Bouquet of Remembrance & Friendship Cards

I found this card design on Pinterest - perfect for a stack of white cardstock pieces I had from a previous project.   I chose these colors for my flowers - Sweet Sorbet (red) and Parakeet Parade, both In-Colors for 2022-2023, to honor those that have given their lives in military service to our country, the USA.  We acknowledge them on Memorial Day, the last Monday in May.

So here's my BOUQUET OF REMEMBRANCE card!

Basic white layer is 2" x  11".   Score at 5 1/2".   Score again for the top fold at 2 3/4".   

Before you start assembling  your die cuts and images on any card, make sure that they will fit within the 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" size - this is an A2 card.  If the flowers go beyond the edge of that width or height, then I'll have to use a larger envelope.   This is always the first thing I do when I make a stand up card - check for the envelope size.

For the layer, I used Tea Boutique Designer Papers cut at 1 3/4" x 5 1/4".  The top layer is cut at 1 3/4" wide, but then trimmed approximately in half and shaped to that of a vase top.  To clarify, leave about 1 2/" of the top layer extending beyond the fold line so that there's something to glue the flowers on to.

Choose flowers that will appear to be sticking out of vase.  I used Summer Shadows Dies.  

Wrap the Faux Linen Ribbon around the vase piece.

                                                         

I used "Friend" for the sentiment but "thank you" to go with the theme of the card.  Pop it up with dimensionals so the top fold would sit behind it. 

CARD #2 STEEPED IN FRIENDSHIP POP-UP: 

The second card, "Warmed in love steeped in Friendship" is the same technique.  Use a 2" x 11" card base, scored in half at 5 1/2".  Score the top half at 2 3/4" to make the top fold.  Trim the end if needed to accommodate your design so it will fit behind the pop-up.

The difference with this card is that I created a mechanism that makes the tea cup a pop-up.  To make any pop-up, use a mechanism. It is a cube of paper that is even on all 4 sides - here I used 3/4" based on the height of the tea cup; then added an extra 1/2" tab to glue the cube together.  See photo.

Glue the mechanism to the back of the tea cup and then to the bottom the card base.   The mechanism allows 3 things: the image to be a pop-up; the image to fold flat when the card closes; and the image and mechanism together provides an anchor for the top image.  

When cutting the top layer, as in the first card, make sure it sticks up enough to glue your die cut on, Attach your die cut, making sure first that it isn't too wide for the envelope.

A sentiment and signature can be written on the back of the card.  

Its not difficult to put these together with a little thinking of your images and how you're going to attach them.

I'd love to see your creations - leave me a message, send me an email or go to my Face Book Page, card connoisseur and post it there.  

Visit my website to see projects, products and catalogs that are highlighted and linked in this post.  If you don't have a demonstrator that you regularly order from, here is my website. Susan Boback. And feel free to adapt this idea to any of your own supplies and papers.

During the month of May 2022, you can enjoy the discounts and community by joining my team, with absolutely no obligation to sell or teach or buy another product.  Stampin' Up! offers you, your choice of $125 worth of products for $99 and this month only you get the inks, cardstock, Stampin' Write Markers of the new In-Colors as a bonus for buying the kit.   When everything is color coordinated, you can't help but be creative with cards, gifts and home decor' projects.    

As always, I thank you for stopping by as we "cheer up the world, on card at a time." sb

MASK before the MASK

  

Today’s project I’m calling “Mask before the Mask (before the Mask)”  You may know how to cut an adhesive backed paper in order to mask under the ink.  

Today's MASK Technique shows how to add ink beyond that masked space.

MASK #1 SUN or MOON 

We're making a sky & water scene, so decide first if you want a sun or moon. Cut it out of a Sticky Note or Adhesive Sheet, and place it on the paper where the sun or moon should be.

Here are three prints that I made with todays masking techniques.  The top two are sun and sky and the bottom print is my attempt at nighttime sky (even with the bright green grass).

The print below is one I nearly gave up on.  But when it dried, I was so pleased with what could be water or clouds, and that the yellow did not bleed into the blue, which was before I added the barrier.

MASK #2 CLOUDS, WATER 

Use a white, colored pencil, not a water color pencil.  Where ever you want your clouds or waves to appear, color with the pencil or a white crayon.  This creates a mask or resist, once ink is added around it.

You can also create a barrier with the white pencil or crayon if you are planning to add yellow in the blue sky area, and don’t want it to blend and turn into green.

MASK #3 SKY, WATER, SUNSHINE - the main focus of today's project

Use a well inked full size ink cartridge (not shown) OR

Squirt a dot or two of liquid ink OR 

Scribble with the Stampin' Write maker on a silicone craft sheet or a clear stamping block (as shown below) Make sure you're not using the Blends alcohol markers. They dry too fast to transfer the ink.

This is the Starry Sky (2022-2023) In-Color.  

Take a piece of masking tape that is as long as your paper is wide. (I used regular masking tape, not blue painter's tape. You will have to discover what works best for the look you want)  The masking tape becomes the tool to transfer the ink to the paper, and make an imprint. 

Here is the technique: Hold the masking tape on each end and lightly press the sticky side down into the ink, then lift it up and press it down on your paper. Tap it down, smooth it with your thumb and pick it up and repeat.

                    

Each time you transfer the ink, the imprint is a little different.  Start at the top, remembering to use  a small amount of ink, because you can always add more layers later, and work quickly down the page. 

                                        

Since I knew I wanted to create cloud and sky and water with a tropical view, I planned to add sun and use 2/3 of the paper with blues for sky and water.  Sometimes, though, you don't create the scene till the ink dries. Think of the colors of blue skies with clouds and sun. You’ll probably agree that no two skies are alike.  And no two prints you make will be identical.

TIP: If you're frugal like me, you'll discover that once the masking tape, sticky side is dry, it can be used over and over with the same color.

If you know what you'd like to do, for background, remember to decide first:

Day or night = sun or moon (MASK #1 adhesive circle to cover the space)

Clouds (MASK #2 – white crayon or color pencil in white that is NOT a water color pencil to create a mask)

Blue sky of day or night or water (MASK #3 with masking tape)

OR make an abstract background by placing the masking tape on different angles, leaving white spaces or no spaces.  You are the artist!  

To complete today's Masking project, I added palm trees, embellishments of stepping stones, Wink of Stella for the moon or Daffodil yellow to the sun.  

OPTIONAL: for night sky, add star flecks.  Use a White Craft Ink refill. Put a dab of it on the end of a Water Painter, and while holding it over your print, bounce the brush on your extended finger which should "flick" the paint onto the print.  (Not a great explanation, but hopefully you'll either have done this before, or can figure out how to flick the paint drops onto your print)

Trim your print for the front of a card, or display in a frame on your desk. I used an A2 card base of Basic white. Score an 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" piece at 4 1/4" then cut 1" off the front of the card.  I used the retired Waves of the Ocean Designer paper, cut at 3/4" x 5 1/4" to emphasize this 1" section of the inside that shows.  Use a metallic layer or Starry Sky cardstock cut at 3 1/4" x 5", and layer your print on top which should measure 3" x 4 3/4".  

If you're new to these measurements, think about subtracting 1/4" for each layer from the base.  Knowing that an A2 card (USA and Canada) is 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" was one of the most valuable bits of information in card making I learned. With that in your mind, you can always cut layers at 1/8 or 1/4" smaller to showcase colors, prints and embossed pieces.

These are the products I’ve used for the prints shown.   

Paradise Palms #157716 page 23 Annual Catalog (2022-2023)

Starry Night Ink, re-inker and cardstock page 122 Annual Catalog

Silicone Craft Sheet

Daffodil Delight Ink, page 122 Annual Catalog

Parakeet Parade Ink

Basic White Cardstock 

Masking Paper  #155480 p 149

White Craft Ink  #101780 page 129

Masking tape. White Colored Pencil that is NOT water color pencils, or White crayon.

I hope you enjoyed this.  Sometimes, I just have to get all ink-y!

Post your version of this project on Card Connoisseur on Face Book or send me an email.  I’d love to see how you Mask before the Mask before the Mask.

Make sure to visit my online store for these products, check out my project page and learn why I love Stampin’ Up! products so much!.  www.susanboback.stampinup.net  You can be part of my Team and enjoy the creativity, community and discounts too.

Thanks for stopping by!  Be Blessed. sb

SUN PRINTS ONE SHEET WONDER

 Hello everyone!  I'm Susan Boback, Independent Stampin' Up Demonstrator.  I am the Card Connoisseur - I love paper crafting which I've done most of my life.  I remember falling in love with paper at about 12 y.o. when my uncle worked for Kodak in NY and would bring home various cardstock pieces. 

You can find my projects - not all of them are cards - over at my Stampin' Up! website.  

Go to www.susanboback.stampinup.net and look at Projects, and while you're there, discover more about why I love Stampin' Up! products and how you can love them too. 

I designed this very basic card for my Spring 2022 Open House to kick off the NEW Annual Catalog, and to show card makers just how simple it is to take one 12x12 piece of double sided paper (here we're using the beautiful Sun Prints with the colors of Navy or Starry Night and Smoky Slate) and use it for several cards.  While I hope you'll use our Designer Series Papers, my ideas are always adaptable to whatever supplies you have to use.

I have tried to make my own sun prints, with placing sprigs of plants and leaves on black paper and let them sit in the sun, but I've never been too successful with that effort.  Now I won't have to try any longer as Stampin' Up! has designed the SUN PRINTS papers, and I can't wait to show you how beautiful they are! 

Here is the SUN PRINTS ONE SHEET WONDER FOR 12X12 DSP

SUN PRINTS #158790 page 134 2022-2023 Annual Catalog

METALLIC MESH RIBBON #153550 page 145 Annual Catalog

SUNFLOWERS DIES # 152704 page 175 Annual Catalog

The DSP (Designer Series Paper) comes in 12x12 sheets, 2 pieces each of 6 designs.  The paper is double sided and coordinated by color and design with many of the Stampin' Up! products in the annual catalog.  

Cut ONE 12x12 into:

·         SIX 5 x 3 ¾” pieces AND

·         TWO 5 x ¾” pieces AND

·         ONE 2x12” pieces

A “ONE SHEET WONDER” can be used for many card designs.  Cut ONE piece of 12x12 DSP by the above measurements, and get the following:

SIX (6) card fronts to be used on Basic White (159276), Smoky Slate (131202) or Night of Navy(100867) card base.  This card base is an A2 – it measures 8 ½” x 11”, cut in two at 5 ½”   and is scored in half at 4 1/4” OR cut in two at 4 ¼” and scored in half at 5 ½”.  (Featured card at the top of the page)

Attach this 5 x 3 ¾” piece to the front.  Add a sentiment, die cut and ribbon.

ONE (1) card front made from the 2- 3/4 x 5" strips. Cut them each in half or smaller pieces and lay them in a design.  Attach to an A2 card in Basic White, Smoky Slate or Night of Navy. Embellish with sentiment, ribbon, or bling.

THREE (3) card fronts can be made out of the 2x12” piece.  Cut it into 3 sections of 4x2, or smaller.  Add  to the front of a card, add a large sentiment or die cut to complete.

The smaller strips are also good for using extra pieces (scraps) from your variety of Designer papers, often called Strip Cards.

To make a pattern for a 12x12 One Sheet Wonder, use the 12x12 white heavy cardstock packaging that comes with most of our Designer Series Papers. Draw and score the sizes and pattern, then keep it with your 12x12 papers. If cutting your DSP down to 6x6 pieces is one of your plans, try saving at least 2 in the full size to cut like this or to use in a project that requires a 12x12.

I'd love to see what you choose to put together for your version of this card. Post yours at Card Connoisseur on Face Book or send me an email.   Note that this blog address spells CardConnoissuer a little differently that the word is spelled on the Face Book Page.

 Do you think you'd like to hold an in-person gathering? or would you like to have an online workshop with your friends or family from a greater area? - there's many ways to get free products and discounts as a customer.  If you are interested in saving 20% and more, on every order you place, join my team - click here, and share in this fun community of demonstrators. Some of us are hobbyists. Some take the business forward. In the month of May 2022, you will also get each of the In-Colors in the ink cartridges and papers - that's an amazing deal! I'd love to share this with you!

Thanks for stopping by.  Keep sharing what you love with others, as we "cheer up the world, one card at a time"!  Be blessed!  Sb

Markers & Pencils Are Ink

Products used for this card:  Early Espresso ink pad - to color the Heart & Home Designer Series woodgrain Paper for layer one; Daffodil Delight cardstock, card base and ink; Water Color Pencil in green; Daffodil ribbon; Brushed Brass Butterflies; glue dots; multipurpose glue.  I used a clear block and silicone craft sheet as a palette for the marker/pencil ink. (Click or tap on each to go to my online store).

 
Today I'll be showing you how using the Stampin' Write Markers (water base) and Water Color Pencils as your ink. If you are a beginner and do not have many supplies yet, these markers and pencils will be a good way to start building up your colors.  There is no need to own every color of ink all at once. 

   2022 In-Colors: Tahitian Tide, Sweet Sorbet, Orchid Oasis, Parakeet Parade,  Starry Sky - available May 3 2022 - April 30 2024)

You can purchase a 5 pkg every spring of the new In-Colors, which are shades of the major color families.  In-Colors last 2 years.  Also, each color family has a set of Stampin' Write Markers.  

Products used on this card are Granny Apple Green cardstock; Heart & Home stamp; Heart & Home Designer Series Paper; Highland Heather Ink, Parakeet Parade Marker (available May 3, 2022 - April 30, 2024.); Basic White Cardstock, Ribbon. (Click on the link on the word "products" to bring you to my online store.)

Don't get these mixed up with the Blends, which are the alcohol based markers. You cannot use them in the way that I am explaining.  Their use is for another post.

The markers can be used as if they were liquid ink.

First, the obvious, you can use a marker to color in an image. Stamp your image with Black Stazon ink - which doesn't run into another color - then use your marker to add color. 

Next, you can use the marker as though it was ink.   Rub the wide end (on its side) across your acrylic block, loading up the block with a spot of color. Once this puddle of color is here, you can:

1. Use it as liquid ink, and load it onto the water brush. Paint an image with it or paint it directly onto the stamp; OR

2. Put the stamp into the puddle of ink, then stamp with it; OR

3. Color right on the stamp with the wide end of the marker, then stamp your image onto the cardstock.

These examples will produce a water color look on your cardstock

Water Color Pencils can be used:

1. As color pencils, as they are designed for; OR

2.  After you color an image, take a water brush, add a drop of water and spread it around on top of the colored area, and watch it become a water color look; OR

3.  Color with the pencil on a wet spot on the cardstock and it will also turn into water coloring. OR

4. Color directly onto a stamp that has been wet with a spritzer or with the water brush. Again you will see that the pencil becomes instant ink.

For the image shown in this photo, I scribbled on the small flower stamp Heart & Home, with the wide end of the Stamp & Write marker, Fresh Freesia, approximately where the flowers are. Do not take time to get your ink on exactly, but just scribble on it.  Scribble on the parts where the leaves are with the Parrot Parade (green)  and add one other color, such as Tahitian Tide (light blue). The process is to make a quick squiggle of color.  Add a quick brush of water with your water painter. Stamp immediately onto white cardstock.  

Do not dry off the stamp.  With the Water Color Pencil, scribble on the stamp again, first where the flowers are, next where the leaves are and then stamp.   You will see that each image is different, as it depends on the amount of ink from the marker, and from the pencil and the amount of water.  Each is so unique.   

Now you have the choice: either swipe the water painter on the image, and swirl around the color that has dried on the image to fill it in or leave as is.  

I have done similar with Daffodil Yellow, Granny Apple Green and a spot of Polished Pink.  

For each card add a layer that brings attention to the image, then mount on a color of cardstock that matches the colors used in the image.

There are so many varieties of colors and techniques that you can blend with markers and pencils, and with each print being different, you'll enjoy making many of these for sets of cards. 

I'd love to see what you choose to put together for your version of this card. Please post a photo or send it to me in messenger.  Head over to Card Connoisseur on Face Book and post your card there too.   Note that this blog address spells CardConnoissuer a little differently that the word is spelled on the Face Book Page.

Find more of my projects at www.susanboback.stampinup.net and while you're there, check out the latest specials on products too! You might choose to hold an online workshop with your friends from around the country, or an in-person gathering - there's many ways to get free products and discounts as a customer.  If you are interested in saving 20% and more, on every order you place, join my team - click here , and share in the community of demonstrators who are hobbyists or take the business forward. I'd love to share this with you!

Thanks for stopping by.  Keep sharing what you love with others, as we "cheer up the world, one card at a time"!  Be blessed!  Sb