Bee at Rest – Tutorial #216

21 Comments May 29, 2009 zindorfstamps

I am soooo in the gardening mode. All I can think about is flowers, flowers, flowers. If you are a gardener, you know what I mean. I don’t know what type of flower it is on the stamp I used today, but it reminds me of my Peonies that are in bloom right now. The Peonies I grow in my yard are very special to me. They grew first in my Grandma, Marie’s yard, she has past now and then they grew in my Mother’s yard for years. They are now proudly growing in my yard. I have many flowers that have been past down through my families gardens. I get all teary eyed just thinking about it. Not tears of sorrow, but tears of joy.

Before we get into the tutorial today I have an announcement. I will be teaching my brayer workshops (Beginner and Advanced) one day only, November 14, 2009 in Nashville, Indiana. I will be hosted by the Papertrix Store there. E-mail me at mzindorf@aim.com for more information.

Now about this project. My poor Prismacolor markers have sat unused for quite some time now. So today I dusted them off, literally, and used them to add my color to the images. If you haven’t worked with Alcohol based markers before, give them a try. They are a whole different animal than the water-based markers, such as Stampin’ Up’s makers.

Let’s get started. . . . . .

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up Bloomin’ Beautiful

Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Basic Black & Blush Blossom

Ink: Stampin’ Up Basic Black, Not Quite Navy, Handsome Hunter, Bashful Blue, Sage Shadow, Old Olive & Blush Blossom

Accessories: Versamark Marker & Pad, Prismacolor Markers, Brayer, Clear embossing powder, Heat Gun, Sponge, Sharpie Metallic Gold Paint Marker, Ribbon & Gold Brads

Are you inspired by this Blog? One way for 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 current mini catalog, just e-mail me your address and I will pop 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.

I stamped the bee by first loading my stamp with Versamark marker and then Basic Black ink before stamping him on a 4″ x 5.25″ piece of Whisper White Card stock.

I have to laugh when I look at this bee in the finished project. I did not intentionally stamp him to look like he is sitting on the flower. I actually wanted him to look like he was working, gathering pollen. But the angle in which I stamped him it turned out to look like he is resting, lol. You will see on the finished piece what I mean.

Heat embossed the bee with clear embossing powder and a heat gun. Colored the bee in with a Yellow Ochre Prismacolor marker.

Colored over the bee with a Versamark marker and heat embossed it with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Now that my bee is entirely heat embossed I can over stamp the flowers on and it will look like they are behind the bee.

Stamped the flower by first loading the stamp with Versamark and then added Blush Blossom ink to the flower and Old Olive ink to the stem and leaves before stamping it.

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

Repeated the process of stamping and heat embossing the flowers.

Added a bit of Deco Pink Prismacolor marker to the flowers.

Colored in the leaves and stems with a Lime Green Prismacolor marker.

Added Spruce Green Prismacolor marker to the dark areas of the leaves.

Went over the leaves again with the Lime Green Prismacolor marker to blend the two greens some.

Colored over the flowers, leaves and stem with a Versamark marker.

Note: color the lightest areas in first then work your way to the darker areas, cleaning your Versamark maker on your scrap paper often.

Heat embossed the flowers, stems and leaves with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Note: my embossing looked a bit pitted so I colored over the flowers a second time with Versamark marker and heat embossed them again with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Now that all of my images are heat embossed I can brayer in my back ground and the embossed images will resist the brayered ink.

Brayered Sage Shadow ink at the bottom of the card stock.

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

Brayered Not Quite Navy ink at the top of the card stock, not covering the Bashful Blue ink entirely.

Brayered on Handsome Hunter ink at the bottom of the card stock, not covering the Sage Shadow ink entirely.

Wiped the ink off of my embossed images using an old cotton towel.

Sponged Not Quite Navy around the out side edge of the card stock.

Sponged Basic Black ink at the top and bottom edges of the card stock.

Added Cool Grey 60% Prismacolor marker under the flower heads and leaves to add a bit of depth and shadow to the piece.

Now here is an easy way to add a gold layer to you cards without having the cost of Gold paper.

I use a Sharpie Opaque Paint Marker, Metallic Gold. This is the wide marker. They come if various sizes.

Holding the marker half on the card stock edge and half on the scrap paper edge I drag the marker down the side of the card stock. This is not hard with a bit of practice.

I used this technique on my main image panel and my Blush Blossom Panel.

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

See my bee is taking a rest, lol.

I hope this tutorial has inspired you to get out your Alcohol based markers today and give them a whirl.

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

Huge Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

Dayton, Ohio

Buffalo, Minnesota

Webster, New York

New Johnsonville, Tennessee

Stoughton, Wisconsin

Columbia, Missouri

Lynchburg, Virginia

Greewood, Indiana

Castro Valley, California

Yardley, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia)

Knox, Maine

Broomfield, Colorado

Moore, Oklahoma

Nashville, Indiana

Portland, Michigan

2010

Phoenix, Arizona

Jacksonville, Florida

Pocatello, Idaho

Salem, Oregon

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

Here is a link to all of my tutorials: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/tutorials-ive-written/

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

A Little Blue Bird Told Me – Tutorial #215

17 Comments May 27, 2009 zindorfstamps

I am spending loads of time in my garden, pulling weeds, watering, moving perennials from here to there. There is always work to be done. I love being out in the garden when I have the time. Most of the time I am gripping because I am trying to fit my gardening in around other things and feel rushed. We got a good soaking rain yesterday so I don’t have to water today and can spend the time playing in the soil, my favorite part!

Let’s get on with today’s tutorial so I can get out there. I hear the birds calling me.

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up “Always” and “Thoughts & Prayers”

Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White and Brilliant Blue

Ink: Stampin’ Up Brilliant Blue, Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow, More Mustard, So Saffron, Bashful Blue and Basic Black

Accessories: Versmark marker & Pad, Brayer, Clear embossing powder and a heat gun, Sponge, Ticket Corner Punch and a Post it note

Want to become a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator and earn instant income? Consider being part of my Stampin’ Up Team.

Stamped this plant stamp on a 4″ square piece of Whisper White card stock by first loading the stamp with Versamark and then with Sage Shadow ink before stamping it.

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

Decisions, decisions, lol. Here is an example of me not being able to make up my mind on what color to use. Scrap paper is a lovely thing!

Made the decision to stamp the bird by first loading the stamp with Versamark, then with Brilliant Blue ink, added a bit of black ink on the stamp where the feet and beak are before stamping it.

Heat embossed the bird with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

I want to retain the white design on the bird, so I colored over the design on the bird with a Versamark marker and then heat embossed it with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

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

Brayered Brilliant Blue ink at the top of the card stock, not covering the Bashful Blue ink entirely.

Ripped a post it note and masked the sky area and to create a hill.

Brayered So Saffron ink at the bottom of the unmasked area.

Brayered just a touch of Chocolate Chip ink at the bottom of the card stock.

Sponged More Mustard ink at the top of the unmasked area.

Removed the mask.

Stamped the tree twice by first loading my stamp with Sage Shadow ink and then patted the Chocolate Chip ink pad on the trunk of the tree stamp before stamping it. Dada. . . Tree is already colored.

Stamped a few more of the plant stamp images at the bottom of the card stock using Chocolate Chip ink and stamping off once on my scrap paper before stamping (Second Generation stamping).

Rubbed in a bit of Chocolate Chip ink under the trees to create a shadow effect.

Sponged Brilliant Blue ink all around the outside edge of the card stock.

I seem to be having a bit of trouble deciding colors today. I first looked at this card stock color combination.

But decided I like the Brilliant Blue and Whisper White card stock panels better. I used a Ticket Corner Punch by Stampin’ Up on a couple of the panels.

Assembled my card and here it is finished measuring 5.25″ square.

I hope this tutorial has inspired you to get out your clear embossing powder and heat gun today.

May your day be spent listening to the sound of song birds.

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

Huge Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

Dayton, Ohio

Buffalo, Minnesota

Webster, New York

New Johnsonville, Tennessee

Stoughton, Wisconsin

Columbia, Missouri

Lynchburg, Virginia

Greewood, Indiana

Castro Valley, California

Yardley, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia)

Knox, Maine

Broomfield, Colorado

Moore, Oklahoma

Portland, Michigan

2010

Phoenix, Arizona

Jacksonville, Florida

Pocatello, Idaho

Salem, Oregon

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

Here is a link to all of my tutorials: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/tutorials-ive-written/

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

Depth in Daisies – Tutorial #214 and Card Give-A-Way

176 Comments May 25, 2009 zindorfstamps

Hello out there! Hope everyone is having a fabulous holiday weekend. I took the day off yesterday and spent some quality time with family. Today I am going to spend the whole day stamping. Woohoo! This project I can share with you, but the rest of my stamping today will be projects that will only be unveiled in my advanced brayer workshops. Actually, I will be spending the week putting them together. I always want my workshop projects to be over the top. 🙂

A little about today’s tutorial, I added some white gel pen and some over stamping to create depth in this piece. What do you think? Did it work?

TIMES UP – A WINNER HAS BEEN NAMED

I have decided to give this card away as blog candy tomorrow. So leave a comment telling me to enter you and I will use a random number generator to select the winner. If you are receiving this blog update via e-mail, please click this link and then leave a comment:

http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2009/05/25/depth-in-daisies-tutorial-214/

On with the tutorial. . . . .

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up Upsy Daisy & Holdays & Wishes

Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Apricot Appeal, Old Olive & Pumpkin Pie

Ink: Stampin’ Up Basic Black, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Apricot Appeal & Ruby Red

Accessories: Stampin’ UP 1 3/8″ Circle Punch, Post it note, Sponge, White Gel Pen, Brayer, Versamark Pad, Clear embossing powder, heat gun

Want to become a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator and earn instant income? Consider being part of my Stampin’ Up Team.

Stamped the Upsy Daisy Silhouette stamp on a 3″ x 4″ piece of Whisper White Card stock by first loading the stamp with Versamark and then Old Olive ink before stamping it.

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

Brayered Apricot Appeal ink at the top of the card stock.

Used a 1 3/8″ circle punch and punched a mask out of the sticky part of a Post It Note. Put the mask on my card stock. Brayered Pumpkin Pie ink at the top of the card stock, not covering the Apricot Appeal ink entirely.

Brayred Ruby Red ink at the very top of the card stock, not covering the Pumpkin Pie ink entirely.

Removed the mask and Over stamped the Daisies with Basic Black ink.

I know not to do this from past experience, but I always end up doing it anyway.

I wiped my black ink off of my embossed images using a circular motion with an old towel, smearing the ink.

What I should have done was pat it off of the emboss images. Oh well, I will get it right one of these days, lol.

Over stamped the embossed images with Old Olive ink, stamping off once on my scrap paper. (Second Generation stamping)

Patted the Old Olive ink off of my embossed images with a cotton towel. 🙂

Used a White Gel Pen to added petals to the embossed Silhouette. Used a heat gun to set the white gel pen into the embossing.

Brayered Ruby Red ink at the top of a Pumpkin Pie Panel.

Sponged Old Olive ink on a 1″ strip of Old Olive card stock.

Assembled card front and added a sentiment with Black ink on the bottom of the card front.

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

I hope this tutorial has inspired you to use over stamping in your project today to create depth in your scene.

Have a safe and happy holiday.

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

Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

Dayton, Ohio

Buffalo, Minnesota

Webster, New York

New Johnsonville, Tennessee

Stoughton, Wisconsin

Columbia, Missouri

Lynchburg, Virginia

Greewood, Indiana

Castro Valley, California

Yardley, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia)

Knox, Maine

Broomfield, Colorado

Moore, Oklahoma

Portland, Michigan

2010

Jacksonville, Florida

Pocatello, Idaho

Salem, Oregon

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

Here is a link to all of my tutorials: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/tutorials-ive-written/

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

Under the Moon – Tutorial #213

16 Comments May 22, 2009 zindorfstamps

I love, love, love shades of grey. Grey is a great neutral color. One thing about greys, there are warm greys and cool greys. I used Sahara Sand ink and card stock in this project and Sahara Sand is a warm grey. The warmer grey went better with the warm color of Apricot Appeal. It would not have look as good, in my opinion, if I would have used a cool grey such as Going Gray.

Let’s get started. 🙂

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up Thoughts & Prayers & Frames with a Flourish

Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Sahara Sand & Basic Black

Ink: Stampin’ Up Old Olive, Cameo Coral, Bravo Burgundy, Apricot Appeal, Basic Black & Sahara Sand

Accessories: Basic Black marker, White Gel pen, Tim Holtz Distressing Tool, Post it notes, Sponges, Brayer, 1 3/8″ circle punch, Clear embossing powder and a heat gun, Versamark Pad, Brads

Want to become a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator and earn instant income? Consider being part of my Stampin’ Up Team.

Stamped the Tree on a 3.5″ x 5″ piece of Whisper White card stock by first loading my stamp with Versamark, then Old Olive and then patted my Basic Black ink pad on the trunk of the tree before stamping it.

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

Punched 1 3/8″ circles from the sticky part of some post it notes.

Note: I have 3 layers of post it notes, other wise I find they are to thin and will jam my punch. The extra circles I put a side for later projects.

Put one of my circle masks where I want the moon to be in my scene and brayered Sahara Sand ink in the sky area.

Removed the moon mask and brayered Sahara Sand ink lightly over the sky again to reduce the starkness of the white moon a bit.

Brayered Apricot Appeal ink at the bottom of the card stock.

Brayered Cameo Coral ink at the bottom of the card stock, not covering the Apricot Appeal ink entirely.

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

Sponged Sahara Sand heavily at top of the post it note mask and on to the card stock.

Sponged a bit of Bravo Burgundy at the lower left corner of the card stock.

Added some black marker outlines to the left side of some of the limbs and the trunk of the tree.

Added highlights to the tree with a white gel pen.

Distress the edges of the panel with the Tim Holtz distressing tool.

Dragged the card stock edges across the Sahara Sand ink pad to darken the edges.

Assembled my panels and stamped the Flourish at the top and bottom of the card with Basic Black ink. Also added two brads.

Sponged Basic Black ink on the left side of the card front.

Here is the card completed measuring 4″ x 9″. This card size fits wonderfully in a #10 size business envelope, which you can pick up at any office supply store at a reasonable price.

I hope this project has inspired you to get out your gray inks and give them a whirl.

May your day be calm and joyful.

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

Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

Dayton, Ohio

Buffalo, Minnesota

Webster, New York

New Johnsonville, Tennessee

Stoughton, Wisconsin

Columbia, Missouri

Lynchburg, Virginia

Greewood, Indiana

Castro Valley, California

Yardley, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia)

Knox, Maine

Broomfield, Colorado

Moore, Oklahoma

Portland, Michigan

2010

Jacksonville, Florida

Pocatello, Idaho

Salem, Oregon

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

Here is a link to all of my tutorials: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/tutorials-ive-written/

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

At the Pond – Tutorial #212

16 Comments May 20, 2009 zindorfstamps

Good Morning Everyone! Hey my blog is still a bit wonky from the Site Administrators moving it. I’ve lost quite a bit of my side bar stuff. I’m keeping my fingers cross that they will get it back and I won’t have to spend days reconstructing it. I would rather be stamping. Send happy wishes my way today, will you?

Today’s tutorial is all about bringing some light to the middle of the scene. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and hang out a while.

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up Lexicon of Leaves & Pocket Silhouettes

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

Ink: Stampin’ Up Creamy Caramel, Bashful Blue, Basic Brown, Close to Cocoa, Not Quite Navy, Always Artichoke and Distress inks Faded Jeans & Brushed Corduroy

Accessories: Sponges, Brayer, Stampin’ Up Markers, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa & Always Artichoke, Bashful Blue Brads

Are you inspired by this Blog? One way for 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 to become a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator and earn instant income? Consider being part of my Stampin’ Up Team.

Brayered Bashful Blue ink at the bottom of the 4″ x 5.5″ piece of Whisper White card stock.

Brayered Creamy Caramel ink at the top of the card stock, at a bit of an angle.

Stamped the Leaves from the Stampin’ Up set Lexicon of Leaves at the top of the card stock with Always Artichoke ink.

Colored in the leaves with a Stampin’ Up Creamy Caramel marker.

Added a bit of Stampin’ Up Always Artichoke marker to some of the leaf tips.

Stamped the Flower Silhouettes from the Stampin’ Up Pocket Silhouettes set with Creamy Caramel ink and then over stamped them with Close to Cocoa ink.

Used the edge of a Brushed Corduroy Distress ink pad to add a bit of grasses over the flower silhouettes.

Outlined a few of the flowers on the right side with a Close to Cocoa marker to create a shadow on them.

My piece seems a little flat so I brayered Not Quite Navy ink at the very bottom of the card stock to create a bit more depth.

Also Brayered Close to Cocoa ink at the top right Corner, at an Angle to create more depth in the sky.

Sponged Basic Brown ink all around the outside edge of the card stock.

Adhered my main image panel to a Chocolate Chip panel, then adhered that to a Bashful Blue Panel. Smeared Brushed Corduroy ink at the top right hand corner of the panels.

Smeared Faded Jeans Distress ink at the bottom left corner.

Added another Chocolate Chip panel underneath. Added some Bashful Blue brads and assembled card.

Here it is finished measuring 5″ x 6.5″.

I hope your day is filled with peaceful scenes.

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

Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

Dayton, Ohio

Buffalo, Minnesota

Webster, New York

New Johnsonville, Tennessee

Stoughton, Wisconsin

Columbia, Missouri

Lynchburg, Virginia

Greewood, Indiana

Castro Valley, California

Yardley, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia)

Knox, Maine

Broomfield, Colorado

Moore, Oklahoma

Portland, Michigan

2010

Jacksonville, Florida

Pocatello, Idaho

Salem, Oregon

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

Here is a link to all of my tutorials: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/tutorials-ive-written/

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

White Hummingbird – Tutorial #211

18 Comments May 18, 2009 zindorfstamps

Today’s tutorial gives you another way in which to use White in your projects. The darker you make your background the more your white image will stand out.

Let’s get right into the tutorial today.

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up “Spring Song” & “Stitched Exotics”

Paper: Stampin’ Up Designer Paper, Whisper White & Chocolate Chip Card stock

Ink: Stampin’ Up Kiwi Kiss, Tim Holtz Distress ink Brushed Corduroy, Frayed Burlap & Old Paper

Accessories: White Gel Pen, Sponge

Are you inspired by this Blog? One way for 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 to become a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator and earn instant income? Consider being part of my Stampin’ Up Team.

Used the direct to paper technique, by smearing my Old Paper Distress ink pad from top to bottom on a 3.5″ x 4″ piece of Whisper White card stock.

Stamped the Flourish with Brushed Corduroy on the left side of the card stock twice.

Stamped the Hummingbird image with Frayed Burlap Distress ink.

Colored in my images being careful to color inside of the outlines with a white Gel pen.

Sponged Kiwi Kiss ink around the outside edge of the card stock.

Sponged Brushed Corduroy ink around the outside edge of the card stock, not covering the Kiwi Kiss ink entirely.

Cut a 4.75″ square piece of Stampin’ Up Designer paper and sponged Kiwi Kiss around the edge of it to coordinate with my main image panel.

Assembled the card and here it is finished measuring 5.25″ square.

I hope this tutorial has inspired you to try using your white gel pen to add a bit of drama to your creation today.

May you have time today to feel the sun on your face. I am heading out to my gardens. 🙂

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

Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

Dayton, Ohio

Buffalo, Minnesota

Webster, New York

New Johnsonville, Tennessee

Stoughton, Wisconsin

Columbia, Missouri

Lynchburg, Virginia

Greewood, Indiana

Castro Valley, California

Yardley, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia)

Knox, Maine

Broomfield, Colorado

Moore, Oklahoma

Portland, Michigan

2010

Jacksonville, Florida

Pocatello, Idaho

Salem, Oregon

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

Here is a link to all of my tutorials: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/tutorials-ive-written/

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

Dream a Little – Tutorial #210

17 Comments May 15, 2009 zindorfstamps

Before we start today’s tutorial I need to announce the winner of the Creative Hot Marks tool. The random number generator selected. . . . . . . . .. .. . .. .

Cledith who wrote “After discovering your website, I’ve bought a brayer. Now I have to use it!”

Congratulations Cledith, please e-mail address to mzindorf@aim.com and I will pop this set in the mail to you.

Thank you to all 459 of you that entered the drawing. Wish I had a set for each of you.

One other announcement, I will be teaching my Beginner & Advanced workshops for one day only in Greenwood, Indiana (right outside of Indianapolis) at Sharon’s Crop Studio Store on August 29, 2009. E-mail me at mzindorf@aim.com for information on the workshops or to register. Warning, these workshops are filling very fast.

Now a bit about today’s project. This project was done using the direct to paper technique for the background. I wanted to demonstrate how effective it is to leave the white of the paper showing through on your backgrounds to give the scene a real sparkle of light. Hang out a few moments with me and check it out.

Let’s get rolling or smearing, lol . . . .

Supplies:

Stamps: Innovative Stamp Creations “Marvels of Nature” & Stampin’ Up Totally Tabs and Dream a Little

Paper: Stampin’ Up Design Paper, Whisper White & Pacific Point card stock

Ink: Distress Inks Peeled Paint, Black Soot, Old Paper, Faded Jeans, Antique Linen

Accessories: Stampin’ Up Basic Black & Close to Cocoa Markers, White Gel Pen, Tim Holtz Distress Tool, Stampin’ Up Old Olive Brads, Tab Punch, Stamp-a-ma-Jig, Piercing Tool

Are you inspired by this Blog? One way for 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 to become a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator and earn instant income? Consider being part of my Stampin’ Up Team.

Start out with a 3.5″ square piece of Whisper White card stock.

Mask a little over half the bottom of the card stock with a post it note.

Drag one edge of the Antique Linen Distress ink pad across the unmask portion of the card stock, LEAVE SOME OF THE WHITE PAPER SHOWING THROUGH.

Flip your card stock upside down and cover the sky area you just smeared in with the post it note to mask it.

Smear about 3/4 of an inch of Faded Jeans Distress ink right above the post it note, LEAVE SOME WHITE OF THE PAPER SHOWING THROUGH!

Smear Old Paper Distress ink on the rest of the card stock that is unmasked, LEAVE SOME OF THE WHITE PAPER SHOWING THROUGH.

Unmask the scene and turn it around so it is upright.

Load this great Palm tree from Innovated Stamp Creations with Peeled Paint ink, then load the trunk of the tree with Black Soot ink before stamping it.

Colored in the trunk of the tree with a Stampin’ Up Basic Black marker.

Added a bit of Close to Cocoa marker to the leaves of the tree.

Added White Highlights to some of the leaves on the tree.

Oops! Missed a photo, after I applied the White Gel pen Highlights I used a Tim Holtz Distressing Tool to fray the edges of the main image panel.

Next, stamped the Totally Tab image on a piece of Whisper White card stock and then punched it out with the Stampin’ Up Tab Punch. Folded it in half and adhered it to the main image panel while assembling the card front.

Look at this, I’m using pattern paper! Gasp! I know, I know, I never use pattern paper. Well you will probably be seeing me use more of it since I went wild and purchased about every piece of pattern paper Stampin’ Up has. They have a sale going on right now, buy 3 packs and get one free. Yep, I love a sale!

I added some Old Olive brads to the tag, by starting the hole for the brad with my piercing tool.

Stamped the sentiment from the Stampin’ Up “Dream a little set”, using my Stamp-a-ma-jig for placement.

Here is the finished card measuring 5.25″ square. Check out that sparkle.

Now it is your turn to leave a little white showing in your backgrounds!

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

Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

Dayton, Ohio

Covington, Indiana

Buffalo, Minnesota

Webster, New York

New Johnsonville, Tennessee

Stoughton, Wisconsin

Columbia, Missouri

Lynchburg, Virginia

Greewood, Indiana

Castro Valley, California

Yardley, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia)

Knox, Maine

Broomfield, Colorado

Moore, Oklahoma

Portland, Michigan

2010

Jacksonville, Florida

Pocatello, Idaho

Salem, Oregon

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

Here is a link to all of my tutorials: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/tutorials-ive-written/

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

My Racks Bigger Than Your Rack – Tutorial #209

17 Comments May 13, 2009 zindorfstamps

This is another card that I came up with in my sleep. Love those dreams that I can put on paper in the morning. Anyhow, I used the Stampin’ Up set “Backwoods” which has perfect guy card images. The guys in my family do not like fluff on their cards so this is only two layers. Main image panel and black panel. Can’t get much simpler in a layout than that. 🙂

Let’s get started. 🙂

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up Backwoods & Rubber Stampede Mirror Image Stamp

Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White & Basic Black

Ink: Stampin’ Up Baja Breeze, Basic Black, Not Quite Navy & Old Olive

Accessories: Versamark Pad & Marker, Stampin’ Up Markers, White Gel Pen, Clear embossing powder & Heat gun, Brayer, Post it notes & Sponges, Brads

Stamped the buck on a Rubber Stampede Reverse Image Stamp with Basic Black ink and then stamped the Reverse Image Stamp on a 4.5″ x 5.5″ piece of Whisper White card stock.

Note: if you wish to get one of these reverse image stamps you can fine one online by doing an online search.

Stamped the buck stamp with Basic Black ink on the right side of the card stock, first stamping off on my scrap paper once.

Note: I stamped off once so my Reverse image and original image would be more of the same intensity of color.

Stamped the cabin by first loading my stamp with Versamark and then loaded it with Basic Black ink before stamping it.

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

Colored the bucks, cabin and one side of the wood with a Creamy Caramel marker.

Darkened the bottom half’s of the logs on the cabin and added some darker spots on the bucks with a Close to Cocoa marker.

Added Going Gray Marker to the logs by the bucks and chimney of the cabin.

Colored over the cabin, bucks and logs by the bucks with a Versamark marker and then heat embossed the images with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Now that my images are protected I can brayer in my background and the ink will not stick to them.

Brayered on Baja Breeze ink at the top and bottom of the card stock.

Brayered Not Quite Navy just at the top of the card stock.

Created a mask for the sky by tearing a couple of post it notes in the shape of a hill.

Sponged Baja Breeze ink right at the post it note edge onto the card stock.

Sponged Not Quite Navy right at the edge of the post it note onto the card stock, not covering up all of the Baja Breeze ink.

Removed the mask and sponged Old Olive Ink at the bottom of the card stock in the grassy areas.

Sponged Not Quite Navy ink on the right, left and top of the card stock edges.

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

Added White dots in the sky for stars and white dots in the grasses at the bottom of the card.

Assembled the main image panel on a 5″ x 6.5″ piece of Basic Black card stock. Added brads to each corner of the main image panel and here is the completed card.

I hope this has inspired you do create a card using only two panels for those guys in your life that don’t like fluff. 🙂

May your day be one of peace and joy!

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

Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

Dayton, Ohio

Covington, Indiana

Buffalo, Minnesota

Webster, New York

New Johnsonville, Tennessee

Stoughton, Wisconsin

Columbia, Missouri

Lynchburg, Virginia

Castro Valley, California

Yardley, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia)

Knox, Maine

Broomfield, Colorado

Moore, Oklahoma

Portland, Michigan

2010

Jacksonville, Florida

Pocatello, Idaho

Salem, Oregon

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

Here is a link to all of my tutorials: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/tutorials-ive-written/

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

French Country Rooster – Tutorial #208

27 Comments May 11, 2009 zindorfstamps

I hope everyone had a super Mother’s Day yesterday. I know I did. My tw0 Sons & my Future Daughter-n-Law, Jamie came over and cooked my Mother and me a fantastic Steak dinner, with just a bit of help from my Husband, Russ. It was yummy and was all the better because we were all together sharing it. The only thing missing was my Sister who resides in Colorado. Sis, hope your Mother’s Day was fantastic!

Now about today’s piece.

I love this Rooster from Stampin’ Up’s Hostess set “Rustic Rooster”. This set has all the elements to make a French Country Style card.

Let’s get started. 🙂

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up Rustic Rooster, Lexicon of Leaves

Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Apricot Appeal, Really Rust & Chocolate Chip

Ink: Stampin’ Up Creamy Caramel, Apricot Appeal, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip ink, Handsome Hunter, Close to Cocoa

Accessories: Stampin’ Up Markers, Checkered Ribbon, Brads, Sponge, Versamark Pad and Marker, Clear embossing Powder & Heat Gun

Loaded my Rooster Stamp with Versamark, patted the my Really Rust Colored ink pad on the rooster’s head, loaded the rest of the stamp with Close to Cocoa ink before stamping the image on a 3.5″ square piece of Whisper White card stock.

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

Added Certainly Celery marker to the Rooster.

Added a bit of Handsome Hunter marker.

Added More Mustard Marker.

Added Creamy Caramel marker to his neck area.

Added Really Rust Marker over some of the More Mustard marker.

Added Close to Cocoa marker.

Added just a touch of Chocolate Chip marker over the Close to Cocoa marker.

Carefully patted the excess marker off of the embossed areas of the Rooster with an old Cotton cloth. Be careful with this step. Try not to smear the ink from one area of the Rooster to the next.

Colored over the Rooster with a Versamark Marker and then heat embossed it with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Sponged Creamy Caramel ink on the card stock working from the outside edge with a circular motion and moving into the center so the outside edge is darkest and the inside of the card stock is very light in color.

Added Apricot Appeal ink with a sponge working in a circular motion around the edge of the card stock.

Stamped the Flourish with Creamy Caramel ink around the edge of the card stock.

Stamped the leaves from the Stampin’ Up Lexicon of Leaves set at the bottom of the card stock with Handsome Hunter ink.

Colored the leaves in with the Certainly Celery marker.

Sponged Chocolate Chip ink around the very edges of the card stock.

Stamped the french writing stamp with Handsome Hunter ink over the entire card stock by first stamping off on my scrap paper first so it would not be very dark.

Cut my panels and sponged Chocolate Chip ink around the outside edges of them. Assembled the card adding ribbon and brads.

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

Hope your day today is filled with joy and laughter.

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

Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

Dayton, Ohio

Covington, Indiana

Buffalo, Minnesota

Webster, New York

New Johnsonville, Tennessee

Stoughton, Wisconsin

Columbia, Missouri

Lynchburg, Virginia

Castro Valley, California

Yardley, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia)

Knox, Maine

Broomfield, Colorado

Moore, Oklahoma

Portland, Michigan

2010

Jacksonville, Florida

Pocatello, Idaho

Salem, Oregon

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

Here is a link to all of my tutorials: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/tutorials-ive-written/

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

ISC Sketch of Nature Tree – Tutorial #206

24 Comments May 6, 2009 zindorfstamps

This is going to be one long post today. I have a tutorial for you and Savannah photos to follow. 🙂

I am using the Innovative Stamp Creations stamps, Sketch of Nature I in today’s tutorial. I thought I would show these stamps in a summer scene since I have already used them in a winter scene in another tutorial.

If you wish to check out all of Innovative Stamp Creations stamps, here is their online store link: http://www.innovativestampcreations.com/ischomepage.html

Let’s get started on the tutorial. 🙂

Supplies:

Stamps: Innovative Stamp Creations, Sketch of Nature and Assemblage

Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White and Bravo Burgundy

Ink: Distress inks – Old Paper, Aged Mahogany, Brushed Corduroy, Black Soot, Walnut Stain, Frayed Burlap, Peeled Paint

Accessories: White Gel Pen, Black marker, Prismacolor pencils, post it note, sponge

Are you inspired by this Blog? One way for 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 to become a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator and earn instant income? Consider being part of my Stampin’ Up Team. My Upline, Karen Barber and I have valuable monthly meetings in Miamisburg, Ohio.

Smeared Old Paper Distress ink on a 5″ square piece of Whisper White card stock leaving a little of the white showing through.

Smeared Frayed Burlap ink at the bottom and the top of the card stock.

Smeared Brushed Corduroy ink at the top and bottom of the card stock.

Loaded Peeled Paint ink on the tree stamp, then loaded Walnut Stain ink on the trucks of the trees before stamping it.

Stamped the trees on the left side of the card stock.

Colored the leaf area of the trees with a Vert Lime Prismacolor pencil.

Added some White Gel pen to the tops of the leaf area.

Colored in the trunks of the trees with a Black Prismacolor pencil.

Ripped a hill shape in a post it note and used it to create a hill.

Streaked Frayed Burlap at the post it note edge and then on to the card stock.

Smeared Brushed Corduroy ink at the post it note edge and then on to the card stock.

Smeared a bit of Aged Mahogany ink at the post it note edge and then on to the card stock.

Removed post it note mask and smeared Aged Mahogany at the top and bottom of the card stock.

Added a bit of Kelp Green Prismacolor pencil to the bottom of the leaf areas to create a bit of shadow in the tree.

Smeared a bit of Black Soot ink at the top of the ground area.

Smeared Black Soot ink at the top and bottom of the card stock.

Added more Frayed Burlap ink in the sky area on the right side to balance it out a bit more.

Darkened some of the trunks and limbs on the left side with a black fine tip marker.

Added more white gel pen highlights to the top of the leaf areas.

Stamped the writing stamp from the Innovative Stamp Creation Sheet, Assemblage with Aged Mahogany ink all down the right side of the card stock.

Stamped the cracks/marble looking stamp from Innovative Stamp creations sheet, Assemblage at the bottom of the card stock in the ground area with Walnut Stain ink.

Sponged Black Soot ink all around the outside edge of the card stock.

Assembled the card and here it is finished measuring 5.25″ x 5.5″.

This concludes the tutorial portion of my post.

Now on with some Savannah, Georgia photos, starting with my workshops.

This is me and Lilann, my super wonderful hostess, who by the way kept me up way past my bed time stamping. The next photo is a shot of one of the workshops in progress. See how small I like my workshops. 🙂

Some of the very lovely ladies that attended. I love you all!

The lodge on Lilann’s property where we had the workshops and some of the surrounding pond and decking that wound around it. It’s stunning!

Russ traveled with me on this trip and we took an extra day to see Old Town in Savannah. Here are some of the sights along the way.

Note this is a down spout on one of the houses. It is said to be good luck to stroke the fish’s head when it is rain, but bad luck to stroke it’s head when it is lightening out, lol. I really want some of these now.

Back to the Savannah scenes.

This is a lighthouse we checked out on one of the near by islands.

My husband Russ was playing photographer in the car. He really cracks me up. He was suppose to be taking pictures of the sights as we drove through, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, North and then South Carolina before we made it to Georgia, but as you see he had other pictures in mind, lol.

He will kill me if he knew I posted this, but we don’t need to tell him do we. 🙂