Sneaky peek at... Just A Note

This sneaky peek is a little bit misleading as it's not *exactly* what we'll be making at the session tonight. The idea is the same but we'll be using smooth card in different colours. This is a set of notecards I made for a friend using the gorgeous textured card from Stampin' Up! in Old Olive and Real Red (a real classic colour combo). I've used the cherry stamp, inked up using SU markers, from the Tart and Tangy stamp set and I think it makes a really cute, kitsch pattern. It reminds me of 1950's diners and poodle skirts.

I've used the One Sheet Wonder (OSW) technique, in as much that I've stamped up a single A4 sheet of Whisper White cardstock with a repeat design, and then cut sections of the card to make each card.

This is my take on the OSW, as a normal OSW is used to make ten cards and mine makes six. I knew there were certain designs I wanted to use that required larger pieces of stamped card so I decided to sacrifice quantity to get the designs I wanted.

On the green card above I punched out three individual images using the Circle punch and matted them with the contrasting red card. The sentiment is from a retired set that I've cut out using the Word Window punch. The red card is probably my favourite. I've highlighted the cherries paper by using contrasting card and the Eyelet Border punch.

The sentiment on the red card above is stamped onto contrasting card and cut out using the Extra Large Tab punch.



I've used faux stitching on the green card above. It's so easy - just use a marker to draw a zigzag line over the edge of your paper to make it look like it's sewn to the card. If you have time to make it look even more realistic, use a piercing tool to make holes where each stitch would go through the card. Both cards use the 'friends' sentiment from the Just Believe set.

In this week's session I want to see everyone's own creative flair so I'm not setting precise instructions. Depending on the stamp sets that people choose, they will be able to use their OSWs in different ways. I'm really looking forward to seeing what is created.

YNS Challenge #45

It's been a long time since I entered a blog challenge but I couldn't resist when I saw that the theme at the Your Next Stamp challenge blog was 'Black and White + 1 more'. I really love these colour splash challenges as the results are always really stunning (by that I mean all the entries). It's also a great way to get you thinking about careful design as you can't rely on colour coordination.

I have a rose stamp from YNS which I knew would make the impact I was looking for. I set it up on my Stampin' Up! clear mount block and randomly stamped it in black Stazon onto whisper white cardstock. I coloured in the roses using a couple of Promarkers and then cut it down into strips before layering them onto basic black CS. I added a border using the Eyelet Border Punch and punched a matching strip to go along the bottom to frame the sentiment. The main card is Baja Breeze cardstock and those brads are actually faux paper brads which were a gift from the lovely Linda (see her blog here).

I'll be posting again soon with full details of the next Papercraft Session, but as a teaser I can tell you that we'll be covering the 'One Sheet Wonder' technique (nothing to do with Juan Sheet and his kitchen towels I promise!)

Tri-shutter treat

I was recently inspired by Sarah Moore's beautiful Tri-shutter card and decided to have a go at one myself.

I used the En Francais background stamp to create a vintage look and enhanced it by adding Cajun Craze ink to the edges of the More Mustard panels with a dry cloth.

The leaves and sentiment are from the Hopeful Thoughts stamp set. I've added interest to the sentiment panel by using the Eyelet Border punch on the top and bottom edges.

Taking centre stage is the wonderful 2-Step Bird punch, which punches out the bird shape, a wing and the branch in one step - a great time saver!

The 2-Step Bird has been used again on the central panel, this time stamped with En Francais in Cajun Craze again.

The flowers on the final panel are made using the 'kissing technique', where I have applied the leaves stamp to the Flower Accent stamp. The petals were curled slightly and the flower centres are made from 1/2" circles of cardstock, which I've scrunched up and unfolded then applied Bravo Burgundy ink to tie them into the colour of the main card background. An eyelet border edge adds the final touch.