A successful Attempt

Almost everyone in the stamping world has heard of Michelle Zindorf.  And if you haven't, you must check out her blog.  She is an amazing artist.  She works magic with a brayer and ink.  And her work inspired my to try out the brayer technique.  So I browsed through her cards and chose one that I thought would be an easy start.  I chose a card that used an old hostess stamp set, Asian Artistry.  It was one of my favorites and I used it a lot.  I do wish hostess sets would show up in future catalogues.  Here is the tutorial for the card, Farewell Asian Artisty.

It is my first attempt and I think I did a very good job.  Of course there is always room for practice, and practice I shall.  What I love about Michelle's work is that she creates scenes with just ink.  Then she adds stamped images.  I also love this color combo, very bold.  I don't usually go bold but I liked this one.  

I recommend browsing her blog and trying out this beautiful technique.  I believe she has a tutorial for all skill levels.  

Take care

Kristy

Sale-A-Bration Punch Bunch

When I first flipped through the Sale-A-Bration brochure I was immediately drawn to the Punch Bunch stamp set.  I liked the little images plus the fact that they coordinated with punches.  I immediately got it along with all the punches that I needed.  That meant I got the new Two-step Owl punch.  This punch is such fun to play with.  You can make so many different looking owl with just the punch and different papers; but now I have a little owl image to use.

With this stamp set and the coordinating punches, I was able to create 4 different cards and a pillowbox.  I also decided to use the in Colors as well.  Here is what I came up with:

The Pillowbox Bigz die is used to make the pillowbox and just used some dsp, some ribbon, and an owl to decorate it.  Along with the coordinating punches, I also used the Scallop Trim Border punch.  The cards are all very simple, but the punches add the dimensions.  

Try using your punches today to add some dimensions to your card or scrapbook page.

Take care

Kristy

Passionate about Faux Silk

I love the look and feel of this faux silk card.  I came across this technique in Stampin' Success (the Stampin' Up! demo monthly magazine) but there is also a Faux-silk tutorial on Splitcoaststampers by Beate Johns.

This technique is perfect if you want to add some elegance to a card with out a love of work.  Its super simple and quick and just requires a stamp, some ink, tissue paper, cardstock and glue.  Just stamp, crinkle, and glue.  Voila!!!

I also created a paper pierced border, which highlighted the stamped image. 

Supplies that I used include "Inspired by Nature" stamp set; Pear Pizazz, Crushed Curry, Very Vanilla and More Mustard cardstock; Pear Pizazz Classic Stampin' ink; and the mat pack with piercing tool.  This card took only a few minutes to make and it turned out great.

Try out a new technique today and see how it changes the look of a card.


Take care

Kristy

Pierced Valentines

Valentine's Day is only a couple of weeks away.  So for Valentine's Day, I made a simple but elegant card. The layout is simple and plain, but what makes this card pop is the paper piercing around the circles. The large bow just finishes it off. 

I used the "I {Heart} Hearts" stamp set; the Mat Pack and a paper piercer; 1 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon (Pretty in Pink); Blushing Bride, Perfect Plum, and Sahara Sand card stock; valentine's rub-ons (I can't remember the name) from the Occasions mini;  and  Perfect Plum Classic Stampin' ink.

I found wonderful directions for piercing circles over at Splitcoaststampers.  Click here for the tutorial by Beate Johns, who does wonderful tutorials.

I hope you give paper piercing a shot, it really does add to your cards.

Have a wonderful month full of love

Kristy