Oval Planter – Tutorial #327

15 Comments May 5, 2010 zindorfstamps

I love making flower pots out of punches for my cards. Here is one made from oval punches.

Let’s get right to tutorial today because the sunshine is calling me outside. 🙂

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up! Pocket Silhouettes

Paper: Stampin’ Up! Not Quite Navy, Bravo Burgundy, Going Gray and Whisper White, Stampin’ Up Designer paper

Ink: Stampin’ Up! Going Gray, Not Quite Navy, Old Olive, Close to Coco and Basic Brown

Accessories: Stampin’ Up Punches – 1 3/4″ circle, small oval and large oval, brayer, White Gel Pen, Always Artichoke marker, sponge, post it note, Big Shot machine, Top note die, silver 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.

Punched a small oval out of a piece of Bravo Burgundy card stock.

Using the large oval punch, lined up part of the small oval punched hole in the center and punch.

This is what you end up with. 🙂

Punched a 1 3/4″ circle out of the sticky part of a post it note and used it as a mask for the moon. Masked the moon on a 2 7/8″ square piece of Whisper White card stock.

Brayered Going Gray ink from the right side to the left.

Brayered Not Quite Navy ink from the right side to the left without covering all of the Going Gray ink.

Removed mask and stamped the plant using Old Olive ink.

Cut a 1″ x 2 7/8″ piece of designer paper and adhered it to the bottom of the main image panel.

Sponged Close to Coco ink on the right and bottom of the oval punch.

Sponged Basic Brown ink on the right and bottom of the oval not covering the Close to Coco ink entirely.

Added a shadow on the leaves using an Always Artichoke marker.

Added a few highlights on the leaves using a White Gel Pen.

Using my Big Shot machine, cut a Top note Die out of Not Quite Navy card stock.

Cut a 3″ square piece of Bravo Burgundy card stock panel and used the corner round punch on the panel and main image panel.

Assembled the card adding Going Gray, Bravo Burgundy and Not Quite Navy panels. Also added two silver brads.

Here is the finished card measuring 5″ x 6.5″

Now I am off to my second office, which is our deck, where I take my laptop to return e-mails. 🙂

I hope you are able to enjoy some sunshine where ever you are today.

Until my next post. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

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/

Cracked Up – Tutorial #326 and Blog Candy

390 Comments April 29, 2010 zindorfstamps

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.

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.

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.

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

Stamped the trunks of the trees using Basic Black ink.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

Added purple rhinestone brads to the punch.

Here is the finish card measuring 5.5″ square.

May your weekend be over flowing with Joy!

Until my next post. . . . . . . ..

Hugs,

Michelle

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

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/

Emboss Resist Western – Tutorial #325 and a Blog Candy Winner

13 Comments April 27, 2010 zindorfstamps

Hey Everyone, Happy Tuesday!

I just returned home last night at midnight from Boise, Idaho and have to hit the road running this morning to prep for my workshops that will be in Riverside, California this coming weekend. 🙂 I’m always very excited to return to California to teach my brayer techniques since it was the very first State that I taught in and I always get such a warm welcome and a little warm weather to boot! But before I can concentrate on cutting card stock etc. I want to give you a tutorial and also get my embossing fix for the week, lol. Hope you like this one. It has been rumbling around in my brain for a while and it was nice to get it on card stock.

Before I start the tutorial however, I have a Stampin’ Up! Spring Song Set Blog Candy Winner to announce. Drum-roll please . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .

The winner is . . . . . .

Sandi Dailey who wrote “What do I like about Spring? Can I say “EVERYTHING”? Guess not, so I guess it would be the return of all the birds that flew South for the Winter. We have bird feeders all around the house and I love going out early in the morning and sitting on the porch to watch the birds, and the beautiful colors of each. Second or a tie, would be the new leaves coming out on the trees. So beautiful out here in the country. Thank you as always Michelle for a chance to win — I would love to have that stamp set. S. Dailey”

Sandi, congratulations! Please e-mail your mailing address to mzindorf@aim.com within 30 days to collect your stamp set.

Thanks to all for playing along. 🙂

Now on with the tutorial. . . . .. . .

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ UP! Wanted and LeJardin

Paper: Stampin’ Up! Whisper White, Basic Black and Going Gray

Ink: Stampin’ Up! Basic Black, Old Olive, Basic Gray, Really Rust and Going Gray

Accessories: Stampin’ Up! Basic Black marker, White Gel Pen, Silver Brads, Piercing Tools, Brayer, Clear embossing powder, Heat Gun, Sponges, Star and 1/2″ circle Punches, Versamark marker and pad and Post it Notes

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 and earn instant income? Consider being part of my Stampin’ Up Team and start your own business. Click HERE for more information.

On a 4″ x 5.5″ piece of Whisper White card stock, stamped the word “Wanted” by loading my stamp with Versamark and then Really Rust ink before stamping it. Heat embossed the image using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Stamped the horse by first loading my stamp with Versamark then Going Gray ink and then patted a bit of Basic Black ink on the horses legs before stamping it. Heat embossed the horse using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Colored over the horse and “Wanted” with a Versamark marker and heat embossed the images again using clear embossing powder and heat gun. This was to protect the white card stock that shows through the two images.

Stamped the trees by first loading the tree with Versamark then Old Olive ink and then colored the trunk of the tree with a Basic Black marker before stamping it. Did this three times and then heat embossed the images using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Punched a 1/2″ circle punch from the sticky part of a post it note and masked the sun.

Brayered Really Rust ink at an angle at the top of the card stock.

Brayered Going Gray ink at an angle at the bottom of the card stock.

Masked a mountain shape using torn post it notes and sponged in Going Gray ink.

Added a bit of Sponged Basic Gray ink.

Got darker yet by sponging in some Basic Black at the top of the mountain.

Sponged Basic Black ink in for the ground. Be sure to wipe off your embossed images with a paper towel after you cover them with ink.

Extended the tree trunks to the ground using a Basic Black marker.

Removed the sun mask and toned the sun down by sponging some Really Rust on it.

Added white gel pen highlights to the trees, top of the horse and the top of the “Wanted”.

Sponged Basic Black ink around the outside edges of the card stock.

Stamped a couple of stars on Going Gray card stock with Basic Gray ink and then punched them out with a star punch.

Assembled the card front, added Going Gray and Basic Black panels, Really Rust 1/2 ” strips, star punches, Silver brads.

Using piercing tools, pierced around the main image panel and the Really Rust strips.

Here is the completed card measuring 5″ x 6.5″.

Now that this is posted I am off to do laundry, weed the garden, cut card stock etc., etc.

Have a totally terrific day!

Until my next post. . . . . . ..

Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

Riverside, California (Southern California)

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

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/

Going Green – Tutorial #324

43 Comments April 22, 2010 zindorfstamps

Well yesterday completely got away from me. Ever have one of those days where you start something, see something else that needs done, start doing that, see something else that needs done, start doing that. BUT YOU ARE NEVER GETTING ANYTHING ACCOMPLISHED! That was my day yesterday, lol. I am just sorry I did not get to stamp yesterday.

Doing my tutorials is a real commitment time wise, by the way. I am asked frequently how long a tutorial takes me? Well it takes me between 3.5 and 4 hours to create my card while taking photos, edit the photos, post the photos to my blog and write the tutorial. It’s a wonder I get anything done. But I always have prep work to do for up coming brayer workshops etc. on my plate so I don’t always get to stamp each day and just forget about my posting while I am on the road. There is never ever time for that. I hope you all know how very much I love you even if I don’t get to post daily. My readers are the most wonderful and caring people out there. I know this by the comments that you leave me. Smooches! LOL, I must be PMSing.

Anyhow, enough of that. Today I challenge myself to use some colors of ink that I don’t normally use. So I used Stampin’ Up! Garden Green and Green Galore. They are beautiful colors, but when I use green I normally go to Old Olive and Always Artichoke. As you see below, I have many colors to choose from.

Note: You to need them all. 🙂

Today’s project also sneaks in a stamp that will be in the new Stampin’ Up Summer Mini Catalog due out May 1, 2010. 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. 🙂

Now on with the tutorial. . . . . .

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up! Watercolor Trio and Bloomin’ Beautiful

Paper: Stampin’ UP! Whisper White, Certainly Celery and Garden Green

Ink: Stampin’ Up! Garden Green, Basic Black, Green Galore and Certainly Celery

Accessories: Stampin’ Up Markers – Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Blush Blossom and Summer Sun, Brayer, Certainly Celery Ribbon, Gold Brads, Sponges, Versamark Pad and Marker, Big Shot Machine, Top Note Die, Large Dots Texture Plate, Clear Embossing Powder and Heat Gun

I started this project by using my Big Shot Machine to cut two Top Note Dies from Whisper White card stock.

Using the stitch pattern as a guide, cut edge off of one die cut.

Stamped the flower from the Stampin’ Up! Bloomin’ Beautiful set by first loading my stamp with Versamark and them loaded the stamp with Basic Black ink before stamping it. Heat embossed the image using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Stamped the bee by first loading the stamp with Versamark and then with Basic Black ink before stamping it. Heat embossed the image using clear embossing powder and heat gun.

Colored the Bee and the center of the flower in with a Summer Sun marker.

Colored the darkest parts of the flower head using a Blush Blossom marker. Colored the leaves and stems in with a Certainly Celery marker and then the dark parts of the leaves with an Old Olive marker.

Colored over the images using a Versamark marker. Heat embossed the images using clear embossing powder and a heat gun. Now my images can be brayered over and the embossed images will resist the ink.

Brayered Certainly Celery ink at the top of the card stock.

Wiped the ink off of my embossed images using a paper towel and then dried the brayered on ink with my heat gun for a moment.

Stamped the flower from the Stampin’ Up Watercolor Trio set (this will be in the Summer Mini Catalog) using Versamark only. Heat embossed the images using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Brayered Green Galore at the top of the card stock.

Wiped the ink off of my embossed images using a paper towel.

Sponged Garden Green around the edges of the card stock.

Added just a bit of Basic Black ink to the edge of the card stock, not covering the Garden Green ink entirely.

Adhered my main image Top Note to the other none cut top note die using Tombo Mono Multi Glue. This is my favorite adhesive.

Used the Big Shot Machine and the Large Dot Texture Plate on a 5.25 piece of Certainly Celery card stock and a 2″ x 5.25″ piece of Garden Green card stock.

Adhered the Garden Green piece to the Certainly Celery piece and sponged Garden Green and Basic Black around the edges.

Assembled by my card adding a Whisper White and Garden Green Panels, Certainly Celery Ribbon and Gold Brads. Here is the finished card measuring 5.5″ square.

May your day today be as productive as you want it to be.

Until my next post . . . . . . . . . . .

Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

Boise area of Meridian, Idaho (seats available)

Riverside, California (Southern California)

Salem, Oregon

Wheaton, Illinois

St. Cloud, Minnesota

Rockville, Maryland (Sold Out)

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

New Johnsonville, Tennessee

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

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/

Paris – Tutorial #323

25 Comments April 19, 2010 zindorfstamps

This morning I was in the mood to create something a little different and this is what I came up with. I found myself pulling out set after set of stamps and combined them to create this little cologe.

Before I start the tutorial I need to announce the lucky blog candy winner who won the Stampin’ Up stamp set “Forest Friends”.

The winner is. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . .

Snoopy von Seckendorff Who Wrote “How exciting! What a wonderful prize! Thank you for doing this! Someone is going to be thrilled when you pick their number. (I hope it’s me. I hope it’s me.) Hugs, Snoopy”

Congratulations Snoopy! Please e-mail your address to mzindorf@aim.com within 30 days and I will put this set in the mail to you. 🙂

Thanks to all who played along. It may just be you next time.

Now on with the tutorial. . . . . .. . . . .

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up! Chic Boutique, Bird on a Branch, Friends 24-7, En Francais, Sanded

Paper: Stampin’ Up! Very Vanilla, Dusty Durango, Sahara Sand

Ink: Stampin’ Up! Basic Gray, Sahara Sand, Creamy Caramel, Dusty Durango

Accessories: Stampin’ Up! Markers Creamy Caramel, Sahara Sand & Basic Black, Versamark pad, Clear embossing powder, heat gun,sponges, Photo Corner Punch, Piercing Tool and Mat Pack, Post it notes and Gold Brads

If you are a Stampin’ Up Customer of mine the new Summer Mini will be hitting your mail box any day now. 🙂 If you would like to be a customer of mine, please e-mail you address to me and I will send you free Stampin’ Up Summer Mini catalog. 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 and earn instant income? Consider being part of my Stampin’ Up Team and start your own business. Click HERE for more information.

Stamped the leaves from the Stampin’ Up set Autumn Days by first loading the stamp with Versamark and then loading the stamp with Dusty Durango Ink before stamping it on a 4″ square piece of Very Vanilla card stock. Heat embossed the images using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Stamped the Flourish from the Stampin’ Up set Friends 24-7 down the right side of the card stock with Sahara Sand ink stamping off once each time I inked the the stamp.

Stamped the branch from the Stampin’ Up set Bird on a Branch using Creamy Caramel ink.

Masked the sides of the card stock using post it notes.

Stamped the Stampin’ Up Background stamp En Francais using Sahara Sand ink in the unmasked area of the card stock.

Unmasked.

Stamped the tower using Sahara Sand ink.

Colored in a couple of sections of the tower using a Sahara Sand marker.

Drew in a branch and connected the two leaves using a Basic Black marker.

Stamped Lightly the Stampin’ Up Background stamp Sanded using Creamy Caramel ink.

Sponged Creamy Caramel ink around the edges of the card stock.

Sponged Basic Gray ink around the edges.

Cut a 5 1/8″ square piece of Sahara sand card stock and stamp just the tip of the Flourish using Sahara Sand ink all around the edge.

Added a Dusty Durango Panel under my main image panel, adhered them to the Sahara Sand panel. Punched 4 small Photo Corners out of Dusty Durango card stock and adhered them to the sides of the main image panel.

Cut the tips off of the photo corners so they were even with the Sahara Sand panel.

Sponged Basic Gray ink around the card stock panel.

Added a 5.25″ square piece of Dusty Durango as the last layer.

Using the Mat Pack and a piercing tool, pierced holes above the corners of the main image panel and then connected the wholes with a Creamy Caramel marker to create Faux Stitching.

Added Gold brads to the main image panel corners.

Here is the finished card measuring 5.25″ square.

Have a very happy Monday!

Until my next post. . . . . .

Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

Boise area of Meridian, Idaho (seats available)

Riverside, California (Southern California)

Salem, Oregon

Wheaton, Illinois

St. Cloud, Minnesota

Rockville, Maryland (Sold Out)

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

New Johnsonville, Tennessee

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

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/

Twilight Thanks – Tutorial #322

15 Comments April 15, 2010 zindorfstamps

I am so very much in the garden mode that all I can think about is gardening. So I guess you are just stuck with me creating pieces with flowers and trees for a while. At least until the heat of summer kicks in and I get tired of pulling weeds, watering etc., lol.

I have been spending at least 2 hours a day working in my perennial gardens and hanging out at our local garden store. In the Spring the garden store gets the majority of my income, not really, but it seems like it. Anyhow that is the reason behind my designs lately. Hope you are in the garden mode too and don’t mind my floral pieces.

Let’s get started. . . . . . . . .. . .

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up! Thoughts & Prayers, Pocket Silhouettes and Thank you Kindly

Paper: Stampin’ Up! Whisper White, Old Olive, Lovely Lilac and Elegant Eggplant

Ink: Stampin’ Up! Tempting Turquoise, Lovely Lilac, Basic Black, Basic Gray, Really Rust, Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant and Whisper White

Accessories: Stampin’ Up! Sponges, Clear Circle Rhinestone Brads, Brayer, Clear embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Versamark pad, Elegant Eggplant Ribbon, White Gel Pen, Basic Black marker, Post it notes

On a 4″ square piece of Whisper White card stock stamp the plant from the Stampin’ Up! Pocket Silhouettes set by first loading the stamp with Versamark and then loading it with Basic Black ink before stamping it. Stamped it twice and then heat embossed the images using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Over stamped the embossed images with the same stamp by loading it with Versamark and then Old Olive ink before stamping it. Heat embossed the Old Olive images with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Stamped another stamp from the Stampin’ Up! set Pocket Silhouettes by first loading the stamp with Versamark and then Really Rust ink before stamping it. Heat embossed the Really Rust images using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Stamped the Tree from the Stampin’ Up! Thoughts & Prayers by first loading the stamp with Versamark and then Old Olive ink, tapped a bit of Basic Black ink on the Trunk of the tree and then stamped it. Heat embossed the tree image using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Now that my images are heat embossed the will resist ink so I can now put in my background.

Brayered Tempting Turquoise ink from the at the top of the card stock.

Brayered Lovely Lilack ink at the top of the card stock, not covering the Tempting Turquoise ink entirely.

Used two post it notes and mask the sky and the left side of the card stock in order to put in a wall. Sponged Basic Gray ink in the unmasked area.

Removed the masks and wiped the ink off of my embossed images.

Put a post it note mask at the top of the wall and sponged a little Old Olive ink in for grass.

Added White Gel Pen highlights to the leaves of the tree and plants.

Sponged Elegant Eggplant ink around the edges of the card stock.

Stamped the Stampin’ Up! Thanks image from the set Thank You Kindly using Basic Black ink.

Added White Gel Pen highlights to the sentiment.

Added a few random dots in the sky for stars.

Out lined some of the branches to give the tree a bit more dimension.

Added Old Olive, Lovely Lilac and Elegant Eggplant Panels, Elegant Eggplant Ribbon and a couple of Clear Circle Rhinestone Brads.

Here is the finished card measuring 5.5″ square.

May you get the chance today to enjoy a bit of what nature has to offer.

Until my next post. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

Boise area of Meridian, Idaho (seats available)

Riverside, California (Southern California)

Salem, Oregon

Wheaton, Illinois

St. Cloud, Minnesota

Rockville, Maryland (Sold Out)

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

New Johnsonville, Tennessee

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

Saledad, California

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/

Prismacolor Pencil Butterfly – Tutorial #321

28 Comments April 13, 2010 zindorfstamps

I’m a bit late posting today. I just arrived home yesterday evening from Colorado Springs where I had the best time teaching and this afternoon I spent some quality time with my oldest son, Jesse, who is 29. No matter how old my sons get I still love spending time with them one on one. We went out to lunch at a local diner and then came back here and played a few Wii Bowling games where I handed him a can of Whoop A**. He still loves me though.

Also Spring is on my mind today and I cannot wait to see the first butterfly of the season. Especially, since I just received my pre-order for the Stampin’ Up! Summer Mini catalog that will be in effect on June 1st. I received in the pre-order this beautiful butterfly stamp, named All a Flutter and a bunch of other great stamps and products that I cannot wait to use.

Today’s tutorial shows how dramatic Prismacolor Pencils are when you use them on dark card stock with Odorless Paint Thinner. It is so very easy.

Let’s get started. .. . . . . . . . .

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up! All a Flutter and Bella’s Bloom

Paper: Stampin’ Up Basic Black, Lovely Lilac, Elegant Eggplant, Tempting Tuquoise and Whisper White

Ink: Whisper White Craft and Basic Black

Accessories: Stampin’ Up Photo Corner Punch, Big Shot Machine, Circles #2 Die cut, White Gel Pen, Prismacolor Pencils and Orderless Paint Thinner

Used the Big Shot machine and the Circles #2 die cut to cut a 2.5″ circle from Basic Black card stock.

Stamped the “All a Flutter” butterfly stamp with White Craft ink on the circle.

I used Prismacolor pencils and Odorless Paint Thinner to color in the image.

To do this I pour a little bit of the paint thinner in the cap of the bottle and dip my Prismacolor Pencil point into it. This will make the pencils melt like butter on to the card stock and blend oh so easily.

Started coloring with a True Blue Prismacolor Pencil.

Added Lilac Prismacolor Pencil.

Added Violet Prismacolor Pencil.

Added Rose Prismacolor Pencil.

Added White gel pen and a Lovely Lilac, Whisper White and Basic Black panels.

Added Elegant Eggplant Punched Photo Corners. Butting the Photo-corners up to the Whisper White Panel corners.

Layered a Tempting Turquoise panel, an Elegant Eggplant Panel and a Basic Black Panel. Then Stamped the Bella’s Bloom Flower stamp around the edge of the Elegant Eggplant Panel using Basic Black ink.

Colored the flowers in with Odorless Paint Thinner and Lilac, True Blue and Violet Prismacolor Pencils.

Added Basic Black Photo Corners. Here is the finished card measuring 5.5″ square.

I hope this tutorial has inspired you to do some coloring today on dark card stock.

May the sights and sounds of Spring warm your heart.

Until my next post. . . . . . . . . ..

Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

Boise area of Meridian, Idaho (seats available)

Riverside, California (Southern California)

Salem, Oregon

Wheaton, Illinois

St. Cloud, Minnesota

Rockville, Maryland (Sold Out)

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

New Johnsonville, Tennessee

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

Saledad, California

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/

Flowers for Mother – Tutorial #320

27 Comments April 8, 2010 zindorfstamps

After taking a good look at my calendar, I thought to myself “Mickey, you better get a move on and make a Mother’s Day card before you forget or run out of time.” So, today’s card is a card I made for my Mom for this coming Mother’s Day. I am safe to post it since my Mother is not computer literate and therefore, does not read my blog. 🙂 If I were a teenager, I would be so happy about that, lol.

And yes, my nickname is “Mickey” and that is what I call myself when I have a conversation with myself. Scary huh? My friends call me Mickey, so feel free to use it.

Anyway, I used the Stampin’ Up! set Fifth Avenue Floral. One of my wonderful customers purchased it recently and it made me think to pull mine out and use it. Inspiration comes from so many different places.

Although this card is for my Mother, I am dedicating this card to my Friend and Up Line, Karen Barber. She said recently that I should do more flower cards. Well Karen, here you go! I hope she likes it and you do too.

Let’s get started on the tutorial. . . . . . . . .

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up Fifth Avenue Floral and Elements of Style

Paper: Stampin’ Up! Whisper White, Basic Black, Sage Shadow, Really Rust

Ink: Stampin’ Up Bravo Burgundy, Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow, Really Rust, Pumpkin Pie, Blush Blossom and Basic Black

Accessories: Stampin’ Up Blender Pen, Sponges, Markers (Apricot Appeal, Really Rust, Pumpkin Pie, Blush Blossom and Basic Black), Gold Brads, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Post it notes, Photo Corner Punch and Whisper White Ribbon

Don’t forget to request your copy of the Stampin’ Up Occasions Mini Catalog . Just e-mail me your address and I will be glad to mail you one for free. 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 and earn instant income? Consider being part of my Stampin’ Up Team and start your own business. Click HERE for more information.

Stamped the Rose on a 4 1/8″ square piece of Whisper White card stock by first loading my stamp with Versamark and then with Basic Black ink before stamping it. Heat embossed the image using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

I wanted a soft look to the rose so I added some Blush Blossom marker using my Blender pen. When I use my Blender pen I rub the Blender pen on the marker’s brush tip and then color with the blender pen. This gives a soft look with out hard edges.

Added Pumpkin Pie marker using my Blender pen.

Added Really Rust marker using my Blender pen.

Added Really Rust marker to the darkest parts using just the Really Rust marker.

Stamped the Rose on a post it note and cut it out. I will be using this as a mask so when I cut it out I cut just inside the lines. You want your mask to be a hair smaller than the original image.

Masked the rose and stamped the Daylily using my Stamp-a-ma-jig for placement and by loading my stamp with Versamark and then Basic Black ink before stamping it.

Heat embossed the image using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Removed the mask temporarily and added Apricot Appeal marker to the center of the Daylily.

Added Really Rust marker to rest of the Daylily’s petals using a Blender pen.

Added Really Rust marker to the tips of the petals.

Colored the stamens in with a Really Rust marker and added Basic Black marker to the tips.

Stamped the Day-lily stamp on a post it note and cut it out. Masked both flowers.

Sponged Blush Blossom ink on the card stock.

Sponged Really Rust ink on the card stock.

Sponged Bravo Burgundy ink on the card stock.

Added just a bit of Chocolate Chip ink at the edges of the flowers.

Loaded the Stamp from the Stampin’ Up set “Elements of Style” (This set will be in the Summer Mini Catalog) by loading the stamp with Sage Shadow ink and then added a little Really Rust ink to the stamp before stamping it.

Removed the masks, assembled the card by adding Basic Black and Sage Shadow card stock panels, Whisper White Ribbon, a Really Rust photo corner punch and Gold brads.

Here is the finished card measuring 5.5″ square.

I hope this tutorial inspires you to use your Blender pen to get a softer look when coloring.

I am off to beautiful Colorado Springs to teach my Brayer Workshops. Behave yourselves until I return. 🙂

Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

Colorado Springs, Colorado (Sold Out)

Boise area of Meridian, Idaho

Riverside, California (Southern California)

Salem, Oregon

Wheaton, Illinois

St. Cloud, Minnesota

Rockville, Maryland (Sold Out)

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

New Johnsonville, Tennessee

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

Saledad, California

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/

Monochromatic Reflection – Tutorial #319

11 Comments April 6, 2010 zindorfstamps

My totally terrific Stampin’ Up Down Line, the Ink to Art Team, has started a technique swap among ourselves. This months technique is “Monochromatic”.

Today’s tutorial features my swap card.

If you don’t know what Monochromatic is, it is using the same color in different tones. Hope you enjoy this one.

Let’s get started. . . . . . . .

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up! Trendy Trees and Priceless

Paper: Stampin’ Up! Bashful Blue, Brilliant Blue and Whisper White

Ink: Stampin’ Up! Bashful Blue, Brilliant Blue and Night of Navy

Accessories: Stampin’ Up! Modern Label Punch, Bashful Blue Brads, Brayer, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Brilliant Blue and Bashful Blue markers, Sponge, Post it note.

On a 3.25″ x 5.25″ piece of Whisper White card stock, brayered Bashful Blue ink at an angle on the top right corner and then the bottom right corner.

Brayered Brilliant Blue ink on the same corners, not covering the Bashful Blue ink entirely.

Stamped the tree trunk upside down using Bashful Blue ink.

Stamped the tree trunk with Brilliant Blue ink, lining the trunks up.

Stamped the leaves with Bashful Blue ink.

Stamped the leaves with Brilliant Blue ink.

Put a Post it note mask below the Brilliant Blue tree and sponged Brilliant Blue ink at the masks edge to create ground under the tree.

Removed mask and added dashes to the water using Bashful Blue and Brilliant Blue markers.

Punched two Brilliant Blue Modern Label Punches.

Rubbed the ends of the punches on my Night of Navy ink pad.

Stamped the flourish from the Stampin’ Up set Priceless using Bashful Blue ink at the top of the card stock. Stamped the Flourish with Bashful Blue ink on my Stamp-a-ma-jig plastic and then flipped it over, rubbed it to make a light reflection of the image on the bottom of the card stock.

Assembled the card front by adding Bashful Blue and Brilliant Blue panels and Bashful Blue brads.

Here is the finished card measuring 4.75″ x 6″.

May you enjoy every single moment of your day.

Until my next post. . . . . . . .

Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

Colorado Springs, Colorado (Sold Out)

Boise area of Meridian, Idaho

Riverside, California (Southern California)

Salem, Oregon

Wheaton, Illinois

St. Cloud, Minnesota

Rockville, Maryland (Sold Out)

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

New Johnsonville, Tennessee

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

Saledad, California

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/

Spring By the Sea – Tutorial #318

21 Comments April 2, 2010 zindorfstamps

I woke this morning feeling a little uninspired, still feeling under the weather. It must have taken me over an hour just to pick out a stamp to use. But once I picked up this Stampin’ Up! set “Abundant Hope” things started to fall into place. Especially, since this set just screams SPRING! So, with that being said, I picked out some Spring colors and off to the races I went with embossing powder and brayer in hand.

Let’s get started on the tutorial.. . . . . . .

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up! Abundant Hope and Inspired by Nature

Paper: Stampin’ Up! Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White and Brilliant Blue

Ink: Stampin’ Up Basic Black, Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise and Brilliant Blue

Accessories: Stampin’ Up Heat Gun, clear embossing powder, white gel pen, Versamark pad and marker, markers – Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Barely Banana, Yoyo Yellow and More Mustard, Gold Brads, Photo corner punch, sponges, Stamp-a-ma-jig, post it notes and brayer

On a 3.5″ x 4.5″ piece of Whisper White card stock, stamped the flowers by first loading my stamp with Versamark and then with Basic Black ink before stamping it. Then I heat embossed the image using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Colored the Flowers in with a Barely Banana marker.

Added Yoyo Yellow marker to the dark parts of the flowers.

Added More Mustard to the darkest parts of the flowers.

Colored the leaves and stems in with Certainly Celery marker.

Added Old Olive to the dark parts of the stems and leaves.

Colored over the flowers, leaves and stems using a Versamark marker, staying inside of the embossed lines. Heat embossed the image using clear embossing powder and a heat gun. Now my image is protected and will resist my back ground inks.

Brayered Tempting Turquoise ink at an angle in the sky area. Note: Wipe ink off of the embossed image after brayering.

Brayered Brilliant Blue ink at an angle, not covering the Tempting Turquoise ink entirely.

Masked the sky area of the card stock using a post it note and sponge Tempting Turquoise ink at the post it note edge.

Using the edge of a Old Olive ink pad, lightly smear grasses in the ground area. I used a half of a “C” motion, top half.

Stamped some grasses in using Old Olive ink.

Stamped a few grasses in using Basic Black ink.

Sponged Basic Black ink at the bottom of the card stock.

Added highlights to the flowers, leaves and grasses using a White Gel Pen.

Sponged Basic Black ink on each edge of the card stock.

Assembled the main image panel, Tempting Turquoise panels and Brilliant Blue panels. Using a Stamp-a-ma-jig stamp the flourish on each side of one of the Brilliant Blue panels using Basic Black ink.

Added Tempting Turquoise photo corner punches and 6 gold brads. Also, sponged a bit of Basic Black ink on my largest Brilliant Blue panel.

Here is the finished card measuring 5″ x 6.5″.

Although I am not feeling well, the warm Spring weather is calling me outside to my gardens for a little bit of Spring clean up.

May you get some fresh air today also.

Until my next post. . . . . . . .

Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

Colorado Springs, Colorado (Sold Out)

Boise area of Meridian, Idaho

Riverside, California (Southern California)

Salem, Oregon

Wheaton, Illinois

St. Cloud, Minnesota

Rockville, Maryland (Sold Out)

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

New Johnsonville, Tennessee

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

Saledad, California

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/