Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Backwards Stamp n Cut (My first Little Paper Shop card & some big news!!!)

I'm feelin' the need for colour! Here's a little crazy vibrancy; hope it brightens your day a wee bit!



These colours were inspired by the splitcoaststampers' fanclub theme rainbow colours.

...Annnnd...really exciting news!...

Julia asked me to be a guest designer with Little Paper Shop. (Squeeeeal of joy!) :O) I'm ultra honoured to be part of the team. I've been havin' a hoot playing with new stamps & have all kinds of fun things to show ya! :O)

Perhaps most exciting of all, (enabler alert!) is that Julia has a very special celebration coming up for World Cardmaking Day! (This Saturday October 4th.) Not sure how much info I'm allowed to give away, but part of it is that two new stunning sets make their debut that day. Can't wait to show you 'em! :O)


Little Paper ShopLittle Paper ShopLittle Paper Shop

Little Paper Shop Blog has new set previews
& check out these lovely Ladies on
the LPS Design Team:

(Holy talent Batman!)



& some schtuff about the card...



This sweet {Butterflies & Blossoms} stamp set was so fun to play with. (Well i guess it's kind of a moth here... with the moon & all...) Whatever it is, The colouring possibilities for this butterfly are endless! I'm dyin' to try it embossed on patterned paper...or filled in with stickles...glittered & lacquered for a stained glass look...stamped & doodled on... It's little body is just the right size for pearls or beads too. :O)

Supplies:

Stamps:

Butterfly, Vine, & "For You" sentiment from
{Butterflies & Blossoms} by Little Paper Shop
Embossing on black cardstock: Paisley (Above the Mark-56005 I)

Paper & Cardstock:
Patterned paper Basic Grey Romani (Gypsy)
Stampin' Up! cardstocks: Black,White, Baja Breeze, Tangerine Tango

Inks:
SU markers for butterfly (painted on with a water brush):
real red, only orange, yoyo yellow, tempting turquoise
Versamark & clear embossing powder (black c.s.)
Black craft ink & clear e.p. (black vines & sentiment)

Other stuff:
ZigPainty pen (silver end)
Black marker
Clear Gems & coloured ones
1 3/8 " circle punch (SU) for moon
Foam tape to stick moon on
Slit Punch (SU) to scallop black mat
Nestabilities scallop circle (sentiment scallop)
Floral Fantasy Cuttlebug embossing folder





Vine How-to
(or Backwards Stamp n Cut) ;O)

Step 1. Arrange the vine stamp on a block:



Get a load of this lil' jewel, hey? I can't wait to experiment with this vine stamp placed in different shapes & cut out of all kinds of papers (cuz the vine stamp is acrylic so it can be used straight for squares or fit around ovals and so on...) Isn't acrylic so snifty?



{Butterflies & Blossoms} vine:
  • On the Left: in its original shape
  • Center: placed in an S curve
  • Right: placed in a straight line.
I wanted to stamp this snookum vine on patterned paper and cut it out. I thought of embossing it on the front of patterned paper & cutting, but stampin' it on the back seemed easier, hence... step 2 is:



Step 2:
Stamp the vines on the back of patterned paper

(Did i mention that i love how you can arrange the stamp curved in a circle since it's acrylic? heehee. Using light ink for this means there's no bleed through. No need for perfect registration since the ink will never be seen.)



Step 3: Roughly cut the vines
(You can check to make sure you like the way the pattern is & just cut your favourites.)



Step 4.
Trim around the stamp

[No need to be exact since the stamp is on the back. This vine shape is very forgiving. The stem looks cute a little thicker (easier to cut that way) & it's a cinch to shape the paper after.]

Then you have a homemade embellishment in any patterned or stamped paper you like...





Now, I'm gettin' excited about this bein' all backwards thing. This technique would work with all kinds of stamps: flourishes, flowers, & me thinks it'd rock for silhouettes ! I wonder what this vine would look like with this black velvet cardstock I have, or in vellum.....? You could even curl the leaves! Hmmmm...




The sentiment:

This is a flower cut from the Basic Grey Romani paper & embossed in black with the sentiment from the {Butterflies & Blossoms} set. I know, I can't shut up about acrylic, ;o) but I just love how you can get exact placement... takes away my irrational fear of sentiments. LOL! :O)

Thanks so much for visitin' me.
I'd love to hear about your favourite thing to do with acrylic stamps,




27 comments:

  1. Yay! Congrats, Mel! You so deserve this. You are such an awesome talent.

    My favorite thing to do with acrylic stamps would be to learn to use them. Hehehe, I need to practice.

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  2. Ooooo...so glad that you are on the DT since you will give me so many ideas to scam! Loving this rainbow concoction!

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  3. Congratulations, Mel-a-Licious!! Wonderful news and that's a great DT you've got to work with.

    LURVE this project, so colorful ... it just pops!

    I think you'd like it very much if I were to keep my opinion on acrylic stamps to myself ... LOLOL!

    ~Huggies!!

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  4. Congrats Mel on joining the DT...look forward to seeing your creations, and yup a bit of cwazy cwazy colour sure does brighten the day!

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  5. Aw Mel thanks for popping over to my blog and for all your lovely comments... I must say WOW this card is fantastic love your blog too and thanks for sharing the step by step bits. I must admit I have been perusing The Paper Shop for sometime and am very tempted.

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  6. Congrats,Mel!!!
    You so deserve to be in a team,you are so talented!

    And the card is just gorgeous!
    Love the colours and the details!!

    Thank you for you`re lovely comment on my blog :)

    Big hugs from Maya.

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  7. First off.....CONGRATULATIONS!!!! How exciting and so well deserved!!! This card is such a breathtaking card! IT literally blows me away!!! I love acrylic stamps for the obvious reason...you can see exactly where you are stamping!

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  8. Welcome to the "Little" fold Mel!! Wahoo! and just look at you go with these stamps! Okay 'nuff of that......you're making me look bad.....LOL!

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  9. ohh what a bright and cheery card! Congrats on being a part of the Design team...I'm having a blast with these stamps and I know you will too!

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  10. Thank you for the very happy bright colors this am!! Cheered me right up! : ) This card is amazing and the backwards thing just screams possibilities! Congrats on the design team news! You are awesome!

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  11. This card is amazing!!! I totally love it! Congrats on being part of the DT! Wahoo!!!!!!!! You should have a DT for you:) you are THAT Good!

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  12. Mel you are so clever thanks for all the tips, I must try that with the leaves. Cool, cool cool.
    Welcome on being guest designer.

    I agree with Bonnie you are making us look bad.

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  13. Congrats and soooo excitied to work with you!!!

    BEAUTIFUL butterfly card!

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  14. Holy color explosion my stampin friend! Amazing job! Explode more often- this is fabUlous! Hugs & have a great weekend!

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  15. cute! thanks for visiting our site the other day! :)

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  16. Very nice! Love the colors and embossing. congras on the design team news...

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  17. Whoohoo, Mel!! Congratulations! I can't wait to see all the fabulous stuff you'll come up with!! You go girl!!

    Well, your rainbow card is. . .what can I say. . .beautiful, as always! I'm lovin' all the colors! I love how you have the ring of leaves in a circle. That's the beauty of acrylic stamps. . .can't do that with rubber! Awesome!!


    Maria

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  18. You cut out all those leaves?!?! My, my, my, but what patience you have. ;-)

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  19. CONGRATS Mel.

    They are too darn lucky to have you.

    Love the card, what a cool idea for the leaves.
    You are too much. In a great way of course.

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  20. Mel, Congratulations! Very-very glad for you! You have an amazing talent!
    My favourite thing about acrylic stamp is that they are flexible, you can see where you stamp, you can see how much ink you put on a stamp, and you can use a reverse side sometimes! Thank you for your great idea with a wreath!

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  21. gorgeous!!! love the bright colors!! congrats on the design team!!!

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  22. guest designer, hmmm? COOL!!! ;)CONGRATS!!! awesome post!!

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  23. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I have been busy making apple dumplings and eating them. Sorry I missed your news and wasn't the first to congratulate you.

    How long does a guest designer gig last?

    Cool project. Rainbow inspired for sure. If she didn't already sell enough, she is gonna start selling out now :-)

    Watch out Julia. You better make more stamps :-)

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  24. My favorite thing to do with acrylic stamps is to feed them to my ants. Long story, but I heard they love these stamps :-)

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  25. OMG this is the most amazing card!! I love it!!! Congrats on the DT - most definitely deserved!!

    I love acrylics for their flexibility!
    hugs, Jami

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  26. Congratulations Mel!!!! I am so happy for you:) You are super talented and I can't wait to see your creations!
    I love your card and the butterfly is fabulous!

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  27. How beautiful. Thanks for the reminder about the flexibility on the clear stamps. I forget all of the time. Your card is so beautiful with all of the layers and embelishments. Congratulations on you DT placement. Your are an asset on any team. My question is, do you ever sit still. LOLOL

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♥ Thank You so much sharing your thoughts. It means the world! ♥ Mel