Simple Lay-out in Black and White

Beginning stampers often ask for card ideas using only black ink. 

Here is an idea featuring a feather image.

The card features a simple lay-out:  a horizontal strip containing the sentiment,
and a focal point off-set to the left.

Ink Color: I know I said this was only black and white . . . perhaps I cheated a bit. I did fill in the open space on the feather image with a little bit of gray ink, but the card would look fine with out that addition.

Focal point shape:  on this card its an oval.  It would be the same basic lay-out no matter what shape you used. Try it with a circle or square or rectangle. You could even try a heart or a star. Or a tree diecut - any shape offset to the left.

For the shape of my focal point I used Stampin'UP!'s new Layering Ovals Framelits. I really like the fact that half the ovals have a smooth edge and half have this sweet little scallop edge that you see on the black oval on this card.  Wow, what a deal too. This die set is both economical and practical. You get 14 dies with this set . . . can you imagine the cost of buying that many punches?!? Plus the storage space of so many punches versus just one thin package of dies.

 

Feather Together Photopolymer Stamp Set [141597]-$17.00

Layering Ovals Framelits Dies [ 141706]-$35.00

Big Shot Die Cut & Texture Emboss Machine  [143263]-$110.00

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730]- $9.00

Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [121045]-$8.00

Die sets versus punches: Do you have a die-cutting machine? In terms of both financial investment and storage space the die sets are absolutely the way to go. 

Especially right now during Stampin'UP!'s July Bonus Days.  Each $50 you spend in July earns you 10% back to spend in August for free (merchandise only, not shipping and tax) 

 

Thanks for Stopping by: Take a minute and browse previous posts. If you see anything you like I'm happy to help you get the product or just to consult and explain further how the project was made . . . its all about having fun with our hobby.

Feel Good Feathers

Sometimes good things fall apart . . .

. . . so better things can fall together

Do you like this sentiment?
It might be just what you need for a friend going through some rough times.

I wanted the sentiment to be the main focus of this card, so the embellishments were minimal and subtle . . . just one piece of coordinating ribbon, no bow or knot and 3 small pearls. The pearls are so subtle, they do make a difference but they don't scream "look at me!".

The Voice of Experience:  When you use craft inks - the white ink I used for the feathers on the blue paper - just be aware it takes some time to dry. You don't want to smudge your stamping. 

Here's a complete list of product used on this card:

Feather Together Photopolymer Stamp Set [141597]- $17.00	Island Indigo 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [122923]- $8.00	Island Indigo Classic Ink Pad [126986]- $6.50
Whisper White Craft Ink Pad [101731]- $8.00	Pool Party 3/8"  Stitched Satin Ribbon [141691]- $9.00	Pearl Basic Jewels Embellishments [119247]- $5.00

Don't miss Stampin'UP!'s Bonus Days

 

July Bonus Days - Qualifying purchases made in July earn you 10% back in August. For every $50 you spend in July you'll get a $5 coupon to use in August. Stampin'UP! offers us a nice way to let us spread out purchases.

Thanks for Stopping by: Take a minute and browse previous posts. If you see anything you like I'm happy to help you get the product or just to consult and explain further how the project was made . . . its all about having fun with our hobby.

Trio of Feathers Together

Here's another masculine card today featuring the Feather Together Stamp set.

There are several things on this card that suggested its use as a Masculine card: . . . the natural imagery of the feathers and the burlap ribbon. And very little "bling".  Well if you look closely in this next photo you'll see I couldn't avoid just a little bling.  See the sparkle on the feather?  I LOVE my Wink of Stella Glitter Brush and use it all the time to add just a little sparkle lots of projects. 

Sponging Effects:  In this close up you'll also notice the sponging . . . both around the edges of each feather piece and lightly over the whole feather piece. This helps make it stand out from the background (which is the same color paper) and gives it a more natural look.  And speaking of paper and natural look, I used Vanilla Paper, not white on this card.

The Voice of Experience:  if you want to try sponging you'll need an art sponge - NOT a kitchen sponge.  You can try paper towels but a kitchen sponge is too rigid and hard.  I take the round ones Stampin'UP! sells (see the product list below) and cut them into 6 triangles. One package of sponges then gives me 18 sponges - which I keep and re-use.

People often ask me what kind of stamp sets a beginner should buy and my answer is a standard 3:  *a versatile sentiment set, *a good flower set, and because we live in Wisconsin, *a good snowflake set. But I also suggest that when something unusual comes along to snap it up while its available. We don't often get a feather set so I'm saying if you like it, get it while its here.  And if you like feather imagery then keep watching my blog this week. I recently spent a few hours playing with this fun set and have a whole bunch of samples to showoff.

Here's the Product List for this Feather Trio Card

Feather Together Photopolymer Stamp Set [141597]-$17.00	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101650]-$9.00	Always Artichoke 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [105119]-$8.00	Always Artichoke Classic Stampin' Pad [126972]-$6.50
	5/8" (1.6 Cm) Burlap Ribbon [141487]-$7.00	Stamping Sponges [141337]-$3.50	Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [141897]-$8.00

Don't miss Stampin'UP!'s Bonus Days

 

July Bonus Days - Qualifying purchases made in July earn you 10% back in August. For every $50 you spend in July you'll get a $5 coupon to use in August. Stampin'UP! offers us a nice way to let us spread out purchases.

Thanks for Stopping by: Take a minute and browse previous posts. If you see anything you like I'm happy to help you get the product or just to consult and explain further how the project was made . . . its all about having fun with our hobby.

Ink Jar with a Feather Pen

If you're like me you're always looking for good ideas for a masculine card. 

What do you think of this Feather Pen in an Ink Jar?

I thought this was a fun combination - and definitely a quick card. 

If you are looking for masculine card ideas the Feather Together stamp set has lots to offer. Here's a couple more cards I made with the feather stamps.

And if you like the ink jar concept this is the product info 
on the Feather Together Stamp Set and the Jar Framelits 

 

Feather Together Photopolymer Stamp Set [141597]- $17.00

Everyday Jars Framelits Dies [141490]- $33.00

Don't miss Stampin'UP!'s Bonus Days 

July Bonus Days - Qualifying purchases made in July earn you 10% back in August. For every $50 you spend in July you'll get a $5 coupon to use in August. Stampin'UP! offers us a nice way to let us spread out purchases.

Thanks for Stopping by: Take a minute and browse previous posts. If you see anything you like I'm happy to help you get the product or just to consult and explain further how the project was made . . . its all about having fun with our hobby. 

I LOVE the new Copper Embossing Powder

Check out the shine on this card. The feathers are heat embossed using copper embossing powder.

I absolutely LOVE how well the copper powder melts and the creamy metallic shine you get with this product. Heat embossing is a great way to make anything "pop" on your project, but this copper stuff is great! For comparison check out this card that uses gold embossing powder.

Here's a close-up view of the feathers.

Heat embossing is so easy when you have the right tools.  You just need 3 things:

1. An embossing powder - which is a special mix of color and a plasticy/metallic stuff that will melt at a temperature lower than the paper will burn at. I used Stampin;UP!'s Copper Embossing Powder.
2. a sticky ink to hold the embossing powder to the paper while its being heated. I stamped my image using Versamark. 
3. A heat source - I confess I once used my oven!, but a heat tool works so much better.

What do you think of this color combination?

The copper embossing powder coordinates nicely with Cajun Craze paper. And the Burlap Ribbon is a nice embellishment - it kind of fits with a rustic, natural theme for the card. 

In fact the new burlap ribbon is very thin, its easy to wrap around the paper and the rhinestones stick to it really well. If you don't have the burlap ribbon you could always make the card with linen thread. 

Thanks for Stopping by: Take a minute and browse previous posts. If you see anything you like I'm happy to help you get the product or just to consult and explain further how the project was made . . . its all about having fun with our hobby.

Product List

Feather Together Photopolymer Set [141597] - 17.00	Copper Stampin' Emboss Powder [141636] - $5.00	Versamark Pad [102283] - $8.50	Heat Tool [129053] - 30.00
	Cajun Craze Card Stock [119684] - $8.00	5/8" (1.6 Cm) Burlap Ribbon [141487] - $7.00	Rhinestone Embellishments [119246] - $5.00

shop on-line 
and 
earn rewards points