In the Works...

Anatomy of a Stamping Session - Limits Unlimited - Part 3

I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving.  I was planning to post this entry sometime between then (Thanksgiving Day) and now, but with everyone home and underfoot things just got busy, and real life had other plans... The following, however, is Part 3 of the current series.

After creating the last card in the previous post, I sort of stepped back to take inventory -- I was pretty happy with the five cards I'd already completed, but found I still had a lot of leftovers - a couple of flower tags, a blank tag, a handful of scraps from Print A, a substantial piece plus scraps from Print B, and a nice section of adhesive-backed vellum.  I also had all the 5-petal blossoms I'd punched from that boo boo panel and set aside.

Since my scrap bin already overfloweth, and my mojo was coming around, the goal for this particular stamping session took another turn... Why not try to use up ALL the paper from the two, original 12 x 12 pieces of print?!?

I started with a 4" x 5.25" portion from the substantial piece of Print B, and added a scrap strip of Print A. Then I noticed the Cuttlebugged border that had been sitting at the side of my work table for months.  Next came one of the matted flower tags I'd made earlier, and another torn-edged, vellum saying.  Card #1

I didn't have enough of either print for another 4 x 5.25 panel, so my next thought was to simply utilize the remaining scraps on plain white cards.

What if I were to reverse the stamping surfaces by stamping the image onto the vellum, and the saying onto cardstock - in this case, the leftover blank tag?  While liking the cumulative effect so far, the card just didn't look "finished."  Ah-ha!  I knew those punched flowers would come in handy!  Card #2

I can't explain exactly how the next card came together, but I remember shuffling the three rectangular scraps of print around on top of the white card, and thinking how they reminded me of stairs... At that point, I think I had to stop to let the dog go outside, and seeing him go down our porch steps reminded me that I had a handful of stamped dog images already cut out, and waiting for color (a waiting room project on one of the days I'd taken my mother for an eye treatment).  I wasn't sure stamping a saying on vellum, then mounting it to the white card would be very effective, so I added the sentiment directly to the card front.  I also used one of the Spotlight Solids as an image "grounder," and finished things off with a few more of those flower punches.  Card #3

One of the remaining scraps from Print A looked as if it would showcase a stamped saying pretty well, so that's how the next card got started... Then came a couple more scraps layered together... What should I use as an image?  Amazingly enough, the larger of the two, layered butterflies had been created as much as a year ago, for a class I'd taught on great techniques to use with b-fly images... Somehow I'd ended up with an extra one made from a paper-piecing technique, and had kept it attached to the side of my marker box... It was right under my nose, and I happened to notice that the colors were PERFECT!  Happily, I helped this winged wonder fly from the marker box onto the card, then stamped up the smaller version.  Card #4

Two scrap strips of Print B left... AND an extra butterfly! Have you figured out by now that I almost never make just one of anything?!?  The layered circles were added for two reasons: 1) to frame the b-fly cut-out, and 2) to camouflage the intersection of the print strips.  Card #5

Other Notes:
*  Nothing new was added to the original supplies list.
*  Card 1 - Saying from WD-21 Give Thanks. Tag sewn to card using carpet thread.  As a side note, this is my least favorite card of the entire lot.
*  Card 2 - Image from DK-10 Looking Collage. Sentiment from HSD-Hoot. Vellum image adhered to white chipboard.
*  Card 3 - Dog image from ABC-Dog Daze.  Saying from WD-217 Sunny Smiles.  Shadow stamped in Memories Soft Peach ink.
*  Card 4 - Butterfly images from WD-91 Soar. Quote from Piggy Dreams.  Butterflies stamped/embossed once each on three colors of paper, then cut out and layered.  Antennae of large b-fly made from carpet thread.  Antennae of small b-fly stamped on card.
*  Card #5 - "thanks" from DK-01 Combo Sentiments.

Almost done, but not quite...

Susan T.

Anatomy of a Stamping Session - Limits Unlimited - Part 2

While creating yesterday's posted, "starter card," doing a little math told me if I stuck with the same layout, my two, 12 x 12 pieces of coordinating print would yield 6 cards.  Anticipating this action, I had punched and stamped some extra tags... BUT even before that first card was finished, my creative juices began to flow, and the "what ifs" started taking hold...

My goal then, for the next five cards, would be to continue limiting myself to the same basic techniques and supplies, but to feel free to incorporate the "what ifs" --

What if I were to cut off the top of the tags and change the color of the mat?  Card #1.

What if I were to shift the position of the torn print, then use a single tag, cut off the top, double mat, and change placements of both image and saying?  Card #2.

What if I were to flip the previous layout for Card #2, and instead of a tag, resize the white panel to accommodate a slightly larger image?  Card #3.

What if I were to once again shift the position of the torn paper, use a much larger image, and "tag" the saying using graduated circles?  Card #4.

Card #5?  Would you believe I botched it?!?  Yup, when I went to adhere the 4" x 5.25" piece of print to the card front, my hand bumped the card, and the print went on really crooked... In trying to lift it back off for readjustment, r-r-r-rip!

Since I couldn't bear the thought of throwing away an almost perfectly good piece of paper, I grabbed a couple of flower punches I had nearby, and punched out & layered as many blossoms as possible.  I then noticed the itty bitty yellow buttons sitting on the shelf right in front of me matched the yellow in the print, so added those to some of the centers... Figured that way, they'd be all ready to use later.

Other Notes:
*  A corner rounding punch, and second color of cardstock were added to my initial supply list.
*  Flower Punches - Med. & Lg. 5-petal blossom -- EK Success, Sm. multi-petal blossom -- a generic brand.
* Card #1 - Sentiment from WD-92 Great Day.
* Card #2 - Quote from WD-194 Worries.
* Card #3 - Image from ABC-Posie Pots.  Saying from WD-06 Flowers/Seeds.  Carpet thread bow adhered over stamped bow on flowerpot. (shown below) 
* Card #4 - Image from ABC-Geraniums. Sentiment from Little Say.

Still more to come...

Susan T.

Anatomy of a Stamping Session - Limits Unlimited - Part 1

Last week started out on a quiet note, and since I hadn't had much personal stamping time in several weeks, I decided to put aside many of the things I COULD be doing, and stamp.
 
Now I don't know about you, but when I haven't stamped in awhile, I tend to find my creative juices have sort of congealed, and even the basics seem difficult... Adding to this dilemma, is the "blessing" of having an overabundance of stamping stuff... I sit there, looking at everything, and instead of getting inspired, it's just the opposite... I am overwhelmed with too many possibilities!

What to do?  Well, what seems to work best for rekindling my mojo is to impose some limits for myself, and then see where those limits take me.

For starters this time, I began skimming through my "idea bank" -- A notebook where I jot down momentary flashes of inspiration, things I'd like to try "someday", or ideas I've seen that strike me as having merit for making a good card.  Included are possible product uses, techniques, layouts, color combos, etc.

Almost immediately, this particular variation of the classic "3-In-A-Row Tag Card" layout caught my eye --

Of course the sketch in my notebook was really just a scribble with no exact sizes, and very few details, which meant the next step was to analyze the sketch, establish those necessary deets, and collect my "limited" supplies...  I determined I would need the following:

A-2 White Cards, plus White Scrap
Tags, or a Tag Punch/Die
(2) Coordinating Print Papers
(2) Stamps - image sized for tags (chosen from WD-41 Bloom With Joy), and a saying (chosen from WD-126 Above & Beyond)
Vellum
Black Ink (see Notes below)
Coordinated Coloring Mediums
Eyelets - 1/8" White

Once I had my supplies at hand, it was time to "duplicate" the idea exactly as I had jotted it down.  Let me add that the initial attempt to do this is often where the first need for creativity or deviation will come into play, and so it was with this sketch...

I quickly discovered that all the tag punches/dies I own were either too big, or too small to recreate the proportions of the original layout... Enter the need for adding a layer of coordinating cardstock to "enlarge" my tags...

The other change I made was the color of the eyelets because using the colored ones vs."white" just had a more palatable impact.

With my mojo-starter, starter card now complete, I added a few finishing touches:  Glitter, dimensional glaze, and string for the middle tag.

Other Notes:
*It is always important to choose ink(s) compatible with the surface to be stamped, so Versafine Black Onyx was used on the cardstock tags, while Brilliance Graphite Black was used on the vellum.
*Images on tags were also clear embossed using Transcendence powder.
*Tags were raised off card using chipboard -- While it adds less dimension than foam tape, it's one of those little "extras" that makes a rather ordinary card look more special.
*Vellum was first adhered to one side of a double-sided sheet of adhesive, then stamped.  After the ink dried, vellum and adhesive were torn simultaneously.  The remaining liner was then peeled away, and vellum was adhered to the card.

To be continued...

Susan T.

What Kind of Tea?

Our next T-party Challenge hails from Dina.  I think you'd call it an "other than a card" challenge, but it's pretty open-ended...

Create a Christmas ornament.

No other details.  I think it goes without saying that stamping must be involved, but other than that, we're free to knock ourselves out...

Following the typical T-party schedule would mean our ornaments are due for post day before Thanksgiving... The Cookies and I, however, thought maybe we'd better use that day to devote our time to more holiday oriented activities like pie baking, so voted to postpone the actual teatime until December 3.

Hope to see you then,

Susan T.

New Images!

Today makes it official!  The on-line catalog has been updated (new images are on pages 155 -166), and twenty of the twenty-four smART new sets have been released, or is that unleashed?   No matter, the bottom line is... A lot of fun stuff's in there!

As you browse, you're going to see a bit of a change --

In general, the new sets are a little larger than previously existing sets, and since this means more rubber, these sets are also proportionately a little more expensive.  I'm sure as with all change, this will meet with mixed reviews... The change, however, boils down to two things - industry trend and cost effectiveness.  Two factors which really translate into extra value for you. 

You're also sure to notice that four of the new sets bear the "DK" prefix, meaning they've been designed by our own smART Cookie, Dina Kowal.  These are images I fell in love with from the get go, then rounded out with sayings from my vast collection of sentiments and quotes.  Consequently, if you love the images/verse, but hate the sayings, don't blame Dina, blame me.

Saying that causes me to want to mention something. I know there are some stampers who refrain from buying an entire set because they don't absolutely LOVE every image/saying it contains... I also know a few stampers who will buy an entire set they really don't care for because they absolutely LOVE only one of the images/sayings... Analyze these two camps of thought, and like many things, there is no right or wrong, it's just about outlook and possibilities.

Here's my personal guideline/tip for purchasing:  When looking at a set of rubber, love it all or not, I ask myself these questions, "Can I envision 3 different cards/projects to make with this set?  Does the set lend itself for use with 3 different techniques?  Would this set be appropriate to use for 3 different occasions?  If my answer is "yes" on any count, the set is a good candidate for my money.

So what do I do with the image(s) or saying(s) I'm not so hep on?  I ususally give it/them away.  Just as there's a Jack for every Jill, there's a stamper for every image... Besides, I know I've received a few of these "undesirables" from stamping buddies before... Usually tucked in a card with a P.S. something like this:  I know I will never use this stamp, so if you love it, have fun.  If you don't, pass it on.  And quite honestly, whether I've liked my gift or not, just receiving it was thrilling.   

Lastly, even though I've made peace with it, I'm still disappointed the following four sets remain "on hold" --

HSD-Tumbling Daisies - pg. 155
WD-230 Frog Hoppin' - pg. 163
WD-228 Mother Teresa - pg. 163
WD-229 Purpose Small - pg. 166

Of course, as during October's Birthday Sale, you have the option of ordering & prepaying, then when available, they will be mailed to you free of shipping... And keep in mind, the situation is seeing attention, and should be resolved any day.

Happy browsing,

Susan T.

This 'n That

Today I have an assortment of unrelated things to mention, share, and/or announce:

Since a dozen or so of you have been waiting patiently for out-of-stock rubber which you ordered and paid for during October's Birthday Sale, let me assure you that it's on it's way!  The re-stock sheets came in on the 10th as anticipated.  I cut and packaged on Veteran's Day, and everything shipped out yesterday - November 12.

Also yesterday, a couple other players came to the Circular T-party.  It made me mucho happy, but of course, since I got to the party so late, I didn't discover their cards until even later than that... Here are the links: Jessica's card, and Bernice's card.

Have you visited Paper Craft Planet yet?  It's a fairly new-on-the-scene, on-line community of paper craters where you can share your profile, find kindred stamping/scrapping spirits, ask questions, make comments, discuss paper crafting issues, etc.  You can even join a group or two, or twenty (~wink).  I mention this because one of the groups you might want to join is the smARTworks group... Most of us who have already joined PCP are still in the process of learning our way around all the techie stuff, but believe me, if I'm able to do it, you will be too... AND as a personal commentary, I have found it a lot less intimidating to navigate than the Splitcoaststampers community...

Recently I received a batch of beauteous cards from smART guest designer, Donelda Wygiera, and they are now hanging in the smART Guest Designer's Gallery. Really nice stuff!  I also want to share that up until now Donelda has been pretty much a wood-mounted only gal.  I'm hoping to share more about her experience in a later post, but I was really impressed...

You may have noticed a change in my blog photo. After several very complimentary birthday comments questioned if the one on display were recent, I stopped and realized it was probably 5-6 years old... So I located a photo Eli took of his father and me this summer, cropped out DH, removed the trees and sky background, and dropped myself in a pile of smART images. ~Ahhhhh! What a grand place to be! 

BTW, my brother thought having my hair pulled back in the other picture was too severe (making me and the business I represent, "unfriendly") , so this one ought to give him fits. ~sibling applause!  He's Mr. MBA, and does all that psycho analytical "garbage" on how to improve one's image to increase sales/profits, etc.  Although I'll concede that He may be right, I'd much rather appear the same way I would if you saw me in person.  Come to think of it, in person, I am a little severe. ~ha ha

The next bit of news is a little sad for me, but due to continued lack of participation, the smART Card Stamping Contest has been discontinued.  You may remember that a couple of cards from last quarter (which didn't run) were being forwarded to this quarter... Here they are in order of arrival:

 

The first one is from my most faithful contestant, Sarah Stainback, and the second is from Sarah Kornhaus.  I think each is contest worthy, so I truly disliked informing the designers that the contest has ended.  I did, however, provide a "lovely parting gift" to soften the blow -- Each stamper has received a gift certificate good for more smART rubber.  Additionally, their cards along with some of the details are also on display in the smART Customer Gallery.

Lastly, an update on the new release -- The engraving problem is getting closer to a resolution, but is not fixed to 100% satisfaction quite yet... Since this affects only four of the twenty-four new sets, the decision has been made to proceed...  I will post a list of the sets "on hold," and release the others... The new on-line catalog pages will be available on Saturday - November 15.  Hey, that's the day after tomorrow!

See you then,

Susan T.

Any Tea Left?

Have you ever been all ready for a party, but were still unable to arrive on time?  

Well, that's what happened to me today... I had my card finished days ago, and I was super excited to post, but one thing led to another all day long, and now, when it's time for everyone to be packing up and heading home, I'm just showing up... I've never really agreed with the philosophy, "Better late than never," but I think just this once I'll pretend that I do, and post anyway.

For today's T-party, Donelda challenged us to have our cards go "circular."  That meant, so long as circles were included, ANYTHING was fair game -- the card itself, elements on the card, stamped images, embellishments, etc.

I actually have two cards to share, mine and Peggy Lamb's.  I'll start with Peggy's:

Isn't this clever?!?  Peggy went circular by using a Coluzzle-made circle cut-out, to create a shaker card, and yes, those are real sunflower seeds peeking out behind the inlaid acetate!

Other Details --
Stamps Sets:  HSD-Sunflower,  WD-147 Scatter Seeds
Inks:  Versafine Onyx Black (on cardstock), Staz-On Black (on acetate)
Punches: Spellbinders Trio Die
Other:Twinkling H2Os (for coloring cardstock), Dimensional Glaze mixed w/ Reinkers (for coloring acetate)Foam Tape, Gosgrain Ribbon.
Note:  Peggy's card measures 5-1/2" square.

Now my card:

As you can see, I didn't end up following my initial muse to use either of the circle sets I mentioned last week.  I had planned to, then happened to be passing by my ribbon reels, and a lightening bolt of inspiration sent me in another direction...  Yup, this card all started with the ribbon!

Other Details --
Stamp Set:  WD-72 Forget Your Age
Inks:Versafine  Onyx Black
Punches:  Small Graduated Circles (various brands), 2" White - Marvy, Purple Scallop Circle - Marvy Mega , Blue Narrow Circle Frame - Cuttlebug 
Other: Markers, Glitter Glue, Bitty Button (flower center)
Notes: 
*  I initially used a permanent marker to color a white itty bitty button for the flower's center.  After it was already adhered, I disliked the look immensely, but knew I couldn't remove the button without tearing the paper... My remedy was a punched circle from the hole on one of my small tag dies... I glue it on top of the button, then added a drop of dimensional glaze.  Much better!!!

*  The card front you see is really a second panel cut to the same dimensions of the card.  The ends of the ribbon were tacked to the back of the panel, then the panel was mounted to the card front.  Why?  It saves on ribbon while allowing the edges of the card to look finished.  It also keeps the inside of the card uncluttered.

Time to check out how all the others went circular: Donelda, Dina, Trish, and Giovana.

All for now,

Susan T.

Go Circular!

It's Donelda's turn play T-party hostess, and she's decided to go with something a little different... She's challenging us to use circles on our cards.  We can make a circle card, use circle images, or add circle embellishments, etc.  Anything we like, just so long as it's circlular!

I know I have until next Wednesday, Nov. 12, yet already my mind mice are feverishly running laps on their creativity exercise wheel... What will I do?  What will I do?  Not quite sure, but thinking "circles," immediately brought these two stamp sets to mind:

See ya 'round (~hee hee),

Susan T.

Last Hurrah

The autumn foliage in Maine was glorious this year!  Of course, I think I say that every year, but viewing God's artistry just never gets old.  Right now, however, with many trees already bare, the remaining leaves are well past their prime, and have dulled in color.  Things are taking on a tell-tale, "winter is surely coming" look... Still pretty, but in reality, sort of tired, and not so glorious.

Notice I said, "...in reality."  That's because a card recently sent in by smART Cookie, Peggy Lamb, reminded me that in the fantasy world of stamping, an endless autumn is always possible.  All one needs is an assortment of leaf stamps, and the right colors...

For this tall card, Peggy used the large maple leaf from FL-30 Leaves #1, and colors of red and gold.  These she combined with the polished stone technique - alcohol inks (Butterscotch, Cranberry, & Currant) on glossy stock, Nestabilities circles, a seasonally appropriate saying from WD-52 Wave Good-bye, and Robin's Nest Sunflower Dew Drops embellishments.

A personal note: Given the saying and symbolic, single leaf design, Peggy's title of "Fallen Leaf" makes perfect sense,  but I can't help myself... Every time I look at it, even briefly, I'm transported back to the recent glory days of fall, and my mind automatically thinks, "The Last Hurrah."

To see two more autumn-themed, leaf cards designed by Peggy, visit Peggy's smART Art gallery, and/or the design team's Cookie Jar blog.

Off to vote,

Susan T.

Thank You Very Much!

This is one of a handful of birthday cards I've received within the last couple of weeks...

Many thanks to Donelda (designer of card shown), Liz, Sarah, Sarah, Marie, Melody, and Peggy.  Your snail mail arrivals have made me a very happy girl! 

Please Note:  Each card received is worthy of show 'n tell, but Donelda has been guest designing for smARTworks for several weeks, and I had yet to showcase any of her wonderful work.

I don't have specific details for Donelda's card, but me thinks if you have print paper, 1/8" & 3" circle punches, a corner rounder, scissors, watercolors, and sheer 1/2" ribbon, you'll be good to go... I do know the teapot is an Angi-B image available through smARTworks.  Yay!

What I especially like about this card is the color combo of red and green used together in a non-Christmas theme.  Maybe it's the subtle "black" in the pattern of the print paper, then carried through via ink and ribbon that makes the difference, but I am definitely humming "Happy Birthday" vs. "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" every time I look at it.  Very cool!  (BTW, the card's outside corners are actually rounded, but when I added the drop shadow for better viewing, the corners all went square.)

One other "my day" note --  I still have one birthday cake grab bag waiting for an address, so Diane Noble, please contact me.

Thanks again for sharing my 48th,

Susan T.   

Edited to add:  My great fear in listing names to thank, is the possibility that I will leave someone out, and guess what?!?  My fear was realized.  "Mary" should also be on the above list.  In fact, Mary's card is memorable to me for reasons I can't share... but they are good ones, and you'd smile if you knew... So, Mary, I'm sorry.  It really was just an oversight due to fact your card is sitting in a special place...