HSS Technique Challenge #26- WATERCOLORING

Good Morning! This week at Hand Stamped Sentiments we have a NEW technique challenge consisting of water coloring. There are several ways to orchestrate this technique as outlined below. I used the last way with my medium Aqua Painter.

I really wanted to use the new Hostess set Because I Care, but luckily I changed my mind at the last minute which was good since our guest designer Sabriena Satchwell and fellow designer Genevieve Valdes used it on their gorgeous cards. Instead I went with the new set Studio Sketches. I am so glad I bought this set because it's not one I would normally lean towards but I am trying to branch out of my comfort zone and try different images. I saw a similar card by Kathleen Hopperstad and fell in love with the layout, and just added my own touches.

I started with a Basic Black card stock base then added a Very Vanilla layer that I had run through my Big Shot with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder. I LOVE this folder and have been waiting to use it. It was on backorder for a while and now I know why. It is awesome and definitely worth the wait!

I stamped the pitcher and pear image in StazOn Jet Black Ink onto Very Vanilla card stock. I used Wild Wasabi and Cherry Cobbler ink to watercolor with the medium Aqua Painter. I then stamped the image again and colored only the pears and cut them out with my Paper Snips. These were applied to the original image with Stampin' Dimensionals. This was layered onto a Basic Black mat. A piece of Newsprint Designer Paper was added for contrast. The final touch was to layer our NEW Basic Black Taffeta Ribbon onto Very Vanilla Grosgrain and tie it around the card front before adding the water colored layer.

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Don't have a copy of the NEW Summer Mini Catalog? 

Simply email me and I'll send one out to you right away! 

Paper: Basic Black card stock {121045}, Very Vanilla card stock {101650}, Newsprint Designer Series Paper {117166}

Ink: StazOn Jet Black Ink {1014606}, Wild Wasabi {109014}, Cherry Cobbler {119669}

Stamps: Studio Sketches Clear Mount {122222}; Wood Mount {116974}

Tools: Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine {113439}, Square Lattice Embossing Folder {119976}, Block D Clear Mount Block {118485}, Aqua Painter {103954}, SNAIL Adhesive {104332}, Paper Snips {103579}

Embellishments: Stampin' Dimensionals {104430}, Very Vanilla 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon {109055}, Basic Black 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon {119261}

A Shout Out for the Color Coach

I am going to admit up front that I was VERY skeptical of the NEW Color Coach from Stampin' Up! Entirely because I think in the three years I had the former Color Wheel I used it maybe ummm, once. So I had NO intention of buying it this go around. Genny Valdes, another designer at Hand Stamped Sentiments convinced me otherwise and I caved and purchased it.  Well let me tell you this week it proved INVALUABLE! I'll explain more about that in a second. 

But first here's what I've been doing this week...

These letters are for a very good friend who just welcomed a beautiful baby girl into her family of two very rambunctious boys. 

The bedding from Pottery Barn Kids was the inspiration. Owls are very HOT right now. I really wanted to use the owl from the new Two-Step Owl Punch, but the letters were too large and the owl was swallowed up, so I used the owl from the On Board So Tweet set which is retired. I did use the Two-Step Owl Punch to create the eyes, however.

My friend had already purchased the letters and paper, which were not SU, so I had the challenge of trying to match our products with this other line. This is where my Color Coach was essential. It's as if you are using paint chips and all I had to do was fan them out against the paper to find comparable SU colors. So easy and brilliant! I strongly advise to purchase this tool if you use SU colors on a regular basis.

 Here are close-up pictures of the letters...

Here is the adorable owl image that I traced onto Soft Suede and then embellished. I also created a flower for the letters 'M' and 'A' using various punches and die-cuts. All the SU supplies will be listed at the bottom of the post.

Paper: Pink Pirouette {111351}, Very Vanilla {101650}, Soft Suede {115318}, Melon Mambo {115320}

Tools: COLOR COACH {120148},  2"x 1-3/8" Wide Oval Punch {119859}, Boho Blossoms Punch {119858}, 5-Petal Flower Punch {119880}, 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch {119854}, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch {118874}, 1/2" Circle Punch {119869}, Blossom Party Die {115971}, Two-Step Owl Punch {118074}, 2-Way Glue Pen {100425}, Mini Glue Dots {103683}

Embellishments: Hemp Twine {100982}, Pretty In Pink 5/8" Satin {117289}, Certainly Celery 5/8" Satin Ribbon {117288}, Very Vanilla 5/8" Grosgrain {109055}, Old Olive 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon {111368}, Linen Thread {104199}, Designer Buttons Sherbet {retired}, Button Latte Buttons {retired}, Stampin' Dimensionals {104430}

HSS Luau Theme Challenge #24

Last year at about this exact time my family and I were getting set to head to the beautiful island of Maui, so today's challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments brought back fun memories. Right now I'm typing this from our hotel room in Palm Springs-it's not Hawaii, but hey it's still a get away. Besides I'm not sure how comfortable a 5 hour flight would have been this year 26 weeks pregnant as opposed to the 1-1/2 hour car drive. 

I threw together this cute board short card. I LITERALLY threw it together. It was so quick to complete as there was no stamping involved.

Here's a shot of the inside opened up all the way.

Start with an "x" shaped cut out. I placed it on the ruled paper to give you an idea of the measurements. I used Whisper White card stock for the base.

These are all the additional supplies you'll need.  Simply trace half of the shorts onto your choice of Designer paper, I used Island Oasis from the Summer Mini Catalog found here. This paper is so vibrant. I was really impressed by the colors and patterns in this pack. Attach it with SNAIL Adhesive to the card front. You could also stamp directly onto the card stock if you wish.

For the closure design I simply cut 2- 2" x 1" piece of coordinating paper, also from Island Oasis pack. I punched two holes in each side with the Crop-A-Dile and placed an eyelet in each. So bummed that SU isn't offering colored brads anymore:( Next I inserted the Hemp Twine but didn't tie it. I attached the pieces with SNAIL adhesive and then tied the twine. Finally with my Paper Snips I trimmed the excess paper from the edges.

Don"t forget I'm offering the NEW 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog for 1/2 off! Want a copy? Simply e-mail me at shannon@stampinsentiments.com and I'll get it to you. $5 and I'll cover the postage. US only, please.

Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7-Click Here

Don't have a copy of the NEW Summer Mini Catalog? 

Simply email me and I'll send one out to you right away! 

Paper: Whisper White card stock {100730}, Island Oasis Designer Series Paper {117173}

Tools: Paper Cutter {104152}, Paper Snips {103579}, SNAIL Adhesive {104332}, Crop-A-Dile {108362}

Embellishments: Earth Elements Eyelets in Pumpkin Pie {retired}, Hemp Twine {100982}

A Personalized Gift

My friend Kamee, who is an incredible photographer by the way, recently asked me to create a set of cards for a fellow photographer that she was shooting with. Both Kamee June and Julie Rollins are amazing at what they do. If you are in the southern California area I highly recommend their talents. Julie specializes in maternity and children's portraits. She has a very unique and fun logo, so I went with that in the creation of the cards.

Isn't it perfect that her initials spell Jr? So clever to utilize that into her business. The top white heart was punched with the Full Heart Punch and then I traced it onto a piece of paper. I then blew it up several times to create a template for the larger hearts. These were traced onto card stock, cut out and layered.

Here's the finished product all packaged up and ready to deliver. I'm sure Julie will love being able to send these out.

Paper: Crumb Cake {120953}, Whisper White {100730}, Chocolate Chip {102128}, Tempting Turquoise {102067}, Pixie Pink {retired}

Ink: Chocolate Chip {100908}, Tempting Turquoise {100814}, Crumb Cake {121030}, Green Galore {retired}, Pixie Pink {retired}

Tools: Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine {113439}, Timeless Type Junior Alphabet {115951}, Paper Snips {103579}, SNAIL Adhesive {104332}, 2-Way Glue Pen {100425}, Chocolate Chip 5/8" Satin Ribbon {retired}, Mini Glue Dots {103683}

Embellishments: Stampin' Dimensionals {104430}

A Bit Late, But Worth The Wait

I realize this is a few days late but really wanted to share this idea and give a shout out to Robbie Rubala, who gave me the idea. You can see her post and project here, she decorated the tins and used different centerpieces.

The tins and pinwheels were from the dollar spot at Target. I simply added floral foam to the bottom and then covered it with shredded paper. The ribbon was on clearance at my local craft store.

Normally I probably wouldn't have given the tins a second glance just because I've bought things in the past and didn't know how to utilized them, but when I saw what Robbie had created I had to get them. Just shows you never know...

I don't have a whole lot of Independence Day decor so this was a great inexpensive, not to mention cute, project to put together.