Author: admin

AECP Level 1 Lesson 3 All About Layering Whimsical Flowers

Well this class project was not as simple as I had planned. It was inspired by some projects where I was seeing lined images in black and white with an area of color often in the form of a frame, CiaraT Designs is one of the places where I had seen this. I was also channeling my inner Laura Bassen, she has been using cream cardstock as her bases lately and I wanted to give that a try so I did my colored flowers on white cardstock and the lined images on the cream cardstock. I did not show all of my flowers colored, rather than doing a straight up frame around the outside of lined images I scattered them around.

Starting with a 2 inch piece of post-it tape torn on both sides for a rough edge, this was used as a mask for the center portion of the card. Giving me a place where my sentiment will go. I created a top folding card 4.25 x 5.5. I stamped the arrangement around the post it tape using different flowers from the stamp set. I stamped the same flowers on a piece of white card stock, these would be the ones I would cut out and stamp with the color layer. I decided my card background needed some interest so I splattered it with fine splattering of black paint (Black Soot Distress Paint) and opaque white ink from Copic (which you cannot really see).

I stamped the layers of color onto the images I planned to cut out. Not knowing how many I was going to use I stamped each of the images a couple of times and colored them, I think it ended up being three at the end of the day. I wanted a sentiment that was pretty large so it would show up against my background, I found a Concord and 9th Set in my stash that had a “Hello” that fit pretty well in the area I left open for the sentiment. There was also a label “friend” in the set that I stamped in a coordinating Purple (from Altenew), cut that out and glued flat to the right of the Hello that was stamped using my Misti so I could get the placement just right.

I used all Altenew Inks, from the Tea Party, Four Scoops, Shades of Purple and the Green Fields sets of crisp die inks for the flowers. The black I used also came from the Green Fields set, it was the Jet Black. The flowers and leaves were die cut with the coordinating dies. Dimension was to them with some flower shaping tools I have. I added foam dots to the back to keep them from being squished flat and attached them to the card over random flowers that were already stamped leaving some of them in black. I had a couple of left over small flowers I glued them to the inside of the card.

Here are some links to supplies I used, at the time of this writing only the Amazon Links are affiliate.

Tim Holtz Splatter Brush-https://amzn.to/3QcjChK

Distress Paint, Black Soot-https://amzn.to/3zXlV3f

Opaque White-https://amzn.to/3BBqgKA

Spellbinder flower shaping tool set-https://amzn.to/3zx971Q

Altenew Whimsical Flowers Stamps and Dies-https://altenew.com/products/whimsical-flowers-stamp-die-bundle

Altenew Inks-

                Tea Party- https://altenew.com/collections/oval-inks/products/tea-party-oval-set

                Four Scoops-https://altenew.com/products/four-scoops-oval-set

                Green Fields-https://altenew.com/products/green-fields-oval-set

                Pocket Full of Sunshine- https://altenew.com/products/pocketful-of-sunshine-oval-set

                Shades of Purple-https://altenew.com/products/shades-of-purple-oval-set

Altenew Hello and Hugs Stamp and Die Set-https://altenew.com/products/hello-and-hugs-stamp-die-bundle

The cream cardstock I used is not available, here is a brand that will work-Clear Path Paper Warm White 80lb-https://amzn.to/3d4WGCQ

Hammermill 80 White Cardstock-https://amzn.to/3d3U9sN

Fiskars Spring Assist Scissor Micro Tipped-https://amzn.to/3d4WGCQ

Pop Dots These are not the exact ones I used but these will work nicely-https://amzn.to/3JrMeBw

Art Glitter Glue-https://amzn.to/3SsKtIn

Reverse Tweezers-https://amzn.to/3JI7N17

2 Inch Post-It Tape-https://amzn.to/3vCnQrp

Finger Tip Cutting Blade-https://amzn.to/3PWF5fa

Acrylic Stamping Blocks, the ones I have are not available but these are very similar and the only ones I would recommend at this time-https://shop.catherinepooler.com/collections/blocks/products/acrylic-grid-10-block-bundle

Misti Stamping Tool-https://www.mysweetpetunia.com/MISTI-p/new-original-misti.htm

Stamp Cleaner, I am still trying to find a new cleaner I would recommend, I have used this one and it is good. You can also get it in different scents if you like.-https://www.brutusmonroe.com/collections/squeaky-clean-stamp-cleaner

MicroFiber Towels-https://amzn.to/3QgJJo2

AECP Level 1 Lesson 2 All About Layering Scribbled Flowers

Boy did I have trouble picking colors and lining up this stamp. The card turned out ok. I used a single layer card 4 1/4 by 5 1/2 top folding. I used an 80lb paper this time, I usually like to use a heavier weight paper for a single layer card but I was not planning on a single layer card. My plan changed plans several times along the way.

I originally thought I had purchased the dies for this stamp set, but I did not. I could have used my scan and cut as the images are closed and that is the key but I was being lazy. That was the first place this changed, I am not very good at fussy cutting so I wanted to keep that to a minimum. I decided to stamp the flower along the bottom edge and cut around them to add a little interest.

I was trying to line my flowers up and decide on the colors and it was not going too well for me. This set is an older set and the etchings in the stamps are not as deep as the newer ones. Anyway ultimately decided on the Spring Bouquet Altenew Crisp Die Inks in the Fuchsia and Baby Pink for the floral and Fresh Leaf and Lime for the leaves. The one good thing about Altenew Inks is if you are having trouble finding the color to use theirs are in a color family which makes it much easier to find colors that work together. I stamped the images along the bottom of the card, and cut along the edge with my scissors. I use a fiskars spring assist scissor they are super sharp and make it easier to cut. I stamped Smile from the same stamp set in the Obsidian Pigment Ink from Altenew. I felt like my cut edge was lost at the bottom so I used the Obsidian ink to swipe along the bottom edge of the inside of the card which I think tied the black from the sentiment together. I might later stamp on the inside of the card I did not do that part today. Lastly I added a few sequins that went well with the ink color from my stash.

Here are a few links to some of my supplies:

AECP Level 1 Lesson 1 All About Layering

Lesson 1 was about using the layering stamp sets that Altenew is so famous for. The homework was to create a simple card using a layering stamp set. I have several in my collection but I did not want to use the same one that was used in the demonstration so I picked one that was one of my first Altenew Stamp Sets. The Painted Butterflies set. I love the whimsical ways the butterflies are positioned and how easy they are to layer because they are not really meant to line up perfectly.

I stamped the sentiment first so I could place my composition around the sentiment. I used the Versafine Black Onyx for all of the black stamping on this card. For my colors I used the Altenew from the Tea Party Set I used Pink Pearl, Heart Beat and Vineyard Berry, From the Pocketful of Sunshine set I used Citrus Burst, from the Green Fields set I used the Forest Glades and finally from the Glacier Caves set I used Sapphire. After stamping the most solid layer first in the 3 lightest colors I then stamped the detail layers and lastly the outline. I used my misti stamping platform for my stamping. To add just a little shimmer, which does not show up in the pictures very much, I added some Wink of Stella glitter marker. That is it, simple.

COVID Time Card Making

I was home with COVID and unable to really do anything else so I made some cards inspired by my friend Kris and her colorful background with a line floral image in the foreground. I was on a quest to use a more pastel palette but I ended up rainbow…oh so rainbow.

These are all single layers cards. I used the same color palette on all three. The first was created with a stamp that looked like a paint swoosh, the second was using an acrylic block as a stamp and the third was simply swiping the 1 inch ink spots across the paper. Then stamped something bold and black across the front and heat embossed the black to make it shiny. The stamp sets were mostly discontinued StampinUp! sets. Also used The Stamp Market and Altenew. The inks were Altenew, Concord and 9th and Hero Arts.

Oh Did I mention that I am doing the Educator Program at Altenew. I am so excited about that!!

Stamp Positioners

The 2 videos here are an overview of the different kind of stamps and positioners available today and why I chose the one I use. These are a bit long so I have linked them to the youtube channel. Enjoy

Stamp Positioners Part 1

Stamp Positioners Part 2

Stamping Started for me with the red vulcanized rubber stamps mounted on wood blocks. The blocks would have an indexing on the back to show what the art was and would usually would have an indent in the wood where your fingers would go. The rubber was backed with a foam cushion, allow for some give when you pressed the stamp. In the early days we would stamp the art with the stamp on the block before we would actually stamp the image on the block so we could know what the same on the other side looked like. The blocks and stamps would be in all shapes and sizes. There were also companies that sold the rubber stamps on sheets where you could either mount them on a block yourself or us some kind of cushion underneath the paper to give some give. This is my wall in my studio with many of my wood mounted stamps. I just can’t let them go I love them too much.

Later came the cling mounted stamps. They took up a bit less space as they did not have the wood blocks. You would mount the cling mounted stamp to an acrylic block (Mount) and you reused them over and over. A person usually just had a set of different sized blocks to accommodate different sized stamps. In the beginning these did not stick very well and would fall off when you would turn the block over. I often coated mine with a repositionable glue to keep them from doing this. The cling stamps today have come along they don’t seem to have this problem as much. Red Rubber (the rubber can come in different colors) still gives the best ink transfer especially for fine detail images.

Then came the clear stamps. There are two kinds. Acrylic/silicone and photopolymer. The concept is the same as unmounted cling rubber stamps the the image is out of a clear substance. the Acrylic/silicone are the lesser expensive, they are much stretchier. They tear easier and do not hold the ink near as well. You will often find them giving a blotchy transfer of ink. I have a few but not many. These will also degrade and yellow over time.

Clear photopolymer stamps are a bit firmer and hold the ink a bit better. They will often come with a film on them from the manufacturing process but you can clean that by just rubbing the stamp with your finger or a dry cloth, especially with more solid stamp images. You can also stamp your image once with versamark (watermark) ink that will help.

Anyway moving along, as this is not about the stamps themselves but how to position them on your projects. In the early days there was the Stamp-a-ma-jig. It was a plastic brace with an elbow and a plastic sheet, the sheet would fit into the elbow. You would then line the wood or clear block in the elbow, after inking up the stamp, and stamp the image onto the plastic. This is an index sheet allowing you to decide where you want the image on your project. Once you place the plastic down, put the positioning tool against the plastic, move the plastic away and put the stamp into the elbow as you did when stamping the image onto the plastic. Leaving the positioner in place, check the image to make sure you have a clean stamping if not you have the positioner in the correct spot to go through the stamping process again. If you moved the positioner you can line up the plastic again with the stamped image. Sound complicated? Well, it was in a way. While it worked you would often just not use it and end up with a ruined project because you did not get a good image stamped down. There is still a version of this sold today, not exactly the same but the theory is the same. I will link it in this post.

Along came the MISTI, Most Incredible Stamping Tool Invented. My stamping life was changed! This tool has a magnetic pan (about 9.5 by 8.0), it comes with a pad (for use with clear stamps) and a bar magnet (early on it came with 2 round magnets), to hold your project in place. You place your paper inside the tray, place the stamp where you want it on the paper, close the door to pick up the stamp, ink up the stamp on the door and close the door again. As long as your paper was in one of the corners of the pan the stamp would be in the exact same place each and every time. This allowed for stamping and re-stamping to your hearts content. Can I say I was happy? Why yes I loved this thing. But I am always looking for bigger and better.

As technology changed along came the stamp positioner from Tonic, branded by Tim Holtz.

Now, this tool is not easily available in the US because of an agreement made between Tonic and My Sweet Petunia (maker of the MISTI) because of an alleged Patent Infringement (f you wish to read the court documents go here https://insight.rpxcorp.com/litigation_documents/13192436). This tool works similarly to the MISTI however to switch between clear and rubber stamps you would remove the door, turn it over and re-insert it into the hinge. The platform does not have a grid in it and the makers like to say you could stamp a larger piece of paper because of the open design of the right and bottom sides. However, there is a ledge at the side preventing you from mounting a stamp anywhere near the bottom or right sides of the platform as this ledge would impede the stamp from sticking to the door. The other problem with this tool was if you used the upper left corner to position the stamp and tried to transfer an image from there the plastic door was too stiff close to the hinge/corner. To get a decent placement you would need to stay in the center of the door, but without a grid to mark the position of the paper it was difficult at best to re-position the paper in the exact same spot. The sponsors of this tool started using a product called sticky grid to stick the paper to the platform which works but its something else to buy. I will have this linked below along with the sticky grid in case you are interested.

Next came the Stamparatus from Stampin UP. And what made this tool intriguing to me was they placed a hinge and a door on the left and the upper part of the tool. This allowed for multi-step stamps to be set up all at once and to be stamped down by inking and stamping one door then inking and stamping the other door. The problem with this tool was the same as the Tonic one. You cannot stamp in the upper left corner close to the hinges as the stamp is not able to touch the platform from this location which makes stamping just as frustrating as not having this tool at all. I was very disappointed because they allowed you to buy extra doors separately and they originally carried a cute bag to carry it all together which I loved! I always wondered why this company had not been sued as well because the concept was so similar to the Tonic platform. Well today as I was researching for this blog post I found that My Sweet Petunia had sued StampinUp! (If you would like to read the court papers go here https://casetext.com/case/my-sweet-petunia-inc-v-stampin-up-inc). I own one of these it gets packed in its cute little bag and never gets used. I always go back to my MISTI.

There are other stamp positioners out there that work on different concepts. I will also link them below if you are interested. I also saw a new one being demonstrated at Creativeation 2022 by Altenew. I have not seen that one come out on the market yet. None of these types have a hinge/door system.

The MISTI has 3 sizes, mini regular and the memory (12×12). There are some alignment accessories sold as well that allow for some different techniques you can do with this tool.

Whatever positioning tool you decide to use I will tell you they change how stamping is done, and a stampers confidence in getting a clean clear imprint of the image on the stamp. It will change your stamping life, like it has mine!

Here are a few shopping links for the products mentioned here:

Tonic Stamp Positioner https://amzn.to/3yPF0DL

StampinUp! Products https://www.stampinup.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ad&utm_campaign=branded_us&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzqSWBhDPARIsAK38LY8P6Oe1ALQPkO4EmPDrNG7Hqkszf6qA-lcgfBCKWVIdwP747aLUQBgaAs5aEALw_wcB

MISTI Stamp Positioner https://amzn.to/3z4XQal

Sticky Grid Sheets https://amzn.to/3bY9ieB

Wendy Vecchi Stamp Positioner https://amzn.to/3bYfgw2

Clear Acrylic Stamp Blocks https://shop.catherinepooler.com/collections/blocks/products/acrylic-grid-10-block-bundle

Stamp Platform We R Memory Keepers https://amzn.to/3c5fgKw

My Post It Note Book

Purchased some Stampin Up Demonstrator supplies. When they came the post it notes were all mounted to one piece of chipboard. I thought where can I put these where I will use them. I decided to make a book to keep them all in a beautiful place. It is simply chipboard scraps measured to fit (with an extra inch for 1/2 inch gap around the edges, also measured the height of the stack to make my book bining). Covered with discontinued Designer Series Paper from Stampin Up. Front cover decorated with some die cuts from coordinating card stock. Also mounted a ribbon loop on the right side to hold a pen…I mounted the paper going the wrong way but I still love how it turned out.

Keep in mind this is not about what products did I use, it is about using what you have, shop your stash. Put it together using some paper you have been hoarding away. Have fun!

A few of the makes from our beach getaway.

I wanted to show some pictures from our crafty getaway. It was a good time and played with lots of products I had not looked at in a good long time. Also got a chance to play with some newer ones(MFT Hanging with my Gnomies, Brutus Monroe Chroma Glazes to name a few). Even got the Newby playing with stamps and ink. This was not all of it.

Re-Organizing my Ink selection.

Hello, Scrapgirl here.

Welcome to my blog. I am a long time Scrapbooker, Stamper, Book Maker, Card Designer and Photographer. There are other titles I can give myself but we shall start with these.

I have been playing with the idea recently of creating a blog to share what I have learned with others. I love to share my stamping knowledge. Hope you stay awhile and gather some tips and tricks along the way. Oh and by the way, shameless plug here, I am a StampinUp! Demonstrator. If you see any StampinUp! products on my site you are interested in you are welcome to jump right over to my store scrapgirl263@stampinup.net. Once you spend $50 I will send you a catalog on me. Oh, and if you are interested in getting a 10% discount on all you purchase from StampinUp! you can sign up as a demonstrator. You can make it a business or just for the product discount it is all up to you.

Onto the reason for this post. I have been watching a ton of videos lately talking about ink swatching and how important it is especially when choosing colors. I recently purchased some new inks (Gina K Designs Electro Pop and Hero Arts Hues Reactive), while I had already had my ink colors swatched I did not have it very organized. I decided to give it a try. It is a tedious process I think it well worth it. Some tips about swatching your colors.

  1. Use the style that works best for your creative needs. I am choosing to put them on a tag on a metal ring for easy access when I need them.
  2. Choose the grouping that make sense to you, or makes it easy for you to find what you are looking for. I am grouping my colors by company then in rainbow order. It may make more sense to you to not worry about the company but just to put them in a color order. Do it however works best for how you craft.
  3. Make all of your swatches the same size and shape. Mine were very unorganized because they were all different sizes and shapes. I started out cutting a 2×3 inch rectangle then putting it in my tag topper punch. This proved to be way too labor intensive. I decided to cut out my tag with my Cricut machine. This way I can cut out 18 from a 12×12 sheet of paper and they will all be exactly the same. When I need to create new ones I can just cut the same shape out and they will all be uniform. Whatever style you decide to use keep to it for future colors you add to your collection. Likewise use the same image or at least the same style of image on each swatch. This makes it easier to compare apples to apples when choosing a color.
  4. Use the same kind of paper you mostly use for stamping. It is easy to go with a cheaper paper for your swatches but the inks will not react the same way. You are using this for a color comparison. You want the ink to look the same on your project that it does on your swatch.
  5. Keep it up. Before you put new ink away stamp them out on swatches. It will help you love them again and know how true the color on the outside of the container is to the actual ink color.
  6. I like to use a stamp that is a basic shape and goes edge to edge on my swatch shape. This way I can see it next to the project or other colors to see if I like them.
  7. I also add a layer of Blending with the same ink so I can see what that looks like as well, you can see what i mean in the picture below.
  8. I label with the company and the ink color for an easy way to find the color once I have decided which one I prefer to use.
  9. If you have a lot of ink in your collection and you need help finding the color once you have chosen the color you can make a note on the swatch where you have the ink stored.
  10. Once you find a color combination you like, make a note on the back of the swatch so you can find it again, you could even take a smaller stamp and stamp the coordinating color on the back.
  11. Lastly, and most importantly, put your swatches in a place that is close to where your work for easy access. This way you will actually use them.

Happy Creating.