Autism Matters Blog Hop April 2017

Today is a special blog hop day! April is Autism Awareness month!

I’m honored to be participating in this blog hop with fellow stampers across the country that have agreed to help support Autism Awareness.  I am also proud to be an Autism Mom!  My son, Luke, has Autism and is simply the most amazing boy I know!

Each of us will be sharing a fact about Autism with you so as you hop from blog to blog, we hope you enjoy all the projects as well as learn a little about Autism too!

In the United States, one in 98 boys are diagnosed with autism, and 24,000 people are diagnosed with autism for the first time every year.

Bella & Friends is one of my favorite Stampin' Up! stamp sets and the Turtle made me think of the puzzle piece. I used the Masking Technique for the sun behind the Bella and Turtle, and markers for coloring. And I added hand-written personal messages xoxoxo Enjoy xoxoxoxo

~~~ My little love LUKE PORTO ~~~

I'm so very proud of Luke and all he has accomplished. He amazes me EVERY DAY with something he may say or do for the first time, with what he's learned - today telling me about Van Gogh or what a proper noun is! One day while waiting for the bus, I saw his hand moving up and down and I thought he was stimming, but when listening to what he was actually saying and watching more closely...he was signing the entire alphabet while phonetically sounding out each letter by name. It was just one of those magical moments I get to experience often.

Luke is amazing! His smile is beautiful. His laugh, contagious. His touch, gentle. His heart, golden. My son can melt you within seconds with just a look, a laugh, a hug or the softness of his voice.  He is affectionate and polite.  And that's not even mentioning how brilliant he is!! Academically he rocks!!! We are working hard on his socialization.

From the beginning...Luke had a 50-50 chance after birth....his digestive system was severely malformed (the large intestine a round mass instead of tube-like and was not connected to the small intestine) and the small intestines were twisted. He's resilient and brave. From the start he showed the world just how strong he is!

He couldn't speak, but that didn't mean he couldn't hear. He was always listening! Going into Keller School at 3 years old, he was non-verbal, couldn't write, had very poor trunk and overall strength, and had severe motor planning issues.  Today, at 7, Luke now reads aloud, sings, runs, dances, and plays on the playground. He is determined and knows what he wants. He CAN do it!

Autism is a developmental disorder.  People with Autism learn differently using various teaching styles and methods. Luke excelled with ABA therapy.  I thank God every day for all the teachers and therapists in Luke's life and who have stood by him every step of the way.  I will always remember you.... Talia, Lori, Chrissy, Beth, Elizabth, Katie, Jessica, and the many aides, the physical, OT and speech therapists. It is your love, patience, kindness, determination that helps Autism (and special needs) families like ours.  Thank you :D

And thank all of you for taking a moment to learn about my little love Luke, and for all your support.

~~~ Autism Matters. Autism Speaks. We are Autism Strong. ~~~

To learn more about my little love Luke, enjoy and join in on our experiences (The ABC's of Autism), click here.  Please consider donating through my Autism Speaks page to help raise funds to continue research and for services to assist families.  Every dollar matters xoxoxox

Let's keep this going....

1- Kimberly Van Diepen
2- Kylie Bertucci
3- Lee Conrey
4- Rachel Bronson Yukanin
5- Heather Wright Porto --- You are here!
6- Susan Best
7- Louise Sharp
8- Candy Rattray
9- Maureen Rauchfuss
10- Tammy Fite
11- Billie Moan
12- Monika Davis

Totally Techniques: Masking

Good morning stampers!  This month's technique is called Masking. Wait until you see the Totally Techniques Design Team in action this week!!!!

Stampin' Up! Balloon Builders

My card this week features the Balloon Builders stamp set by Stampin' Up!  It's the Masking Technique and one that you can do rather quickly as it's a one layer card!

Masking Technique

Covering previously stamped images, and then stamping over them/near them/around them so they appear in front and the newly stamped image(s) to the back.

Notice the multiple layers of balloons in my card.

Quick Steps On Making This Card

• Vertical, top fold card, base in Whisper White.
• Stamp the first few balloons in Flirty Flamingo.
• Then stamp a few of the same size balloons on scrap and punch them out (with Balloon punch).
• Then use those punched out balloons to cover the balloons you just stamped.
• Then stamp more balloons in Tip Top Taupe with the larger balloon stamp in Balloon Builders.
• Stamp the balloon strings in Tip Top Taupe.
• Then stamp a few more balloons in different sizes on scrap using Daffodil Delight ink, and then punch them out.  Adhere to card base with Stampin' Dimensionals. 
• Stamp greeting in Tip Top Taupe.
• You can leave as is or continue....
• Using a Blender Pen (or you can use an Aqua Painter), color the background of the card in Soft Sky ink.
• Add some bling with Rhinestone Basic Jewels.

Scroll down to see Supply List!

Totally Techniques Design Team

Let's go check out more masterpieces!  Whooo-hooo!!! Enjoy!

Patrice Halliday-Larsen
Amy Koenders
Shelagh Freemantle
Erna Logtenberg
Heather Wright-Porto --- You are here...Thanks for visiting!!!
Shannean Moncrieff
Alison Solven
The next blog on this totally awesome, Totally Techniques designer is Shannean Moncrieff!

 

Stampin' Up! Supply List

Stamp Set

• Balloon Builders

Paper

• Whisper White 

Inks

• Tip Top Taupe
• Flirty Flamingo
• Daffodil Delight 
• Soft Sky 

Accessories

• Balloon Punch
• Dazzling Details
• Stampin' Dimensionals
• Blender Pen

 

Double Masking Technique

Double Masking Technique

It's that time of the week - Saturday! And that means we have a new Technique Challenge inside Stamping And Blogging.  It is Double Masking Technique!  I'm a featuring a bunch of new In Colors as well as the Falling Flowers stamp set by Stampin' Up!

Card Instructions

Supplies
Inks: Basic Black, Emerald Envy, Flirty Flamingo, Sweet Sugarplum, Peekaboo Peach, Soft Sky
Paper: Whisper White, Sweet Sugarplum
Accessories: Layering Squares framelits, Big Shot, Stampin' Dimensionals, Dauber
Stamps: Falling Flowers

1. The card base is 5-1/2 x 11, score in 1/2 to make a square card.
2. In my card, I first created the mask out of Whisper White cardstock, 5x5 piece of paper.  Then used the new Layering Squares framelits and placed all 4 of them on the paper and through the Big Shot!
3. Then, I placed that "mask" on my focal panel piece of Whisper White (5x5 but then I trimmed  later, after stamping, to about 4-1/2 x 4-1/2) card stock and begin stamping.
4. First I stamped all the large Sweet SugarPlum flowers.  And then stamped an extra one on scrap paper and cut out to make a mask.
• I then went around to each square, one at a time. Placed the mask over the Sweet SugarPlum flower, and then stamped the smaller pink (Flirty Flamingo) flowers.
• Then again with the mask in place, did the leaves (Emerald Envy), and then the smallest flower in Peekaboo Peach.
• I did that for each square. So it does take some time.
• Then to make fill in the white space in the squares, I used Soft Sky and a Dauber to add more color and define the squares so you can more clearly see a mask was used.
5. Then I stamped a greeting on Whisper White in Basic Black, on a diagonal 1-3/4" square. Then matter with Sweet SugarPlum.
6. Matted the focal panel with Sweet SugarPlum. Adhered the focal panel to the Card Base with SNAIL.
7. Then adhere the diagonal greeting to the focal panel using Stampin' Dimensionals.

Sandi MacIver - Stampin' With Sandi

Sandi also created a beauty with circles!!! So I did the squares, she used circles, but you can use whatever you'd like to create the larger masked areas.  She has a more bold look, I have a softer one. Hope you enjoy them both :D

Over on Sandi's blog, we are making the video public this week, and will once a month, hoping you'll join us at Stamping And Blogging:

Stamping And Blogging

• Enjoy 40+ Card Classes and over 65 Stamping Techniques for you to learn!  
• Not to mention almost 200 One Sheet Wonders you can print and build your own reference library or use as handouts at your in-home class events!

Masking Technique: Stampin' Up! Helping Me Grow

Good morning stampers!  It's Saturday...YES! The weekend is here and it's our weekly Technique Challenge inside Stamping and Blogging.  This week it's the Masking Technique.

I'm featuring the Helping Me Grow stamp set by Stampin' Up!  And even added a little Spotlight Technique too (notice I only colored the focal image).  Enjoy!

Remember to jump on over to Sandi's blog to see what she's created this week!

Masking Technique

So.....I actually messed up a few times...so don't feel bad if you do!  My focal image that will be masked came out great, but the other images were not always full. It was driving me nuts! LOL.

Okay, let's get started:

1. Score and fold the card base (Whisper White).
2. Emboss the card base front with the Mosaic Textured Impressions Folder.
3. With the focal panel stamp the focal image(s) first using Basic Black (or StazOn Black if you are going to use the Aqua Painter for coloring). These are the ones you will create the mask(s) for.
4. Stamp the same image(s) on scrap paper and cut out.
5. Place over the original stamped image(s) to protect them.
6. Then using the same stamp (or other stamps), and with the mask on top of the previously stamped images, stamp your new images (Basic Black).  When you lift the mask, you’ll see the original stamped image(s) untouched and appear in the front (of all other stamped images).
7. Color the focal image (the originally stamped image) using the 3 different shades of yellow: So Saffron, Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry.  I used a Blender Pen to color.
8. Choose a greeting of your choice and stamp in the upper right corner of focal panel (Basic Black).
9. Adhere the focal panel to the Crushed Curry designer paper with SNAIL Adhesive.
10. Adhere the focal panel to the card base using Stampin’ Dimensionals.
    
    
    Download the One Sheet Wonder.

Want to see more Masking Technique cards?
YES!!! Then jump on over to my partner Sandi's blog! She's created a beautiful card this week featuring the Masking Technique. Enjoy :D  CLICK HERE to view what I've created with the Masking Technique over the years.

Want to see more cards featuring Helping Me Grow? 
Click here to see more! It's a new stamp set I got recently...do you have it?   Here's a link to some of Sandi's cards too, featuring Helping Me Grow.

Want to learn more stamping techniques?
YES!!! We have over 65 stamping technique videos loaded inside Stamping And Blogging! We have a Technique Challenge every Saturday..and if you load up your artwork, you're welcome to link directly to your blog post that hosts that project!

Stampin' Up! You've Got This: Color Combo Challenge

This week's challenge is a Color Combo Challenge: Blackberry Bliss, Hello Honey, Old Olive. So again, we can use any layout, any stamp set, but use this color combination. 

Today I'm featuring the You've Got This stamp set by Stampin' Up! and showing off the Masking Technique!

Here's a couple of pictures - front view, the side view to show the depth, and the Watercolor Wash background stamp.

 

In this image below is a close-up of the Watercolor Wash background stamp and the subtle use on the card base, and more noticeable use on the front panel, focal point.

 

A few layers....

(Layers  raised with Stampin' Dimensionals)

When Making This - Stampin' Up You've Got This - Card

• The card base actually has the Watercolor Wash background stamped in black but it came out lighter (I think it's an old inkpad lol).
• The other pieces you can see are layered (and raised with Stampin' Dimensionals).
• The tricky piece is the focal point where I used the Masking Technique.  
1. I stamped the flower image on scrap and cut it out.
2. I stamped the flower image on the focal panel;
3. then covered it with the mask (the one I cut out from scrap),
4. then stamped the Watercolor Wash background over it in Hello Honey.  Pretty cool huh? Hope you like it :D

Stampin' Up! Products

Stamp Set

• You've Got This

Inks

• Basic Black
• Hello Honey

Paper

• Whisper White
• WildFlower Fields Designer Series Paper (From the Sale-a-bration Catalog)

Accessories

• Rhinestone Basic Jewels (to add the "bling" I love so much!)
• Stampin' Dimensionals (to give depth and raise the elements on the card)

Now it's time to go and see what the rest of the Happy Stampers designers have come up with for this week's challenge.

Happy Stampers

Amy Koenders
Shelagh Freemantle
Mary Deatherage
Jari Francis
Kristi Gray
Heather Wright-Porto (you are here! Thanks for visiting me!)
Heather Van Looy

Next is the very talented Heather Van Looy!

 

Do you love Card Classes?

Yes!!! We do too!!! At Stamping and Blogging we have over 35 Classes for you to learn and over 50 techniques too!  This is the newest class for February 2016 - Balloon Celebration.  It's fun, cute, easy too!  Join Us Today :D

Countdown to Christmas Project #4Polar Party Box Topper Gift Bag

Good morning and welcome to week 4 of Countdown to Christmas with Sandi & Friends! 

During the holidays especially, we love to give gifts in a gift bag...so why not make a handmade one and one with a box topper!!!

Just a mention of Blog Candy to come…..make sure to leave a comment on my blog and those of the other Artists and you will have a chance for lot’s of Blog Candy….start leaving comments today and we’ll be drawing from all the Friday Countdown Comments for some fabulous Blog Candy at the end of the Countdown.  

Each of the design team members are offering blog candy…so that is 7 chances to win!  Be sure to send in your comments on Countdown to Christmas Fridays :D.  Picture to come……

This box topper (kinda of like a bag lid - LOL) and decorated gift bag features the Polar Party stamp set as the featured stamp set (center panel) and the Bright Hopes stamp set for the snowflakes you see.

The color scheme this week is Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy and White.

What other color do you see in there?

The techniques used this week are the "Markers" (where you stamp in a base color and then use a Stampin' Write Marker and literally color on the stamp/ink) and "Masking" (where you can hide something behind something else and bring an item(s) to the front, like a Send to Front in MS Word).

For the snowflakes on the box topper trim, notice the base is  Cherry Cobbler and the Not Quite Navy accents are on the outer part of the snowflakes and the center (could not be accomplished with last week's Rock-n-Roll technique).  Markers also give a rich color.

Look at the center of the front panel and notice the Polar Bear is in front of the trees!  That is where the masking technique was used.  And then lets not forget watercoloring using the Watercolor Pencils and a Blender Pen.

OTHER IDEAS

I was trying not to "overdo" the gift bag.  But here are a few other ideas that you could use but it will add a little more time to do your project!

• I was going to add silver or clear brads to the center of the snowflakes in the box topper (there are many!).
• You could add any brads or jewels to the trees on the front panel to add sparkle.
• You could use Crystal Effects on the tree decorations or the polar bear's hat and scarf for added dimension and shine.
• Stamping snowflakes or a background stamp on the actual white gift bag. I thought about this but again I didn't want to overdo it. LOL.
• Lastly, you could add ribbon to the project - everything looks nice packaged/sealed with a bow! :D

If you haven't already, sign up for the Countdown to Christmas newsletter in the upper right sidebar to get the free tutorial for this week's Box Topper project!

If you have a moment and want more holiday inspiration,

please visit the design team!

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS

DESIGN ARTISTS 

RETURNING Team Members:

Lee Conrey - Florida, U.S.A. website

CaroleAnne Sluchinski - Alberta, Canada website
Sandi MacIver - Oregon, U.S.A. website

NEW Team Members:

Shelagh Freemantle - British Columbia, Canada website
Linda Geater - New South Wales - Australia website
Kate Creasey - Washington, U.S.A. website
Heather Wright-Porto - New York, U.S.A. website (ME)

Happy stamping!
Heather Wright-Porto
http://www.blogsbyheather.com/
http://www.handstampedbyheather.com/

World Card Making Day!!! - Autumn Harvest

Today is World Card Making Day so I had to make a card!  With the fall, the Autumn Harvest stamp set is my favorite to use and is featured here today!

I love the "orange" of fall leaves and just the rusty color of autumn.  One of Stampin' Up!'s new In Colors is Cajun Craze and it is perfect for this time of year!

• The card is created using a standard size and the front of the card is embossed using the new Square Lattice Textured Embossing Folder.
• Next, the Watercolor Paper was trimmed 1 inch on each side, then matted with Early Espresso cardstock.
• Masking was used.  First I stamped the small pumkin on the Watercolor paper in Early Espresso.  Then stamped one on scrap paper and cut it out.  Then placed it over the previously stamped image.  Then inked and stamped the larger pumpkin in Early Espresso. The result is a pair of pumkins, one appearing to be in front of the other.
• Next I stamped the greeting in Cajun Craze.
• Then I colored the pumpkins using Daffodil Delight, Cajun Craze and Pumpkin Pie, and a Blender Pen.
• The leaves were stamped, colored and cut out on Watercolor paper as well - colored with the same colors, but with the addition of Old Olive.
• They were adhered using Stampin' Dimensionals.
• Adhere the pumpkin panel to the card front using SNAIL Adhesive.
• You're done!

Left Over Holiday Card Samples

I just wanted to share these holiday samples! I really loved them and enjoyed making them, but didn't have time to post about them all individually. However, if you have any questions or need to know how to make them, please feel free to contact me!

This is probably my favorite this year --- the beautiful holiday house seen, with a punched window and scalloped roof! Of course it was probably took the longest time to make (LOL).

I colored the stamp with different inks, then used the Versa Mark pen to highlight certain areas, such as the trim around the door, the tree, and the sled, then added Clear Embossing powder and heated. It darkened, highlighted and glossed those areas. Then I embossed the Lovely as a Tree "tree".

I punched the window with the smaller square punch and made the gray frame for the window using both punches. I also stamped the tree on the inside of the card - to show on the inside of the window!

Lastly, the roof was created with several pieces of paper, punched with the Scallop Edge punch.

This project was for a teen's group. The CD tin was purchased at Specialty Bottle, but all other product is Stampin' Up! - Frosty stampset, Bashful Blue and Chocolate Chip papers, Chocolate Taffeta Ribbon, Felt Flurries, Adhesive, Stampin' Write Markers, Stampin' Dimensionals and Dazzling Diamonds!

I can't remember where I purchased this Santa Face from several years ago, but I use it every year. This gift card holder is from Stampin' Up! - it comes pre-scored and punched to hold the card!

Again the Santa Face was used here with the Lovely As A Tree stampset, and the French Script background stamp. Sponging and embossing were also used!

This chocolate nugget box was for another kids craft class! The loved wrapping each of the cholocates with Stampin' Up!'s designer series paper, and coloring the santa card. I wrapped the bow for them (LOL).

Last but not least...this card is simply but elegant. It is done in all Chocolate Chip Craft Ink and embossed. Glitter was added to many parts of the card as well. The technique "Masking" was also used on the center panel to place the baby right above the swirled bottom of the frame. Just be careful with the Craft Ink when creating this card since so much of it was used - it can bet messy (LOL).

Happy stamping and I hope you enjoyed all the holiday sample left-overs!

Vintage Christmas

This technique I C.A.S.E.D from fellow demonstrator, Andrea Walford. I loved how she used the Carousel Note for masking!

This card is loaded with different stamps and colors but still a lot of fun to make and I think it is just a beautiful combination of colors! A very different type of card for me...but I love it!

Stampin' Up! Products Used

• Lovely as a Tree
• Baroque Motifs
• French Script
• Old Olive Craft Ink
• Chocolate Chip Craft Ink
• Clear Embossing Powder
• Heat Gun
• Kiwi Kiss, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Sky Blue, Gold Classic Inks
• Carousel Note
• Large oval punch, small oval punch
• Brayer tool
• Whisper White cardstock
• Chocolate Chip cardstock
• Stampin' Dimensionals
• SNAIL Adhesive

Techniques Used

• Sponging
• Masking
• Heat Embossing

Non-SU Product Used

• Gold Sheer Ribbon

Instructions

1. First you cover the entire Whisper White cardstock with Sky Blue using the Brayer tool.
2. Then roll the Brayer tool in Kiwi Kiss and add a little bit of green to the background as well.
3. Then place the Carousel Note towards the left side of the card where you desire.
4. Then, use Close to Cocoa on a background stamp, I used French Script. And stamp it on the paper....where the Carousel Note is "masking" a good portion of the card (the background will not appear there).
5. Then, with the mask still in place, use Close to Cocoa and sponge around the edges of the Carousel Note.
6. Then I lifted the Carousel Note (no more mask), and stamped Baroque Motif's large swirl in Chocolate Chip ink. Also added a few of the small flowers in the set.
7. In Kiwi Kiss stamped the horizontal layout of trees from Lovely as a Tree along the bottom of the card front.
8. Then stamped the large tree in Kiwi Kiss (see image above for placement).
9. Then again stamped the large tree in Old Olive CRAFT ink. Cover with Clear Embossing Powder and heat.
10. I then stamped "Christmas" in Chocolate Chip CRAFT ink. Cover with Clear Embossing Powder and heat.
11. Then, using the small oval punch, punch a scrap piece of Whisper White. Use the brayer tool with Sky Blue and Kiwi Kiss as described above.
12. Stamp "Merry" in Chocolate Chip CRAFT ink. Cover with Clear Embossing Powder and heat. Then adhere to large oval (punched in Chocolate Chip cardstock/scrap).
13. Adhere greeting to card front using Stampin' Dimensionals.
14. Add gold ink to desired locations - I added it to the "Merry" greeting, towards the top corner, towards the bottom left corner as well.
15. Wrap sheer ribbon around the card front and tie in a knot.
16. Adhere to card using SNAIL adhesive.
17. You're done :)

Happy stampin' and thanks for visiting!

Happy Blessings!

Happy Thanksgiving!

This card is made using the new Happy Blessings stamp set in the Holiday Mini 2008 Catalog. The techniques used are Masking and Watercoloring. Last year I made a similar card using the Autumn Harvest set (which is still active): http://heatherporto.blogspot.com/2007/10/thanksgiving-watercolor-card.html

Stamps

• Happy Blessings

Inks

• Chocolate Chip Classic
• Riding Hood Red
• Kiwi Kiss
• More Mustard
• Pumpkin Pie
• Really Rust

Paper

• Chocolate Chip
• Watercolor paper
• Close to Cocoa
• Brushed Copper

Stampin' Up! Accessories

• YoYo Yellow Stampin' Write Marker

Instructions

1. Stamp with Chocolate Chip ink on the Close to Cocoa cardstock with the pumpkins/stalks stamp.
2. Stamp a greeting in Chocolate Chip on the scrap Watercolor Paper.
3. Stamp two pumpkins in Chocolate Chip on the Watercolor paper. Then stamp two of the same pumpkins on scrap paper and cut them out to use for Masking.
4. Now put the cut-out pumpkins over the stamped pumpkins - this will protect them from other stamped images.
5. Now take the stamp with the pumpkins/stalks and stamp across the paper (at least twice) in Chocolate Chip.
6. Now remove the pieces of scrap. Those pumpkins now appear in "front."
7. Now you can start "coloring" with ink pads and blender pens using Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, and More Mustard.
8. Then use the YoYo Yellow marker to color the sunflowers.
9. Adhere the watercolor main paper on the copper, then adhere to the chocolate.
10. Adhere that panel to the card front with Stampin' Dimensionals.
11. Stamp a sunflower and vine on the greetin as well, and color.
12. Adhere the greeting with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Thanks for visiting!

Fresh Cuts Pocket Card

This Fresh Cut Notes pocket card was created during my last Technique Class: Special Folds. You've already seen the Shadow Box and the Tunnel Card (last 2, previous posts), and I used the die-cut Notes card to make a pocket. This card is relatively simply and can be made in any color and for any occasion!

Stampin' Up! Products Used

• Fresh Cut Stamp Set
• Fresh Cut Notes
• Baja Breeze Classic Ink Pad
• White Craft Ink
• Baja Breeze Textured Card Stock
• Baja Breeze Prints Designer Series Paper
• Whisper White Card Stock
• Rhinestone Square Brads (Ice)
• 5-Petal Punch
• Scallop Edge Punch
• Crafter's Kit (piercing tool)
• SNAIL Adhesive

Instructions

1. Cut a piece of textured Baja Breeze card stock for the back (3-1/2 x 4-1/2).
2. Then on the right side use the Scallop Edge border punch.
3. Cut a piece of Baja Breeze Prints Designer Series Paper in a 3x3 square and adhere it to the textured card stock as shown above.
4. Cut the Fresh Cut Notes card to 3-1/4 x 3-1/4. However, to keep flower centered, you have to trim it equally on both the top and bottom (not just to trim from one side). So, in total you trim the right side (leaving and keeping the fold in the Notes card on the left side), then you trim a little on the top and then the same amount on the bottom until the desired 3-1/4 x 3-1/4 is left.
5. Now, we're ready to stamp. Notice the diagonal in blue ink. We used masking to protect some of the card from the blue ink. Using a piece of scrap paper, cover 1/2 the card (on a diagonal). Then using the Baja Breeze Classic Ink pad and the background stamp in the Fresh Cut stamp set, stamp on the lower, left area of the Fresh Cut Notes.
6. I then used the 5-petal flower punch to punch 1 flower in textured Baja Breeze.
7. Then used Craft White ink and rubbed it around the edges of the flower.
8. Using the piercing tool from the Crafter's Kit, pierce a hole in the middle of the flower die-cut, and also in the middle of the punched flower.
9. Place the punched flower behind the die-cut and then place a square blue Rhinestone brad (Ice Collection) thru them both.
10. Adhere the Notes card to the back of the card (over the prints/patterened paper and textured paper as shown above).
11. Now, on the inside of the Notes card, adhere tape to the top and bottom borders --- do NOT tape in the middle or the right --- this is forming the pocket.
12. Then close the Notes card. Now the top and bottom are closed but the pocket (in the middle) is still open.
13. Now cut a piece of 2-3/4 x 3-3/4 in Whisper White to use as your greeting, the piece that will slide in and out of the pocket. NOTE: Your greeting will be written or stamped on the back of the Whisper White paper so it doesn't show thru the die-cut flower!

You can now shop online! You have list of items needed to create this card! Print this page to make it easy to view while placing your order online. (If you already have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, please visit their website so they will be credited with your sale.)

Thanks for visiting!

Fresh Cut Stampset/Notes Card (1st Step)

In creating the Fresh Cut sample for a recent Technique Class, the first step was "Masking".

• I traced the die cut flower shape on scrap paper.
• Cut out the image from the scrap paper but a little larger than the traced image.
• I also used a 2nd piece of scrap paper (the tan pieces you see in the image above), because I didn't want the background image to go past a certain area of the card.
• I then inked the background image in Sky Blue and stamped on the card front. Notice the ink that gets on the 2 pieces of scrap (that is not, therefore, on the card front due to the "masking").
• See the next, later post to see how the sample develops.

For an online tutorial of masking, visit:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ee/index.php/resources/tutorials/masking_basic/

For an online tutorial for reverse masking, visit:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ee/index.php/resources/tutorials/masking_reverse_masking/

Thanksgiving Watercolor Card

This card uses the Autumn Harvest stampset from the mini catalog. It uses the retired Watercolor paper but the same thing could have been done using Very Vanilla cardstock and look just as beautiful!

Colors: More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, True Thyme, Close to Cocoa and Chocolate Chip inks were used.

Cardstock: Apple Cider designer series paper from the mini catalog. True Thyme caardstock as well as Chocolate Chip.

Other: Dimensionals to raise some of the leaves. Copper Cord ribbon. Most of all blender pens were used to get the watercolor effect.

Technique: Watercoloring.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Stamp a large pumpkin, small pumkin, squash, and leaf on a scrap piece of paper. Cut them out. These will be used for "masking".
2. All stamping for the pumkins, leaves, etc. is done with Chocolate Chip ink.
3. Phrase/greeting was stamped in True Thyme (dark green).
4. In the above example, I stamped the center, bottom leaf first. Then to make it appear in front of a large pumpkin, I then used my scrap/mask piece and placed it over the leaf I just stamped. Then I took the large pumpkin and stamped it right over the scrap/mask paper. Now it appears the pumpkin is in back of the leave.
5. Another example, to get the small pumpkin on the left, I then used the scrap/mask piece of paper for the large pumpkin and placed it directly over the stamped large pumpkin. Then using the smaller pumpkin I stamped right on the cardstock and over the scrap. Now the smaller pumpkin appears in back of the large one.
6. Continue this technique to get a layered, dimensional look.
7. I then used the above mentioned inks and blender pens to get the desired watercolor effect.
8. I finished with raising a few of the cut out, extra leaves I stamped (not used for masking) using dimensionals, tied copper cord around the greeting, and we're done.
9. Remember to use Very Vanilla cardstock inside the card so customers and yourself don't have to use/buy a white gel pen to write a message.

ORDERING

If you would like me to make a set of these cards for you, let me know. They are $3.50 each and include envelopes. Minimum of $10 order, so you must order at least 3 cards. Cash or check is accepted. I will soo be setting up a PayPal account as well.

Happy Stampin',

Heather :)