Snowed In – Tutorial #273 and a Blog Candy Winner!

22 Comments October 31, 2009 zindorfstamps

Well, I finally made it home yesterday evening after being snowed in the last couple of days in Colorado. If I am going to be snowed in any where, I prefer it be in Colorado. Let me say, it was breath ta-kingly beautiful! The first photo below is a shot of my Sister’s deck furniture after just a half a day of the two day Winter Storm.

I had such a wonderful time meeting all of my students in Broomfield, Colorado. Brayer on ladies! I am so jealous that you get to be inspired by such stunning scenes everyday.

This is a couple of quick photos taken from my Sister’s front yard in the early morning right before I had to get in the car to come home. Hello! Early morning light hitting the mountains and tree tops with snow everywhere. It was sooooo very hard to make myself head to the airport.

Although it was hard to come home, once I got off of the plane in Ohio to 80 degree temperatures and the full spectrum of Fall colors surrounding me, I was at peace again and glad to be home. 🙂

I do have a tutorial for you today, but first I have a blog candy winner to announce. Although I use a Random number generator to select the winner, I had the best time reading through your snowman comments. If you haven’t read through them, you should. Some are are heart wrenching, some are hysterical and most just warm your heart. Thanks to everyone who played along. Now for the winner.

The winner of the Stampin’ Up, Snow Buddies Stamp Set is. . . .#487 . . .. .. . . . .

Karen who wrote “Hi, My most memorable and most interesting experience with snowmen was when we were snowed in in North Lake Tahoe. We had gone there to go skiing, but it was snowing so much that we never got to go skiing. Our car was stuck in the driveway, snowed in, since the night before it was literally a couple of inches of snow around it. My father was on top of the car shoveling down to get snow away. My sister and I, I guess, were too little to help, so we played in the snow. We went around the unfamiliar house/cabin and found a place to do our snowmen. Of course, during it not all snow we picked up went on the snowmen, some went on each other. By the time we had our snowmen there were 4 of us there – 2 full-blown and snow-blown snowmen and 2 people snowgirls. We had such fun, especially since we were from Southern California and we didn’t get to build snowmen!!! Karen B.

Congratulations! Karen B. , please e-mail your mailing address to mzindorf@aim.com within the next 30 days to claim your new Snow Buddies Stamp Set.

Now a bit about today’s tutorial. This card was created while I was in Colorado using my Sister’s stamping supplies. She is a brand new stamper and inherits my supplies that are no longer Stampin’ Up current. I used a couple of retired items, but I will give you the current items that you could substitute for them as I go through this tutorial.

Let’s get started. . . . .

Supplies: (Sorry no picture of the supplies today)

Stamps: Stampin’ Up “Winter Post and French Script”

Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White and Miscellaneous Designer Paper

Ink: Stampin’ Up Not Quite Navy, Basic Black and Soft Sky

Accessories: Brayer, White Gel Pen, Post it notes

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

Started out with a 3.5″ piece of Whisper White card stock and masked the bottom of it with a post it note, torn at the top edge.

Brayered Soft Sky ink (you can substitute this ink for the current color Bashful Blue) at the top of the card stock.

Sponged Soft Sky ink (you can substitute Bashful Blue ink) at the post it note mask edge to darken the horizon line.

Stamped the French Script stamp with Soft Sky ink (you can substitute Bashful Blue ink and the current background stamp “En Francais”).

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

Ripped a post it note in the shape of a mountain and sponged Not Quite Navy ink at the post it note edge to create a mountain on the card stock.

Stamped the Deer from the Stampin’ Up set “Winter Post” with Stazon Jet Black ink (Basic Black ink would work here too).

Added some white gel pen to the top of the mountain to look like snow.

Sponged Not Quite Navy ink around the edges of the card stock.

Layered the main image panel with a Designer paper and Whisper White card stock.

Here is the finished card measuring 5.25″ square.

May your day be overflowing with warm fuzzies, lol.

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

Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

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, MarylandNorth Chili, New York (near Rochester)New Johnsonville, Tennessee

Kenova, West Virginia

Helena, Montana

Middleburg Heights, Ohio

Venice, Florida

Ginnell, Iowa

Piedmont, Alabama

Auburn, Washington (near Seattle)

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/

Leaves on Fossil Rock – Tutorial #272

29 Comments October 17, 2009 zindorfstamps

Just when you think you have me pegged, I go and make something a little off the wall, lol. This is my attempt at a fossil rock with fall leaves on it. My leaves are stamped, colored, cut out, heat embossed and glued on. I know, gasp! I actually cut them out and glued them on, lol.

Anyway, I had fun creating this and hope you enjoy seeing the process. The leaf images in this project are in the Stampin’ Up! set “Autumn Splendor”, Item number 116503, $20.95. The set is in the current Holiday Mini Catalog and available until January 4, 2010. 🙂

Let’s get started.. . . . . .

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up Autumn Splendor and Kind & Caring Thoughts

Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White and Basic Black

Ink: Stampin’ Up Basic Gray, Going Gray and Basic Black

Accessories: Stampin’ Up Basic Black marker, Aqua Painter, Paper Snips, Watercolor Crayons, Versamark Pad, Clear embossing powder, Heat Gun, Old Olive Ribbon & Sponge

Stamped large and small leaf stamps on Whisper White card stock, loading my stamp first with Versamark and then with Basic Black ink before stamping. Loaded and stamped them multiple times and then heat embossed all of them at the same time using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Note: I will be using these leaves in other projects. That is why I stamped so many. 🙂

Colored the center of the leaf with an Old Olive Stampin’ Up Watercolor Crayon.

Added More Mustard Watercolor Crayon.

Added Real Red Water Color Crayon around the edges.

Used a Stampin’ Up Aqua Painter brush filled with water and brushed over the image from the center outward to blend the colors. Note: I cleaned my Aqua Painter brush on my scrap paper frequently so the red did not take over the lighter colors.

Cut out the leaf using my paper snips. Love these little super sharp, pointy scissors. 🙂

Pressed the Versamark pad all over the cut out leaf and then heat embossed the cut out with clear embossing powder and a heat gun. Repeated this process to create a small leaf cut out also.

Sponged Going Gray ink, using a pouncing motion, all over a 4.5″ square piece of Whisper White card stock.

Stamped small and large leaves using Going Gray ink all on the card stock.

Sponged Basic Gray ink on the card stock, making sure to leave some light areas.

Added a bit of Basic Black ink with the sponge and also sponged Basic Black ink around the edges of the card stock.

Layed out my design and stamped my sentiment before gluing it all together.

Note: I stamp my sentiment before gluing the card together just in case I stamp it crooked. 🙂

Out lined parts of the Going Gray leaves with the fine end of a Basic Black marker. This helps them stand out a bit more and gives them a bit of depth.

Assembled my card and added an Old Olive Ribbon.

Here it is finished measuring 5″ x 6.5″.

May you put on paper whatever comes to your mind today.

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

Huge Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

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 (near Seattle)

Elk Grove Village, Illinois

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/

Pumpkin Patch – Tutorial #271

5 Comments October 16, 2009 zindorfstamps

I have a little Autumn scene for you today. The main set used today is a Stampin’ Up set Autumn Harvest, item number 110372, $17.95. I teamed it up with a Stampin’ Up set Baroque Motifs and used the flourish as pumpkin vines. Check it out. 🙂

Let’s get started. . . .

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up Autumn Harvest & Baroque Motifs

Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Dusty Durango & Tempting Turquoise

Ink: Stampin’ UP Dusty Durango, Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive & Basic Black

Accessories: Stampin’ Up Markers, Sponges, Piercing Tool, Gold Brads, Dusty Durango Polka Dot Ribbon, Big Shot Die Cut Machine, Top Note Die, Versamark Pad & Marker, Clear embossing Powder, Heat Gun

Used my Big Shot Dye Cut Machine and the Top Note Die to cut out this shape with Whisper White Card stock.

Stamped the leaf from the Autumn Harvest set by first loading my stamp with Versamark and then with Basic Black ink before stamping it on the card stock. Stamped all three images loading the stamp each time with Versamark and ink. Heat embossed the images using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Colored the leaves in with a Creamy Caramel marker.

Added More Mustard marker to the leaves.

Added a bit of Real Red Marker to the center of the leaves.

Colored over the leaves, staying within the embossed lines with a Versamark marker. Heat embossed the images using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Stamped the two pumpkins from the Autumn Harvest set by first loading the stamps with Versamark and then with Dusty Durango ink before stamping them. Heat embossed the images using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Colored in the pumpkins with a More Mustard marker.

Added Pumpkin Pie Marker.

Added Real Red marker.

Colored in the Pumpkin stems with an Old Olive marker.

I wanted to brighten up the Pumpkins a bit so I colored over the pumpkins with a Summer Sun marker.

Colored over the pumpkins with a Versamark marker and heat embossed the images using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Masked the bottom of the card stock with a post it note. Stamped the Flourish from the Stampin’ Up set Baroque Motifs by first loading the stamp with Versamark and then with Old Olive ink before stamping it. Heat embossed the image using clear embossing powder and a heat gun. Note I kept the post it note on while heat embossing to keep the embossing powder from sticking to the residue left by the post it note.

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

Sponged Tempting Turquoise ink at the top of the card stock.

Sponged Dusty Durango ink around the outside edge of the card stock.

Added Tempting Turquoise and Dusty Durango panels, Dusty Durango Polka Dot Ribbon and two Gold Brads. Here is the finished card measuring 5″ x 6.5″.

May your day be one of the happiest of your life.

Until my next post. . . . . .

Huge Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

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 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 (near Seattle)

Elk Grove Village, Illinois

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/

Night Time Christmas Cardinal – Tutorial #270

16 Comments October 14, 2009 zindorfstamps

Here in Ohio we have lots of Cardinals. It is our state bird, by the way. I love hearing their cheerful chirp and seeing their bright red feathers when they visit my bird feeders. Especially love seeing them in the winter when the ground is covered in snow.

Our temperatures this week are not suppose to get out of the forties. That is a bit chilly for October here. So once again my mind is thinking Winter. That is not all bad, I am getting a head start on my Christmas cards. Maybe I will get some sent this year. 🙂 Last year I did not even get my Christmas cards made. You would think with as many cards that I make that would not be a problem. . . . . . where does the time go. If I could just do without sleep entirely. .. . . . . . . .maybe, just maybe, lol.

Let’s get started.

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up! A Cardinal Christmas & Serene Snowflakes

Paper: Stampin’ Up! Whisper White, Bashful Blue & Basic Black

Ink: Stampin’ Up! Basic Black, Not Quite Navy & Night of Navy

Accessories: Stampin’ Up! Markers Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Real Red, Bravo Burgundy, More Mustard & Close to Cocoa, Red Ribbon, Versamark marker & Pad, Clear embossing powder, heat gun, brayer, post it note, sponge

On a 3.5″ x 5″ piece of Whisper White card stock stamped the snowflakes from the Stampin’ Up set Serene Snowflakes with Versamark only. Heat embossed the images using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Stamped the Cardinal from the Stampin’ Up set A Christmas Cardinal by first loading the stamp with Versamark and then with Basic Black ink before stamping it. Heat embossed the image using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Colored the leaves in with an Old Olive marker in the light areas and Always Artichoke in the dark areas.

Colored the Cardinals beak with a More Mustard marker. Also colored his chest and head with the More Mustard marker. I wanted the More Mustard under the red I will put on next to warm the red up a bit.

Colored over the bird with the a Real Red marker.

Colored over the Cardinal’s back and tail with a Bravo Burgundy marker.

Now keep in mind that you will need to wipe ink off of your embossed images through out this project. I use an old cotton towel.

It is hard to see in this photo, but I colored in the stems with a Close to Cocoa marker, his feet with the More Mustard marker and the Berries with the Bravo Burgundy marker.

Colored over the image, staying within the embossed lines with a Versamark marker. Heat embossed the image using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Now that my image is completely embossed I can put in my back ground and the embossing with resist the ink.

Brayered Not Quite Navy ink from the top of the card stock to the bottom.

We can see the snowflakes now that I stamped in step one.

Brayered Night of Navy at the top of the card stock.

Tore a Post It Note and sponged Night of Navy at the post it note edge to create a hill shape.

Moved the post it note and repeated the last step to create a second hill.

Stamped the Leaf Shadow stamp from the Stampin’ Up set A Cardinal Christmas a few times using Not Quite Navy ink.

Remember, I am wiping the ink off of my embossed images each step.

Sponged Night of Navy ink around the edge of the card stock and over the stamped leaf shadows to darken the left side of the panel.

Added White Gel pen to the branch and leaves to look like snow.

Lastly, I heated my embossed images to make them shiny again. They get dual when you wipe them off a few times. Heating them brings back that shine.

Sponged Not Quite Navy around the edges of a Bashful Blue card stock panel.

Assembled my card and added some red ribbon. I kept this card layout very simple so the main image panel would be the focus.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Do you believe this is number 270!

May your day be filled with warmth and love.

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

Huge Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

Broomfield, Colorado

Moore, Oklahoma

Nashville, Indiana

Portland, Michigan

2010Dayton, Ohio at Marco PaperPhoenix, ArizonaMonroe, LouisianaJacksonville, 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 (near Seattle)

Elk Grove Village, Illinois

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/

Spooky Cave – Tutorial #267

13 Comments October 7, 2009 zindorfstamps

Okay, I just could not go through October without using this cute skeleton stamp from the Stampin’ UP! Holiday Mini Catalog set “Twick or Tweet”. Love that little dog! This is my attempt at a cave scene. 🙂 You have got to wonder about my imagination some times, lol.

Let’s get right to the tutorial today. . . . .

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up Twick or Tweet, From the Crypt, Baroque Motifs & Totally Tabs

Paper: Stampin’ UP Lovely Lilac, Old Olive and Whisper White

Ink: Stampin’ Up Going Gray, Old Olive, Basic Gray & Basic Black

Accessories: Stampin’ UP Mat Pack, Piercing Tool, Brayer, Creamy Caramel marker, White Gel Pen, Tab Punch, Black ribbon, Black marker, Sponge

Brayered Old Olive ink at the top and bottom of a 4″ x 5″ piece of Whisper White card stock.

Ripped a hill shape in a post it note and used it to mask the top of the card stock to create the top of the cave.

Brayered Going Gray ink over the post it note and onto the card stock from the top.

Brayered Basic Gray ink at the top of the card stock.

Sponged Basic Black ink at the the post it note edge and the sides of the card stock.

Removed post it note mask and dabbed Basic Black ink on the top of the card stock with a sponge.

Stamped the skeleton on with Basic Black ink.

Colored the dog in with a Creamy Caramel marker.

Colored in the skeleton with a white gel pen.

Stamped the Flourish stamp from the Stampin’ Up set Baroque Motifs with Basic Black ink.

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

Stamped this flourish tab stamp from the Stampin’ Up set Totally Tabs using Basic Black ink on a scrap of Lovely Lilac card stock. Punched it out using the Stampin’ Up Tab punch.

Stamped the bat from the Stampin’ Up set From the Crypt twice with Basic Black ink.

Wrote “Eeek!” on the tab and outlined the design on the bats with a white gel pen.

Assembled the card front and pierced around the edge of the top and bottom using the Stampin’ Up Mat Pack and Piercing tool.

Ran a black marker point from pierced hole to pierced hole to create a faux stitched look.

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

May your day be over flowing with fun images.

Until my next post. . . . . .

Huge Hugs!

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

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 (near Seattle)

Elk Grove Village, Illinois

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

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

Flowers & Nest – Tutorial #265

4 Comments September 29, 2009 zindorfstamps

Today’s tutorial is a little lesson on how you can heat emboss over heat embossed images to put images behind one another. This lesson is a bit long so you will want to get chocolate and coffee to make it through, lol.

I want to share a couple of things before I start the tutorial. Last weekend I had the pleasure of joining my Stampin’ Up! Up Line at an event they put together called Fall Fest. It was in New Jersey and it was WAY FUN!! Thanks to everyone, you made me feel so very welcome. 🙂

Of course, at Stampin’ Up events people bring swap cards to trade. I didn’t bring a card but instead made bookmarks. This is what I swapped. 🙂

The swaps I received in return were out of this world wonderful. Thanks to all!

I also got to teach how to create this card to everyone in attendance.

My Awesome Stampin’ Up! Down Line Team will be sent the directions for these two projects so they can share them with at their workshops.

Now on with the tutorial. . . .

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up Bloomin’ Beautiful, All Holidays, Priceless & Nature’s Nest

Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Apricot Appeal, Bashful Blue & Basic Black

Ink: Stampin’ Up Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Sahara Sand, Bashful Blue, Basic Black & Apricot Appeal

Accessories: Stampin’ Up Markers, Versamark Marker & Pad, Clear embossing powder, heat gun, White Gel Pen & Sponges

Stamped the Sentiment from the Stampin’ Up All Holidays set by first loading the stamp with Versamark and then Bashful Blue ink before stamping it on a 4.5″ square piece of Whisper White card stock. I then heat embossed the image with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Stamped the Flourish from the Stampin’ Up set Priceless by first loading it with Versamark and then Sahara Sand ink before stamping it. I then heat embossed the image using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Stamped the Nest image from the Stampin’ Up set Nature’s Nest by first loading the stamp with Versamark and then Close to Cocoa ink before stamping the image. I then heat embossed the nest using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Colored the eggs in with a Bashful Blue marker.

Added Ballet Blue ink to the eggs.

Blended the two colors together using the Bashful Blue marker again.

Colored the nest in with a Creamy Caramel marker.

Added Close To Cocoa marker to the bottom of the nest.

Colored in the leaves with an Old Olive Marker.

Colored over the nest and eggs with a Versamark marker and then heat embossed the image using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Stamped the pot of Flowers from the Stampin’ UP set Bloomin’ Beautiful set by first loading the stamp with Versamark and then Close to Cocoa ink before stamping it. I then heat embossed the image using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Colored the pot in with a Bashful Blue marker.

Added Ballet Blue marker to the shadow parts of the pot.

Blended the colors on the pot together by coloring over them with the Bashful Blue marker.

Colored in the flowers with a Blush Blossom marker.

Colored in the leaves with an Old Olive Marker.

Added Pretty in Pink marker to the flowers.

Added just a touch of Positively Pink marker to the flowers.

Colored over the flowers and pot with a Versamark marker and heat embossed the image using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Sponged Apricot Appeal ink all over the card stock using a circular motion.

Sponged Creamy Caramel ink under the nest and pot and around the edge of the card stock.

Added Close to Cocoa ink around the edge of the card stock and under the nest and pot without covering up all of the Creamy Caramel ink.

Added a touch of Basic Black ink around the edge of the card stock and under the nest and pot, not covering up all of the Close to Cocoa ink.

Time to add some white highlights.

Colored in the centers of the flowers, added touches of white to the sentiment, eggs and flourish.

Added a bit of Basic Black marker to the flourish and bottom of the flowers, flower pot and nest.

Lastly, my very wise Up Line, Karen Barber shared this tip with me. When you finish a heat embossed card, heat it for just a second with your heat gun to bring back that brilliant shine to all of your embossed images.

I finished the card off with an Apricot Appeal, Bashful Blue & 2 Basic Black panels, gold brads, and a thin strip of Basic Black card stock.

Here it is finished measuring 5 3/8″ square.

May your day be filled with things that warm your heart.

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

Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

Knox, Maine – I will be in Knox, Maine this Friday & Saturday (October 2 & 3). There are a couple of spot available if you want to jump in at the last moment. 🙂 Just e-mail me at mzindorf@aim.com and I can give you all the details.

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

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/

Winter Pines – Tutorial #263

18 Comments September 24, 2009 zindorfstamps

How about a winter scene for all of you early birds out there that are already working on those Christmas cards.

I really needed to get my embossing powder fix this week, lol. So here is a project that features embossed images over embossed images. This project features the brand new Stampin’ Up Level 1 Hostess set “Patterned Pines”. This set is only available until January 4, 2010 and is featured in the New Holiday mini catalog. The stamp set is free with an order of $150. Along with the Patterned Pines Tree, I used my favorite flourish from the Stampin’ Up set Baroque Motifs, item number 113490. This set was still out on my desk from using it in my last tutorial so I went ahead and used it again.

Let’s get right into the tutorial. . . .

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up Patterned Pines and Baroque Motifs

Paper: Stampin’ UP Whisper White, Sahara Sand and Basic Black

Ink: Stampin’ Up Basic Black, Not Quite Navy, Bordering Blue & Sahara Sand

Accessories: Versamark Marker & Pad, Gold Brads, White Ribbon, Stampin’ Up Piercing Tool & Mats, Stampin’ Up markers, Sponge, Brayer, Clear embossing powder and Heat gun

On a 4.25″ x 5″ piece of Whisper White stamped the Baroque Motifs Flourish with Versamark only. Heat embossed the image using clear embossing powder.

Stamped the Patterned Pines Trees by first loading my stamp with Versamark and then with Sahara Sand ink before stamping it. Heat embossed the images using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Colored over the trees with a Versamark marker and heat embossed the images using clear embossing powder and a heat gun. This protects the white designs in the tree images.

Tore the edge off of a post it note and used it as a mask for the snow area of the scene.

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

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

Sponged Not Quite Navy ink right at the post it note edge to darken the horizon line.

Removed the post it note mask and wiped the ink off of my heat embossed images. Be careful not to smear the ink from the embossed images onto your white snow.

Tore a hill in the post it note mask and held it in place while I sponged Bordering Blue ink at the post it note edge to create a hill in the scene.

Outlined the embossed Flourish with a Bordering Blue Marker to make it look more dimensional.

Outlined the flourish that is closer to the top of the card stock with a Not Quite Navy marker.

Put a post it note mask right under the trees and sponged on some Bordering Blue ink to create a shadow for the trees.

Outlined the right sides of the trees with a Sahara Sand marker.

Added a thin Basic Black marker line down the right sides of the trees.

Sponged Not Quite Navy ink around the outside edge of the card stock.

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

Added a Basic Black and Sahara Sand panel, White Ribbon and Gold Brads.

Used my Stampin’ UP Piercing Tool and mats to add the pierced lines at the top and bottom of the card.

Here is the finished project measuring 5.25″ square.

I am flying out to New Jersey tomorrow for a Stampin’ Up Team event. I am sooooo excited!

May your weekend be one of fun and laughter!

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/

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

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/

Quick Note Card – Tutorial #260

15 Comments September 14, 2009 zindorfstamps

Here is a quick little note card you can put together in no time at all. I know some of you are groaning right now saying “sure, sure, quick card, right.” Really, once you have your brayering skills up to speed you really can put this card together in about 10 minutes.

Let’s get started. . . . .

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up Hostess Set “Asian Artistry”

Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue & Brilliant Blue

Ink: Stampin’ Up Basic Black, Brilliant Blue & Bashful Blue

Accessories: Stampin’ Up Silver Brads, White Gel Pen, Brayer & Piercing tool

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 4.5″ piece of Whisper White card stock, brayered Bashful Blue ink at the bottom of the card stock.

Turned the card stock and brayered Bashful Blue ink at the top fo the card stock.

Brayered Brilliant Blue ink at the bottom and top of the card stock.

Stamped the Stampin’ Up, Asian Artistry Stamp with Basic Black ink.

Using just the very edge of a Basic Black ink pad, dragged it in a downward motion to put in the grasses reflection in the background.

Dragging the edge of Basic Black ink pad in an upward motion, I put in the grasses in the background.

Note: see next to the ink pad, I try things out on my scrap paper before putting them on the card stock. 🙂

Added white gel pen highlights to the plant.

Note: Stampin’ Up sells this great Signo Uniball White Gel pen which is my favorite all time gel pen. This gel pen is a strong bold white pen.

Tip: When using your gel pen, take the cap off and hold it in your hand to remind yourself to immediately put the cap back on the pen so it will not dry out at the tip. All white gel pens will dry out at the tip if left even for a couple of moments laying open. I have not been successful getting them to write again after they have dried out. 😦

Keeping this a quick card, I layered the Main image panel with Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue and Brilliant Blue Panels. I also Added 4 silver brads.

Here is the finished card measuring 4.25″ x 5.25. Just a hair smaller than a quarter card. 🙂

I just returned last night from my Brayer Workshops in Castro Valley, California. Where I had such a terrific time with some super great stampers. I was hosted by the fabulous, Wendy Gorton. Here she is pictured with me on the right.

Love ya Wendy!

And here are 3 groups of new Master Brayer Queens. I enjoyed meeting each and everyone of you. What fun gals!

May your day be overflowing with as much joy and laughter as I had this past weekend.

Until my next post. . . . .

Huge Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

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, 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

Helena, Montana

Middleburg Heights, Ohio

Venice, Florida

Grinnell, Iowa

Piedmont, Alabama

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

Frequently asked questions answers:

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

Going Batty – Tutorial #259

23 Comments September 9, 2009 zindorfstamps

Before I hop on a plane to head to sunny Castro Valley, California to teach this weekend I sat down to create another Halloween card. California, ready or not here I come. . . .

Autumn is my very favorite season to create cards for. I think it is all the earthy colors, browns, greens, yellows, reds etc.

Today’s tutorial uses two fun sets that are must haves for Autumn from Stampin’ Up. First there is the Stampin’ Up creepy set “From the Crypt” and then there is the Stampin’ Up set “Branched Out” with it’s wonderful naked tree that can be used any season since it has a leaf stamp and snowflake stamp included with it. Branched out is on the dormant list, but you can still order it with item number 113200. I know I am such the enabler. 🙂

Today’s card does have deep purple ribbon on it that decided to do a disappearing act when I photographed it, Spooky, lol.

Before we get going today I have an announcement to make. I have added two wonderful brayer workshop locations to my calendar. I will be teaching beginner and advanced brayer workshops in Grinnell, Iowa on August 28-29, 2010 and then Piedmont, Alabama September 11-12, 2010. Join me, won’t you for some great projects and fun. 🙂

Now on with the tutorial. . . . .

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up From the Crypt and Branch Out

Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Old Olive, Lavender Lace and Basic Black

Ink: Stampin’ Up Basic Gray, Soft Suede, Sahara Sand, Going Gray and Basic Black

Accessories: Stampin’ Up 1 3/4″ Circle Punch, Post it Note, Sponges, Deep Purple Ribbon and Gold Brads

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, 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

Using a Stampin’ Up 1 3/4″ circle punch, punched a circle from the sticky part of a post it note and used it as the mask for the moon.

Put the moon mask on a 3.5″ x 5.5″ piece of Whisper White card stock.

Sponged Going Gray ink on the card stock with a Sponge using a pouncing motion.

Sponged Sahara Sand ink at the bottom of the card stock using a pouncing motion.

Sponged Soft Suede ink at the bottom of the card stock using a pouncing motion.

Sponged Basic Gray ink at the top of the card stock using a pouncing motion.

Sponged Basic Black ink at the very top of the card stock using a pouncing motion.

Removed the moon mask and stamped the trees at the bottom of the card stock using Basic Black ink.

Stamped the bats on using Basic Black ink.

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

Added some simple card stock panels in Old Olive, Lavender Lace and Basic Black, Gold Brads and a deep purple ribbon.

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

May your day be anything but creepy unless, you are creating Halloween cards. 🙂

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, 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

Helena, Montana

Middleburg Heights, Ohio

Venice, Florida

Grinnell, Iowa

Piedmont, Alabama

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

Frequently asked questions answers:

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

Zindorf Stamps

Let's Stamp Something Beautiful

rubber stamping

Snowed In – Tutorial #273 and a Blog Candy Winner!

Leaves on Fossil Rock – Tutorial #272

Pumpkin Patch – Tutorial #271

Night Time Christmas Cardinal – Tutorial #270

Spooky Cave – Tutorial #267

Flowers & Nest – Tutorial #265

Winter Pines – Tutorial #263

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

Quick Note Card – Tutorial #260

Going Batty – Tutorial #259