AAA Colourful Challenge #8

Welcome class! 

I'm here with another card for AAA Colourful Challenges!  This month has a great color scheme that can be used for fall OR Halloween cards.  Since I just had a few new Halloween goodies show up in my mailbox from Spellbinders, I figured I should give them some love.  I am a huge fan of Betterpress plates, and where I used this on in a basic black on white color scheme, I can't wait to try hot foiling with it using white or silver foil on dark colored cardstock.  Halloween cards are my FAVORITE!

So here's the lesson plan:

1.  Pick your colors.  The color board does a great job of doing that for me.  I used Concord and 9th's Clementine as my orange, and the patterned paper is American Crafts Happy Halloween, which was a release from last year. 

2.  Die cut the things!  This Woof or Treat die from Spellbinders will be on soooo many of my Halloween cards this year! Betterpress the things!  I used the Spiderweb Background plate I got over the summer on sale. I used the Betterpress Porcelain paper for this.

3.  Assemble!  I love how the patterned paper has holographic sheen to it, and it works well with the spiderweb at the top of the page.  Some twine and a sentiment from Simon Says Stamp CZ Big Bat and we're calling it a card!

Product Line Up:

• Spellbinders Spiderweb Background Betterpress Plate
• Spellbinders Woof or Treat Etched Die set
• American Crafts Happy Halloween 6x8 Paper Pad
• Simon Says Stamp Big Bat Wafer Dies
• May Arts Black Twine
• Simon Says Stamp Nesting Circle Wafer Dies
• Spellbinders Betterpress Porcelain A2 Panels

The above links are affiliate links, which just helps me fund this hobby at no additional cost to you and create more lesson plans and creativity for all of you--I appreciate your support!

Class dismissed!

Just Because I Appreciate You

Welcome class!

Today's card once again takes the Just Because suite of products from the Stamptember release out for a spin, in a totally different way than I've used before.  By doing some creative inking, you can get a pretty spectacular result with little effort with a little help from my Pawsitively Saturated ink cubes.

So here's the lesson plan:

1.  Pick your colors.  I went with a tried and true rainbow palette using my Pawsitively Saturated Inks.

2.  Stamp the things! I used the darkest color in each hue and stamped a strip across the background stamp.  Without cleaning, I repeated the process through the rainbow. By overlapping inks, I got a great transition between colors.  Blend the things! With the lightest color in each family, I lightly went over what I had stamped.  Die cut the things!  I used white glitter cardstock for the sentiment, and I also used my favorite Hero Arts Nesting Rectangle dies to pop up the center of the stamped panel.  

3.  Assemble.  A little foam tape and Starshine embellies later and we have a card. 

Product Line Up:

• Simon Says Stamp Just Because Background Stamp
• Simon Says Stamp Fancy Just Because Wafer Die
• Simon Says Stamp Reverse Just Because Sentiment Strips
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Inks: Pink Blooms
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Inks: Orange Leaves
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Inks: Yellow Sunsets
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Inks: Green Meadows
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Inks: Blue Seas
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Inks: Purple Fields
• Simon Says Stamp Starshine Embellishments
• Simon Says Stamp White Glitter Cardstock
• Hero Arts Nesting Rectangle Wafer Dies

The above links are affiliate links, which just helps me fund this hobby at no additional cost to you and create more lesson plans and creativity for all of you--I appreciate your support!

Class dismissed!

Floral Hellos

Welcome class!

I've always had a heck of a time getting embossing folders to bend to my will, and when I got my Gemini Jr, it just got worse as I never got a good sandwich to work.  It was either too thick or too thin.  I finally solved the problem, and it let me get a fun embossed layer to go underneath the flowers from the Elegant Blossom Branch die!

So here's the lesson plan:

1.  Pick your colors.  I went with the Blue Lagoon Pawsitively Saturated Ink Cube pack, and the Nutmeg cube from this month's release.

2.  Die cut the things!  I die cut the flowers out of white cardstock and got to work blending with the inks.  I LOVE how this turned out, and was tickled pink when Heidi said how much she liked it on the Simon livestream on September 1st!  Emboss the things!  My sandwich that worked with this folder in the Gemini was to use one cutting plate, a metal shim, then the embossing folder.  Perfect pressure sandwich!  I must have used something with shimmer spray on it earlier as the white cardstock has a nice glimmer to it.  Splatter the things!  I used some of the Simon inks to get some extra dimension on the background.  

3.  Assemble the card.  I used a scrap of Concord and 9th Sunflower cardstock for the sentiment, and after assembling the card, I felt the brown centers of the flowers needed a yellow glow-up, so I dusted off my yellow Nuvo drops and put a layer on top of the brown.  Happy with the result!

 Product Line Up:

• Simon Says Stamp Elegant Blossom Branch Wafer Die
• Simon Says Stamp CZ Design Hello Wafer Die
• Simon Says Stamp Blossom Field Embossing Folder
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Inks:  Blue Lagoon
• Simon Says Stamp Starshine Embellishments
• Simon Says Stamp Clear Detail Embossing Powder
• Versafine Clair Nocturne (Black) Ink Pad

The above links are affiliate links, which just helps me fund this hobby at no additional cost to you and create more lesson plans and creativity for all of you--I appreciate your support!

Class dismissed!

Stretch Your Supplies: Sending You Peace

Welcome class!

More Stamptember inspiration coming your way!  Sometimes it's fun to stretch your supplies and use them in unexpected ways.  Somehow I don't have a big assortment of Simon branded Christmas products, so finding an idea for the new CZ Simple Peace wafer die was a little challenging.  But then I thought about how it can also turn into a sympathy/thinking of you sentiment wishing someone peace in a troubled time, and this card was created!

So here's the lesson plan:

1.  Pick your colors.  I went with an assortment of blues and greens from the Pawsitively Saturated Ink line.

2.  Stencil the things!  I wanted to get this Monstera Stencil from last month's release some love, so I did some ink blending, with part of the stencil hanging off the page.  Die cut the things!  I used Matte Silver Cardstock for the sentiment and mounted it on a Vellum layer.  Splatter the things!  I used some black watercolor to make a spray across the card.

3.  Assemble the parts.  I popped up the stenciled layer on a white card base, and added my Starshine Embellishments.  A simple sympathy/thinking of you card for someone in need!

  Product Line Up:

• Simon Says Stamp Monstera Stencil
• Simon Says Stamp CZ Happy Combos Stamps
• Simon Says Stamp Starshine Embellishments
• Simon Says Stamp CZ Simple Peace Wafer Die
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Ink:  Green Trees
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Ink:  Blue Seas
• Simon Says Stamp Vellum 
• Simon Says Stamp Matte Silver Cardstock
• Simon Says Stamp Clear Detail Embossing Powder
• Versafine Clair Nocturne (Black) Ink Pad

The above links are affiliate links, which just helps me fund this hobby at no additional cost to you and create more lesson plans and creativity for all of you--I appreciate your support!

Class dismissed!

Hello My Friend!

Welcome class!

I've got a colorful card for you to wrap up this first week of Stamptember offerings!  I put the Block Alpha Words stamp set to work with a super colorful rainbow palette and am thrilled with the results, and I hope you are too! With ways to say thanks, hello, love you and more, it's a super versatile addition to your stamp collection.

So here's the lesson plan:

1.  Pick your colors.  I went with a rainbow hued color scheme using Pawsitively Saturated Inks, focusing on the lighest and second lightest colors in the sets.

2.  Stamp the things!  This took me a hot minute to line everything up but it turned out!  Die cut the things!  I used a CZ Hello die along with the sub sentiments in the stamp set. 

3.  Assemble!  I used some Starshine embellishments and let that bold stamped background do the heavy lifting here. 

 Product Line Up:

• Simon Says Stamp Block Alpha Words Stamp Set
• Simon Says Stamp CZ Hello Wafer Die
• Simon Says Stamp Starshine Embellishments
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Inks: Pink Blooms
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Inks: Orange Leaves
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Inks: Yellow Sunsets
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Inks: Green Meadows
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Inks: Blue Seas
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Inks: Purple Fields
• Simon Says Stamp Clear Detail Embossing Powder
• Versafine Clair Nocturne (Black) Ink Pad

The above links are affiliate links, which just helps me fund this hobby at no additional cost to you and create more lesson plans and creativity for all of you--I appreciate your support!

Class dismissed!

Thankful for Watercolored Pumpkins!

Welcome class!

I'm here with more inspiration from this month's Simon Says Stamp Stamptember release, this time using the Pumpkin to Talk About stamp set.  I LOVE the huge size of this set, allowing for both vertical and horizontal cards, and the outlines give so many possibilities for creativity.  On this card, I decided to try my hand at watercoloring with a set of Karin markers!

So here's the lesson plan:

1.  Pick your colors. I wanted to go earthy on this one, and I made sure to toss a few green-grey pumpkins in there for fun!

2.  Stamp the things!  I used Versafine Nocturne ink with clear embossing powder on Tim Holtz watercolor paper. Color the things!  I was happy that I gave things a try with Karin markers!  I lightly dampened the paper and applied the ink.  I'm still working on my technique with these markers, but I'm excited to play with them more.  Die cut the things!  I used a Thankful die from last year's Stamptember release. 

3.  Assemble!  I added some May Arts twine and gold sequins for some flash and it's a card!

 

 Product Line Up:

• Simon Says Stamp Pumpkin to Talk About stamp set
• Simon Says Stamp Fancy Giving Thanks Wafer Dies
• Simon Says Stamp Matte Gold Cardstock
• Simon Says Stamp Stay Gold Embellishment Mix
• Simon Says Stamp Clear Detail Embossing Powder
• Versafine Clair Nocturne (Black) Ink Pad

The above links are affiliate links, which just helps me fund this hobby at no additional cost to you and create more lesson plans and creativity for all of you--I appreciate your support!

Class dismissed!

15th STAMPtember Party!

Welcome to the Simon Says Stamp STAMPtember blog party!  Different than a blog hop, today you'll participate in a scavenger hunt to find amazing codes for free goodies on everyone's posts, and everyone has something different!  Where can you find the complete list?  At the Simon Says Stamp blog!  I'm featuring the Spooky Web Embossing Folder which is free with a $30 purchase...just follow the directions on the last photo in this post.  Get a head start on your Halloween crafting!

So here's the lesson plan:

1.  Pick your colors.  I was inspired by the new ink cubes released this month, the Red Earth bundle!  I used Punch, Sangria and Cabernet, along with Cabbage and Nutmeg for the stem and leaves.

2.  Die cut the things!  Somehow this was the first time EVER that I've cut a die cut out of white and blended the color onto it.  OMG game changer for this late bloomer!  This Elegant Blossom Branch die cut is going to get a workout!  I also die cut an arch out of vellum to place the sentiment and die cut flowers on.  Stamp the things!  I stamped the Just Because background stamp (another HUGE favorite from this release) in Versafine black and clear embossed over it.

3.  Assemble the card!  Add some Starshine Embellishments and a sentiment from the Reverse Just Because Sentiment Strips pack.

Throughout STAMPtember there will be exclusive collaborations, contests, prizes, special promotions, announcements and more surprises!  Simon's blog will announce what is planned every day...stay tuned!

Product Line Up:

• Simon Says Stamp Elegant Blossom Branch Wafer Die
• Simon Says Stamp Just Because Background Stamp
• Simon Says Stamp Reverse Just Because Sentiment Strips
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Inks:  Red Earth
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Inks:  Blue Lagoon
• Simon Says Stamp Starshine Embellishments
• Simon Says Stamp Clear Detail Embossing Powder
• Versafine Clair Nocturne (Black) Ink Pad

The above links are affiliate links, which just helps me fund this hobby at no additional cost to you and create more lesson plans and creativity for all of you--I appreciate your support!

Class dismissed!