On the Rocks – Tutorial #433

17 Comments June 27, 2011 zindorfstamps

Happy Monday!

Let’s make some waves today using clear embossing powder to protect the white of the card stock. But before we get started on today’s tutorial I have a blog candy winner to announce.

The winner of the Stampin’ Up! Playful Pieces stamp set is. . . . . . . . . .

Sharleen Beresford who wrote “OOH LA LA count me in and enter my name please for this wonderful stamp set! Thanks for the “blog candy” and as usual thank you for your inspiration and generous artistic spirit!”

Sharleen Beresford, Congratulations! Please e-mail your mailing address to me at mzindorf@aim.com within 30 days and I will get this great stamp set right out to you.

Thanks to all who played along!

Now on with the tutorial. . . . . .

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up! Just Believe

Paper: Stampin’ Up! Whisper White, Pacific Point and Basic Black

Ink: Stampin’ Up! Marina Mist, Basic Black, Pacific Point

Accessories: Stampin’ Up! sponges, Rhinestone Brads, Marina Mist Grosgrain Ribbon, Top Note Die, Big Shot, Photo Corner Punch, Brayer, Clear embossing powder, heat gun, post it note, Versamark pad

Techniques: Emboss Resist, Brayering, Direct to Paper

The Stampin’ Up USA Idea book and Catalog is here. For your copy, please send a check for $9.95 to Michelle Zindorf, P.O. Box 116, West Alexandria, OH 45381 or send it via paypal to mzindorf@aim.com USA only. My current customers will receive a new Summer Mini Catalog automatically from me. Not a current customer and want a free copy of the new 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 or become a Hobby Demo just for the discount. Click HERE for more information.

Die cut a Top Note from Whisper White card stock using my Big Shot Machine.

Stamped the plant images using Basic Black ink and heat embossed them using clear embossing powder.

Using a sponge, applied Versamark lightly where I want my wave to be in the scene. Heat embossed the Versamark using clear embossing powder and a heat gun. Note: When you put the embossing powder on you can lightly remove some of it until it looks like what you want before heating it.

Brayered Marina Mist ink on the card stock. Now you can see where the embossed Versamark is. 🙂

Ripped a post it note and used it as a mask to create my rocks.

Sponged the unmasked area of the card stock using Marina Mist ink.

Smeared Pacific Point ink on the card stock (Direct to paper technique) from the left side of the card stock to the right, lightly. Leave some of the Marina Mist ink showing through.

Sponged Basic Black ink at the bottom of the card stock. Buffed the embossed parts of the card stock with a paper towel to remove any excess ink that may be on it.

Cut a 5″ square Whisper White card stock panel and Sponged Marina Mist around the edges. Distressed edges of the card stock using Basic Black ink. Also distress the edges of the top note using Basic Black ink.

Assembled the card by adding a 5.5″ square Basic Black panel, 5.25″ square Pacific Point panel, Marina Mist Grosgrain Ribbon, Basic Black and Pacific Point photo corner punches and Rhinestone brads.

Here is the finished card measuring 5.5″ square.

May your

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to the following locations, click the location name for more information.

Owings Mills, Maryland (Baltimore Area)

Cleveland (Euclid), Ohio

Staley , North Carolina (South of Greensboro)

Monroe, Connecticut

Dayton, Ohio

Leesburg, Florida

Montreal, Wisconsin

Savannah, Georgia

Lincoln, Illinois

Jefferson, Louisiana (New Orleans Area)

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

Don’t see a workshop in your State? Interested in hosting the workshops in your area in 2012? Click HERE to get hostess information.

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

Link to my Scentsy website where you can order the best smelling, safest wickless candles from me 24-7: https://zindorf.scentsy.us/Home

Cat on the Steps – Tutorial #429

12 Comments June 14, 2011 zindorfstamps

Hello there peeps! I’m back from beautiful Colorado Springs where I had the pleasure of teaching some wonder students how to brayer over the weekend. Unfortunately, that all means that I am playing catch up as usual after my trip. 🙂 Maybe I should re-think my stand on the whole cloning issue.

I hope everyone had an wonderful weekend and had a chance to stop by my blog to sign up for the blog candy that am about to give away. So here goes it, the winner of the adorable Stampin’ Up Kimono Kids stamp set is. . . . . . . . .

Caroline King who wrote “have fun in colorado springs. lovely place. Please enter me in the blog candy contest. have a great weekend yourself.
Caroline
Minnetonka, MN”

Caroline King, CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Please e-mail your mailing address to me at mzindorf@aim.com within 30 days and I will get this set in the mail to you.

Thank you to everyone that played along. Check back at the end of this week for a chance to win another stamp set.

Now on with today’s cat tutorial. . . . . .

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up! “C” is for Cat

Paper: Stampin’ Up! Whisper White, Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Bashful Blue

Ink: Stampin’ Up! Bashful Blue, Sahara Sand, River Rock and Crumb Cake

Accessories: Stampin’ Up! Tab Punch, White Gel Pen, Crumb Cake marker, Stamp-a-ma-jig, mat pack, piercing tool, post it note, Latte button, gold brads, Linen Thread

Techniques: Direct to Paper

Time to create some steps.

Mask the bottom of a 3.5″ square piece of Whisper White card stock with a post it note. Using the edge of a Bashful Blue ink spot, smeared the ink on the top of the unmasked area.

Smeared some Sahara Sand ink over it a bit.

Took my post it note mask off and turned it so it was covering the top of the card stock. Masking the colored area and a bit of white paper. The white paper area that I am masking at the top will be the flat part of the step.

Added another post it note mask below it leaving space in between the 2 post it notes. This space will be the front of the step.

Smeared Bashful Blue, River Rock and Sahara Sand ink in the unmasked area.

Kept shifting the post it notes down and inking the same colors, masking and leaving white space in between each colored section.

Removed the mask and smeared Bashful Blue ink lightly in the white areas. Added some Crumb Cake ink the right sides of the steps to create a bit of a shadow.

Stamped my cat from the Stampin’ Up set “C” is for cat on one of the steps using a Stamp-a-ma-jig for placement and Basic Black ink.

Added a bit of white gel pen to the Bashful Blue areas (tops of steps) and then smeared it a bit with my finger to lighten it. Added straight lines of Crumb Cake maker to the steps where the front of the step meets the top of the step. Also colored the cat’s eye and collar using the White Gel pen.

Added the following layers of card stock under the main image panel as follows:

Early Espresso, Soft Suede (ripped at the bottom), Crumb Cake, Bashful Blue, Soft Suede and just a thin strip of Bashful Blue on the bottom.

Using my mat pack and piercing tool, pierced holes on my strip of Bashful Blue card stock.

Add 4 gold brads to the main image panel corners.

Stamped the cat paw stamp at the bottom of the main image panel 3 times using Basic Black ink.

Punched a tab punch from Early Espresso card stock and cut the tab in half.

Added the 1/2 tab punch and a flower button with a piece of Linen thread tied through the buttons holes.

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

Before I end my post for today I want to make you aware of the new Scentsy Burner and scent of the month. They are discounted.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK THEM OUT! You will love all of the Scentsy Burners and scents.

May your day be the cat’s meow. 🙂

Until my next post. . . . . .

Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to the following locations, click the location name for more information.

Ottumwa, Iowa

Owings Mills, Maryland (Baltimore Area)

Cleveland (Euclid), Ohio

Staley , North Carolina (South of Greensboro)

Monroe, Connecticut

Dayton, Ohio

Leesburg, Florida

Montreal, Wisconsin

Savannah, Georgia

Lincoln, Illinois

Jefferson, Louisiana (New Orleans Area)

Don’t see a workshop in your State? Interested in hosting the workshops in your area in 2012? Click HERE to get hostess information.

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

Link to my Scentsy website where you can order the best smelling, safest wickless candles from me 24-7: https://zindorf.scentsy.us/Home

Water Lilies – Tutorial #424 & Blog Candy Give Away

386 Comments May 19, 2011 zindorfstamps

Hello, hello, hello! Today’s tutorial features the Stampin’ Up! Level 2 Hostess set “Fast & Fabulous”. This is also the stamp set that I am giving away as blog candy!!! Woohoo!

All you have to do to enter for a chance to win this Fabulous stamp set is leave a comment on this blog post telling me to enter you. If you are getting this blog post via e-mail, please click here and then leave a comment at the bottom of the actual blog post.

I will select the winner using a random number generator on May 29, 2011. Remember you have to enter to win! Good luck to all.

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

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up! Fast & Fabulous

Paper: Stampin’ Up! Always Artichoke, Old Olive, Melon Mambo, Basic Black, Marina Mist, Not Quite Navy and Night of Navy

Ink: Stampin’ Up! Whisper White, Always Artichoke, Marina Mist and Not Quite Navy

Accessories: Stampin’ Up! Sponge, Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding, Gold Brads, Large Oval Punch, Photo corner Punch, Basic Black and Always Artichoke markers

Techniques: Direct to paper

Smeared Marina Mist ink on a 3.5″ x 4.5″ piece of Whisper White card stock using the edge of the ink pad.

Smeared Not Quite Navy ink on the left and right sides of the card stock using the edge of the ink pad.

Smeared Night of Navy ink on the right and left edges of the card stock, not covering the Not Quite Navy ink entirely.

Punched out 4 ovals out of Certainly Celery card stock using the large oval punch.

Cut a small wedge out of the edge of each oval.

Sponged Old Olive ink around the edges of the ovals.

Darkened the edges of the ovals using an Always Artichoke marker.

Scraped the edges of the ovals over my Alway Artichoke ink pad.

Stamped the flowers using Melon Mambo ink on Whisper White card stock.

Stamped the outline stamps over the Melon Mambo images using Basic Black ink.

Cut out the flowers and scraped the bottom of each flower on my Melon Mambo ink pad to darken.

Lined the bottom of the flowers using a Basic Black marker.

Assembled my scene and drew stems on the two small flowers using a Basic Black marker. Also cut some of the lily pads so they would be going off the edge of the card stock.

Assembled the card adding a 3 5/8″ x 4 5/8″ Always Artichoke panel, 4.75″ x 6.25″ Marina Mist Panel, 5″ x 6.5″ Always Artichoke panel, 4 Not Quite Navy photo corner punches, 4 gold brad and Pear Pizzaz Seam Binding.

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

May your week be totally fabulous.

Until my next post. . . . . .

Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to the following locations, click the location name for more information.

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Ottumwa, Iowa

Owings Mills, Maryland (Baltimore Area)

Cleveland (Euclid), Ohio

Staley , North Carolina (South of Greensboro)

Monroe, Connecticut

Dayton, Ohio

Leesburg, Florida

Montreal, Wisconsin

Savannah, Georgia

Lincoln, Illinois

Jefferson, Louisiana (New Orleans Area)

Don’t see a workshop in your State? Interested in hosting the workshops in your area in 2012? Click HERE to get hostess information.

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

Link to my Scentsy website where you can order the best smelling, safest wickless candles from me 24-7: https://zindorf.scentsy.us/Home

Shadowed Tree – Tutorial #411

7 Comments March 31, 2011 zindorfstamps

I’m getting so excited, I’m back on the road this weekend and heading to St. Peters, Missouri, Woohooo!!

How about a tutorial before I leave. This tutorial has a bit of everything thrown in, brayering, direct to paper, emboss resist, even a shadow. 🙂

An FYI for you before the tutorial, today is the last day for Stampin’ Up’s Sale-a-bration period. So if you would like to receive a free stamp set with each $50 in product you purchase check out this link. http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/michellezindorf/promotions You can order at that link also and your purchase will be shipped directly to you. 🙂

Let’s get started. . . . . . . .

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up! Season of Friendship

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

Ink: Stampin’ Up! Basic Black, Soft Suede, Sahara Sand, More Mustard, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Pacific Point, Bashful Blue

Accessories: Stampin’ Up! Gold Brads, White Gel Pen, Basic Black Marker, Versamark Pad, Sponges, Brayer, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Photo Corner Punch

Techniques: Emboss Resist, Brayering, Direct to Paper

My Stampin’ Up customers that order $50 in Stampin’ Up merchandise will receive this handmade card though March 31, 2011.

Don’t forget it is Sale-a-bration time at Stampin’ Up. Receive a free Sale-a-bration set for each $50 in merchandise purchased. Click HERE to place an order. Your order will be shipped directly to your door step from Stampin’ Up!

The Stampin’ Up USA Idea book and Catalog is here. For your copy, please send a check for $9.95 to Michelle Zindorf, P.O. Box 116, West Alexandria, OH 45381 or send it via paypal to mzindorf@aim.com USA only. My current customers will receive a new Occasions Mini Catalog automatically from me. Not a current customer and want a free copy of the new Occasions 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 or become a Hobby Demo just for the discount. Click HERE for more information.

On with the tutorial. . . .

Stamped the tree on a 3.75″ x 6.25″ piece of Whisper White card stock by first loading the stamp with Versamark and then loaded it with So Saffron ink before stamping it.

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

Ripped the very edge off of a post it note and then masked the bottom of card stock.

Brayered Bashful Bliss ink at the top of the card stock.

Brayered Pacific Point ink at the bottom of the un-masked area.

Make sure you gently wipe the ink from your embossed image using a paper towel every time you get ink on it.

Sponged a hill in using Chocolate Chip ink.

Sponged a Basic Black hill in, over lapping the Chocolate Chip hill.

Removed the post it note mask. Using the edge of the So Saffron ink pad, smeared ink across the ground area in the scene.

Using the corner of an More Mustard ink pad, smeared ink across the ground area.

Added a bit of Sahara Sand ink.

Stamped the tree using Basic Black ink to create a shadow for the tree.

Added Basic Black marker to the sides of the branches, next to the embossed image. The marker will not stick to the embossed image.

Wiped the ink from the embossed image. Found the Basic Black ink stained the middle of the tree trunk when I put in the hill, so I purposely stained the bottom of the tree trunk by smearing ink on the embossed tree using the corner of the ink pad. Let the ink sit for a moment and then wiped it off. Be careful with this step so you don’t get any on your background.

Added Soft Suede ink using the corner of the ink pad.

Added White gel pen to the left side of the tree.

Added a 3 7/8″ x 6 3/8″ Bashful Blue Panel, 5″ x 6.5″ Early Espresso Panel and 6 small Bashful Blue Photo Corner Punches.

Added 6 Gold Brads. Here is the finished project measuring 5′ x 6.5″.

Have a super weekend!

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

Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to the following locations, click the location name for more information.

St. Peters, Missouri

La Porte, Indiana

Orlando (Davenport), Florida

St. Cloud, Minnesota

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Ottumwa, Iowa

Owings Mills, Maryland (Baltimore Area)

Cleveland (Euclid), Ohio

Staley , North Carolina (South of Greensboro)

Monroe, Connecticut

Dayton, Ohio

Leesburg, Florida

Montreal, Wisconsin

Savannah, Georgia

Lincoln, Illinois

Jefferson, Louisiana (New Orleans Area)

Don’t see a workshop in your State? Interested in hosting the workshops in your area in 2012? Click HERE to get hostess information.

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

Link to my Scentsy website where you can order the best smelling, safest wickless candles from me 24-7: https://zindorf.scentsy.us/Home

Donate cards to the Give Thanks Project and help out Cancer Patients. CLICK HERE TO HELP

Is it Spring Yet – Tutorial #403

17 Comments March 7, 2011 zindorfstamps

I hope your weekend was fabulous. Mine was, I spent the day yesterday with loved ones, eating, playing, etc. To me that is the best way to spend time. In a close second place is stamping, lol. I’m a bit addicted to ink, stamps and card stock, Dah!

I found something else to be addicted to also, Scentsy Wickless Candle Warmers, love them! I had an unfortunate event recently with a candle and my dining room table, which long story short, my table is ruined and now needs refinished.

But I found a wonderful safe, beautiful and totally fragrant solution to my candle delema and I became a consultant in a blink of an eye. Here is a link to my Scentsy web site if you want to check out their great products: https://zindorf.scentsy.us/Home . This link will be at the left side of my blog permanently, you can order from my Scentsy Site 24/7 and your order will be shipped direct to you from Scentsy. No sales pressure here folks, I just love their products.

Now, a bit about today’s tutorial. I created the background using ink spots to create a faux texture.

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

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin Up! Upsy Daisy and Dreams du Jour

Card stock: Stampin’ Up! Whisper White, Early Espresso, River Rock and Not Quite Navy

Ink: Stampin’ Up! Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Baja Breeze, Marina Mist and River Rock

Accessories: Stampin’ Up sponge, White Gel Pen, Gold Brads, Markers – Baja Breeze, Marina Mist & Certainly Celery, Curly Label Punch, piercing tools and mat pack.

My Stampin’ Up customers that order $50 in Stampin’ Up merchandise will receive this handmade card though March 31, 2011.

The Stampin’ Up USA Idea book and Catalog is here. For your copy, please send a check for $9.95 to Michelle Zindorf, P.O. Box 116, West Alexandria, OH 45381 or send it via paypal to mzindorf@aim.com USA only. My current customers will receive a new Occasions Mini Catalog automatically from me. Not a current customer and want a free copy of the new Occasions 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 or become a Hobby Demo just for the discount. Click HERE for more information.

I started with a 4 3/8″ Square piece of Whisper White card stock. Using the edge of a River Rock ink spot, smeared in a square of color.

Dabbed the corner of the ink spot all over the square of color to create a bit of texture.

Using a Baja Breeze ink spot created another textured spot.

Repeated creating another spot using Marina Mist ink.

The last spot of color was created with Marina Mist ink for the square and then the texture was put in with a Not Quite Navy ink spot.

Using the edge of a Soft Suede ink spot, smeared in strips of color in between the color spots.

Distressed the edges using the same Soft Suede ink spot.

Stamped the Flowers using Soft Suede first and them stamped the same image, only lower, using Early Espresso ink.

On a scrap piece of Whisper White card stock, smeared River Rock ink.

Stamped the Butterfly image using Soft Suede ink.

Lined the butterfly up in the center of the Curly Label Punch and punched it out.

Added Certainly Celery Marker to the body of the butterfly and Baja Breeze ink to it’s wings.

Added White Gel Pen to the center of the wings and Marina Mist marker to outside edges of the wings.

Sponged Early Espresso ink to the edges of the card stock and the Curly Label Punches.

Aded White gel pen highlights to the flowers.

Added 2 Early Espress, 1 Not Quite Navy and 1 River Rock panels of card stock and 5 Gold Brads.

Here is the finished card measuring 5.5″ square.

May your day be one of pure delight!

Until my next post… . . . . . . .

Hugs,

Michelle

22.1 lbs down, 44.2 to go!

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to the following locations, click the location name for more information.

Houston, Texas

Wichita, Kansas

Syracuse (Bridgeport), New York

St. Peters, Missouri

La Porte, Indiana

Orlando (Davenport), Florida

St. Cloud, Minnesota

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Ottumwa, Iowa

Owings Mills, Maryland (Baltimore Area)

Cleveland (Euclid), Ohio

Staley , North Carolina (South of Greensboro)

Monroe, Connecticut

Dayton, Ohio

Leesburg, Florida

Montreal, Wisconsin

Savannah, Georgia

Lincoln, Illinois

Jefferson, Louisiana (New Orleans Area)

Don’t see a workshop in your State? Interested in hosting the workshops in your area in 2012? Click HERE to get hostess information.

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

Patriotic Cowboy – Tutorial #399

40 Comments February 21, 2011 zindorfstamps

A few days ago I requested that my readers let me know what they would like to see on my blog. Well, there were many requests to see more Western themed cards and more Direct To Paper Tutorials. I think we have those two requests covered with this tutorial.

Folks, it is so very easy to put in this flag background. I hope you give this one a try. 🙂

Let’s get started. . . . . .

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up! Out West & Seeing Stars

Paper: Stampin’ Up! Very Vanilla, Bravo Burgundy and Soft Suede

Ink: Stampin’ Up! Ink Spots – Not Quite Navy, Bravo Burgundy, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Craft ink pad Whisper White

Accessories: Stampin’ Up! Sponges, Basic Black marker, Gold Brads

My Stampin’ Up customers that order $50 in Stampin’ Up merchandise will receive this handmade card though March 31, 2011.

The Stampin’ Up USA Idea book and Catalog is here. For your copy, please send a check for $9.95 to Michelle Zindorf, P.O. Box 116, West Alexandria, OH 45381 or send it via paypal to mzindorf@aim.com USA only. My current customers will receive a new Occasions Mini Catalog automatically from me. Not a current customer and want a free copy of the new Occasions 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 or become a Hobby Demo just for the discount. Click HERE for more information.

Using a Stampin’ Up Not Quite Navy ink spot, swiped it on the top left corner of a 4″ x 5.5″ piece of Very Vanilla card stock.

Swiped a Bravo Burgundy ink spot on the card stock creating stripes.

Smeared Soft Suede ink around the sides of the card stock.

Swiped Early Espresso ink at the edges of the card stock, not covering the Soft Suede ink entirely.

Ripped a Post it note mask in the shape of a mountain. Masked the card stock and sponged Soft Suede ink in the mountain shape.

Stamped the Cowboy using Basic Black ink.

Colored the cowboy in to create a silhouette.

Filled the bottom of the card stock in by swiping Soft Suede ink on.

Swiped Basic Black ink at the bottom of the card stock to create the ground.

Stamped the star in the Not Quite Navy ink area using Whisper White ink.

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

Cut a 4.75″ x 6.25″ piece of Soft Suede card stock and sponged Basic Black ink around the edges.

Added two Bravo Burgundy card stock panels and gold brads.

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

May your day be one to remember.

Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to the following locations, click the location name for more information.

Houston, Texas

Wichita, Kansas

Syracuse (Bridgeport), New York

St. Peters, Missouri

La Porte, Indiana

Orlando (Davenport), Florida

St. Cloud, Minnesota

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Ottumwa, Iowa

Owings Mills, Maryland (Baltimore Area)

Cleveland (Euclid), Ohio

Staley , North Carolina (South of Greensboro)

Monroe, Connecticut

Dayton, Ohio

Leesburg, Florida

Montreal, Wisconsin

Savannah, Georgia

Lincoln, Illinois

Jefferson, Louisiana (New Orleans Area)

Don’t see a workshop in your State? Interested in hosting the workshops in your area in 2012? Click HERE to get hostess information.

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

Happy Little Black Bird – Tutorial #397

81 Comments February 15, 2011 zindorfstamps

Well, well, well, I’m approaching another tutorial milestone here on Freedom to Create. I hope you are still with me and enjoying the tutorials as I make my way to the 400th tutorial! Where does the time go. I could swear I just started this blog yesterday. How about cheering me on by leaving a comment on this post telling me things you would like to see used or done in one of my tutorials? Let me hear from you, my cyber friends! If you are receiving this post via e-mail CLICK HERE TO LEAVE A COMMENT.

Let’s get started. . . . . .

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up! Punch Potpourri and Season of Friendship

Paper: Stampin’ Up! Whisper White, More Mustard, Old Olive, Marina Mist and Basic Black

Ink: Stampin’ Up! Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, More Mustard, So Saffron, Crumb Cake, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Baja Breeze, Basic Black, Always Artichoke & Early Espresso

Accessories: White Gel Pen, Markers – Basic Black, So Saffron & More Mustard, White Gel Pen, Old Olive Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Basic Black Brads, Bird Punch

Techniques: Direct to Paper

My Stampin’ Up customers that order $50 in Stampin’ Up merchandise will receive this handmade card though March 31, 2011.

The Stampin’ Up USA Idea book and Catalog is here. For your copy, please send a check for $9.95 to Michelle Zindorf, P.O. Box 116, West Alexandria, OH 45381 or send it via paypal to mzindorf@aim.com USA only. My current customers will receive a new Occasions Mini Catalog automatically from me. Not a current customer and want a free copy of the new Occasions 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 or become a Hobby Demo just for the discount. Click HERE for more information.

I love creating direct to paper projects using the Stampin’ Spots Ink pads. They are so very easy to control for this type of work.

On a 4 3/8″ Square piece of Whisper White card stock, smeared the edge of the Bashful Blue ink spot across the card stock.

Smeared Certainly Celery ink across the card stock.

Smeared Old Olive ink across the card stock.

Smeared Baja Breeze ink across the card stock.

Smeared Marina Mist ink across the card stock from the right side only.

Smeared So Saffron ink across the card stock from the left side only.

Smeared More Mustard ink across the top of the card stock from the left side only.

Smeared Crumb Cake ink across the card stock at the bottom of the green area.

Stamped the branch twice using Early Espresso ink.

Stamped the leaves using Always Artichoke ink.

Stamped the bird using Basic Black ink on a separate piece of Whisper White card stock and then punched it out using the bird punch.

Adhered the bird to the card stock and added White Gel Pen highlights to the leaves and branches.

Added Basic Black marker shadows under the leaves and branches.

Added an Old Olive panel, Basic Black panel and a More Mustard panel. Added Old Olive Striped Grosgrain ribbon and Basic Black brads.

I felt the card was a little out of balance so I added a strip of More Mustard and Marina Mist card stock under the ribbon. Also added two leave punches from Old Olive card stock.

Added Basic Black and More Mustard marker to the punched leaves.

Added More Mustard marker to some of the leaves and to the bottom of the bird’s belly. Also added So Saffron Marker to the bird’s belly.

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

May your day be filled with all of the people and things that you love.

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

Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to the following locations, click the location name for more information.

Houston, Texas

Wichita, Kansas

Syracuse (Bridgeport), New York

St. Peters, Missouri

La Porte, Indiana

Orlando (Davenport), Florida

St. Cloud, Minnesota

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Ottumwa, Iowa

Owings Mills, Maryland (Baltimore Area)

Cleveland (Euclid), Ohio

Staley , North Carolina (South of Greensboro)

Monroe, Connecticut

Sturgis, South Dakota

Leesburg, Florida

Montreal, Wisconsin

Savannah, Georgia

Lincoln, Illinois

Jefferson, Louisiana (New Orleans Area)

Don’t see a workshop in your State? Interested in hosting the workshops in your area in 2012? Click HERE to get hostess information.

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

Just Beachy – Tutorial #333

24 Comments May 19, 2010 zindorfstamps

It is still raining at my house today, just like it has been the past couple of days. I decided to look on the sunny side of things though and created a beach scene using my new favorite tools, the ink spots. These little cuties are sold as sets. Each Stampin’ Up! color family has a set. Of course, I had to have them all. The little ink spot pads are a mere 1 inch and the pads are raised from the base of the ink pad holder so you can easily use them to apply ink directly to the paper. They are much easier to control then the larger pads when doing Direct to Paper Techniques.

Today’s project was also made for my Stampin’ Up! Down Line, Ink To Art Team’s Technique Swap. This month’s technique is, you guest it, Direct to Paper.

Let’s get started. . . . . . . . .

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up! Tropical Party and In a Word

Paper: Stampin’ Up! Whisper White, Basic Black, More Mustard and Tempting Turquoise

Ink: Stampin’ Up! Ink spots, Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black, Ballet Blue, Bashful Blue, So Saffron and Creamy Caramel

Accessories: Stampin’ Up! Top Note Die, Big Shot Machine, 1/2″ circle Punch, Sponge, 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 , 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.

Masked the sun using a 1/2″ punch from the sticky part of a post it note. Put the mask on a 3.75″ x 4″ piece of Whisper White card stock.

Swiped the Tempting Turquoise ink spot across the top of the card stock.

Masked the top of the card stock using a post it note.

Swiped the Tempting Turquoise ink spot across the card stock right at the post it note edge.

Swiped the Bashful Blue ink spot across the card stock.

Swiped the Ballet Blue ink spot onto the card stock using the edge of the pad.

Swiped the Tempting Turquoise ink spot at the bottom of the water area.

Swiped the So Saffron ink spot at the bottom of the card stock to create a sandy area.

Added a marks of Creamy Caramel using the edge of the Ink pad.

Removed all of the Post it Note Masks.

swiped in a piece of island using the edge of the Basic Black ink spot.

Stamped the Palm Tree from the New Stampin’ Up set Tropical Party using Basic Black ink.

Stamped the Palm Fod using Basic Black ink.

Sponged around the egde of the main image panel using Tempting Turquoise ink.

Die Cut a Top Note Die using my Big Shot Die Cut machine and Whisper White card stock.

Cut the Top Note in half.

Stamped the word Marvelous on the top note half using Basic Black ink.

Assembled the card adding Basic-Black, More Mustard and Tempting Turquoise panels.

Here is the finished card measuring 5.5″ square.

Hey, I am taking off on a road trip to Illinois to teach my Brayer Workshops this weekend, woohoo! I love road trips, stamping and new friends. 🙂

I will be back on Monday.

May your weekend be filled with lots of fun and laughter.

Until my next post. . . . . .

Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

Wheaton, Illinois

St. Cloud, Minnesota (2 spots available)

Rockville, Maryland

North Chili, New York (near Rochester)

Kenova (Huntington), West Virginia

Helena, Montana

Middleburg Heights, Ohio (Sold Out)

Venice, Florida

Grinnell, Iowa

Piedmont, Alabama (Near GA border close to Cedartown)

Auburn, Washington (near Seattle)

Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Savannah, Georgia

Atlanta, Georgia

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/

Windy Tree – Tutorial #262 and a Blog Candy Winner!

19 Comments September 22, 2009 zindorfstamps

Happy First Day of Autumn! In the spirit of Fall here is a card using Stampin’ Up ink pads and the direct to paper technique to swipe in the background quickly. But before we get into today’s tutorial let me congratulate the lastest blog candy winner.

Congratulations Carole Philpot who wrote: “I love your blog, it has been such an inspiration to me. I have been a “technique junkie” for years of cardmaking, mostly folds, never stamped much until I signed up for your blog and now I am attempting to brayer and sponge backgrounds and stamp! Thanks for all the good tutorials”

Carole, please e-mail your mailing address to mzindorf@aim.com within 30 days and I will put this great set in the mail to you. 🙂

Thank you to everyone that played along.

Now on with this mornings Autumn themed tutorial. . . . .

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up Branch Out & Baroque Motifs

Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Bashful Blue & Old Olive

Ink: Stampin’ Up Basic Black, Really Rust, Old Olive, Always Artichoke & Bashful Blue

Accessories: Silver Brads, Sponge, White Gel Pen

Want a free 39 page, Stampin’ Up Mini catalog? If you are a resident of the United States, just e-mail your mailing address to me and I will get one in the mail to you. Are you inspired by this Blog? One way you can help support this blog is by ordering your Stampin’ Up products through me. You can order from me 24-7 from this link: http://michellezindorf.stampinup.net or e-mail me at mzindorf@aim.com If you are within the United States. Want a copy of the brand new 2009-2010 Stampin’ Up Catalog for $9.95 with free shipping, just e-mail me at mzindorf@aim.com and I will get one in the mail to you. Want to become a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator and earn instant income? Consider being part of my Stampin’ Up Team. Also check out the Stampin’ Up specials, click this link to check it out: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/michellezindorf/promotions

On a 3.5″ x 5″ piece of Whisper White card stock, smeared Bashful Blue Ink on using the short end of the ink pad.

Stamped the Flourish from the Stampin’ Up Baroque Motifs set with Bashful Blue ink.

Smeared Bashful Blue ink at the bottom of the card stock.

Smeared Old Olive ink at the bottom of the card stock.

Turned the card stock up side down and smeared Always Artichoke ink from the ground toward the sky using the edge of the ink pad.

Stamped the Stampin’ Up Branch Out sets Tree using Basic Black ink.

Stamped leaves using Old Olive and Really Rust ink on the tree and to the side of the tree.

Added White Gel Pen highlights to the Flourish to bring it a bit forward in the scene.

Sponged Old Olive ink around the outside edges of the card stock.

Sponged Basic Black ink around the outside edges of the card stock, not covering the Old Olive sponged ink entirely.

Added Whisper White, Bashful Blue and Old Olive card stock panels.

Added Silver Brads in the corners of the main image panel using a piercing tool to start the brads.

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

I just got home last night after spending the weekend in Yardley, PA teaching my brayering techniques to totally terrific groups of ladies. My drive there and back was wonderful. I found myself in some very scenic country in Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Here is one photo taken just as the sun was rising as I was driving along yesterday morning.

The traffic was a bit slow going through Philly so I was able to take this photo in bumper to bumper traffic.

May your day be smooth sailing!

Until my next post. . . . .

Huge Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

Knox, Maine

Akron, Ohio

Broomfield, Colorado

Moore, Oklahoma

Nashville, Indiana

Portland, Michigan

2010

Dayton, Ohio at Marco Paper

Phoenix, Arizona

Monroe, Louisiana

Jacksonville, Florida

St. Louis, Missouri

Mechanicsville, Virginia

Raleigh, North Carolina

Colleyville, Texas

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Boise area of Meridian, Idaho

Riverside, California (Southern California)

Salem, Oregon

Wheaton, Illinois

St. Cloud, Minnesota

Rockville, Maryland

North Chili, New York (near Rochester)

New Johnsonville, Tennessee

Kenova, West Virginia

Helena, Montana

Middleburg Heights, Ohio

Venice, Florida

Ginnell, Iowa

Piedmont, Alabama

Auburn, Washington

Elk Grove Village, Illinois

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/

Direct Trendy Trees – Totorial #254

9 Comments August 30, 2009 zindorfstamps

Happy Sunday! Sunday is usually my chill out day. A day when I just put my feet up and relax. Today however, I felt I should give you fine readers a tutorial since I have been busy prepping for my September brayer workshops and yesterday I was in Greenwood, Indiana teaching some super fun ladies at Sharon’s Crop Studio. That being said, I have not had the time in the past few days to sit down and create.

I put together this Autumn card using Stampin’ Up Classic Ink pads using the direct to paper method for the background. This card also highlights the Stampin’ Up Trendy Tree set and two new sets that are in the new Stampin’ Up Holiday Mini Catalog, Autumn Splendor and Grateful Greets, must have sets!

On a side note, e-mail me your address if you want a free copy of the new Stampin’ Up Mini Catalog and you reside in the USA, mzindorf@aim.com.

I created this card the other day and got a few e-mails asking me why I had used the Tim Holtz Distress ink pads instead of using Stampin’ Up ink pads.

Below is a picture of the Stampin’ Up ink pad on the left and the Tim Holtz Distress ink pads on the right. There is a really big, big difference in how much the pad is raised above the pad base with the Distress ink pads. So that is why when I do a direct to paper project and I want to smear the ink directly on the card stock using the ink pad, I will reach for my Distress ink pads. They are much easier to use because of how much the pad is raised off of the base.

Don’t get me wrong you can do the same method with the Stampin’ Up ink pads because the pad is raised off the base a bit. Todays tutorial demonstrates it. 🙂

Okay, let’s get started on today’s tutorial “Direct Trendy Trees”.

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up Trendy Trees, Autumn Splendor & Grateful Greetings

Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Basic Black, Apricot Appeal & Always Artichoke

Ink: Stampin’ Up Apricot Appeal, Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery, Always Artichoke, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip and Basic Black

Accessories: Stamp-a-ma-Jig, Stampin’ Up Markers Always Artichoke & Basic Black, Paper Snips, Versamark pad and marker, sponge

Are you inspired by this Blog? One way you can help support this blog is by ordering your Stampin’ Up products through me. You can order from me 24-7 from this link: http://michellezindorf.stampinup.net or e-mail me at mzindorf@aim.com If you are within the United States. Want a copy of the brand new 2009-2010 Stampin’ Up Catalog for $9.95, just e-mail me at mzindorf@aim.com and I will get one in the mail to you. Want to become a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator and earn instant income? Consider being part of my Stampin’ Up Team. Through August 31 you can become a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator for as little as $85 with the mini kit. Also check out the Stampin’ Up specials, click this link to check it out: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/michellezindorf/promotionsStamped the tree leaves on a 3″ x 5″ piece of Whisper White card stock by first loading my stamp with Versamark and then loading my stamp with Pumpkin Pie ink before stamping it. Heat embossed the images using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.Sponged Apricot Appeal ink in the center of the leaves and then colored over the sponged ink with a Veramark marker and heat embossed the images again using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Stamped the Leaves 4 more times by first loading my stamp with Versamark and then Always Artichoke ink before stamping them. Heat embossed the images using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Sponged Pumpkin Pie ink in the middle of the leaves and colored over the sponged ink with a Versmark marker and heat embossed the images with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Stamped the Trunks by first loading my stamp with Versamark and Close to Cocoa ink before stamping them. Heat embossed the images using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Smeared Certainly Celery ink on the card stock using the edge of the Stamp pad.

Smeared Always Artichoke ink at the bottom of the card stock using the edge of the ink pad.

Smeared Close to Cocoa ink at the top and bottom of the card stock using the edge of the ink pad. Used the corner of the Close to Cocoa pad to smear a shadow under each tree trunk.

Outlined the right sides of the tree trunk with a Basic Black marker.

Sponged Black ink around the edge of the card stock.

Stamped the leaf from the Stampin Up “Autumn Splendor” set by first loading my stamp with Versamark and then with Pumpkin pie ink before stamping it on a scrap of Whisper White card stock. Heat embossed the image using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Smeared Apricot Appeal ink over the embossed leaf using the edge of the ink pad.

Smeared on some Always Artichoke ink on the leaf using the edge of the ink pad.

Colored the stem and a few veins of the leaf in with an Always Artichoke marker.

Cut out the leaf with a pair of Stampin’ Up Paper Snips, love these little sharp scissor by the way. 🙂

Assembled my card and stamped the greeting using a Stamp-a-ma-jig for placement and Basic Black ink.

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

Hey it is now time for me to relax and put my feet up, right after I answer my e-mails, check my P.O. Box, update my accounting paperwork for my business, do some laundry, feed the dogs and the bird, make some breakfast, do the dishes etc, etc. . . . . . . . . . Thank goodness it is not Monday! Sigh. .. .

May your Sunday be one of rest and relaxation.

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

Huge Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

Castro Valley, California

Yardley, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia)

Knox, Maine

Akron, Ohio

Broomfield, Colorado

Moore, Oklahoma

Nashville, Indiana

Portland, Michigan

2010

Dayton, Ohio at Marco Paper

Phoenix, Arizona

Monroe, Louisiana

Jacksonville, Florida St. Louis, MissouriMechanicsville, VirginiaRaleigh, North CarolinaColleyville, TexasColorado Springs, ColoradoBoise area of Meridian, Idaho

Riverside, California (Southern California)

Salem, Oregon

Wheaton, Illinois

St. Cloud, Minnesota

Rockville, Maryland

North Chili, New York (near Rochester)

New Johnsonville, Tennessee

Helena, Montana

Middleburg Heights, Ohio

Venice, Florida

Link to my Stampin’ Up website were 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/