Good morning, good morning, good morning!  I love Sundays!  I always try to make Sunday a complete down day for me.  A day to sit back relax a while and try to re-energize before starting another week.  But before I go and turn into a complete couch potato I made this tutorial for you.

I love bird watching and have quite a few bird feeders in the yard.  Sometimes I think the birds are eating better than my husband and I when I look at our shopping bill, but that’s another story.  🙂

Male Cardinals are all over our area here in Ohio and a welcome splash of color at our feeders.  This Cardinal stamp by Close to My heart is turning out to be one of my favorite.  I’ve pair the cardinal up with some great images by Innovative Stamp Designs also.  Check out that wood grain and flourish.  Terrific together!  Here is a link to Innovative Stamp Creations web store:  http://www.innovativestampcreations.com/ischomepage.html

One announcement before I get into the tutorial.  We have a blog candy winner!!!!!  Drum roll please. .. . . . . . . . . . . .   and the winner is . . . . . . 

Debbie Stelton who wrote “Michelle I as so glad you enjoyed your trip and teaching your classes. As usual your card is awesome. Thank you for another chance to win some blog candy you are always so generous with your talent and great blog candy. Have a great week and TFS.”

Debbie, please e-mail your address to mzindorf@aim.com and I will get this terrific set in the mail to you.  Congrats!

Thanks to everyone else who played along!

Now for the Tutorial.  🙂

Supplies:

Stamps: Innovative Stamp Creations “Nature Silhouettes I” & “Textures”, Close to My Heart “Season of Splendor”

Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Real Red & Old Olive

Ink: Adirondack Pesto & Lake Mist, Palette Noir Black & Stampin’ Up Basic Black

Accessories: Prismacolor Markers, Grey and Black marker, Versamark pad and marker, sponge, brayer, ruler, post it notes, Diamond Stickles, fine detail clear embossing powder, heat gun, brads, white ribbon

Stamped Cardinal with Palette Noir Black ink on a 4.5″ square piece of Whisper White card stock.

Colored the bird with a Prismacolor Scarlet Lake Marker.

Added Crimson Red to the dark areas.

Went over the entire bird again with the Scarlet Lake marker to blend.

Added Tuscan Red to the top of the back and underside. 

Colored the beak Burnt Ochre.

Colored over the entire bird with a Versamark marker, being very careful to stay inside the lines.

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

Stamped the flourish at the top of the card stock using Versamark only.

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

Brayered in Lake Mist ink all over the card stock.

Stamped wood grain with Lake Mist ink. 

I decided I wanted the wood grain to show up better so I restamped it with Pesto ink.

Masked the Top of the card stock with a post it note and sponged Pesto ink right at the post it note edge to create a shelf for the bird to sit on.

Switched the direction of the post it note to create a board running from top to bottom by sponging Pesto at the post it notes edge.

Removed the post it notes and sponged Pesto ink around the outside of the card stock.

 Also used a ruler to add a line of Grey marker to really define the boards I created.

Punched a circle in a piece of card stock and held it on the main image panel and sponged Pesto ink inside the circle to create a hole in the bird house.

Drew a black line around the inside of the circle skipping over the flourish showing.  The black line gives a bit of dimension to the whole.

Sponged Black ink on the very edge of the card stock.

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

Sponged Black ink on a 5.25″ square panel of Old Olive card stock.

Added Ribbon, Brads & Stickles to the flourish.

Here is the complete card measuring 5.25″ Square.

May your day be filled with Peace and Joy.

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

Hugs,

Michelle

Links to all my tutorials can be found here:  http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/tutorials-ive-written/

Here is a link to my workshop calendar if you want to get info on beginner and advanced Brayer workshops:  http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/workshop-calendar

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

Hi!  I’m back from the West Coast and WOW did I have a great time teaching Advanced and Beginner Brayer Workshops in California.  I got to teach 3 Advanced Brayer workshops to Attendees that have taken my Beginner workshops in the past.  It’s always great to reconnect with people, especially the the fun, fun ladies in California.  I also taught a Beginner workshop and made some new friends, Hi ladies!!!  My next Advanced workshop on the Calendar is scheduled for November 1st at Marco Paper.  I also have two Beginner Workshops scheduled for November 8th at Marco Paper.  Follow this link if you are interested in signing up.  http://marcopaper.com/index.html  or call 937-433-7030 or 1-888-733-5239.  If you are on the fence about signing up, please note these will be my last workshops until after the new year. 

I promise if you attend a Beginner Brayer Workshop I will take the mystery out of that tool, the Brayer.

  OK, as promised I have a Blog Candy Winner!  Drum roll, please . . . . . . . . . . . .

Congratulations Rockin Robin Caldwell who wrote:   Oohhhh, pick me, pick me!!! What a fantastic piece with a gorgeous “California” feel to it!!! I am so diggin’ the bright, in your face colors!!! Right up my “palette” alley. I sure hope this piece will land in my mailbox. I love it!!! I hope I can brayer like you…some day (sigh….). Hisses, Rockin Robin Caldwell

Robin, please e-mail your address to me at mzindorf@aim.com and I will put this card in the mail to you.

Thanks everyone for playing along!

Now for today’s tutorial and NEW BLOG CANDY.  I used a brand new stamp sheet by Innovative Stamp Creations “Autumn Leaves”  in today’s tutorial and I’m giving a brand new stamp sheet  of “Autumn Leaves” away as blog candy.  Check out the detail in these leaves!

If you would like to be entered for a chance to win this terrific stamp sheet, please leave a comment on this post.  If you are getting this blog update by e-mail you will need to click on this link and then leave a comment on this post http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2008/10/27/tumbling-leaves-tutorial-138-and-blog-candy/

I will select the winner on Sunday, November 2nd using a random number generator.  Good luck to all!

Here is a link to Innovative Stamp Creation’s online store:  http://www.innovativestampcreations.com/ischomepage.html   Check them out.

Now on with the tutorial!

Supplies:

Stamps: Innovative Stamp Creations “Autumn Leaves” and ” Fancy Designs”

Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Bordering Blue & Chocolate Chip

Ink: Distress Inks Tea Dye, Weathered Wood, Old Paper & Walnut Stain, Palette Noir Black

Accessories: Prismacolor Markers, Versamark Marker, Sponge, Fine Detail Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun

Stamped both leaves with Palette Noir Black ink on a 5″ square piece of Whisper White card stock.

Colored the leaves in with a Prismacolor Cold Stone marker.

Colored the dark parts of the leaves with a Muted Turquoise marker.

Added some Cerulean Blue marker to the dark areas at the bottom of the leaves.

Colored over the images with a Versamark marker.

Heat embossed the leaves with fine detail embossing powder and a heat gun.

Tip:  if after you heat emboss your embossing looks pitted, color over the images again with Versamark and heat emboss again with Clear embossing powder. 

Used Old Paper Distress ink and swiped the edge of the ink pad across the card stock.  These distress ink pads have a raised pad so it is very easy to use them for this technique.

Swiped the edge of a Tea Dye Distress Ink pad at the top left side and the bottom right side of the card stock.

Sponged a bit of Weathered Distress ink under the leaves.

Swiped the edge of a Walnut Stain Distress Ink Pad at the top left side and the bottom Right side of the card stock.

Stamped the flourish all around the edge of the card stock with Old Paper Distress ink.

Stamped the flourish again with Walnut Stain Distress ink  at the top left and bottom right of the card stock.

Sponged Walnut Stain Distress Ink all round the edge of the card stock.

Assembled card and here it is finished, measuring 5.5″ square.

I hope this tutorial inspires you to think outside of the box when coloring objects, such as leaves.  They don’t always have to be green, orange or yellow.  🙂

May your day be filled with the sites and sounds of Autumn.

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

Huge Hugs,

Michelle

Happy Saturday!  I think I live for the weekends.  🙂

This morning I choose to be inspired by a fantasy art piece by Jessica Galbreth.  When I view art for inspiration I pick the elements from it that visually inspired me.  I’m sure you can see the elements that I pick out from this art piece.

 Oh! before I forget, we have a blog candy winner!  Drum roll please. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .

The winner is out of 478 entries:

Emilie who wrote “OMG, I really really want to let you know how excited I am every time you do “blog candy” Some day I hope to be the lucky one. I look forward every single day to your creations and oooohhhh and ahhhhhh over each and every step and scroll up and down. I am just like a kid in a candy shop”.

Emilie, congrats, please e-mail your mailing address to mzindorf@aim.com and I will pop these stamps in the mail to you.

Thanks everyone for playing along!

Now on with the tutorial.

This beautiful owl stamp is from a Set from Firecracker Designs By Pamela.  Here is the link to her on line store:  http://www.safesecurestore.com/stores/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=4×5099&Category_Code=NEW&Store_Code=firecrackerdesignsbypamela

Supplies:

Stamps: Fire Cracker Designs by Pamela “Yoo Hoo” & Stampendous “Marble Texture Cube”

Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Not Quite Navy & Chocolate Chip

Ink: Stampin’ Up Night of Navy, Not Quite Navy & Baja Breeze, Palette Noir Black

Accessories: Sponge, Coluzzle, Versmark Marker, White Gel pen, Black fine tip marker, Prismacolor Markers, Ribbons & Silver Brads

Stamped Owl with Palette Noir Black ink on a 4″ x 6″ piece of Whisper White card stock.

Extended the branch a bit with a fine tip black marker.

Colored the Owl with a Prismacolor 10% Cool Grey marker.

Added Prismacolor Cool Grey 30% marker to the dark parts of the Owl.

Went a little darker over the darker with a Cool Grey 60% marker, not covering the Cool Grey 30% marker entirely. 

 

Colored over all of the grey areas again with the Cool Grey 10% marker to blend everything together and to get rid of any harsh lines where the colors meet.

Colored the eyes with Goldenrod.

Added Cool Grey 10% around the eyes.

Colored the beak and claws black.

Colored the branch Light Tan.

Added a Walnut shadow at the bottom of the branch.

Colored over the entire image, branch in all with a Versmark marker.

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

Note:  My embossing powder looked a bit pitted the first time, so I went over it again with a Versamark marker and heat embossed it a second time with clear embossing powder.  I wanted to make sure my bird was going to stay grey and white and not turn blue when I put the background in.  🙂

Cut a 3 5/8″ circle from card stock with a circle coluzzle template.

Used the circle as a mask for the moon and sponged Baja Breeze ink all over the card stock.

Tip: if your sponged ink looks really blotchy keep applying ink until it smooths out.

Cut a 3 1/8″ circle out of a piece of card stock with a Coluzzle.

Used the negative piece of card stock and put the opening to the right side of the moon I create and sponged Baja Breeze ink in the opening.

Sponged Baja Breeze ink to the right of the owl.

Put the circle mask back on and sponged Not Quite Navy ink around the top, left and bottom of the mask.  I left the right side of the mask light.

Removed the mask.

Put the negative piece of card stock back on and sponge Not Quite Navy at the top, left side and bottom of the opening, leaving the right side with not Not Quite Navy on it.

Removed mask.

Heavily sponged Not Quite Navy ink at the top and bottom of the card stock.

Sponged Night of Navy ink at the top and bottom of the card stock, being very heavy at the bottom.

Time to clean up or I will for sure have a nice big blue fingerprint on my stark white moon.  🙂

I liked unexpected texture in the background of the inspiration piece so I added a bit of marbling to mine.

Stamped side “C” of the Marble texture cube with Baja Breeze ink all of the card stock, while holding my breath, lol.  You just never know if you are pushing a piece to far.  🙂

Whew, let my breath out.  It looks fine.

Wiped the ink from the embossed images with a soft rag.

Assembled card front and added ribbon and silver brads.

Tip:  you can piece through your ribbon and cardstock with a piecing tool to get your brads started.

Almost forgot to put some stars in the sky.

Added stars by dotting randomly a bit of White Gel pen in the darkest areas of the card stock.

Here you have it, the finished card measuring 5″ x 6.5″.

I hope this tutorial inspired you to look at art and pull from it some really fun shapes to include in your own stamped art.

May your Saturday be all that you want it to be.

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

Hugs,

Michelle

Links to all my tutorials can be found here:  http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/tutorials-ive-written/

Here is a link to my workshop calendar if you want to get info on beginner and advanced Brayer workshops:  http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/workshop-calendar

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

Autumn, Autumn, Autumn, I love Autumn!  This past weekend had the most perfect temperatures, warm during the day, the sky was blue the nights were cool.  We had family over for a Bonfire Saturday night.  Nothing fancy, just a big pot of Chili and grilled hotdogs.  Lots of hugs and laughter.  It was perfect!

Of course, I am in the mood for Autumn, hence the tutorial today of these whirling leaves.

Let’s get started.  🙂

Supplies:

Stamps: Inkadinkado “Fall Season” & Stampin’ Up “Lovely as a Tree”

Paper: Stampin’ Up Baja Breeze, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink: Stampin’ Up Night of Navy, Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Old Olive, Really Rust, Basic Black

Accessories: Tim Holtz Ruler, Push Pin, Ribbon, Silver Brads, Prismacolor Metallic Silver Marker, Coluzzle Circle Template, Sponge, Versamark Pad, Fine Detail Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun

Stamped the leaves twice by first loading my stamp with Versamark, then loading it with Old Olive ink, used the corner of my Really Rust ink pad to add a touch of Rust on the leaves before stamping the stamp on a 3.5″ x 5″ piece of Whisper White card stock.

Heat embossed the images using fine detail clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

A long time ago I cut various circles of card stock out with my Coluzzle and I keep these and use them over and over again for masks.  The card stock mask I’m using for this piece is 2″.

Holding my mask in place I sponge Baja Breeze ink all over the card stock using a circular motion.

Note:  The more ink you use when sponging the less blotchy your sponging will look.

Ripped a piece of card stock to use as a mask.

Note:  I ripped a much longer piece of card stock than I thought I would need so I can move it around and not have the same pattern each time.

Held my masks in place and sponged Not Quite Navy lightly at the masks edge.

Moved the mask and repeated.

I kept moving the mask and sponging Not Quite Navy until I got the look I wanted.

Removed the mask for the moon too.  Stamped the trees at the bottom of the card stock with Night of Navy ink.

Sponged Night of Navy ink around the edge of the card stock.

Added some trees with Black ink and sponged Black ink on the very edge of the card stock.

Over Stamped the whirling leaves with Not Quite Navy and a little off center from my original stamping of them to create a shadow.

Be careful with this step.  Wiped the Not Quite Navy ink from the embossed leaves.  If you use a swiping motion, from left to right with your rag, it will give you streaks across your moon.

Added Silver to the edge of my piece by holding a Prismacolor Metallic Silver marker half on the card stock and half on the scrap paper and pulling it straight down the edge.

Did the same thing with the Silver Marker again only on my 5″ x 6.5″ bottom panel of black card stock.

Added a panel of Baja Breeze card stock to the black card stock and pierced holes in the top and bottom of it with a Tim Holtz Ruler and a push pin.

Assembled my card front and added ribbon and brads.  Here it is finished measuring 5″ x 6.5.

I hope this tutorial has inspired you to try a different approach to getting some variation in your skies.

May your day be filled with sunshine and perfect temperatures.

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

Hugs,

Michelle

Links to all my tutorials can be found here:  http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/tutorials-ive-written/

Here is a link to my workshop calendar if you want to get info on beginner and advanced Brayer workshops:  http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/workshop-calendar