1 stamp, 3 different cards

I used the Julie Nutting Valentine doll stamp for these 3 cards.  Most of the paper comes from a valentine 6 x 6 pack made by Recollections.  For the dolls, I used my neocolor watercolor crayons.  I first rubbed the crayon on an acrylic block.  I then dipped a brush in water and applied the water to the color on the block.  I used this to paint the doll.  I used 2 shades of red for the dress.  The bottom shade is the basic red that comes with the colors.  After that was applied, I mixed in a little brown and used it to make highlights on the dress.  The final touch was a white gel pen (I love the Uni-ball Signo brand) for highlights.

For the different accents, I just pulled stuff out of my stash and applied it.  The heart stickers are from Walmart.

Using 3D elements on art

I have always enjoyed using 3 dimensional elements in the projects I have completed.  I even pushed the limits on my scrapbooks which made my scrapbooks difficult to close sometimes!  In this piece of mini art, I used a glittered bottle cap, some mini eye glasses, gems, word stickers by Tim Holtz and even a fancy paperclip.  It was enjoyable putting the elements together.  The body is a stamp by Lost Coast Designs and I added the wings which is also a stamp.

The background is made by using a piece of scrapbook paper that was a patterned red and beige design.  On top of that, I layered dark pink and brown stain.  The last layer was a spiderweb stencil which is filled in using a sponge dabber in black ink.  I think multi layered background designs add an interesting depth to a piece.  The finished size is 3 x 5.

Creating Valentine Background Paper

As you may have noticed from my postings, I often create background using paints, sprays, stencils, modeling paste and stamps.  I think it creates depth and interest to a piece.  I was watching a video by Jill Haglund where she creates a background piece using stamps with various ink.  She refers to it as a masterboard then uses the paper in multiple applications.  I just loved what she did and, I also love her stamps so, I gave it a whirl.  I also pasted the link to her youtube video so you can watch the "How to" on this.

Here is my background:

 The actual piece is larger than this but, I cut it down to use it in an altered canvas Valentines piece.  This is 12 x 12.

Using the back side of a 12 x 12 canvas, I covered the inside and the outer frame with the masterboard paper.  I then laid down a stencil and sprayed it with red ink.  The last step was using a black gelato crayon and coloring the edges then, softening it with a wet finger.

At this point, I have used a Julie Nutting stamp and cut out her clothes in pink printed papers, I applied her to a tag that a heart lace dolly, white torn mulberry paper, red card stock and the bottom layer is black card stock.  She is popped up with pop dots.  Another large lace dolly was cut and applied to the left edge.  In this picture, I'm starting to glue down some ruffled lace that I got at Walmart.

The "Love" word is cardboard that was precut.  I bought it at Michaels craft store.  It's painted red then covered with red glitter.  

The saying is from a paper pack by Recollections (from Michaels store)

Metal heart embellishments

Final picture

As you can see from the final project, a lot of the Masterboard that I originally started with is somewhat covered but, in my next use, you can see it clearly.  Here it's used in cards.

Here is the video on how to make the background paper.  Thanks to Jill for the inspiration:

Valentines with a twist

You know how I love the cute Julie Nutting doll stamps but, the other side of me loves the somewhat creepy zombie stamps!!  I recently discovered the art of Brett Weldele who does stamps for Stampers Anonymous.  The stamps are wonderful because they are deeply etched and create really nice images but, they are also so much fun to work with.  Here is a zombie card I did.

 I stamped the image on white paper then stamped it again on some junk paper.  I colored in the image with a water filled brush and watercolors.  For the skin, I used a combination of brown with a little red, the mouth is red and under the eyes are some green and yellow.  I then took the stamp I did on junk paper, cut it out, laid it over the original colored image then began splattering paint in browns and grays.  The final touch is the heart stamps in red and the phrase.  The finished picture was double matted on red and black cardstock then placed on white cardstock.  The finished card is 5 x 7.

The stamp set plus the image I did on junk paper and cut out for masking

I also did another Zombie card but this one is ATC size and was used for trading.  This stamp is made by Stampotique

Julie Nutting Baby Stamp

Julie Nutting has these cute little baby stamps that come with interchangeable outfits.  They are so perfect for making ATC's but, I can see them being used for many things.  I wish I had these when we did the baby shower for my daughter.  They would make great tags etc.

For these, I started by making the background paper.  I used a full size sheet of canvas acrylic paper that I got on a super sale awhile back.  Any heavy duty paper would work though (such as mixed media paper etc).  I painted it with a teal type blue first, let that dry than layered on a baby blue with a dry brush.  The next layers was a circle stencil dabbed with white paint, a stamp using blue distress ink and then, I cut them into ATC size.

For the individual cards, I added snowflake stamps on the winter one, layered paper and Julies stamps.  For the snowman, I stamped it twice.  It was stamped once on the ATC and then a second time on white paper.  I then fussy cut out the snowman (less the arms) then, glued it exactly over the stamped image.  I used colored pencils on the cheeks, nose and a little blue around the edges.

For the little girl one, I used a flower stamp and colored in the flowers.  I was gifted some fine point pens made by Stabilo by my daughter.  I love these for fine detail work plus, they work wonderfully over acrylic paints.  I used them to color in the flowers and leaves of the stamp.

Pocket pages

If you are not familiar with pocket pages.  They are a fun way of exchanging little bits of crafted art/ATC's with other people.  The way these are done is that you and your partner each use a 9 pocket plastic insert page (like what is used for trading cards) and fill the front with a bit of art and the back with a small goodies such a lace, tea bags, paper goods etc.  I am particularly fond of doing pages with a holiday theme.  I've currently been working on Valentine pages as I have 4 partners I'm exchanging with.  I also have an upcoming one for St. Patrick's Day.
Here are 2 that I have completed.  If you want to learn more, there are lots of ideas from youtube and pinterest.

Another key part of these is that you right a letter to your partner.  The letter is tucked in the back as one of the goodies.