"Charming" Clear Block Shadows

Making shadows with clear blocks is a my favourite way  to create a multi-image background. This type of background is very popular on the cover of journals and lends itself to card  and scrapbook page backgrounds. Here's how I made mine.

I left a 3/4" border on the left side of my Very Vanilla cardstock (101650) and used the 2" x 2 1/4" Clear-Mount block (118486) and Wild Wasabi ink (109014) and Marina Mist Ink (119668). I stamped my "shadows" in a checker board pattern. Then I used a larger Clear Mount Block (118485) and stamped with Crumb Cake Ink (121030). I chose the stamp set Charming (116519) to finish the card front. I stamped the writing image with Bravo Burgundy (105214). I wiped off the bottom two rows and stamped twice on the Wild Wasabi "shadows" On the top Marina Mist "shadow" I stamped the small medallion with Versa Mark (102283) and embossed with Gold Embossing Powder (109129). I stamped the flower image with Bravo Burgundy Ink ((105214) twice, removing part of the image the second time I stamped. I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049) for placement. I would be lost without this tool.  I distressed the edges of my paper with the  distressing blades from my Cutter Kit(106958). (Another favourite tool of mine.) I mounted  the Very Vanilla cardstock on Bravo Burgundy Cardstock (105123) which I also distressed. I wrapped a piece of Bravo Burgundy Ribbon and tied it with Linen Thread (104199). I stamped "for you"  from the Great Friend Stamp Set (113792) with Versa Mark (102283) and embossed with Gold Embossing Powder (106129) on Marina Mist Cardstock (119668) and punched it out with the Small Oval Punch (119863). I tied the oval tag to the ribbon with linen Thread and covered the knot with a Vanilla Vintage Flower Adornment (121879) from the Occasions Mini Catalogue. I attached the rose with a Mini Glue Dot (103683). I chose Marina Mist Cardstock (119668) for the main card.

An OPEN HOUSE Sneek Peek:


In March I will be having an Open House and I will be offering an "Accessories Sample Bundle" When you purchase this bundle you will get a sample of the accessories featured  in the Occassions Mini Catalogue. These are GREAT for cards and scrapbooking! Included in the Bundle will be some Vintage Flower Adornments (121879), Springtime Vintage Designer Buttons (122301) Sweet Stitches designer Big Buttons (122302), Beveled Windowpanes (121881) , Vanilla Rosettes (118774)and In Colour Glimmer Brads (121005). If you ordered all these accessories you would pay $63.29.
This Bundle contains a collection of 24 buttons, 4 Rosettes, 6 Adornments Roses, 10 Brads and 3 Beveled Windowpanes for only  $16.00. (price includes shipping and Gst).  This is an affordable  way to sample the products.


For more information about my Open House visit me at my website at:  http://www.express_yourself.stampinup.net/

Or you can contact me at: inkoutsidethebox@shaw.ca

Easter Blossoms Silhouette

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I love spring! I can't wait to see all this snow GONE. It was fun designing this card for my Stamp Club.The soft pinks and greens go well together.
   I used the Easter Blossoms stamp set (121905-wood, 122057-clear) from the Occasions Mini Catalogue.
To make this card you will also need to make a spectrum pad by squirting drops of ink refill in rows on a baby wipe. The colours I used are: Baja Breeze (111844),then Marina Mist(119787), Pink Pirouette (111843) and finally Old Olive (100531).
I rolled these colours on to a piece of Glossy White Cardstock(102599) with my Brayer (102395). When the ink was dry, I stamped the image of the tree branch and the girl with Black Stazon Ink (101406). I carefully distressed the bottom of my Glossy paper with Black Stazon Ink. I matted this piece with Basic Black cardstock (121045), then Pink Pirouette cardstock (111351). I ran a piece of Pear Pizzaz cardstock (119795) through my Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439) and dry embossed it with the Elegant Lines Embossing Folder (119277).  I like a lot of texture to backgroung paper. I wrapped this piece with Pretty in Pink 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (119956) and used a second piece of ribbon to make the bow. I mounted all of this on to my card front. I chose Pink Pirouette (111351) for this card.

To see all the Stampin Up products available as well as more projects , visit me at my website
http://www.express_yourself.stampinup.net/

Natures Nest Stamp set

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Nature's Nest (113826) is one of my favourite sets.

I used Tempting Turquoise (102067) , Basic Black  (121045) and Watercolour Paper (105019).
I spritzed the card front with a mixture of Frost White Shimmer Paint (116854) and Rubbing Alcohol
I cut a rectangle "window" out of a Window Sheet (114323) as a stencil for the watercolour paper. I spritzed a mixture of Pacific Point Ink Refill (111840) and rubbing alcohol on the top half of the window and a mixture of Rich Razzleberry Ink Refill (212607) and rubbing alcohol on the bottom half of the window. (Experiment with the intensity of the spritzed colours by changing the ratio of ink to alcohol. I really diluted my ink. ) Allow to dry. Stamp the butterfly image with Black Stazon Ink (101406). Allow to dry. With the fine point of a Versa Marker (100901), outline your coloured area with a  fine broken line and emboss with Silver (109131) embossing powder. You can chose any small sentiment and stamp on the watercolour paper if you wish.
If you wish to order any of these products you can Shop Now at my website:
http://www.express_yourself.stampinup.net/

My first blog!!!!!

My son helped me get through this process and said it was a wonderful experience. (Like pulling teeth.)

Welcome to my world of stamping. I have some great stamping techniques that I would like to share with you.