Emboss Resist - December Technique class

Somehow I missed sharing this before my class last weekend, so I'll share now. I have noticed (and I'm sure you have too) that the daily themes aren't working for me right now. I have cards I've made, but they don't fit a theme, so I don't share them. So for now, if I have something that goes with a theme I'll post it, but otherwise, I'll go back to sharing whatever I've been working on. With that said here is my card for today:

In one of my past technique classes (Heat Embossing), I did quickly share the Emboss Resist technique. I've had a few requests to go over it again, so December's class was all about Emboss Resist. We used watercolours, Stampin' Pastels, and classic inks with Sponge Daubers and Stampin' Sponges. The technique is the same no matter what medium you use:

1. Stamp an image with VersaMark ink and sprinkle with Stampin' Emboss powder (I usually use Clear).
2. Heat with a Heat Tool.
3. Apply ink (or pastels) over the area you embossed.

That's it! The embossed areas will resist the colour and show whatver is underneath. For this card, I stamped the swirl from Elements of Style onto a piece of Newsprint DSP. After heating the embossing powder I rubbed several ink colours randomly over the butterfly with my Sponge Daubers. The butterfly was cut with the Beautiful Butterflies die for the Big Shot.

Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Curly Cute
Inks: Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red, Perfect Plum, VersaMark
Cardstock: Naturals White, Pear Pizazz, Perfect Plum, Rose Red
Big Shot: Elegant Lines textured impressions folder, Beautiful Butterflies die
Other: Corner Rounder punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon punch, Newsprint DSP, Neutrals buttons, Linen thread.

Try it Thursday - Letterpress plates

On Thursdays, I try something new, and invite you to try it too!

Stampin' Up! introduced Letterpress plates for the Big Shot in the Holiday Mini Catalogue, and I thought I'd get one to at least try it and see what I thought. You ink the raised portions of the plate with Craft ink (I used Real Red and Old Olive Stampin' Spots so I would get two colours). Then it goes through the Big Shot with paper (they recommend Watercolour paper, but I used Naturals White paper). My photo didn't capture the debossed effect very well, but it does look nice in person. My paper slid a little, and it's not perfect, so I inked the edges to disguise it a little...

Inks: Real Red & Old Olive Craft ink
Cardstock: Real Red, Naturals White, Pear Pizazz
Other: Old Olive 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Scallop Trim edge punch, Joyful Season letterpress plate, Holly Jolly DSP

Shannon West made a video for Stampin' Up! which includes some very good tips & tricks to be successful with the Letterpress plates: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJpeQ7fL5mw

Mini Monday - Wintery Day of Gratitude

Day of Gratitude is in the Fall/Thanksgiving section of the Holiday Mini, but I think it can also be used for Christmas... the medallion image can be used as an ornament, or in this case as a snowflake-like image. This is one of the cards we'll be making at my Technique Class this weekend, and it shows a variation of the Emboss Resist technique. I added colour to the stamped & embossed image, then added more colour by rubbing it over the embossed image. I will have other sentiments available if you don't want to make this a Christmas card. Please contact me to register for this class if you'd like to make this card.

Stamps: Day of Gratitude, Christmas Greetings, Serene Snowflake
Inks: Whisper White (Craft), VersaMark, Baja Breeze, Marina Mist
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, Whisper White, Very Vanilla
Other: Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder, Stampin' Sponge, Elegant Soiree DSP, Rhinestone brad

Whatever Wednesday - Snowy Scrapbook page

This is the scrapbook page we'll be making this Sunday at my December Scrapbook class... the pictures are from a few years ago, but I could have created this layouts from pictures I took this week too... we're experiencing huge snowfalls! My Big Shot got a workout on this layout... cutting out Timeless Type letters for the title, embossing some snowflakes (Northern Flurry Textured Impressions folder) and cutting some accent snowflakes (Northern Frost Decorative Strip) which I sponged with Champagne Mist shimmer paint. Serene Snowflakes was the perfect stamp set to use on this layout, and I also stamped part of my title with the Broadsheet Alphabet.

There is still time to sign up for this class - just $5.00 (or free with a $25.00 order). Please RSVP by Saturday, December 11th.
Stamps: Broadsheet Alphabet, Serene Snowflakes
Inks: Baja Breeze, Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint
Cardstock: Bashful Blue (textured), Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla
Big Shot: Northern Flurry T.I.F., Timeless Type Sizzlets, Northern Frost Decorative Strip
Other: Neutrals Prints DSP (I used the Very Vanilla Patterns

Sketchy Sunday #102!

I have a quick & easy card sketch for you this week:

I wanted to try out my Holly & Jolly rub ons before the holiday season is over (I'm still working on my cards for this year). I have to admit, they were a little tricky to use, and I had to be very careful, and rub longer than I was expecting based on the rub-ons I've used in the past... I do like the way the card turned out though, and I hope you like it too!

If you would like to play along, please add a link to my comments so I can go and see what you've created!

Stamps: none!
Inks: none!
Cardstock: Naturals White, Crumb Cake, Riding Hood Red, Old Olive
Punches: Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, Decorative Label
Other: Paper Piercer & Mat Pack, Holly & Jolly rub-ons, Basic Rhinestones, Jolly Holiday DSP

Congratulations to Yvonne, Joyce and Kirsten!

I'm not sure where this week went... but I want to say congratulations to Yvonne and her two new downline members, Joyce and Kirsten. They took advantage of the 1/2 price Starter Kit while that promotion was running I'm hoping I'll get to meet them and stamp with them this month at my team meeting!