Sponging is Making a Comeback

Maybe you have never stopped sponging, but I have not done any sponging in a super long time. So long that I didn't even have any sponges.

I wanted to get some good layering of ink color and sponging is the best, most blended way to achieve that look. My card sample here was inspired by Maria K's. swap from convention. 

To sponge without getting those splotchy blotches use a swirling motion starting off of the piece of cardstock. Start by covering 100% of the cardstock with your lightest color ink, then move to a medium shade covering about 60% of the cardstock, then just sponge about 30% of the outer edges with your darkest color. I started with Crushed Curry, then More Mustard, and last Pumpkin Pie.

Shimmer Paint with Dasher

At convention we learned that Dasher was the number 2 selling stamp. You can find the single stamp in the very back of the Stampin' Up! catalog in the under $10 section. There are some great finds on that page so check it out.

For these two cards I made my own custom stencil by cutting the Swirly die out of window sheet. I sponged with Bordering Blue, Brocade Blue, and then Champagne Mist shimmer paint. I purposely designed these cards without dimensionals. If you know me and my #2 motto (when in doubt pop it out) you'll know how difficult it was to refrain from building up layers. My reason was to keep the designs thin is so they will go through the mail without having to add postage. To still give dimension to the one card I added the vellum swirl. 

The card with the vellum swirl was one of my Technique Time! projects from Friday. The second card was a make-n-take for an Inkerbelles group meeting yesterday. I always enjoy hanging out with my upline, Tami W. and all my side and downline buddies :0)

Can You Tell I Love to Make Halloween Things?

Enjoy these cool ornaments I made. I was inspired by Convention displays. To make glittering much quicker, easier, and WAY less messy use sticky strip to adhere the chunky colored glitters. All supplies are from Stampin' Up!

At my TECHNIQUE TIME! class this month we made the orange version to learn the accordion fold flower and the sticky strip tip.

Spooky Window

Take a close look at this card--I love the use of the window sheet. It looks kind of like a window on a scary house. I first used a rub on from the Spooky Treats set and then punched it out with the large oval punch. I really like how it looks layered over my background. I stamped the background with white craft ink and an image from From the Crypt.

Halloween With a Vintage Feel

This card was inspired by all the vintage ornaments that have made a comeback over the past several years. I can't get enough Halloween decorations. I like them spooky or vintage in style which makes for quite a juxtaposition.

To get all the dimension on this card think accordion folds. The arched piece on top was cut from the scallop circles #2 (the larger of the two). Take the cut scallop and center it over the groove/cut line of your personal cutter. Score the scallop in half right between the dips of two scallops. Twist and repeat until the entire piece has been scored all the way around. Cut the piece in half, accordion fold on the scorelines, glitter the edge, and attach to card base with sticky strip.

This card features Stampin' Up!'s From the Crypt stamp set and Dazzling Diamonds Glitter!

Watercolor Wicking Technique

Here is another card using the From the Crypt stamp set found in the Stampin' Up Idea Book and Catalog. This card's focal point features a watercolor wicking technique that looks fabulous, yet is super simple. To start, stamp your image on watercolor paper using a Staz On pad. Next, paint the entire piece of cardstock with water. Then, add ink to desired areas using a paint brush or Aquapainter. Allow the water which you painted on the cardstock to do all of the work to spread the color. This is known as "wicking." For this card I squeezed my inkpad and then used the lid as my ink source. For a more intense look use ink refills. Finish by adding more colors of ink until the piece is covered.

More From the Crypt

Check out these two samples made by my mom. Again she used the same elements as the shutter card in the previous post. I especially love the black grommet over the one eye--how spooky.

Halloween Shutter By K8

Check out this awesome shutter card created by my mom. Isn't it super cool? She used the From the Crypt stamp set, Spooky Treats rub ons, and the Cast a Spell Designer Series Paper.