Creation Station is Embossing

Being that it's the first Sunday of the month it's time to have a Creation Station Blog Hop.  This month we are having some fun exploring embossing.  It could be any type of embossing we wanted, so I opted for some basic embossing techniques.

Embossing technique #1 - heat embossing.  I stamped images from the Splendid Thoughts Stamp Set with Versamark Ink on Sahara Sand Cardstock.  Next I sprinkled White Embossing Powder all over and then melted and heat set the powder with a Heat Tool.

What's super pretty is that I painted the embossed images.  First with a coat of Whisper White Ink and when it was dry I watercolored one with Fresh Freesia and the other with Pool Party.

 Embossing technique #2 - emboss resist.  For this technique you start with heat embossing which I did on Watercolor Paper with Versamark and White Embossing Powder.  Next you add ink or paint and cover the entire image.  Once the ink/paint is dry you buff the image to fully reveal the embossed areas.

I watercolored with Soft Seafoam and Pool Party Ink Refills.  Once they were partially dry I splattered them with more Pool Party.

I love how the Stylish Shapes Dies compliment the Splendid Dies.  All the mini pierced holes look great.

Embossing technique #3 - dry embossing.  This is my most tried and true favorite embossing technique.  I love how it adds both visual and actual depth and texture.  It always looks intricate but is so quick and easy to accomplish.  

For this card I used the Hive 3D Folder.  To me it made perfect sense to tie it to the petite bee.

One last thing I'll mention is to take a look at the tied bow.  That is Linen Thread that I colored with a Fresh Freesia Stampin' Blend.

Coming up next is the awesome Julie Beltramo.  She's one of my Stampin' Besties and she always creates clean and classic, lovely and layered, inspirational projects.  Be sure to leave her some love.

Are you interesting in earning a FREE class kit. When you purchase $75 before tax and shipping and use August's host code you will get a #useitup! class kit for September sent to you. Also, here is the really awesome part of this deal, you can be a part of my Seeinginkspots Backstage Pass, my private Facebook Group where my classes are posted. August's host code is F4KNXYJ6.

A Paper Pumpkin Thing: Sending Good Thoughts

Here we are A Paper Pumpkin Thing Blog Hop.  We are now hopping on a new day, the first Friday of the month.  We are showing off alternative projects using the fantastic Sending Good Thoughts Kit from July.

I have LOTS to share with you today.  I've made five alternative cards and one small goodie box using elements and stamps from the Kit.  I call this process Up!STYLIN'.

This first card is another "kickstand" creation.  I enjoy making these types of cards as you get two card front layers which gives you even more space to stamp and decorate.  To make this I cut a piece of Pacific Point at 4 1/4" x 11" and scored it in half at 5 1/2".

A real quick swipe over the embossed clouds and waves with a sanding block removes the top color and lends to a cool look.

I think this is my favorite of the things I made with this kit.  I folded the Bermuda Bay card inward and then scored the front at 2 1/8" and folded it back to create a "z" fold base.  Next I wanted to make an under the sea scene so I did some stampin', splattering, spackling, and stenciling.  

I wanted way more seahorses so I used the negative of the die cut seahorses in the kit to stencil more.  I made a bunch of Fresh Freesia, Granny Apple Green, and Bermuda Bay seahorses to use on lots more projects.  I splattered the entire card with Whisper White and Wink of Stella to give the illusion of bubbles.

I used the Shimmering Embossing Paste on several of my alternatives.  The card above has a couple starfish and this next card has a large piece of coral that have been made using the die negatives as stencils for the paste.

I made another seahorse with Poppy Parade, Whisper White, and Wink of Stella for this card.  I had a whole bunch of the sea glass embellishments leftover from the Safari Celebration PP Kit, so I included them here and there.  

With one card base and a paper trimmer/scorer you can make this simple 3D goodie holder.  Watch a replay of my Facebook Live Up!STYLE Your Paper Pumpkin Class on my Seeinginkspots Page to see how to make this and all these alternative.

I am super grateful for the awesomeness of each Paper Pumpkin Kit.  Stampin' Up! produces fabulous things for us to stamp and create.  Click on each of the links below to see more alternatives featuring the Sending Good Thoughts Kit.  Thanks for stopping by.

Are you interesting in earning a FREE class kit. When you purchase $75 before tax and shipping and use August's host code you will get a #useitup! class kit for September sent to you. Also, here is the really awesome part of this deal, you can be a part of my Seeinginkspots Backstage Pass, my private Facebook Group where my classes are posted. August's host code is F4KNXYJ6.

Sunny Splash & Simply Fabulous

I'm always happy to welcome you to another Monday Montage Blog Hop.  I recently held a stamp class where we created cards with a trio of fantastic products.  I combined the Sunny Splash and Simply Fabulous Stamp Sets with the Butterfly Kisses DSP.  Together these three products offer an array of cheerful summery images to make great cards.

This Starry Sky and Crushed Curry colored "let's celebrate" card includes a bit of stamp kissin'.  I inked up the swimsuits and stamped off on scratch paper.  Then I inked up the background image from the Artistically Inked Stamp Set and kissed it with the swimsuit stamp.  Last, I gave the swimsuit stamp a huff and then stamped it.  I love the way it looks wet.

For the swimsuits in this card I used a Stamparatus to create shading.  I partially inked up one side and stamped it over and over again to build up a bit more color.  

The Fresh Freesia flower on the right was also kissed.  This time I used one of the swimsuits to make the stripes on the flower.

I used Soft Pastels on this card to add touches of deeper color and texture.  I lightly scribbled on each flower with a pastel and then gently painted them with a Water Painter to blend the color.  The finished look is soft and chalky.

Thank you for joining in on the fun of our Monday Montage Blog Hop.  Use one of the buttons below to continue along to Emily or back to Dani.

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Are you interesting in earning a FREE class kit. When you purchase $75 before tax and shipping and use August's host code you will get a #useitup! class kit for September sent to you. Also, here is the really awesome part of this deal, you can be a part of my Seeinginkspots Backstage Pass, my private Facebook Group where my classes are posted. August's host code is F4KNXYJ6.

#TGIF379 is Going Back to School

Our most current challenge at #TGIF379 is an inspiration theme that is all about "back to school."

Now, this theme is/was a TOTAL challenge for me as I don't teach school, nor do I have kids attending school so it is far FAR removed from my thoughts.  But, I do love a good challenge and was up for seeing what I could create with cues from this inspiration graphic.

Walla....Here you have a generic card to fit many occasions.  It has nothing to do with wishing students and teachers well in the new school year.  Instead it includes the primary colors, a layer mimicking a torn page from a notebook, and a dusty chalkboard for a background layer.

The chalkboard layer was great for highlighting the white embossed greetings.  I used the Biggest Wish Stamp Set for the "hello, hello, happy hello" greeting.  Each is embossed with White Embossing Powder on Pacific Point, Crushed Curry, and Basic Black.  The heart image was sitting on my desk.  It comes from the Ringed with Nature Stamp Set.  I stamped it on Poppy Parade with Versamark and heat embossed it with more White EP.

It just so happens that the Biggest Wish Stamp Set includes a tiny little background image of plus signs.  Score for me!  Now, in my school themed/inspired card I've got arithmetic!  I love the black chalkboard look complete with eraser smudges.  I achieved those smudges by swiping the black cardstock with an embossing buddy and then I sealed the powder with cheap hairspray.  Last, I couldn't help myself from adding splatters of Wink of Stella and a big loopy bow.

Tree Lot Dies

I kept this "hello" card clean and simple by using the Tree Lot Dies.  While there are matching stamps, which I have, for the Tree Lot Dies I liked the simplicity of creating a camper scene with a variety of die cuts.  I put this happy card together with a bit of inspiration from the Hand Stamped Sentiments latest challenge.  You can see I gravitated to the upper left photo of the silver and aqua Airstream.

Along with the Tree Lot Dies I used the Deckled Rectangles Dies.  The "deckled" edges of these dies are subtle and add a touch of visual texture and interest.  For a bit more depth I used a Blending Brush to add Crumb Cake ink to the decked rectangle and Crumb Cake Stampin' Blend ink splatters.

My favorite part of this card is the camper trailer.  I die cut it with Silver Foil and Bermuda Bay Foil.  The windows are Pale Papaya and Red Rhinestones made perfect brake lights.  I love the font of the "hello" greeting.  It comes from the Simply Fabulous Stamp Set.  A generous sized shoestring bow of Linen Thread was my final addition.  I do really like the pairing of the natural colored thread with the Crumb Cake cardstock.

 

There is an opportunity for you to earn a FREE class kit. When you purchase $75 before tax and shipping and use July's host code you will get a #useitup! class kit sent to you. Also, here is the really awesome part of this deal, you can be a part of my Seeinginkspots Backstage Pass, my private Facebook Group where my classes are posted. July's host code is B3QJNT4F.

Hippest Hippos for Monday Montage

It's another Monday Montage Blog Hop!  For this hop I thought it would be fun to share my #useitup! Class projects.  My #useitup! class is all about using up papers, ribbons, embellishments and combining them with themed stamps.  This class theme was "cute animals" and I specifically used up the last of my Pattern Party DSP.  More specifically the black and white prints.

I love the graphic feel of this Hippest Hippo sailin' card.  The Tahitian Tide and pops of Daffodil Delight look fabulous with the black and white papers.  And who says that a sailboat has to float in waves of blue under a sky of blue?  I did use the triple heart die from the Hippo Dies set to create a stencil so I could make a fun background.

In my mind these three hippos are performing on a high wire.  Take a look at the two insides.  Yes, I said two.  This is what I call a "kickstand" card.  When finished you get two insides.  The top flap reveals a little something special and when the card front is lifted the big reveal is adorable.  Scroll down to see what I mean.

Here is the inside.

What's is super cute about this bathing hippo beauty is the pillowy bubbles.  I clipped apart the last of my Square Doilies (retired) and tucked them in the tub to give the illusion of foamy suds.

I do hope you enjoyed my Hippest Hippo cards.  These hippo stamps and dies can be a part of your collection.  With qualified purchases now until the end of August you can get them for FREE as part of Stampin' Up!'s Sale-a-Bration.

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There is an opportunity for you to earn TWO FREE class kits. When you purchase $75 before tax and shipping and use July's host code you will get a #useitup! class kit and a Technique Time! class kit sent to you. Also, here is the really awesome part of this deal, you can be a part of my Seeinginkspots Backstage Pass, my private Facebook Group where my classes are posted. July's host code is B3QJNT4F.