Cracked Up – Tutorial #326 and Blog Candy

dsc03704.JPG

How about smearing a little ink today.   This tutorial is all about the technique of “Direct to Paper”.   Direct to Paper, aka “DTP” is the art of smearing the ink pad directly onto the card stock.   I use the short end of my ink pad throughout this piece and leave a bit of the Whisper White card stock showing through for sparkle.

Before I get into the tutorial though I want to announce the blog candy that I now have to give away.  This is a special blog candy, a brand new Stampin’ Up! Level 2 Hostess set, Christmas Punch.  Can you get excited about that?  I can!

To enter to win this set, please leave a comment on this post telling me to enter you in the drawing.  If you are getting this blog update via e-mail, please click HERE and then leave your comment at the bottom of the post.  Please no e-mail enties.

dsc03709.JPG

I will select the winner using a random number generator on Tuesday, May 4, 2010.  Until Tuesday I will be on the road teaching my brayer workshops to the fabulous ladies in Riverside, California.

Now let’s get started on that tutorial. . . .  . . . . . .  . . . .

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up! Trendy Trees
Paper: Stampin’ Up! Whisper White, Basic Black, Perfect Plum and Almost Amethyst
Ink: Stampin’ Up! Perfect Plum, Going Gray, Almost Amethyst, Really Rust and Basic Black
Accessories: Stampin’ Up! Word Window Punch, White Gel Pen, Basic Black Marker, Sponges, paper Snips and Rhinestone Brads

Live in the USA and need a copy of the Summer Mini Catalog?  E-mail your mailing address to mzindorf@aim.com and I will get one in the mail to you.  )  Are you getting inspiration from this blog?   One way you can help support it is to order your Stampin’ Up products through me.   Click HERE to place an order.  Want to become a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator , receive a 20% discount on product and earn instant income on orders?  Consider being part of my Stampin’ Up Team and start your own business.  Click HERE for more information.dsc03707.JPG

Using the sort end of a Almost Amethyst ink pad, smeared the ink on a 4″ square piece of Whisper white card stock, leaving plenty of white showing.

dsc03684.JPG

Added Going Gray ink by using the short end of the ink pad and smearing it.

dsc03685.JPG

Stamped the trunks of the trees using Basic Black ink.

dsc03686.JPG

Stamped the leaves of the tree by loading the leaves stamp first with Going Gray ink and then tapping a bit of Really Rust on the bottom half of the leaves before stamping it.

dsc03687.JPG

Ripped a post it note and masked right at the bottom of the tree trunks.  Took a Basic Black marker and traced the jagged edge of the mask, leaving a tiny unmarked area in order to form the crack in the next step.

dsc03688.JPG

Removed the mask and drew a crooked line down from the Basic Black line opening to the bottom of the card stock to form the crack.

dsc03689.JPG

Sponged a tiny bit of Going Gray in the rock area to tone it down a bit.

dsc03690.JPG

Added white gel pen highlights in the leaves of the trees.

dsc03691.JPG

Added Basic Black marker under the leaves of the tree to give them a bit more definition.

dsc03692.JPG

Decided to put a little more drama in the sky by adding a tiny bit of Perfect Plum ink by smearing it on the right and left sides of the sky area.

dsc03693.JPG

Added White Gel pen highlights to the left side of the tree trunks.

dsc03694.JPG

Cut a 5.25″ square piece of Almost Amethyst Card stock and sponged Perfect Plum ink on the edges.

dsc03695.JPG

Punched a Word Window from Basic Black card stock and cut one end off of the punch.  Assembled my card front and added the punch.

dsc03696.JPG

Added purple rhinestone brads to the punch.

dsc03697.JPG

Here is the finish card measuring 5.5″ square.

dsc03704.JPG

May your weekend be over flowing with Joy!

Until my next post. . . . . . .  ..

Hugs,

Michelle

dsc07090.jpg    Get ready for Brayer Workshops!  I am coming to:

Riverside, California (Southern California) (only a couple of seats available for Saturday, May 1st)  Click HERE for info.

Salem, Oregon (Sold Out)

Wheaton, Illinois

St. Cloud, Minnesota (Sold Out)

Rockville, Maryland (Sold Out)

North Chili, New York (near Rochester) (Sold Out)

Kenova (Huntington), West Virginia

Helena, Montana

Middleburg Heights, Ohio

Venice, Florida

Grinnell, Iowa

Piedmont, Alabama (Near GA border close to Cedartown)

Auburn, Washington (near Seattle)

Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Savannah, Georgia

Atlanta, Georgia

North Liberty, Indiana

Soledad, California

Here is a link to my workshop calendar where you can see all of my travel schedule and to get info on beginner and advanced Brayer workshops:   http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/workshop-calendar 

Link to my Stampin’ Up website where you can order all of your must have Stampin’ Up products from me 24-7:  http://michellezindorf.stampinup.net

Frequently asked questions answers:  http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/frequently-asked-questions/ 

390 thoughts on “Cracked Up – Tutorial #326 and Blog Candy

  1. Kathy Evert's avatar Kathy Evert

    Your work is beautiful! I frequent your site to look at the fabulous work you do. I have looked at all your tutorials! Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks

    Like

  2. Hi, Michelle. it seems a little silly to be doing a snowman and Santa instead of beaches and flowers, but I’m up for it–One of my favorite subjects to “card”.
    I’ve made so many of your cards (fav is Wanted), and each time I get a little bit better-thanks for your inspirations!

    Like

  3. Hi Michelle, Your work is totally AWESOME. I have learned so much from your tutorials. I have your site on my favorites bar so I have it readily avalable at all times. Thank you for all the wonderful tutorials. Please enter me for your giveaway.

    Like

  4. Cindi's avatar Cindi

    Very dramatic card! Gorgeous! I would love the Christmas stamp set! I think I have the perfect punches to go with them! Please enter me! Thanks!

    Like

  5. CKH in Tulsa, OK, USA's avatar CKH in Tulsa, OK, USA

    I just love SU sets that coordinate with punches and this one is great – please enter me in the drawing!

    Thank you

    Like

  6. Mel's avatar Mel

    oohhhh – I hope i get this card Michelle – what a coincidence, a customer aka friend of mine asked me to order this stamp set you used today, for her – I realized I didn’t have it either so I ordered it for me too.

    Melba

    Like

  7. Amy's avatar Amy

    Oh, Michelle!! What a beautiful card! I look forward to getting your blog updates every day (while I’m working!). It is such a nice break. Thank you for sharing your talent with us.

    Please enter me in the drawing. This set looks adorable and would be happy in my home. I’ll talk to you on Tuesday!! 😉

    Like

  8. Great tutorial. I use the “dtp” a lot on some things…….still trying to get better with the brayer also. I’d love to win this new set……some cute stamps included in it.

    Thanks

    Like

  9. This is a darling set, Michelle. It combines two of my favorite things: Christmas and punches! I’d love to win this set. This tutorial looks very interesting. I’m looking forward to really reading through it. Thanks for all the things you do to inspire us!

    Like

  10. Cheryl's avatar Cheryl

    Your art is amazing and I have had so much fun “attempting” this. Mine never turn out as classy and creative as yours but it is fun. I have a hard time getting the brayer to give a smooth appearance, it looks streaky? Any suggestions. Please register me for your candy, what a great set!

    Like

  11. Glendel Williams's avatar Glendel Williams

    Cool set to give away. Thanks for the opportunity to win. Love your work. Wish, wish I could brayer like you. I try and try and zippo…. Do you ever have brayer workshops in Kansas?

    Like

Leave a reply to linda Cancel reply