Another Christmas Card Sketch

Card sketch drawn by Sue Lorang (Sue4stampin) with MS Word

Cards by Sue Lorang (Sue4stampin)

Here is an easy card front to make. I saw this idea years ago and it is a favorite of mine for Christmas cards. It can also be used for Birthdays or any gift giving holiday.

I used punched my tags, stamped the images, then attached them when I tied the bows.

The green card was textured cardstock. I used micro beads on the candle and painted the flame with gold Twinkling H2O's.

The gold cardstock was stamped with stars using Brilliance ink. I used the Brilliance Ink for the image on the tag also.

Another great Tip

Acrylic Block for Larger Stamps
Tip by Trish D. posted on another blog

Have a stamp that is way too big for your largest acrylic block?…

“You can use a cutting plate from the Cuttlebug or Big Shot for those huge acrylic stamps.”

Trish D.
http://trish-d.blogspot.com/

A MaryJo McGraw technique

Versa Magic Background
by Sue Lorang (Sue4stampin)

I saw this demonstrated by MaryJo McGraw

1. Squirt drops of Versa Magic reinker in 3 colors onto white cardstock.
2. Brayer till the whole card is covered.
3. Take a stamp and swirl it on the ink.
4. Let dry completely

A Card Sketch for Christmas or Winter Cards

Drawn by Sue Lorang (Sue4stampin)

Here are 2 cards I made with this sketch. This is so easy and I think it makes a very cute Christmas card. You punch out the snowflakes from the colored cardstock, put on a white card and add 3 of the snowflakes to the white image piece.

Sue Lorang (Sue4stampin)

Tip for Today

Here is a great tip I got from Carla on one of my stamping groups and she gave me permission to print it.
Sue

Attaching small items to your project
by Carla van der Mei (from the Netherlands)

I was making an origami doggie and wanted to put small wiggly eyes on it (on the head not the doggie. lol) That is most of the time a struggle to glue them on the right spot.

Here is the tip:
Take a piece of adhesive-tape, put it on the front of the wiggly eye, turn it and put glue on the back side, turn again and put the wiggly eye on the spot you want, let it dry and then remove the adhesive-tape.

Hope someone can use it.
Bye!
Carla

I Like This Technique by Mel

Above sample by Sue4stampin

This is a technique created by Melissa McCarthy http://melstampz.blogspot.com/ , but you may also have seen it on Technique Junkies www.techniquejunkies.com/ .

Magic Patterns
by Sue4stampin

1. Stamp a background stamp with VersaMark on light color cardstock (I used white) and Emboss with clear powder.
2. Wipe the card with an embossing buddy.
3. Stamp a line image (such as the flower) in a dark color ink over the background and emboss with clear powder.
4. Fill in your colors with dye ink and a water brush or a wet paint brush.
Note: You can use markers for small more dominant colors.

Card Sketch #4

Drawn by Sue Lorang (Sue4stampin)

I made this card from some cardstock I stamped up for a One Sheet Wonder. It is easy and fun to do. I added the flat beads with a small piece of wire for added interest.
Sue4stampin

Here's Another Tip

I saw this tip just recently in the Scrap & Stamp magazine, but heard about it a long time ago.

Staples with Color
Color your staples with Sharpies while they are all still together, before you put them in your stapler. I have done this and it works great.

Card Sketch #3

Drawn by Sue Lorang (Sue4stampin)

Here is another easy card sketch for you to do. The polka dot area is wide ribbon and I used a small pompom for the rabbits tail.

Beaded Tin Foil Card Front

Beaded Tin Foil Card

Card by Sue Lorang (Sue4stampin)
Technique by Marjie Brandeen

A Tip for Today

I don't know where I first saw this, so I don't know who to credit. I think the idea has been around for a long time because I used to do this with fabric years ago.

Make Paper Look Old

If you want your paper to look old, crunch it up like you're going to throw it away, and dip it into a glass of brewed tea. Let it sit for about a minute and then hang to dry. If you use good-smelling tea, you end up with scented paper.

Also Remember what Tim Holtz said about first poking your finger in the middle of the paper while in the palm of your hand so it won't tear so easily when you scrunch it.

Here's a fun Technique

This is a card I did for a class at Fun Stamps in Lynnwood, WA. It's not a new idea, but it's easy and looks more complicated. The class really had fun with this one.

Tissue Paper Card

by Sue Lorang (Sue4stampin)

1. Stamp image on White Tissue Paper with black dye ink.
2. Run colored cardstock through Xyron
3. Crumple up the stamped tissue and lay it out on sticky colored cardstock.

Note: You could also use colored tissue paper on white cardstock.

Card Sketch #2

Here is another card sketch I did with my MS Word and the card I made that was my model for the sketch. This is an easy one.

I'm Back

I have been so busy, but I am going to try and keep my blog more active and will also add some Tips and Hints for stamping or scrapbooking...

Here is the first Tip...
Make Your Own Clip It Up
by Elizabeth Sloman
http://rubberstampstudioblob.blogspot.com/2008/03/another-great-clip-it-up-idea.html.

My father passed away and I’m not sure how I feel. He was 89 years old and in poor health so it was time. He divorced us kids at the same time he divorced my mom when I was nine years old, but we have been in touch since he married his last wife (the fourth, my mom was the first). I have never felt close since the separation, even though he eventually tried to change that, but I do respect the fact that he is my father. There are always questions that you forget to ask before it is too late and I wish I knew more about his parents. He didn’t want a service, but I made two trips this week to see his wife. I do get along very well with his wife and she is only five years older than I am, so more my age.

A Fun Technique

Here is a technique I did a while back with Colorations paint, but have also done it with Twinkling H2°'s and watered down acrylic paints. Just be sure to have some metallic colors in the mix.

Use a few colors that blend well together and put randomly on heavy cardstock or watercolor paper and spray with water. Take plastic wrap and set on top making sure you have plenty of wrinkles in the plastic wrap. Set aside to dry completely. Remove plastic wrap only when completely dry and you will have a beautiful background.

An Easy Card Sketch to try

I just drew this sketch this morning as it is a pretty easy one to start with. Here is the card I used for the sketch. The card is part of a One Sheet Wonder I taught in a class at my local stamp store. Try it and have fun.

Sue

Easter Cards

These are two of the Easter cards I helped them make at the Assisted living. They had fun because these were very easy to make.

Sue

The A-B-C's of Me...

I saw this idea on my daughter’s blog and decided it would be fun to do. She said she tweaked the questions a bit. Fill out the A-B-C's of You and post it on your blog or create a mini- book of You!

A - Age: (Okay, so this question she didn't tweak, but maybe should have! LOL!) 65 next month

B - Book(s) you enjoy: Anything by Nicholas Sparks. Barbara Delinsky or Debbie Macomber

C - Can't live without... My family or my stamps

D - Dessert you'll spoil your dinner for: Cheesecake or Chocolate

E - Essential start to your day: Read my email

F - Favorite genre of music: Country

G - Greatest vacation you've taken: Trip to Australia

H - Hope you have for the future: Moving to a sunny place and being financially secure (not rich, just not broke).

I - Incredible sight you'll never forget: The first look at my daughter (a long time ago).

J - Job title(s) you currently hold: Teacher of rubber stamp techniques and Retired (from 31 years at Boeing)

K - Kids in your family: One daughter, two granddaughters, plus 5 step kids, 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren on Gary’s side.

L - Last movie you watched: Bucket List and it was great!

M - Month you love the most: August as the weather here is usually sunny.

N - Newest piece of clothing you own: A coat my daughter gave me for Christmas.

O - Opposed to... Guns & Violence

P - Phobia you wish you could conquer: Self doubt

Q - Quote you love: Your talent is God's gift to you, what you do with it is your gift back to God. Also Every path has it's own puddle.

R - Right or left-handed? Right

S - Scent that reminds you of childhood: My Grandmother’s brand of face powder

T - Time of day you love most: Evening

U - Unique talent you possess: I can tie a straight bow.

V - Veggie you love: Asparagus

W - Want to accomplish...Getting organized

X - Extra fun hobby you have: Stamping

Y - Yummy food you make: Lasagna, macaroni shrimp salad and a no sugar Cheesecake.

Z - Zoo animal you are most like: Elephant. I’m large and strong.

Card for Frantic Stamper

Here is a paper piecing card I did for Frantic Stamper. There is actually three layers for the dress and the ruffles on the skirt are more 3D than it shows here.

Skipping Rope in Pink
By Sue Lorang (Sue4stampin)

Supplies:
Stamp by Frantic Stamper
Sipping Rope #8207-J
Black ink Pad
Pink Dye Ink Pad
Pink Bazzill Cardstock
Cream Cardstock
Pink Printed Paper
Color Duster by JudiKins
Pink Ribbon
Pink Brad

Instructions:
1. Stamp image on cream paper and three times on pink print paper.
2. Cut out one of the dress and hat images from the pink print paper. Cut the two middle ruffles from the other images having the top ruffle cut from the waist to the bottom of the top ruffle.
3. Layer the pieces onto the main image on the cream cardstock.
4. Stipple some pink ink around the edges of the cream cardstock with the Color Duster.
5. Punch a hole and set a brad in the top right corner.
6. Lay two thin pink ribbons across the bottom left corner of the Pink Bazzill as shown and tape to the back.
7. Layer the pink print onto the Bazzill and then add the main image to the card front.

Blendin Blox Card

I few people have asked how to use the Dee Gruenig's Blending Blox and here is a card I did a long time ago for Stamper's Mall. Since my time is short these days, I didn't think you would mind me showing you another of my favorites called Page of History.

Supplies:
Verse Stamp by Hero Arts
Memories Dye Ink Pad in Chestnut
Dee Gruenig’s Blending Blox in Shades of Rose
White Glossy Cardstock
Red Cardstock
Collage Papers, Cottage Whimsy, Picture by Paper Reflections
Brayer
Stipple Brush
Adhesive of Choice

Directions:
by Sue Lorang (Sue4stampin)
1. Brayer the Shades of Rose onto the glossy paper cut to 4 x 51/4 and also a small piece 7/8 x 2 1/2.
2. Cut the picture out and crop to 2 3/4 x 4.
3. Stipple the Shades of Rose around the edge of the picture.
4. Cut red cardstock to 4 ¼ x 5 ½. Mount the large Shades of Rose piece on top.
5. Center the picture and mount on top of the Shades of Rose piece.
6. Stamp the verse onto the small Shades of Rose piece in Chestnut.
7. Mount this small piece onto a red piece 1 x 2 5/8 and mount as shown.
8. Mount onto an A2 card.

Happy Valentines Day

I have not had time to post much, but I wanted to wish you all a Happy Valentines day.

2 Quick & Easy Valentines

I am teaching a valentine class at my Mom's Assisted Living Community and these are two of the cards they will be doing.

Thinking of You Valentine Card

by Sue Lorang (Sue4stampin)

I saw this idea on the internet somewhere, but don't remember where. It can be used for any occasion, just change the colors and images.

1. Fold a 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 piece of white cardstock to make your card.

2. Stamp a flower toward the top right side.

3. Stamp a sentiment under the flower.

4. Tie a ribbon around the card front with the bow in the front.

Tulip Hearts Card

by Sue Lorang (Sue4stampin)

I think I got this idea from a stamp company.

1. Stamp your flower image on white cardstock.

2. Punch two hearts from red sticky backed vellum and place over the flowers.

3. Layer onto coordinating cardstock and adhere to your card.

A Time to Relax

I took a little time to relax on Sunday and went to a movie. We went and saw The Bucket List with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. I'm so glad we chose that movie as it was really good. I don't think I have laughed that hard or had tears in my eyes at a movie for such a long time and I really needed a good laugh. If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend it. There are a couple of words, used just occasionally, that you might have to overlook, but it rates as the best movie I have seen in a long time.

Dreaming of Spring

Here is a fun easy card with a 3D Bonnet that I saw on the web. If anyone knows who credit should go to for the punched bonnet idea, please let me know so I can give proper credit.

Bonnet Card Made with Circle Punches
By Sue Lorang (Sue4stampin)

Supplies:
Image & Sentiment of choice
Green, White & Cream Cardstock
Markers
1” Punch
2” Punch
Ribbon
Pop Dot
Adhesive

Directions:
Stamp your image, color it in and layer it onto your card.
Punch a 2” circle for the hat brim.
Punch a 1” circle for the top of the hat.
Adhere the hat brim circle onto your card. Add a Pop Dot to the center and add the top of the hat
Tie the ribbon into a small bow and adhere to the bonnet.

Merry Christmas to Me

I know, Christmas has been over for awhile now, but I just got my Christmas present. Our local Daniel Smith store was out of them at Christmas time so Gary ordered the airbrush and the basic set of 12 Copic markers for me. They arrived yesterday, so now all I have to do is find the time to play.

A Punched Self Portrait

A self portrait By Steven Nicholson

This is a very clever use of punches also very artistic. Created with 10 sizes of single hole punches (this is the coolest thing ever!)See more pictures of his punched self portrait here:

http://www.notcot.com/archives/2007/08/hole_punched.php

I found this punched self portrait on this blog http://stampdetails.blogspot.com/2008/01/punch-art-links-to-inspire-you.html and I found that blog here. http://stampinwhenican.blogspot.com/ I read Allison’s ‘tutorials of note’ on her blog every day. It is a great place to find new ideas and get inspiration.

Sue

Technique for Beaded Moon Card

Beaded Moon
by Sue Lorang (Sue4stampin)

Supplies:
Stamps: Trees by Northwoods (or any tree stamp will work) & Mirror Image by Rubber Stampede (if you are using a multiple treed stamp)
Black or Dark Blue Embossing Ink
Cobalt Blue Opaque Embossing Powder by Stampendous (you can use any dk. Blue or black). Mix with glitter.
Fine dark Blue (or black glitter), use 1/4 glitter with 3/4 embossing powder.
Dark Blue or Black Dye Ink Pad
Cardstock: Dk Blue or Black 4 1/4 X 5 1/2 & Pearle Blue 4 X 5 ¼ (any dark blue will work, but all papers bleach out different so bleach a small area on the back first).
Fun Foam (it needs to be thin enough to fit in your punch).
Circle Punch (I used a Marvy 2” ) (Note: be sure to spray your punch with silicone & punch off the residue first)
Double Sticky Tape, Paper Backed ( It has to be the paper backed to work in your punch)
Glass Micro Beads in Clear
Poster Tape (or what ever you use to stick unmounteds on your acrylic block)
Bleach
Vinegar (mixed 1/2 and 1/2 with water)
Bowl & Paper towel for the bleach
Paint brush

Directions:
1. Punch a circle from Fun Foam and attach it to an acrylic block to stamp with.

2. Pour bleach on a paper towel in a flat container and make sure the BLEACH is FRESH.

3. Put the fun foam circle gently onto the bleach paper towel (you don’t want it dripping) and stamp on your blue paper where you want your moon to be. Take a paint brush (or water brush) with bleach in it and wipe it across the bottom of the blue paper to bleach some of the ground. Set aside for the bleach to work.

4. Wipe your bleached areas with a mixture of 1/2 vinegar & 1/2 water to neutralize the bleach on your card, pat with paper towel and set aside to dry.

5. Stamp & emboss the trees with the embossing powder mixed with fine glitter

6. Cover your embossed trees with scrap paper then stamp with dye ink onto the mirror image stamp and stamp this below the trees (you could use Eclipse tape or plumbers gasket material from the hardware store). Be sure your trees are pointed down this time as a reflection. ( I wiped the lines off the Northwoods stamp for this step)

7. Punch a circle from the double sticky tape. Peel the backing off and stick it on your moon. Peel the top paper off and dunk it in your clear beads. Use an old brayer to push the beads into the tape.

8. Layer onto the darker blue (or black) and mount onto an A2 card

I've been Tagged

7 Random Facts about Me.

1. I was very shy in school and that is hard to believe for the people I know today.
2. I crushed a lower vertebra about 8 years ago. It only hurts once in a while.
3. I collect kitchen gadgets. I think I'm going to use them one of these days.
4. I had cancer, but it was successfully removed.
5. I took piano lessons when I was a kid. The teacher told my Mom it was a waste of her time and my Mom's money.
6. I have a collection of elephants.
7. I prefer to be organized, but life always gets in my way and I run out of time to get everything put away. Also, since I started stamping, I am buying more than I have room for.

I haven't figured out how to tag people, so if you see this and want to play, you can consider yourself tagged.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to everyone and here is a technique to start the year off with a little fun.

Colorwash Technique
by Sue Lorang (Sue4stampin)

Supplies:
Adirondack Colorwash Sprays in Lettuce & Eggplant
BlackEmbossing Ink & Powder
White & Violet Cardstock
Stampin' Up Flower Stamp
Sentiment stamp by A Stamp In The Hand

Instructions:
1. Stamp the reverse image stamp onto a scrap of white cardstock with black and emboss.
2. Mask the flower and spray the leaves with the Lettuce.
3. Cover the leaves and spray the flower with Eggplant.
4. Cut out the stamped image.
5. Prop a piece of 4 x 5 1/4 white cardstock up a little and spray the bottom with Eggplant. Turn it around and spray with Lettuce.
6. When dry, stamp and emboss the sentiment in black.
7. Adhere the image piece to the sprayed cardstock, then mount onto violet cardstock.