Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Love is in the Air

I am so honored and excited to have been asked to be a guest in the Designer Spotlight for the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog! Thank you to the Blog Team!

This week's challenge is "Love is in the Air" using Simon Says Stamp products (but you can use whatever you have). A randomly chosen winner will receive a $25 gift card to Simon Says Stamp! You have 1 week to enter the challenge-Go to the blog to read all the details and rules.
A randomly chosen winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to Simon Says Stamp! Good luck!

    

Love is in the Air with Valentine's Day a week away! For my Valentine, I embossed a piece of acetate(4.25" x  5.5") with Simon Says Stamp's "Blossom Field" embossing folder. Next I painted the backside of the acetate, where the leaves and flowers are recessed using a small tipped paintbrush and gold acrylic paint. I painted this with 2 coats so the brushstrokes wouldn't show through.

 

I blended 3 shades of purple Distress Oxide Ink on cardstock, from light to dark in "Victorian Velvet", "Seedless Preserves" and "Villainous Potion" and carefully glued the edges of acetate to the cardstock.

I used gold metallic cardstock and diecut the XOXO from CZ Designs' "Trio of Love", the Simon Says Stamp, "Wreath of Love" and a frame the size of the card panel. I carefully took the heart diecut and embossed it with the same "Blossom Field" folder. I took another piece of cardstock the size of the "Wreath of Love" heart and ink blended this in reverse order, dark to light in the same Distress Oxides and diecut the heart. I glued just the metallic outline of the heart on top of this ink blended heart and glued it onto the acetate. The 2 layers give the heart some dimension. I centered the XOXO in the heart and attached the gold frame. This acetate card front was glued onto a regular 4.25" x 5.5" white card. I used Distress Collage Medium in the bottle to attach the acetate. It works great and dries clear.

Supply list with links to Simon Says Stamp!

Thanks so much for visiting! Please go visit the Simon Says Stamp Blog  and see what the talented designers created and leave a message of love, it is almost Valentine's Day!

Gratefully,

Susan 

Susanbcards @Instagram

Snowflake Card with Warm Distress Oxide Colors

I rarely know what card will be well liked on Instagram, this is one of those cards. Maybe it's the colors or maybe I just hit the Instagram algorithm correctly but this one was liked and had some questions about how I made it. I didn't take photos as I was making it so I just remade a few of the main elements here (I used a different embossing folder in the pics but I'll list the original folder here.)

Here's a photo of the supplies I used: 

Distress Oxide Inks in Fossilized Amber, Picked Raspberry, Ripe Persimmon

Simon Says Stamp "Snowflake Visions" embossing folder

Simon Says Stamp "Harmony Snowflakes" (used only the large one)

Poppystamps "Seed Snowflake Outline" (it's an old die)

Darice vellum

I blended the 3 Distress Oxides onto the white cardstock cut to 4.25" x 5.5".

I cut a piece of vellum 6.5" long, which is longer than the cardstock so I could fold it over and attach it to the back after I run it through the Big Shot. (Please note, this is a different embossing folder but same process.) The adhesive shows through the vellum which is why I attach it to the back. The width of the vellum is the same as the cardstock 4.25", there's no adhesive on the sides.

I diecut the snowflakes out 3x each, glued them together for dimension. The larger snowflake has Stickles on it for shine. The smaller snowflake has the Distress Oxide blended onto it. I mounted this panel onto a 4.25" x 5.5" standard card. That way you can't see where I attached the vellum to the back.

That's it! Thanks for looking.

I'm also on Instagram @susanbcards

 

Tim Holtz Roses Embossing Folder

After the holidays I hit a wall. I was making Christmas cards and gifts until the end of December. 

I actually sent cards out to everyone I needed to and donated some and made some gift sets! Then Jan 2 came and I couldn't think of anything to make. At all. So I started watching YouTube, my favorite place to find new ideas or retry some old ones.

I really enjoy mixed media, so I re-watched Tim Holtz's demos. He suggested making technique tags, similar to swatches, so you'd remind yourself how something is done. I have the worst memory. I always think I'm going to remember how I did something and then someone asks me and I draw a blank.

I'm going to try harder to blog more too, I've seen that many more people have been looking here, probably wondering what colors I used or how I made something. I'll do my best but I get lost in the making and often forget to take pictures or take notes. 

I made this vintage card and received lots of DM on my Instagram account asking how, what, where. I really didn't think many people would like this card much less ask about it. So, I'll do my best to remember.

I took a piece of Distress Mixed Media Heavystock and spritzed and sprayed the paper with Distress Oxides in Crushed Olive, Rustic Wilderness, and the Distress Mica Sprays in Tree Lot and Holly Branch, adding only a little of the dark shades. I also added a bit of Snow Flurries Mica Stain Spray (ugh, I'm almost out of this limited release!) I let it dry.

I then used the Tim Holtz/Sizzix Roses embossing folder, I didn't spritz my paper, just ran it through the Big Shot. This is where the Tim Holtz demo came in, I watched the one on Distress Crayons and saw how you could paint with them. You scribble a bit on your craft mat, spritz it with water and with a paintbrush paint it on. It's a pretty cool look, very pigmented. I used Peppermint Stick and Picked Raspberry, the Peppermint has mica in it so it sparkles. 

After it was dry, I couldn't see any of the lines in the flowers or leaves so I used a small blending tool and Espresso Distress Ink and blended the ink onto the raised areas of the flowers and leaves ON THE FOLDER and immediately reran the paper so the ink would be pressed into the paper. 

I could have just taken a thin paintbrush and painted these lines but after getting the rose and leaves wet, they kind of deflated and rerunning the folder with the paper pops it back up.

I was happy with the result so I took Black Soot Archival ink and the script stamp from Dearly Departed and lightly stamped a few areas that needed "something". I took just a bit of the Distress Mica Spray in Flickering Candlestick and dropped a bit in a few areas for highlights and spritzed a little water to make it blend. The sentiment is from SA Tiny Text.

I hope this helps anyone wondering. Thanks for stopping by, I post several times a week @susanbcards on Instagram.

I'm entering this on the Funkie Junkie Blog Challenge called "Out with the old, in with the new", since it's an old folder using some of the new holiday Distress Mica Stains and Crayons.

You can find the challenge here:

http://frillyandfunkie.blogspot.com/

YAY! LOOK WHO WON! Thanks to the Funkie Junkie Blog!

 

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: PARTY!

I am so honored to have been asked to be a guest in the Designer Spotlight for the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog!

 Thank you to the Blog Team!

The new challenge "PARTY" lasts for 2 weeks! A randomly chosen participant will receive a $25 gift certificate to Simon Says Stamp! Please visit the blog for all the details! Remember to use #sssmchallenge on Instagram.

This week I made a PARTY invitation! Now I may be biased but I think this is so much better than an evite.

One of my favorite techniques is to use Tim Holtz Ranger alcohol inks and alcohol ink alloys on embossed acetate.

Clear acetate embossed with the Simon Says Stamp "Magnetic" folder.

I applied the alcohol ink alloys to the BACKSIDE, the debossed side. It takes quite a bit of ink to cover this panel because of the divots. I used a dropper to add 91% Isopropyl Alcohol to alcohol ink alloy to help it move but use too much and it'll make the ink too sheer. You just have to use your judgement. I used an old paintbrush to move around the alcohol ink and also tilted it. I did this over a box to catch any spilled ink, because it will stain.

View from the UNINKED side

In person, you can see uneven ink areas. After it was dry, I flipped it over so the inked side is now the back and mounted it on white cardstock. The imperfections seem to disappear because no light can pass through it once mounted on cardstock. Remember, since acetate is plastic you have to use an adhesive that is meant for plastic. I used Distress Collage Medium, put a book on it and let it dry for hours.

I diecut all the pieces from silver, gold, red and green metallic cardstock. The names of the dies and the direct link to Simon Says Stamp are listed below. Everything was adhered with the Distress Collage Medium, I popped the celebrate sentiment with diecut fun foam. Again, I put a book on it to dry for hours. I mounted the whole thing onto red metallic cardstock and then that onto a regular A4 white card.

That's my making story. It's better than an evite...right?

Here's what I used for this invitation with clickable links to Simon Says Stamp!

Simon Says Stamp! Magnetic embossing folder

Simon Says Stamp Curly Streamers wafer die

Tim Holtz Sizzix Happy Hour Thinlits die

My Favorite Things Celebrate die

Tim Holtz Ranger Alcohol Ink Alloys

Tim Holtz Distress Collage Medium

This is my last post as a Guest in the Designer Spotlight for December (thank you design team!). What fun the Simon Says Stamp blog challenges are, I had a great time thinking creatively.

 I hope you visit the blog to see what the talented designers created! 

I'll be sharing more PARTY ideas on Instagram @susanbcards

Thank you for visiting and I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

 

Simon Says Stamp! Monday Blog Challenge: Cold as Ice!

I am so honored to have been asked to be a guest in the Designer Spotlight for the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog! Thank you to the Blog Team!

This week's challenge is "Cold As Ice"! A randomly chosen participant will receive a $25 gift certificate to Simon Says Stamp! You can enter up to 5x by next Monday 8 A.M Eastern time. Use the hashtag #sssmchallenge on Instagram!

Today I'm sharing a "Cold as Ice" card I made...a card that would ideally be handed to the recipient as there is a diecut dimensional house on it...but isn't it cute? I used the Tim Holtz Sizzix "Paper Village" die and trimmed down the house so it wouldn't stick out too far from the card. Here is how I cut down the house:

Diecut the house-front, back (not pictured) and roof.

.

I added 2 score lines right of the house front, 1/4" each. 

Trim off the excess, as shown. Fold on score lines, this will create a house only 1/4" deep.

Repeat for the back of the house.

Cut down the roof to 3/8" (it'll create an overhang to the house front).

I added metallic paper for the windows before assembling. It's easier to paint the pieces before adding the window and assembling, if so desired. The roof is pushed forward to keep the back flat (so it can be glued to the card) and create an overhang in the front of the house. You can use glue to assemble the house but SSS Red Line Tape is stronger and you won't have to hold the pieces in place until adhered.

I diecut colored cardstock for the trees, leaves and flowers. I applied white acrylic paint in areas to look like snow. After it was all assembled, I added Distress Collage Medium and Distress Mica flakes to the scene. I added Stickles for even more "Ice". 

The sentiment is from Stampers Anonymous Tiny Text Christmas.

Here is a video so you can see the sparkle!

Here's what I used for this card with links to the Simon Says Stamp! store:

Tim Holtz Sizzix Paper Village Thinlit Dies

Tim Holtz/Sizzix Tall Pines Thinlit Dies

Tim Holtz Mini Holiday Greens Thinlit Dies

Tim Holtz Sizzix Funky Foliage Thinlit Dies

Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Tiny Text Christmas stamps

Ranger Stickles

Distress Collage Medum

Distress Mica Flakes

Simon Says Stamp Red Line Tape 1/4"

Thank you for visiting my blog! I can also be found

 @susanbcards on Instagram. Have a great week!

 

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Tim Holtz Santa!

I am so honored to have been asked to be a guest in the Designer Spotlight for the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog! Thank you to the Blog Team!

This week's challenge is "Santa" using Tim Holtz products but you can use whatever you have! A randomly chosen winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to Simon Says Stamp. (You can enter up to 5x AND get a bunch of cards done.)

You can enter at https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/

Be sure to use #sssmchallenge on Instagram!

For my home decor project I used:

Tim Holtz Sizzix "Woodland Santa" Colorize dies

Tim Holtz Sizzix "Festive Bouquet" Thinlit dies

Tim Holtz Sizzix "Holiday Greens" mini dies

Tim Holtz Sizzix "Merry and Bright" Thinlit dies (sentiment)

Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous "Winter Watercolor" stamps

 Distress Oxide Spray Crushed Olive

Distress Spray Stain in Barn Door

Distress Mica Stain Sprays in Tree Lot, Holly Branch and Peppermint Stick

Distress Ink in Walnut Stain

Distress Mixed Media Heavystock

Wood wreath painted with black acrylic paint

Scrap piece of silver glitter cardstock colored with Tim Holtz Ranger Black Soot alcohol ink

Chunky glitter

Steps:

The small wood wreath is from the floral section for around $1, I painted it black.

I sprayed the Distress MM Heavystock paper in shades of green and another in reds.

The paper on the right is regular 110 lb cardstock, the right is the Distress MM Heavystock, using the same color sprays. I'm showing this so you know why I like to use the Distress MM Heavystock for sprays. 

I had a scrap of silver glitter cardstock that I applied black alcohol ink onto with some rubbing alcohol to move it. I used this for the sentiment, belt buckle, shoe highlights and the center of the poinsettia.

I diecut all the other pieces, using plain cardstock for the white, black, grey and brown areas on Santa. I applied a little glue and chunky glitter on the greenery.

For the center of the wreath, I traced the wreath and hand cut it. I smooshed some Walnut Stain Distress ink on a mat and dragged the paper through it, drying, then dipping the paper for age spots.

 I then inked the Winter Watercolor stamps and lightly sprayed them with water to get a loose, watercolor effect.

I have a plate holder to display it but you can easily attach a small hook or a lovely piece of ribbon to the back and hang it.

It seems like a lot of steps but I always have pieces of inked paper ready to go or scraps I saved from other projects (like the glitter paper). I also end up diecutting more than I need of the flowers or greenery and save those in the packet with the dies.

I hope you like my project, leave a comment here or on my Instagram @susanbcards. I'll be posting more Santa projects this week! 

Memory Box Domed Window

 This Memory Box "Domed Window Emboss and Cut" is an embossing folder that also cuts out the window panes. I just love this image. I wanted to put this Simon Says Stamp "Snowflake Visions" embossed panel as the view. 

Lately I've been taking acetate sheets (WRMK makes a pad of 12x12 sheets) and cutting them down to embossing folder size. Then I place it into the folder and through the Big Shot to get clear embossed sheets. I took some gold acrylic paint and painted the backside of the snowflakes. I then took some watered down white acrylic paint and using a slightly damp paper towel, I pounced it on the back of the acetate. When you look at the front of the acetate it looks kinda dreamy, like cotton. I mounted this on a pink piece of cardstock, you can see in the photo it looks slightly pink.

I then placed the Memory Box window panel over the acetate, and mounted this on a larger white card, popping it up with a foam sheet.

The sentiment is from Simon Says Stamp "Holiday Greetings Mix 1".

The embossing folders, and stamps were all purchased at Simon Says Stamp.

Thanks for looking, I post several times a week on Instagram @susanbcards

Acetate embossed and Inked

This was an idea I came up on my own one day wondering if I could emboss acetate, the answer is yes. I liked the way it looked but wanted color. Alcohol ink? Yes but it comes off acetate fairly easily and didn't want to get alcohol ink on my folder, so I embossed 1st, colored 2nd.

Note: it can be messy, it's alcohol ink and you have to move it into the nooks and crannies you create after embossing! Alcohol ink STAINS! I did mine in a cardboard box. It took a decent amount of ink but I've had these bottles forever and like to use my products. Also remember to use alcohol ink in a well ventilated area. To get the ink stains off my hands, I found nail polish remover works pretty well.

I took a piece of  thin, clear acetate (We R Memory Keepers, 12x12 inch pad, from Michaels, I think) cut to fit my folder and embossed it with the Simon Says Stamp “Magnetic” embossing folder. It was the same sandwich as the one I use for cardstock, on my Big Shot it is the Multipurpose Platform at #1 with 1 acrylic plate on top of the embossing folder, but try what works for you without forcing the machine. It took only 1 pass. Here's what it looked like:

I then took Tim Holtz/Ranger alcohol inks and randomly dropped colors (a little at a time) onto the acetate, adding just a little rubbing alcohol with a dropper to help it spread (use sparingly or the colors will thin) and the Tim Holtz alcohol ink blower tool, plus tipping the acetate to get it to move. This process takes a bit of time.

 

I also used an old paintbrush to fill in areas and edges. I left it to dry. There were small areas where the color was a bit thin or missed but I found if I backed it with purple cardstock it looked better. I mounted the acetate with the ink side down onto the cardstock using Distress Collage Medium and placed a book on top to dry. So easy. 

I cut gold cardstock 3x with the Simon Says Stamp Joyful die, and just once with the shadow die. I think sentiments always look better when cut and stacked. 

Thanks for visiting. I’m on Instagram @Susanbcards where I post cards several times a week