In the Works...

On Vacation

This card, inspired by a customer send-in, has nothing whatsoever to do with the title of today's post, but it does happen to be smARTworks' feature card for July.  As such, now through the thirty-first, a list of materials used, and complete 'how to' instructions are available, HERE, at smartrubber.com.

Now to address today's title...

July means vacation for the Trask family, and this year we're taking a few more days than usual.  We have a couple of day trips planned, several home projects to tackle, and just want an extended period of time living with a relaxed schedule.  Sooooooooo, starting tomorrow, smARTworks will be closed for the next two weeks.

The great thing for you is... when we resume business on the eighteenth, it will be with a ten day Super Sale.  Specific details can be viewed at the website.

Please note:The link to a list of unavailable stamps will not be activated until the 18th.

See you then,

Susan T.

Salty Tea???

Yup! Salty because our Cookie hostess, Donelda, challenged us to create a salt background, then use it on a card.

For me, the salt background technique was not a new one.  In fact, I think I probably tried it sometime during my first or second year of stamping, after reading a how to by Suze Weinberg in her book, The Art Of Rubber Stamping, but I don't think I've used it since...

Anyhoo, sometime during the week it dawned on me that this was not a T-party creation that could be left until the day of the party, so that evening I applied dye inks to glossy stock, misted over them with water, sprinkled on the table salt (wish I'd had kosher), and went to bed so I wouldn't be tempted to mess with the drying process.  Note: I actually created three different color combinations... Two with Marvy pads either twisted or streaked onto the stock, and the other using a Kaleidacolor pad and a brayer.

I must confess that thinking of completing this challenge sort of made me groan...  Not the salt part, but working on glossy cardstock.  You see, for the most part, I'm not a 'glossy' fan... I think it's because I have such hit or miss results stamping/embossing foreground images over the background... especially when attempting to use my favorite ink color (black).  While other stampers seem to like Staz-On, I've yet to see any results I'd consider 'excellent'.

Okay, by now you just want to see my finished project... Well, after ruining my first background trying to stamp it with solid florals in black (told you I didn't like it), I finally decided to try stamping over the second background in Versamark, and embossing in white.  This I liked, and made three cards:

Card #1 - stamps used: SBO-Cookie Plate #1, and WD-155 Prayer Trio.

Card #2 - stamps used: SBO-Cookie Plate #1, and BV-36 Prov.16:3

Card #3 - stamps used: SBO-Cookie Plate #1, and WD-195 Unimportant Day

So, what about the third background?  Not to be defeated, I returned to black ink, and keeping my Stamp-a-ma-jig in place, stamped the image three times -- first in Brilliance, then in Memento, and finally, a second time in Brilliance, heat-setting between applications, and buffing with a tissue when finished and cool.

Inside the card it says "Happy Birthday".  Stamps used on this card: SBO-Happy Silhouettes, and WD-183 Great B-day.

Oh, the other reason I'm not too fond of 'glossy' is because technically speaking, one is supposed to spray it with a fixative to prevent fading, but I dislike using 'stinky' sprays, so usually pass on that step, then feel sorta guilty.

So who else added salt to their tea?  Donelda, Dina, Donna, and Giovana... Check out their salty projects by clicking on their names in my sidebar.

If you created a salt background card, make sure to leave a comment containing a link to your creation.

A little sprinkle here, and a little sprinkle there,

Susan T.

Philippians 4:4

One tool that revolutionized my stamping journey was the Stamp-a-ma-jig (very easy to use stamp positioner), but yesterday, when stamping BV-21 Philippians 4:4  on a pre-sized panel, I must have unknowingly bumped my jig, and instead of being centered, the verse ended up at the bottom of the panel with excess space along the top. 

Since the jig is so reliable, I just sat there in total disbelief for several seconds... Once reality set in, of course, I had to get up and size a new panel, but the boo boo image was too good to throw away, and so, this card:

I trimmed off the excess space, and teamed the 'Rejoice always' verse with the collage image from DK-19 Joy Boy.

Joy Boy's 'happy wings' were colored using watercolor pencils followed by Spica markers (in real life the wings shimmer nicely).  Next came the black strip of cardstock, the scrap of ribbon, and the punched flower embellishments (made with PBS2 & PBMD2 and Bitty Buttons).  As it turned out, my creative detour was also a really fun fix.

By the way, everybody always asks me how I get such black images with solid-type stamps... The answer is to use a well-inked Brilliance Graphite Black pad, and heat-set the image.  More silhouette stamping tips can be found in this old post.  Note:  I do NOT use Brilliance as my all-purpose black pad (Versafine and Memento take that honor), but for solid, silhouette type images, there is NOTHING better.

Heeding the cards reminder, and rejoicing to have had the chance to stamp, rejoicing to see and feel the sun after so many rainy days, rejoicing to have gotten to the local farmer's market, and rejoicing to know God is at work in my life every day!

Susan T.

Tea Party #21

Time for a new T-party challenge which will post next Wednesday -- July 1. 

This one comes from Donelda, and consists of making a salt background for a card.

I haven't done this for quite awhile, so it should prove to be a lot of fun.  Just in case you've never used salt in your stamping, and are wondering what to do, SplitCoastStampers has a tutorial.

Sprinkle, sprinkle, shake, shake.  Can't wait to see what everyone does,

Susan T.

A Bright and Bold Summer Hello

Well, 'summer' is officially here!  Not so warm and sunny in Maine quite yet (lots and lots of rain), but the kiddos are finally finished with school, and the days are 'full' and lazy all at the same time... It's wonderful!

Equally wonderful is the latest batch of Cookie samples I received from Donna Duquette.  Donna has terrific color sense, and does the most meticulous work you'll ever see!  Her execution never ceases to wow me, and nowadays she's doing a lot with Copic markers, and her cards are beautifully vibrant...

All this made choosing just one 'teaser' card to show you super difficult, but I kept coming back to this one, which Donna titled, Bright and Bold Hello: 

For this card, Donna used six out of thirty-two images from the FS-03 Swirly-Gigs  stamp set. 

Her background?  Copics scribbled in circles on white cardstock, after which Copic blending solution was dripped over the scribbles until the colors mingled.  So summery, I forgot about the rain!

To view five more Swirly-Gig cards by Donna, please visit her updated Cookie Gallery. 

Hope your summer is off to a great start,

Susan T.

Oldie, but Goodie

There's a real possibility that my best stamping bud in all the world will be vacationing in Maine next month.  Health issues have prevented visiting for quite some time, so I'm ecstatic on many counts.  Of course, I want Liz to remain holding her own physically, but very selfishly, I also want a chance to see her, talk stamping, families, etc, and be blessed by her sense of humor.  I have missed her so much, and am praying that God won't let anything stand in the way.

Over the years, regardless of seeing, or not seeing each other, Liz and I have maintained our friendship via snail mail.  In fact, before I got 'busier and busier' with smARTworks, I used to be a little more attentive to my end of the correspondence, and would try to get at least a card out every week to ten days, or so...Now once a month is more like it... ~sigh!

Anyway, what I really want to share is the pretty much impromptu card I put together to go with the 'can't wait to see you' (and other stuff)  letter I sent out this week.

 
I used an oldie, but goodie technique I've always called 'Watercolor Restamp'.  I think I first stumbled over some version of it on the Paper Inspirations (?) website long before the Trask house even had a computer.  I remember skimming over the directions while online at my mother-in-law's house, and thinking, "I'll remember that..." 

When I got home, however, I realized I was lacking a few essential details (and name), so did a lot of experimenting with the basics I could remember, and came up with the following.  To this day, it remains one of my all-time favorite techniques.

Materials Needed:
Smooth, but not glossy, white or ivory cardstock*
Water-based Markers in 2 shades of each color -- a light and dark version**
Water-filled Mister
Stamp Positioner (VERY necessary!)
Botanical Stamp with limited details

*  The reason you want to work on smooth stock is because you don't want the ink/water to be absorbed too quickly -- You might still like the outcome if done say, on watercolor paper, but it won't be the same.
 
** You can also choose 2 contrasting, but compatible colors (ones that look good when blended).

Process:

1.  Prepare the stamp positioner's imaging sheet by aligning it with the positioner, and stamping it with the image you are using.  Set aside.  Clean stamp.

2.  Using only the lighter markers, color your chosen image.

3.  Now lightly mist the image, and stamp.
Note -- Even though the photo shows me spraying the stamp, best results are achieved by orienting oneself away from the work area, spraying the the water into the air, and 'catching the mist'.  I usually 'catch' three mistings before stamping.

4.  Using the darker markers, recolor the image, but this time only in spots -- concentrate on the outer edges, and any inner niches.

5.  Mist as before, but set aside while you place the stamp postioner's guide directly over the previously stamped image.

6.  Guided by the positioner, stamp the image with the dark highlights.
Note -- Best results will be achieved by refraining from pushing down too hard on the stamp... A lighter touch allows the wet ink to 'move & mingle' before being absorbed into the first image.

7.  Allow finished result to dry, then use as desired.

Other Details for the card sent to Liz --
* Memories Mists in Magarita was lightly sprayed across circle, and allowed to dry before any other stamping was done.
* Stamps Used: Botanical image from SBO-Cookie Plate #1, Sentiment from WD-218 Prayer.  
* Bottom lines of saying were covered with masking tape, then the first line was inked, and tape removed before inked portion was stamped in black and clear embossed on front circle.  Stamp was cleaned, then process reversed to place the rest of the sentiment inside the card.

If you've never tried this technique before, the results can be quite stunning, so give it a go.  If you have tried it before, but not in awhile, why not play with it again?  It's an oldie, but always fast, fun, and fabulous!

Happy Stamping,

Susan T.

P.S. Image used in sample hails from the SBO-Big 'n Bold stamp set.

I Almost Forgot!

So far my week has been in topsy-turvy mode with no day feeling like the day it is, and although I knew better, I spent half the day thinking today was Friday.  The realization that it was, in fact, Wednesday, hit me like a ton of bricks... "Wednesday!?!  Oh, no!  I don't have my Tea Party card ready!!!"

Fortunately, I had some time this afternoon to stop everything else, and work the challenge sketch that Dina gave us last week.  Then I had to wait for posting until after I'd taken Mr. Eli to his trumpet lesson, gotten/served supper, and helped Eli design a thank you for his bus driver.

Concerning this particular challenge, I figured it would be easy, but it really was a challenge for me.  I'd thought about it enough, and started out doing as I'd anticipated -- piecing strips of print together on the back of a scrap of sticker paper, and sizing the striped panels to fit on the square card.  After that, what I'd envisioned looked too much like a purse, but since the rounded portion is only a 'faux flap,' a purse just didn't make sense... so I had to start experimenting.

In the end, I rotated the sketch a quarter turn to the left, added an image panel (should've made it smaller), adjusted the location of the 'circular' element, included a second, similar element, and stamped a sentiment at the bottom.  Perhaps I changed the sketch to much???

Other Details: Stamps used -- WD-60 Butterfly Wishes (sentiment), and WD-230 Frog Hoppin', assorted flower punches  (EK Success , Marvy, Cuttlebug, and PBMD2) adhered with either chipboard or foam tape, image colored with marker, and eyes, tongue, & 'warts' accented with dimensional glaze.

The other person who played along with us was Mary Dinucci (seamom at SCS), and I feel awful because I knew her card was being mailed in, but no one got to the post office to pick it up... I thought hubby was doing the mail run today, and he thought I was doing it... Thankfully, I do have a link to Mary's SCS gallery and card, so you can still see what she brought to the party.

As for the smART Cookie Design Team, their creations should be on their blogs.  To view, please click the links in my sidebar.

All for now,

Susan T. 

This, That, and the Other Thing

This past weekend was jam-packed with a huge amount of the good kind of busy.

On Saturday there was prepping for, and attending 'Four Down, One To Go' as son #3 graduated from high school.  Mr. Eli snapped this photo of his brother, Kevin, during the entrance march.  My camera, per usual, was never thought of until after we'd already left the house...

After church on Sunday, we did a little impromptu cake and tea celebration, but were still 'scheduled' because Kevin was heading out to attend his girlfriend's graduation at a neighboring high school.

With each of these events, of course, there were cards and gifts to get ready, so every one of my weekend minutes seemed taken, and I was playing 'beat the clock' at every turn... In fact, everything turned out to be so rush-rush that I never even got photos of the card or bracelet I made for the girlfriend... Now I ask you, why, when I really do plan in advance, and have things on my 'to do' list months ahead of time, does it always come down to crunch time???    
 
Anyway, even though it isn't stamping related, I still have something to show you

I made this necklace, bracelet, and  earrings combo to go with the dress I wore to graduation.  Finished them one hour before we needed to leave!

The dress (background of photo), is a very simple, scoop neck sheath, but nice and long, and was discovered at the local Goodwill while Mr. Eli and I were looking for costume fixings to complete one of those end-of-the-year school projects he had. 

Being one of my favorite colors, it caught my eye immediately, and on closer inspection looked brand spankin' new.  I debated, then tried it on, and loved it!.  The bonus came at the checkout -- I was expecting to pay $4.99, but was told since the barb color of the day was attached, the dress was on sale for 50% off.  That's $2.50!!!!  Wasn't God good!?!  He knew the unspoken desire of my heart while also knowing the budget couldn't allow me a new dress.

And check out the rectangular beads -- I'd had them for months -- ordered on-line, and not quite the color I was expecting, so just sitting in my bead box.  Once again, a nice little 'God wink' that says He loves me, and is always planning ahead for me!

The rest of the weekend was spent getting a sundae party, and assorted, end of the year awards/prizes ready for hubby to pass out to his students.  It's always a lot of work, but Mark and I have fun brainstorming and coordinating the prizes with the names of the awards... and when I hear about the different reactions, and the happiness created at distribution, it always makes it worth the time and effort.

That brings us to yesterday which was clean-up day.  I'm serious when I tell you that every flat surface of the house was covered with something.  I'd been so busy beating the clock that I just didn't have time to put one thing away before dragging out materials for the next thing... ~aaagrh!

Oh, I did have one other thing I wanted to mention... Remember Sarah's recent butterfly card?  I goofed on suspecting a holographic embossing powder.  Sarah e-mailed me, and let me know that the overall glittery effect was accomplished by brushing a liquid product over the squares.

"It is a brush on glitter paint - Diamonds - from Plaid. It is a clear acrylic with glitter in it. It comes also in gold and silver.  I got it at Walmart, but probably have it at Michael's in the paint section."

So now it's day two of a new week, with a new 'to do' list, and more deadlines for cards and gifts...  Guess I'd better get started,

Susan T.

P.S.  In case you're wondering, our graduate will start cosmetology school the first week of July -- Sometime during this past year he decided that since the human race keeps reproducing, and since God gives each of the new arrivals hair, a barber will always have work no matter what the economy... Seems that diploma was rightfully earned.

Very Nice...

This beautiful card was sent in to smARTworks by recent guest designer, Sarah Stainback.  The stamps Sarah used came from Inchie Blocks (Set 4), and SBO-Cookie Plate.

The color choices for this card are exceptionally appealing, and in person, when the card is moved or tilted, one notices lots of delicate, shimmering highlights. That's because the Inchie Block panels have been embossed with a layer of holographic-type powder.  So, so pretty.

By the way, since Sarah sent this card in as a customer, her account has been credited with two smART Bucks.

Way to go, Sarah, and thank you,

Susan T.

A Sketch Challenge

For the next Tea Party Challenge scheduled to post on June 17 (next Wednesday), Dina has given us a layout sketch taken from a logo design she noticed on a calendar.

If you happen to find this sketch too interesting to pass up, and if you decide to play along, make sure to add a link to your creation by way of a comment...

Hope to see you at the party,

Susan T.