weight.)

I used a waterbrush and my Autumn Leaves Kaleidacolor raised dye ink pad, picking the color up from the ink pad with the waterbrush and scribbling the extra color off onto scrap paper when I changed colors.  This has become one of my favorite ways to paint lately, just using a waterbrush and dye ink pads.  I also find it easier to leave the die cut image in its background while painting and then pop it out when it is dry.

Once everything was dry, well almost dry, I auditioned background paper and colored notecards to find a combination that was pleasing to me.

I decided to use Mango Distressed Dots Paper cut 4 X 5.25 and I attached it to a Jack O'Lantern notecard.  I also lined the inside of the notecard, both panels, with more of the Mango paper.  

I used 1/8" Scor-Tape to adhere the frame to the front of the notecard and Glue Dots for the Double Arch pieces attached in the upper righthand corner.  I really like the look and the dimension that I got when attaching the stems only at their ends in the corner.  I chose a pretty white-dotted orange bow to finish it off.

Do you have an idea that might turn into a project you could submit for the Falling Leaves Challenge?  I'd love to see what you create during my favorite month of the year!

HAPPY CRAFTING!!!

Harvest branch Corner Frame 94301

Harvest Double Arch 94304

 

Simon Says Stamp’s Exclusive Stamptember Fresh Cut Bouquet by Jean Okimoto

The Memory Box Exclusive Fresh Cut Bouquet Set for Simon Says Stamp is great for the ink-lifting technique.  Pair it with warm Distress Oxide colors and crisp white diecuts from the Petite Leaf Frame Set.   The 10th Anniversary Stamptember Limited Edition stamp set is only available while supplies last - order your set soon and enjoy it for late summer and fall projects.

Hi, Jean Okimoto here, using a popular technique that's been around for several years -  but creates unique results each time.  Sponge or brush the smoother side of watercolor paper with overlapping layers of  Worn Lipstick and Picked Raspberry Distress Oxides.  Set it aside to air-dry.  Have a Kleenex tissue and another stamp block ready for the next step.  

Spritz the clean Fresh Cut Bouquet stamp with water and press it firmly onto the inked watercolor paper for about a minute. Carefully remove the stamp and lay the tissue flat on the watercolor paper.  Press it with the stamp block to absorb the excess water.

Dry the watercolor paper then trim it with the 3-½" x 4-¾" Rectangle Basics die.

Stamp the greeting - also from the set - on a scrap of watercolored paper with Morning Mist VersaFine Clair.  Trim it with the smallest Rectangle Basics die.

Cut the leaves and pods from the Petite Leaf Frame set from white cardstock.

Attach everything to an A-6 card of textured white cardstock - use foam dots for the greeting.  Add yellow gem stickers.

Hope you'll try this technique with different designs from our 2019 Holiday Collection.  It would be great with the evergreens, leaves and wreaths.

Thanks for visiting...see you tomorrow!

 

 

 

 

Supplies

 

94318 Petite Leaf Frame craft die

30086 Rectangle Basics Set

Grapevine Wreath with Bittersweet using one of the Stylish Frame Trio and Silverdale Branch by Anne Thompson

When I saw the STYLISH FRAME TRIO 94308 and the SILVERDALE BRANCH 94306 next to each other on my desk, I wondered if I could create a grapevine wreath using the middle-sized frame and add bittersweet to it using the Silverdale Branch.  This was the end result.

I actually started this card by working with the Silverdale Branch first.  I cut it from watercolor paper and used a variety of Distress inks in fall colors to paint it with a waterbrush.  I left it in the background to make it easier to paint.  

Once I removed it from the background I added more of the Crushed Olive ink along any white edges and added more of the Gathered Twigs ink on the berries.

 I cut the middle-sized frame from the Stylish Frame Trio set of dies three times using dark brown cardstock.

Next I added papers to the front of a kraft notecard--Vanilla Bean Gingham and Vanilla Bean Distressed Dots.  Then I used a glue pen to stack the three dies, rotating each one a bit to give me that grapevine wreath look I was after.

I adhered the painted Silverdale Branch to the card with foam dots, nestling it against the upper left inner edge of the frame.  

What do you think?  I love the look!  I papered the inside of the card with a panel of each of the patterned papers and lined the envelope as well.

I may use this as a Thanksgiving card or for a fall birthday,  This would work well as a guy card, too.  And it works for this month's "Framed!" challenge.

 

 

Add Sketch Blooms to the New Jovial Wreath by Jean Okimoto

 

The new Jovial Wreath is perfect for fall cards - it doesn't need to wait till Christmas.  Diecut it from watercolored paper and add a trio of Sketch Blooms  for a quick Thanksgiving card, birthday or thank-you card in fall colors.

Hi, Jean Okimoto here with a versatile design you can use throughout the year.  A quick color change would transform this into a holiday card with layered poinsettias and sparkly snowflake or star gem stickers.  

 

Paint watercolor paper with diluted Kaleidacolor dye ink refills.  Heat-set the inks.  Cut it with Jovial Wreath and Sketch Blooms.

 Cut dark green cardstock with Jovial Wreath and layer it behind the watercolored wreath for dimension.

Attach pieces of green glittered cardstock behind the flower centers.  

Stamp the greeting - from the new Fern and Berries Clear Stamps Set - on a scrap of white cardstock with Sunshine VersaFine Clair.  

Attach everything to a side-folded white A-2 card/  Add orange gem stickers.

Thanks for visiting...hope you're enjoying the designs from our 2019 Holiday Collection as much as we enjoy sharing our ideas with you.  

If you're in the Seattle area - join us for two classes at Impress this Saturday.  It's Simply Asian at 10:30 and Awesome Blossoms at 1:30.  We're using the best of Memory Box, Birch Press Design and Poppystamps - and some beautiful new artpapers from Shizen Design.  See you!

Supplies

 

94305 Jovial Wreath craft die

94250 Sketch Blooms craft die

CL5249 Fern and Berries clear stamp set

Sketch Flower Spray on a Stripey Alcohol Ink Background by Anne Thompson

I've been experimenting again with alcohol inks to create different backgrounds for die cut images.  Today's technique is a lot of fun to do and sort of looks like finger painting though it is done with a brush.  

I started with Alcohol Ink Cardstock and Ranger Alcohol Pearl inks in Sublime (lime green) and Tranquil (blue), just dropping blots of ink onto the coated paper.

I then added drops of blending solution using a brush to spatter it onto the paper.  I do have a cheap paintbrush that I dedicate to using only with blending solution and alcohol inks and keep it in the box with those bottles.

This started the ink moving around and blending the blue and green together.  I wet the brush with more of the blending solution and started drawing lines on the paper.  And look what happened!

Next I auditioned some die cuts to see what I might like against this  stripey background.  I chose the SKETCH FLOWER SPRAY 94248.  I cut it from a linen-textured white cardstock and tried it against the bright green inky background.

I liked this orientation so I chose a white top-folded notecard, cut the inked paper to 4 X 5.25, and adhered it to the notecard using Scor-Tape.  I decided that I wanted color on the blossoms so I popped the flowers out of the spray and inked them with Dandelion and Lady Bug Memento inks.  I glued the leafy spray outline to the background and used Glue Dots to secure the flowers in place.  I then added some white pearls to the flower centers.

Because alcohol inks dry so quickly, this card came together in no time.

Happy Crafting!

Whale Hello by Trina Pham

Whale hello everyone!  As you might have guessed, I have a punny nautical card to share today.  It was inspired by Sandy Allnock and her collection of porthole cards.

The background was created with blue, aqua and green alcohol inks on yupo paper.  Spritz it with rubbing alcohol to give it a bubbles texture.  Went in with a Copic Colorless Blender to add even more bubbles. The large whale from Wonderful Whale Frame was die cut three times from mixed media paper and colored with Copics.  

Two circle dies from Circle Basics were then used to die cut from mixed media paper twice and from silver foil paper once.  They were stacked for dimension to form the porthole frame.  The sentiment from Oceanside Typewriter Sentiments was stamped in blue on a mixed media panel, then heat embossed with clear embossing powder.

Mounted the panel onto a white card base with fun foam for more dimension and drew in the nails on the silver porthole frame with a black Copic marker to finish.  And that is all.  Thank you for dropping in.  Have a wonderful week.

Supplies

 

94228 Wonderful Whale Frame craft die

CL5240 Oceanside Typewriter Sentiments clear stamp set

30087 Circle Basics Set

Perched Bird on a Painterly Alcohol Ink Background by Anne Thompson

I used a painterly alcohol ink technique to create a background for the PERCHED BIRD 94244 on today's card.

how I created the background

• I started with a piece of Alcohol Ink Cardstock (Tim Holtz for Ranger).
• I added some drops of Alcohol Blending Solution (Tim Holtz for Ranger) on the top third or so of the paper.
• Then I added drops of alcohol ink on top of the blending solution (Tim Holtz for Ranger).  I started with Aquamarine.
• I used a paintbrush to move the ink around into horizontal lines of color.  (I have one dedicated for use with alcohol inks only.)  I had to work really quickly and still had some blotchy spots which I kind of liked.  Alcohol inks dry really fast!  

• Continuing to work down the paper, I added more blending solution and Stream ink, overlapping the Aquamarine. 
• For the next section, I added more blending solution and Pesto ink, blending it into the blue layer.
• For the bottom I used Sepia ink blended into the green.
• I added a few more drops of ink where I thought more color was needed and blended it in with the paintbrush.

• Alcohol inks dry very quickly, in just seconds.  And this technique is not as messy as some...only one blue blotch on my thumb!
• I chose a light blue notecard and used Scor-tape to adhere the trimmed 4 X 5.25 panel to it.

For the Perched Bird, I chose another notecard in the same color to die cut it.  I chose not to use the dotted rayed background because I wanted more of the inky colors to show.  I used some white glue to attach it to the alcohol ink background.

All in all, this was a pretty quick card to put together.  Another day when I have a bit more time and more alcohol ink cardstock I plan to make a pile of these backgrounds in a variety of colors to have on hand.

Happy Crafting!

94244

Just a Little Note with the Rose Bouquet by Jean Okimoto

Combine leaves and blossoms from the Rose Bouquet Clear Stamps and Die Set with improvised "stems" from the Wave Ribbon Collage.  It's another design featuring the versatile Rose Bouquet stamps and die.  Hello, Jean Okimoto here - with a simple design that works for any occasion.

Cut Wave Ribbon Collage from black cardstock.  Trim the edges to about ⅛" wide.      

Stamp the individual blossoms and leaves from the Rose Bouquet Clear Stamps with Nocturne.   Dry the ink, then diecut the pieces.  Add highlights to the center of the blossoms with Imagine Crafts Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Stix.  Shake it (cap on, top down!) vigorously about 20 times - then press it onto the centers to add a sparkly shimmer.

Stamp the greeting - also from the Rose Bouquet Clear Stamp set - with Nocturne and emboss it with detail clear powder.

Attach everything to a top-folded A-2 card of pale gray cardstock - use foam dots for the greeting and top center flower.  Attach green gem stickers. 

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the August 11 AWESOME BLOSSOM(s) class at Impress!  We're making colorful floral cards with our favorite dies, stamps and papers - and several of the newest designs from Poppystamps and Birch Press Designs.  See you!

Thanks for visiting...see  you again next week!

 

 

CL5241-D Rose Bouquet clear stamp and die set

94005 Wave Ribbon Collage craft die

 

Some Like It Hot Rose Bouquet by Anne Thompson

Some Like It Hot is the name of this month's Memory Box Challenge with a focus on red, orange, and yellow.  You can find the information so you can participate here.  I decided to play along, using the Rose Bouquet stamp and die and some Distress Inks.

I started with a piece of watercolor paper and Distress Inks in Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, and Ripe Persimmon.  I used the smoosh technique-- I just smooshed some of each color onto the watercolor paper and spritzed with water.  I reused a gold shimmer mist bottle so there is some sheen to the dried inks.

I stamped the Rose Bouquet on the inked paper using VersaFine Clair Pinecone Ink.

I took the outline die and placed it over the image and ran it through my die cutting machine.

 I placed the die cut on top of a yellow notecard and aligned the cut edges with the top folded edge and the right edge.

I snipped off the pieces that hung over the edges of the notecard.  Then I used a waterbrush and Ripe Persimmon and Mustard Seed Distress Inks to fill in the unpainted leaves.

To finish the card I added a crisp orange satin ribbon tied in a simple bow.

Join the Challenge!  I look forward to seeing what you will create!

Happy Crafting!

CL5241-D

 

 

 

Hello Jotted Script With the Rose Bouquet by Jean Okimoto

 
Watercolor the Rose Bouquet and diecut it for a bright, flowery summer card.  Add a simple greeting - from the Jotted collection - and finish it with gem stickers.  Hello, Jean Okimoto here with another design featuring the popular Rose Bouquet Clear Stamps and Die set.  

Stamp Rose Bouquet on the smoother side of watercolor paper with Memento Luxe Wedding Dress.  Emboss it with detail clear powder.  

Press the inks from the Desert Heat Kaleidacolor inkpad onto a large acrylic stamp block.  Spritz it lightly with a fine mist of water.  Colorwash the embossed image with diluted pink ink so the image is visible for detailed painting.  Paint it with diluted inks from the inkpad.  Dry it, then diecut it with the bouquet die from the coordinating set.  

Trim the diecut with the 4-¼" x 5-½"  Rectangle Basics die.

Diecut Hello Jotted Script from dark brown and coral creme cardstock.  Attach the diecuts to a side-folded A-2 textured natural notecard.  Add orange gem stickers.

Hope you'll try this design in other colors too - yellow, red, lavender or lilac are just a few suggestions.  Assemble the cards and have them ready for any occasion.  The simple greeting is quick and easy to add later.

Thanks for visiting...have a great weekend, see you again next week!

 

 

Supplies

 

30086 Rectangle Basics Set

CL5241-D Rose Bouquet clear stamp and die set

94069 Hello Jotted Script craft die